(From Topics in Spanish lexical dialectology: the home.

Proceedings of the 39th Annual Conference of the American Translators Association, Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, U.S.A., November 4-8, 1998. Ann G. Macfarlane, comp. American Translators Association, 1998. 221-253.)

TOPICS IN SPANISH LEXICAL DIALECTOLOGY: THE HOME Andre Moskowitz

Keywords: The Home, Spanish, Regionalisms, Terminology, Dialectology, Lexicography, Sociolinguistics. Abstract: This paper presents information on regional Spanish-language terminology that relates to the home.

INTRODUCTION

The paper indicates the terms used to refer to certain objects, components, places and phrases__referred to collectively as items__that have two characteristics in common: The items all have some relation to the home, and the term a Spanish speaker uses to refer to them is primarily a function of where the speaker is from. The title of each section is the items common name(s) or designation(s) in United S tates English: 1) apartment, 2) baby bottle, 3) (babys) pacifier, 4) bag, 5) bathtub, 6) blanket, 7) bleach, 8) bucket or pail, 9) closet, 10) clothespin, 11) comb, 12) fan, 13) faucet, 14) flowerpot, 15) garbage can, 16) hello (answering the telephone), 17) light bulb, 18) living room, 19) match, 20) mop, 21) refrigerator, 22) safety pin, 23) (bathroom) sink, 24) (kitchen) sink, 25) speaker (of a stereo), 26) stove, 27) stove burner, 28) swimming pool, 29) tape recorder, 30) toilet, 31) to flush the toilet, and 32) (toilet) plunger.

Each section is divided into three subsections: 1) 2) 3) 0.1 Terms by Country Details Real Academia Regional Review Terms by Country

These subsections consist of lexico-geographic tables in which the terms used in the Spanishspeaking regions of peninsular Spain and the nineteen Spanish-speaking countries of the Western Hemisphere are presented. Unfortunately, no information was obtained on usage in the Canary Islands, Equatorial Guinea or other Spanish-speaking regions outside of Europe and Latin America. Since the countries are arranged in a geographical order, they often highlight lexicogeographic blocs, or groups of countries that are in geographic proximity and also share the same lexical usage for a given item. The information was gathered by the author from two hundred native speakers of Spanish, ten from each country, by one of the following methods: 1) through observation in the countries themselves; 2) by showing informants the item, or a picture of the item, or by giving them a description of the item and asking them to give the term most commonly used in their region for it; and 3) by asking informants who are highly proficient in English to give the equivalents of English language terms that are used in their native regions. Following each Spanish-language term, a percentage is given indicating the proportion of the informants who used a particular term or gave it as their response to a question. Thus, in the first table, apartment,
MEXICO

departamento (90%), apartamento (50%).

is to be interpreted as, Of the ten Mexicans who were observed referring to an apartment or were asked to give the term they used for this item, nine gave or used the term departamento and five the term apartamento. In many cases, the people interviewed indicated that more than one term was commonly used in their homeland and, therefore, the percentages for the terms frequently total more than 100%. In order to consolidate the information, the data for groups of countries is sometimes presented in a single line with the use of categories such as Hispanic Central America (Panama, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Honduras, El Salvador and Guatemala), Hispanic Antilles (Cuba, the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico) and Rest of Spanish America (all Spanish-speaking Latin American countries that are not listed in the table with an individual country specification). In addition, the term Southern Cone is used to refer to Paraguay, Uruguay, Argentina and Chile. When informants used or offered several similar variants, words or letters appear in parentheses or separated by slashes. Thus, where lavatrastes/tos appears, informants indicated that both lavatrastes and lavatrastos are used.

It should be noted that peninsular Spanish usages such as altavoz (speaker), bibern (baby bottle), bombilla (light bulb), grifo (faucet), and manta (blanket) are understood and used in Spanish America, especially by educated speakers. Some Latin Americans perceive these as the prestige terms and prefer them to the words that are most common in their region. 0.2 Details

In these subsections more detailed information is provided on the usage of particular regions, and of specific age and socio-economic groups within regions. 0.3 Real Academia Regional Review

These subsections present an evaluation of the 1992 edition of the Diccionario de la Lengua Espaola (the Spanish Royal Academy Dictionary), henceforth referred to as the Real Academia. Its coverage of the regional usages described in this article is evaluated using the following grade scale: A Corresponding definition, correct regions. This grade is given when the Real Academia defines the term as used in the section of this article and correctly indicates the countries and/or regions in which the term is used in this sense. Corresponding definition, incorrect regions. This grade is given when the Real Academia defines the term as used in the section and specifies a region or regions but does not specify them correctly. Its definition either fails to include regions in which the usage occurs or includes regions where the usage does not occur. However, the grade of B is raised to an A if the Real Academias definition is appropriate, Amr. (Amrica, that is, Spanish-speaking Latin America) is specified in the definition, and the term is used in ten or more (over 50%) of the Spanish-speaking Latin American countries. Corresponding definition, no regions specified. This grade is given when the Real Academia defines the term as used in the section but does not specify any countries or regions in which the term is used in this sense. In essence, it fails to identify the usage as regional. However, the grade of C is raised to an A if the term is used in at least ten Spanish-speaking countries (at least 50% of them). No corresponding definition. This grade is given when the Real Academia does not include in its definition of the term a sense that corresponds to the section. Term not in dictionary. This grade is given when the Real Academia does not list the term at all.

