20
Aug
Written by: Elliott
Okay, this is a beginner’s class for English speakers who want to learn the basics of filthy soccer spanish. A caveat – I am second generation Mexican American (aka “white”) engaged to a gorgeous Nicaraguan woman, and thus these posts will not be a glowing fountain of pristine Castillian Spanish.
This is the stuff your high school Spanish teacher heard in the streets when he studied abroad in Guatemala for two weeks, and it made him nervous. REALLY nervous.
We will begin with the basics. You must crawl (gatear) before you can walk (caminar).
Soccer ball – balon, pelota
Take a shot – tirarle, disparar
Make a pass - pasar, entregar
The word for free kick is a point of confusion among Hispanics and I have heard about 1,000 different variations. In fact, even in English, some people call it a deadball and others call it a setpiece. Thus far, the Real Elliott-emia has discovered these words: balon parado, bola parada, pelota parada, tiro libre. Which is the correct one? Good question.
I propose a congress for a meeting of all Hispanic soccer fans so that we can come to a general consensus. My place. Tomorrow. BYOB. In the meantime, your homework (tarea) is watch half a Mexican league game on Telemundo or a La Liga match on Goltv. No copying other classmate’s notes (apuntes)!
Do not fret – this is the beginning of a series and I promise plenty more lessons. Just take a moment to digest “pelota” and say it over and over and over.
Note: the Real Academia was not consulted in relation with this article.
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August 21st, 2009 at 4:36 am
You should also add the text-to-speech feature that will help us get the right pronunciation.
August 21st, 2009 at 1:04 pm
There are videos and clips on the way – just be patient. I have a very strict, Real Academia approved, lesson plan. And homework assignments will soon come and be mandatory
October 23rd, 2009 at 11:40 pm
As far as I’m concerned it’s ‘tiro libre’. But you have to bear in mind I learnt all my Spanish in South and Central America, and that even though fluent, am often terrified whenever I end up in conversation with a Spaniard. They speak so differently!
So yeh, tiro libre.
Btw, Nicaragua = one of my favourite countries in the world! Lovely place
October 26th, 2009 at 5:49 pm
Yeah I lived in Spain and the vosotros totally three me and my friends for a loop – thought I was in a Lope de Vega production!
Nicaragua is a fantastic country with the nice and friendly people the highlight – too bad about the current Pres though