D F

The purpose of this evaluation is to expose gaps and inconsistencies in specific Real Academia household item definitions in the hope that they will be modified in future editions to accurately describe usage in the Spanish-speaking world from an international perspective. How receptive the Real Academia will be to the suggested changes depends on the extent to which this institution continues to shift from having a prescriptivist philosophy, whereby it denies entry to those terms and usages which for whatever reason it finds objectionable, to that of taking a global-descriptivist approach, that is, simply describing usage as it really is throughout the 3

Spanish-speaking world. For example, this approach would entail labeling common usages that are regional, colloquial, slang or vulgar as such rather than omitting them entirely. In recent decades, the Real Academia has made considerable strides in this direction. Because all other general Spanish-language dictionaries that have thus far achieved widespread circulation are largely based on the Real Academia s dictionary, it is especially important that this institution modernize its lexicographical practices. Indeed, it can be argued that because the Real Academia is such a dominant player in Spanish lexicography, modernizing this field for all intents and purposes means modernizing the lexicographical practices of the Real Academia.

1 1.1

APARTMENT Terms by Country (3 terms) piso (100%), apartamento (70%). departamento (90%), apartamento (50%). apartamento (80%), departamento (30%). apartamento (100%). apartamento (100%). apartamento (100%). apartamento (100%). departamento (100%), apartamento (30%). departamento (100%), apartamento (30%). departamento (90%), apartamento (50%). departamento (100%), apartamento (60%). apartamento (90%), departamento (50%). departamento (100%), apartamento (30%). departamento (100%).

SPAIN MEXICO GUATEMALA REST OF HISPANIC CENTRAL AMERICA HISPANIC ANTILLES VENEZUELA COLOMBIA ECUADOR PERU BOLIVIA PARAGUAY URUGUAY ARGENTINA CHILE

1.2

Details

Spain: Some consider a piso to be an apartment that is a primary residence and an apartamento to be a secondary-residence apartment such as a vacation home. For others, a piso is a larger apartment and an apartamento a smaller one, but different people have different notions of where the cut-off point lies. Of these, some claim that apartamentos have two bedrooms or less while others say that only one-bedroom apartments are apartamentos and anything larger is a piso. Since vacation apartments are often smaller than primary residence apartments, both criteria of what distinguishes pisos from apartamentos often apply. Mexico: Departamento is the preferred term among the middle and upper classes, some of whom view apartamento as an anglicism that is to be avoided. 1.3 Real Academia Regional Review Apartamento (A), departamento (B), piso (C).

Apartamiento is defined as 3. apartamento. Are there currently Spanish speakers who use apartamiento in this sense? If so, who and where are they? Apartamento is defined as 2. Vivienda compuesta de uno o ms aposentos, generalmente con cocina y servicios higinicos, situada en un edificio donde existen otras viviendas anlogas and piso is defined as 4. Conjunto de habitaciones que constituyen vivienda independiente en una casa de varios altos. Both definitions describe essentially the same thing, an apartment. If both terms refer to apartments but with different features (size, amenities, etc.), one of the words should have a full definition and the other should be defined in terms of the first.

2 2.1

BABY BOTTLE Terms by Country (7 standard terms plus 2 more colloquial ones) bibern (100%). mamila (100%). pacha (100%). pacha (100%). pepe (100%). pacha (100%). chupn (100%). mamadera (100%). bibern (100%). tetero (100%). tetero (100%). mamadera (100%).

SPAIN MEXICO GUATEMALA EL SALVADOR HONDURAS NICARAGUA COSTA RICA PANAMA HISPANIC ANTILLES VENEZUELA COLOMBIA REST OF HISPANIC SOUTH AMERICA

2.2

Details

General: Teta also appears to be used colloquially in some countries. Puerto Rico: Bib is a colloquial form of bibern. 2.3 Real Academia Regional Review

Bibern (A), bib (F), chupn (B), mamadera (B), mamila (D), pacha (B), pepe (D), teta (D), tetero (B). (Babys) PACIFIER Terms by Country (13 terms) chupete (100%). chupn (100%). 5

3 3.1

SPAIN MEXICO

GUATEMALA EL SALVADOR HONDURAS NICARAGUA COSTA RICA PANAMA CUBA DOMIN. REP. PUERTO RICO VENEZUELA COLOMBIA ECUADOR PERU BOLIVIA PARAGUAY URUGUAY ARGENTINA CHILE

pepe (100%). pepe (100%). chupete (60%), chupn (60%), entretenedor (30%). chupeta (100%). chupeta (100%). consuelo (70%), mamn (60%). tete (60%), tetera (40%), chupete (40%), chupeta (30%), teto (20%). bobo (100%). bobo (100%). chupn (100%). chupo (100%). chupn (100%). chupn (100%). chupn (100%). chupete (100%), chupador (30%). chupete (100%). chupete (100%). chupete (100%).

3.3

Real Academia Regional Review

Bobo (D), consuelo (D), chupador (C), chupeta (D), chupete (C), chupo (D), chupn (D), entretenedor (D), mamn (D), pepe (D), tete (F), tetera (D), teto (F). Chupe is also defined as And. chupador de los nios and chupador, in turn, is defined as Pieza redondeada de marfil, pasta, caucho, etc., que se da a los nios en la poca de la primera denticin para que chupen y refresquen la boca. This is slightly different from the definition given for chupete: Objeto con una parte de goma o materia similar en forma de pezn que se da a los nios para que chupen. Is the Real Academia stating that (in Spain) chupe/chupador and chupete refer to two similar but different devices? If they are the same, one of the terms should be defined with a complete description and the other two should be crossreferenced.

4 4.1

BAG (disposable paper or plastic bag) Terms by Country (7 terms) bolsa (100%). bolsa (100%). bolsa (100%). cartucho (80%), bolsa (80%). cartucho (90%), bolsa (60%). funda (100%). bolsa (90%), funda (50%). bolsa (90%), chuspa (50%), talega (50%), talego (20%). funda (90%), bolsa (40%).

SPAIN MEXICO REST OF HISP. CENTRAL AMER. PANAMA CUBA DOMIN. REP. PUERTO RICO COLOMBIA ECUADOR

PARAGUAY CHILE REST OF HISP. SOUTH AMER.

bolsa (100%), hule (90%). bolsa (100%), cartucho (70%). bolsa (100%).

4.2

Details

General: The items in question are disposable, paper or plastic bags, rather than handbags, tote bags, cloth bags, suitcases and other non-disposable type bags. Spain: Is cartucho used in this sense in the Canary Islands? Panama & Cuba: For some, cartucho refers to a paper bag and bolsa to a plastic bag. Others claim size or other characteristics are what distinguish them and still others say the two terms are synonymous. Dominican Republic & Ecuador: Bolsa is a vulgar word for testicle and for this reason is avoided by many people. Puerto Rico: Funda is used more by the older generations. Colombia: Bolsa is the predominant term in most of the country; chuspa is especially characteristic of Valle del Cauca, but is also used in other western departments such as Caldas and Antioquia. Talego appears to be common in Bogota, but where else are talego and talega used? Bolivia: Chuspa refers to a type of handmade cloth bag used by some indigenous groups. Paraguay: Hule is a plastic bag. Chile: Cartucho is a paper bag. 4.3 Real Academia Regional Review Bolsa (A), cartucho (D), chuspa (B), funda (D), hule (D), talega (D), talego (D).

5 5.1

BATHTUB Terms by Country (3 terms) baera (100%). tina (100%). tina (90%), baera (30%). tina (80%), baera (70%). baera (100%), tina (40%). baera (80%), tina (70%). tina (80%), baera (60%). tina (100%). baadera (100%). baera (100%). baera (100%). baera (100%). 7

SPAIN MEXICO GUATEMALA EL SALVADOR HONDURAS NICARAGUA COSTA RICA PANAMA CUBA DOMIN. REP. PUERTO RICO VENEZUELA

COLOMBIA ECUADOR PERU BOLIVIA PARAGUAY URUGUAY ARGENTINA CHILE

tina (100%). tina (100%). tina (100%). tina (100%). baera (80%), tina (60%), baadera (60%). baera (100%). baadera (100%), baera (40%). tina (100%).

5.2

Details

General: Bathtubs are less common in tropical Spanish America than in Spain and the Southern Cone. 5.3 Real Academia Regional Review

Baadera (B), baera (A), tina (A). Bao is defined as 4. Pila que sirve para baar, o lavar todo el cuerpo o parte de l and tina as 4. Pila que sirve para baarse todo o parte del cuerpo; baera is cross-referenced to bao and baadera is cross-referenced to baera. Since tina and baera are the most commonly used terms for this item, one of the two should be defined with a full description and the remaining terms should be cross-referenced to whichever one is listed with the complete definition.

6 6.1

BLANKET Terms by Country (8 terms) manta (100%). cobija (100%). colcha (100%), frazada (70%), poncho (60%), chamarra (60%). colcha (100%), cobija (70%), chiva (70%), frazada (50%). colcha (100%), cobija (60%). colcha (100%), cobija (50%). cobija (100%). manta (100%), frazada (50%). frazada (100%), colcha (70%). frisa (60%), frazada (40%), colcha (30%), cobija (30%). frisa (90%), colcha (40%). cobija (100%). cobija (100%). cobija (70%), colcha (70%). frazada (90%), colcha (40%). frazada (100%). frazada (100%), manta (60%).

SPAIN MEXICO GUATEMALA EL SALVADOR HONDURAS NICARAGUA COSTA RICA PANAMA CUBA DOMIN. REP. PUERTO RICO VENEZUELA COLOMBIA ECUADOR PERU BOLIVIA PARAGUAY

URUGUAY ARGENTINA CHILE

frazada (100%), cobija (60%), manta (60%). frazada (100%), cobija (50%), manta (50%). frazada (100%).

6.2

Details

General: In countries where two or more terms are commonly used in the sense of blanket there are those who claim that some refer to warmer, thicker blankets and others to thinner blankets. However, other people from the same countries make no such distinction and state that the terms in question are synonyms or that they only use one of the terms for all types of blankets. More research needs to be done to determine whether or not there is a consensus in these countries regarding which refer to thicker blankets and which to thinner ones or whether there are other distinguishing characteristics (material, size, pattern, border, etc.). In those countries in which colcha is not used in the sense of blanket, it is used to refer to a bedspread or comforter (cubrecama, sobrecama or edredn). However, in regions with tropical climates, people generally do not need either a bedspread or a blanket, rarely use both items together and often do not distinguish between them. In fact, some Spanish speakers from tropical countries do not even distinguish between sheets and blankets and use a single term to refer to anything that serves as a bed covering. Mexico: Sarape is a type of blanket often worn as clothing by campesinos. Ecuador: Cobija is used more in the Highlands (la Sierra); colcha more in the Coast region (la Costa). Peru: Frazada is the most commonly used term in most of the country; colcha is used in the sense of blanket primarily in northern regions. Bolivia: Manta is a type of shawl worn by indigenous women who are often referred to as cholas. Uruguay & Argentina: Frazada is used more in the capitals and by the younger generations; cobija and manta more in the interior and by the elderly. 6.3 Real Academia Regional Review

Cobija (B), colcha (D), chamarra (D), chiva (B), frazada (D), frisa (D), manta (C), poncho (D).

7 7.1

BLEACH Terms by Country (11 terms) leja (100%). cloro (70%), blanqueador (60%), clarasol (40%). cloro (70%), blanqueador (70%). leja (100%), cloro (30%), blanqueador (20%). 9

SPAIN MEXICO GUATEMALA EL SALVADOR

HONDURAS NICARAGUA COSTA RICA PANAMA CUBA DOMIN. REP. PUERTO RICO VENEZUELA COLOMBIA ECUADOR PERU BOLIVIA PARAGUAY URUGUAY ARGENTINA CHILE

cloro(x) (100%), blanqueador (30%). cloro(x) (100%), blanqueador (40%). cloro(x) (100%), blanqueador (20%). cloro(x) (100%), blanqueador (50%). cloro (90%), leja (70%). cloro (100%). cloro(x) (100%), blanqueador (50%). cloro (100%), leja (60%). blanqueador (70%), cloro (50%), lmpido (50%). cloro (70%), cloretol (40%), blanqueador (30%). leja (100%). lavandina (70%), blanqueador (60%). lavandina (100%), ayudn (60%), blanqueador (40%). agua jane (100%), blanqueador (30%). lavandina (100%). cloro (80%), agua de cuba (70%).

7.2

Details

Venezuela: Cloro refers to the more delicate, modern type of bleach; leja to a stronger, more caustic one. Chile: Cloro is used more by the younger generations; agua de cuba more by the elderly. Brand names: Ayudn, Agua Jane, Clarasol, Cloretol and Lavandina are (or were) brand names that are often used generically in their respective countries. 7.3 Real Academia Regional Review

Agua de cuba (F), agua jane (F), ayudn (F), blanqueador (D), clarasol (F), cloretol (F), cloro (D), clorox (F), lavandina (B), leja (D), lmpido (D).

8 8.1

BUCKET or PAIL Terms by Country (5 terms) cubo (100%), balde (30%). cubeta (80%), balde (50%). cubeta (100%). balde (100%), cumbo (50%). balde (90%), cubeta (90%). balde (100%). balde (100%). balde (60%), cubo (60%). cubo (80%), balde (40%). cubo (80%), cubeta (80%). balde (80%), cubo (60%).

SPAIN MEXICO GUATEMALA EL SALVADOR HONDURAS NICARAGUA COSTA RICA PANAMA CUBA DOMIN. REP. PUERTO RICO

VENEZUELA REST OF HISP. SOUTH AMER.

tobo (80%), balde (70%). balde (100%).

8.2

Details

General: In countries where two terms for bucket compete, some consider the terms to be synonymous while others claim that they refer to vessels of different sizes or materials. Spain: Cubo refers to a standard bucket or pail with one semicircular handle across the top of the vessel; balde to a wider, lower pail with two handles. Many people are unfamiliar with baldes which are much less common than cubos. El Salvador: Cumbo also refers to metal containers other than buckets. Cuba: Cubo is the predominant term in most of the country; balde is used more in the Oriente. (Me/le/nos/etc.) cay como un balde de agua fra: This expression is used in a number of Spanish-speaking countries with the meaning of, all of a sudden something unexpected and unpleasant happened (to me/her/him/us/etc.). In which countries is this expression commonly used? In all those in which balde is used in the sense of bucket? Are the alternate terms for bucket substituted for balde in this expression in any of the non-balde countries? In other words, are there native speakers of Spanish who spontaneously use expressions such as Me cay como un cubo de agua fra, Me cay como una cubeta de agua fra and, if so, where? Or are similes with caer como and other vessels and substances used to form expressions with this same meaning? 8.3 Real Academia Regional Review Balde (A), cubeta (B), cubo (C), cumbo (D), tobo (F).

9 9.1

CLOSET (built-in) Terms by Country (4 basic terms) armario (70%), ropero (60%). clset (100%). placard (100%). placard (100%). placard (100%).

SPAIN REST OF SPANISH AMERICA PARAGUAY URUGUAY ARGENTINA

9.2

Details

General: The item referred to in this section is the built-in closet rather than a movable closet or armoire. Built-in closets are less common in Spain than in Spanish America, and less widespread in Spanish America than in the United States. However, in new construction they have become increasingly common throughout the Spanish-speaking world. Spain: Modifiers are often added to the terms ropero and armario or other compound terms are 11

used to distinguish built-in closets from armoires unless the context makes this unnecessary. Thus the terms armario de pared, armario empotrado, armario ropero, cuarto ropero, ropero de pared, etc. Spanish America except Paraguay, Uruguay & Argentina: Clset refers to a built-in closet and ropero, and less often armario, refer to armoires. Paraguay, Uruguay & Argentina: Placard refers to a built-in closet and ropero, and less often armario, refer to armoires. 9.3 Real Academia Regional Review

Armario (empotrado) (C), clset (A), placard (F), ropero (C). Armario is defined as mueble con puertas y anaqueles o perchas para guardar ropa y otros objetos and armario empotrado, in turn, is defined (in a subentry of armario) as El [armario] construido en el espesor de un muro o hueco de una pared. If the Real Academia believes that armario empotrado includes closets that are rooms, then its definition of this compound term should include a word indicating that it is a room, as it has done with the definition of ropero, 5. Armario o cuarto donde se guarda ropa. Also, armario empotrado and ropero (empotrado) should be cross-referenced so the reader knows the terms can refer to one and the same thing.

10 10.1

CLOTHESPIN Terms by Country (13 basic terms plus variants) pinza (100%). pinza (80%), gancho (50%). gancho (100%). chuch(it)o (80%), gancho (60%). gancho (100%). gancho (70%), prensarropa (60%), prensador (de ropa) (50%). prensa (de ropa) (90%), gancho (20%). horquilla (100%). palito (60%), palillo (50%), horquilla (20%). palito (70%), gancho (50%). pinche (70%), palillo (40%), pincho (20%). gancho (80%), pinza (60%). gancho (90%), pinza (40%). pinza (100%). gancho (100%). gancho (80%), pinza (30%). pinza (100%), pinche (50%). palillo (100%). broche (100%). perr(it)o (100%).

SPAIN MEXICO GUATEMALA EL SALVADOR HONDURAS NICARAGUA COSTA RICA PANAMA CUBA DOMIN. REP. PUERTO RICO VENEZUELA COLOMBIA ECUADOR PERU BOLIVIA PARAGUAY URUGUAY ARGENTINA CHILE

10.2

Details

General: Many of the terms listed above are the short forms to which modifiers are added for purposes of clarification. Thus gancho can be expanded to gancho de ropa, gancho de tender (ropa), gancho para colgar (ropa), gancho para guindar, gancho de tendedera, gancho de tendedero, etc. Similar expansions occur with chucho, palito, palillo, pinza and others. El Salvador: Chucho means dog and has been applied to this item because of the way it grips or bites the clothing (note the similarity with the Chilean usage). 10.3 Real Academia Regional Review

Broche (D), broche de ropa (F), chucho (D), chucho de ropa (F), gancho (D), gancho de ropa (F), horquilla (D), palillo (D), palillo de ropa (F), palito (F), palito de ropa (F), palito de tendedera (F), perro (D), perro de ropa (F), pinche (D), pinche de ropa (F), pincho (D), pincho de ropa (F), pinza (D), pinza de ropa (F), prensa (D), prensa de ropa (F), prensador (D), prensador de ropa (F), prensarropa (F).

11 11.1

COMB Terms by Country (3 terms) peine (100%). peine (100%). peine (100%). peinilla (100%). peine (100%). peine (100%). peinilla (100%). peine (100%). peinilla (80%), peineta (40%). peinilla (100%). peine (100%), peinilla (30%). peineta (100%). peine (100%).

SPAIN MEXICO REST OF HISP. CENTRAL AMER. PANAMA CUBA DOMIN. REP. PUERTO RICO VENEZUELA COLOMBIA ECUADOR PERU CHILE REST OF HISP. SOUTH AMER.

11.2

Details

General: The item in question is a standard comb, that is, not side combs (used to hold up womens hair), or extra fine tooth combs (such as for removing lice), or picks. Colombia: Peinilla is used in most of the country; peineta primarily in the southwestern departments of Valle del Cauca, Cauca and Nario. 13

Peru: Peine is used in most of the country; peinilla was given by people from northern areas (Paita, Piura, Tumbes). 11.3 Real Academia Regional Review Peine (A), peineta (D), peinilla (D).

12 12.1

(Electric) FAN Terms by Country (2 terms) ventilador (100%). ventilador (80%), abanico (70%). ventilador (100%). ventilador (100%). abanico (80%), ventilador (70%). abanico (100%). abanico (100%), ventilador (40%). abanico (100%). ventilador (100%). abanico (100%). abanico (100%). ventilador (100%), abanico (30%). ventilador (100%), abanico (30%). ventilador (100%).

SPAIN MEXICO GUATEMALA EL SALVADOR HONDURAS NICARAGUA COSTA RICA PANAMA CUBA DOMIN. REP. PUERTO RICO VENEZUELA COLOMBIA REST OF HISP. SOUTH AMER.

12.2

Details

General: The item in question is the electric fan, not the hand-held manual fan that one often sees Spanish women use at bull fights which is called abanico everywhere. Mexico: For some, ventilador refers to a larger, often fixed fan, whereas abanico refers to a smaller, portable fan, typically the round ones that rotate in a semicircle. Does this use of abanico occur only in certain regions? There is a scene in the 1991 film Danzn, directed by Mara Novaro, in which the main character, who is from Mexico City, is checking into a hotel in Veracruz and the front-desk clerk asks her if she would like a room with or without an abanico (the room is more expensive if it has one). The main character does not understand and so the clerk uses the word ventilador and then she does. One might deduce from this scene that the use of abanico is typical of Veracruz speech and that people from Mexico City use only ventilador. However, in this study Mexicans from regions other than the Caribbean coast, and including Mexico City, used or gave abanico as a response, often distinguishing it from ventilador as indicated above. Venezuela: Ventilador is used in most of the country; abanico was given by people from the state of Zulia. Colombia: Ventilador is used in most of the country; abanico was given by people from the Atlantic Coast region (la Costa).

12.3

Real Academia Regional Review Abanico (D), ventilador (A).

13 13.1

FAUCET Terms by Country (9 terms) grifo (100%). llave (100%). chorro (80%), llave (80%). chorro (90%), llave (50%). llave (100%). paja (90%), llave (60%), chorro (20%). tubo (70%), llave (40%). pluma (100%), llave (40%). pila (80%), llave (70%), pluma (50%). llave (80%), pluma (60%). pluma (100%), llave (50%). llave (80%), chorro (50%), grifo (50%). llave (90%), pluma (40%), grifo (20%). llave (100%). cao (100%), llave (50%). pila (90%), grifo (70%), llave (30%). canilla (100%). canilla (100%). canilla (100%). llave (100%).

SPAIN MEXICO GUATEMALA EL SALVADOR HONDURAS NICARAGUA COSTA RICA PANAMA CUBA DOMIN. REP. PUERTO RICO VENEZUELA COLOMBIA ECUADOR PERU BOLIVIA PARAGUAY URUGUAY ARGENTINA CHILE

13.2

Details

General: The above terms are used, in the respective countries, in the object spot in phrases of the form abrir or cerrar + article + object, i.e. abrir/cerrar la llave, abrir/cerrar el chorro, abrir/cerrar la pluma, etc., and in many other phrases. Whether the words refer to the faucet, the pipe or the stream of water coming out of the pipe that is regulated by the faucet is debatable, but it does appear that many speakers do not make the distinction in their everyday use of the terms. Cuba: Pila and llave are used in most of the country; pluma mainly in the Oriente. Colombia: Llave is used in most of the country; pluma primarily in the Atlantic Coast region.

15

13.3

Real Academia Regional Review

Canilla (B), cao (D), chorro (D), grifo (C), llave (A), paja (B), pila (D), pluma (D), tubo (D). 14 14.1 FLOWERPOT Terms by Country (9 generic terms plus 2 more specific terms) maceta (90%), tiesto (70%). maceta (100%). maceta (100%), macetero (40%). maceta (100%), macetera (20%). macetera (90%), maceta (40%), macetero (40%). macetera (100%). maceta (100%), macetero (40%). pote (100%). maceta (100%), macetero (20%). tarro (100%), maceta (20%). tiesto (100%), maceta (20%). matero (90%), pote (30%), macetero (20%). matera (90%), maceta (40%), macetera (20%). macetero (100%), maceta (60%). maceta (100%), macetero (40%). maceta (100%), macetero (60%). plantera (100%), maceta (30%). maceta (100%). maceta (100%), macetero (20%). macetero (100%).

SPAIN MEXICO GUATEMALA EL SALVADOR HONDURAS NICARAGUA COSTA RICA PANAMA CUBA DOMIN. REP. PUERTO RICO VENEZUELA COLOMBIA ECUADOR PERU BOLIVIA PARAGUAY URUGUAY ARGENTINA CHILE

14.2

Details

General: In many countries where maceta is used, the term macetero can refer to a frame or base that holds flower pots, or to a larger flower pot. Also, some speakers use one term for empty flower pots and another for ones that contain plants and soil. Spain: According to some, tiesto and maceta are synonyms. Others claim that tiestos are smaller than macetas and still others indicate that tiestos are empty flower pots whereas macetas are ones with plants. There is also evidence to suggest that the elderly use tiesto more than the younger generations in the general sense of flower pot and that younger people tend to use maceta exclusively. Cuba: Tinajn refers to a large, often non-portable flower pot. Venezuela: Porrn refers to a large clay pot that can be used as a flower pot.

14.3

Real Academia Regional Review

Maceta (A), macetera (F), macetero (D), matera (F), matero (D), plantera (F), pote (D), tarro (D), tiesto (C). Tina is defined as Chile. Maceta para plantas de adorno. Are there Chileans who use this term in this sense? None were encountered during the course of this study. 15 15.1 GARBAGE CAN Terms by Country (16 basic terms plus variants) cubo de basura (100%), basurero (30%). bote de basura (80%), basurero (50%), cesto de basura (30%). bote de basura (80%), basurero (70%). basurero (80%), bote de basura (70%), cumbo de basura (40%). basurero (100%), bote de basura (30%). basurero (100%), bote de basura (20%). basurero (100%). basurero (100%), tinaco (80%), bote de basura (30%). latn de basura (80%), basurero (40%), lata de basura (30%). zafacn (100%), lata de basura (40%). zafacn (100%). pipote de basura (100%), basurero (50%), tambor de basura (20%). caneca (100%), basurero (40%), tarro de basura (30%). basurero (60%), tarro de basura (60%), tacho de basura (50%). tacho de basura (70%), basurero (60%), lata de basura (30%). basurero (100%), lata de basura (20%). basurero (80%), tacho de basura (80%), tambor(a) de basura (40%). tacho de basura (80%), lata de basura (20%). tacho de basura (100%), basurero (40%). basurero (90%), tarro de basura (80%).

SPAIN MEXICO GUATEMALA EL SALVADOR HONDURAS NICARAGUA COSTA RICA PANAMA CUBA DOMIN. REP. PUERTO RICO VENEZUELA COLOMBIA ECUADOR PERU BOLIVIA PARAGUAY URUGUAY ARGENTINA CHILE

15.2

Details

General: Terms that are of the form container + de basura generally have variants such as container + para basura, container + de la basura, etc. and are often shortened to just container whenever context makes the qualifier unnecessary. Thus tacho de basura is also called tacho para basura, tacho de la basura or simply tacho. Many countries have several commonly used terms and there are speakers who distinguish between different types of garbage cans, particularly larger, outdoor garbage cans as opposed to smaller, indoor ones. However, others in the same countries use the terms interchangeably. Basurero: This term also means, among other things, a dump or area where garbage is placed and there are those in the countries where basurero is listed above that claim that it 17

should not be used in the sense of garbage can. They prefer the other terms of the form container + de basura. Papelera: This term is used in many countries to refer to a wastepaper basket. Is this usage equally common everywhere? 15.3 Real Academia Regional Review

Basurero (D), bote de basura (F), caneca (A), cesto de basura (F), cubo de basura (F), cumbo de basura (F), lata de basura (F), latn de basura (F), pipote (D), pipote de basura (F), tacho (B), tacho de basura (F), tambor de basura (F), tambora de basura (F), tarro de basura (F), tinaco (D), zafacn (A). Cesto de los papeles is defined (in a subentry of cesto) as papelera, recipiente but no definition is provided for either cesto de basura or cesto de la basura. And caneca is defined as cubo o lata de la basura but neither cubo de la basura nor lata de la basura is defined. Although one can argue that compounds such as these are self-explanatory and do not need to be defined, the fact is that if one examines the definitions of cesto, cubo and lata, one is hardpressed to conclude that cestos, cubos and latas de la basura are simply cestos, cubos or latas that are used for garbage. Also, how much more self-explanatory are cesto de la basura and the other compound terms that are not defined than cesto de los papeles for which the Real Academia does provide a definition? HELLO (answering the telephone) Terms by Country (6 basic terms) diga or dgame (100%). bueno (100%). al (100%). oigo (100%). al (100%). hello (70%), al (50%). al (100%). al (60%), hola (40%). hola (100%). hola (100%). hola (100%).

16 16.1

SPAIN MEXICO HISPANIC CENTRAL AMERICA CUBA DOMIN. REP. PUERTO RICO REST OF HISP. SOUTH AMER. BOLIVIA PARAGUAY URUGUAY ARGENTINA

16.2

Details

General: The above chart represents the regionally weighted forms of answering the telephone. However, many people use non-regionally weighted phrases such as s and other more formal, more colloquial or more idiosyncratic ones such as Casa de la familia De la Vega, dmelo, dispara, qu hay, etc. Puerto Rico: Hello is pronounced as if it were written jel.

16.3

Real Academia Regional Review Al (F), bueno (D), diga (C), dgame (C), hello (F), hola (D), oigo (D).

17 17.1

LIGHT BULB Terms by Country (7 terms) bombilla (100%). foco (100%). bombilla (80%), foco (60%). foco (100%). foco (100%), bombillo (30%). buja (100%). bombillo (80%), bombilla (30%). foco (100%). bombillo (90%), foco (40%). bombillo (100%). bombilla (100%). bombillo (100%). bombillo (90%), foco (30%). foco (100%). foco (100%). foco (100%). foco (100%). lamparita (80%), bombita (70%). lamparita (70%), bombita (60%), foco (40%). ampolleta (100%).

SPAIN MEXICO GUATEMALA EL SALVADOR HONDURAS NICARAGUA COSTA RICA PANAMA CUBA DOMIN. REP. PUERTO RICO VENEZUELA COLOMBIA ECUADOR PERU BOLIVIA PARAGUAY URUGUAY ARGENTINA CHILE

17.2

Details

General: In many countries in which foco is not commonly used to refer to a standard everyday light bulb of the 60 or 100 watt variety, this term is used to refer to spot lights, car lights, street lamps and/or their light bulbs and other large light bulbs. 17.3 Real Academia Regional Review Ampolleta (A), bombilla (C), bombillo (B), bombita (F), buja (D), foco (B), lamparita (F).

19

18 18.1

LIVING ROOM Terms by Country (5 terms) sala de estar (70%), cuarto de estar (60%), salita (40%). sala (100%). sala (80%), living (50%). living (80%), sala (70%). living (90%), sala (90%). living (100%). living (100%). living (100%).

SPAIN REST OF SPANISH AMERICA PERU BOLIVIA PARAGUAY URUGUAY ARGENTINA CHILE

18.2

Details

General: Since houses vary considerably even within a single community and certainly from one culture to the next, so too do their living rooms. Indeed, some would argue that in many cultures living rooms per se do not exist. The terms listed above can be thought of as living rooms or family rooms (or as rough equivalents to each other) only in the rather broad sense that they are all rooms that are not bedrooms, kitchens or bathrooms and that often contain a couch or sofa. Saln is also used to refer to a large living or entertainment room, especially in Spain. 18.3 Real Academia Regional Review

Cuarto de estar (C), living (F), sala (D), sala de estar (F), salita (F). Cuarto de estar is defined as Pieza de la casa en que habitualmente se renen las personas de la familia y donde estas reciben a las de su confianza whereas sala is defined as Pieza principal de la casa, donde se reciben las visitas de cumplimiento. This last definition may be valid for Spain but does not accurately describe the typical sala in Spanish America.

19 19.1

MATCH Terms by Country (4 terms) cerilla (100%), fsforo (40%), mixto (20%). cerillo (100%). fsforo (100%), cerillo (40%). fsforo (100%).

SPAIN MEXICO EL SALVADOR REST OF SPANISH AMERICA

19.2

Details

Spain: Cerilla is the predominant term. To what extent are fsforo and mixto currently used? According to some, fsforo was used in spoken language until the 1940s or 1950s and still appears printed on some boxes of matches. Mixto was given by native speakers of Spanish from Catalua and Galicia. El Salvador: To what extent do fsforo and cerillo compete? Which people, if any, say cerillo rather than fsforo? What are their characteristics? 19.3 Real Academia Regional Review

Cerilla (C), cerillo (A?), fsforo (A), mixto (C). Cerillo is defined as 2. And. y Mj. Cerilla, fsforo. Do most people in Andaluca use cerillo rather than cerilla? If not, what are the characteristics of the Andalusians who use cerillo?

20 20.1

MOP Terms by Country (18 basic terms plus variants) fregona (100%), mocho (20%). trapeador (100%), mechudo (50%), mapeador (40%). trapeador (100%). trapeador (100%). trapeador (100%). lampazo (100%). palo (de) piso (100%). trapeador (100%). trapeador (70%), palo (de trapear) (60%). suape (100%). mapo (100%). coleto (100%), mopa (60%), lampazo (30%), coleta (30%). trapeador (70%), trapero (60%), trapeadora (30%), mecha (20%). trapeador (100%). trapeador (100%). trapeador (100%). repasador (80%), palo de piso (60%). trapo de piso (100%), lampazo (40%). trapo de piso (70%), lampazo (40%). trapero (70%), trapeador (30%).

SPAIN MEXICO GUATEMALA EL SALVADOR HONDURAS NICARAGUA COSTA RICA PANAMA CUBA DOMIN. REP. PUERTO RICO VENEZUELA COLOMBIA ECUADOR PERU BOLIVIA PARAGUAY URUGUAY ARGENTINA CHILE

21

20.2

Details

General: This section includes different types of mops that generally fall into one of two categories, mops with strings (string mops) and mops consisting of a pole with a board attached horizontally to one end around which a cloth or rag is wrapped (trapo mops). Sponge mops are much less common. Spain: Mocho was given by informants from Valencia and Catalua. Mexico: Trapeador is commonly used in most of the country; mapeador is typical of the northern border zone and mechudo appears to be used in the central part of the country. Costa Rica: Palo de piso is often shortened to palo-piso. Cuba: Trapeador is used to refer to both string mops and trapo mops and palo de trapear or palo de bayeta is specifically a trapo mop. (The cloth wrapped around the palo is often called a bayeta.) Venezuela: Some claim that a mopa refers specifically to a string mop whereas the other terms refer to trapo mops; others do not make this distinction. Lampazo was given by people from the state of Zulia. Colombia: Trapero is used more in the eastern part of the country and trapeador more in the western part (with the Cordillera Central generally dividing east from west), but both terms were given by Bogotanos. Trapeadora was given by people from Caldas and Antioquia and mecha by people from the Atlantic Coast region. Paraguay: Repasador is the palo de piso together with the trapo. Argentina & Uruguay: Trapo de piso refers to the cloth of the trapo mop. It appears that people refer more to the cloth than to the mop. 20.3 Real Academia Regional Review

Coleta (D), coleto (D), fregona (C), lampazo (D), mapeador (F), mapo (F), mecha (D), mechudo (D), mocho (D), mopa (F), palo de piso (F), palo de trapear (F), palo piso (F), repasador (D), suape (F), trapeador (F), trapeadora (F), trapero (D).

21 21.1

REFRIGERATOR Terms by Country (6 basic terms) nevera (100%), frigorfico (80%). refrigerador (100%). refrigerador(a) (100%). refrigeradora (90%), nevera (60%). refrigerador (90%), frigidaire (50%). nevera (100%). nevera (100%). nevera (100%). nevera (100%). refrigeradora (100%). refrigerador(a) (100%), frigider (70%).

SPAIN MEXICO REST OF HISP. CENTRAL AMER. PANAMA CUBA DOMIN. REP. PUERTO RICO VENEZUELA COLOMBIA ECUADOR PERU

BOLIVIA PARAGUAY URUGUAY ARGENTINA CHILE

refrigerador (80%), frigider (50%), heladera (50%). heladera (100%). heladera (100%). heladera (100%). refrigerador (90%), frigider (70%).

21.2

Details

General: In countries where refrigerador is not the predominant term for a standard, home-use refrigerator, this term is often used to refer to commercial or industrial type refrigerators. Refrigerador and refrigeradora are often shortened to refri in informal language. Spain: Nevera tends to refer to standard, home-use refrigerators. Frigorfico is often used to refer to commercial or industrial refrigerators, but there are those who use both terms interchangeably and those that use just one term for both types. Frigo is a shortened, colloquial form of frigorfico. Peru & Hispanic Central America except Panama: Both refrigeradora and refrigerador compete, but the feminine form was found to be more common in all of these countries. Panama: Refrigeradora is the predominant term; nevera appears to be used primarily by older people. Cuba: Refrigerador is the predominant term; frigidaire appears to be used primarily by the elderly. Fro is also used as a slang/colloquial word. Frigidaire/frigider: These terms derive from the brand Frigidaire. In Cuba it is pronounced with 4 syllables as if it were written frigidaire, whereas in Peru, Bolivia and Chile it is pronounced with 3 syllables as if it were written either frigider or friyider (with different allophones of the /y/ phoneme being used depending on region). 21.3 Real Academia Regional Review

Frigidaire (F), frigider (F), frigo (F), frigorfico (C), fro (C), heladera (C), nevera (C), refrigerador (A), refrigeradora (A).

22 22.1

SAFETY PIN Terms by Country (10 terms) imperdible (100%). seguro (100%). gancho (100%). gancho (100%). gancho (100%). gacilla (100%). gacilla (100%). imperdible (60%), alfiler (60%). 23

SPAIN MEXICO GUATEMALA EL SALVADOR HONDURAS NICARAGUA COSTA RICA PANAMA

CUBA DOMIN. REP. PUERTO RICO VENEZUELA COLOMBIA ECUADOR PERU BOLIVIA PARAGUAY URUGUAY ARGENTINA CHILE

imperdible (60%), alfiler de criandera (60%). chambra (70%), alfiler (50%). imperdible (100%). imperdible (80%), gancho (50%). gancho (70%), nodriza (40%). imperdible (100%). imperdible (100%). gancho (100%), imperdible (20%). prendedor (100%), alfiler de gancho (20%). alfiler de gancho (100%). alfiler de gancho (100%). alfiler de gancho (100%).

22.2

Details

General: Since the terms gancho and alfiler can have many other meanings, modifiers such as de seguridad, de paal, etc. are added to specify a safety pin. Nicaragua & Costa Rica: Gacilla seems to derive from gaza. Many people, however, believe the word to be spelled gasilla. Colombia: Gancho is used in most of the country; nodriza was given by people in the Atlantic Coast region. 22.3 Real Academia Regional Review

Alfiler (D), alfiler de criandera (F), alfiler de gancho (B), chambra (D), gacilla (B), gancho (D) imperdible (C), nodriza (D), prendedor (D), seguro (D).

23 23.1

(Bathroom) SINK Terms by Country (4 terms) lavabo (100%). lavabo (90%), lavamanos (30%). lavamanos (100%). lavatorio (70%), lavamanos (30%). lavabo (70%), lavamanos (70%). lavamanos (100%). lavamanos (100%). lavamanos (100%). lavamanos (100%). lavabo (70%), lavamanos (50%). lavatorio (100%). lavamanos (100%). lavatorio (100%). pileta (80%), lavatorio (60%).

SPAIN MEXICO REST OF HISP. CENTRAL AMER. COSTA RICA CUBA DOMIN. REP. PUERTO RICO VENEZUELA COLOMBIA ECUADOR PERU BOLIVIA PARAGUAY URUGUAY

ARGENTINA CHILE

pileta (70%), lavatorio (70%), lavabo (40%). lavatorio (80%), lavamanos (40%).

23.2

Details

General: Although the section has been named bathroom sink, the item in question is any small sink that is generally used to wash ones hands and face (rather than dishes, clothes, etc.), regardless of whether or not it is located in a bathroom. Uruguay & Argentina: According to some, lavatorio is more formal usage and pileta is more everyday usage. 23.3 Real Academia Regional Review

Lavabo (C), lavamanos (A), lavatorio (C), pileta (D). Lavabo is defined as Pila con grifos y otros accesorios que se utiliza para lavarse whereas lavamanos is defined as Depsito de agua con cao, llave y pila para lavarse las manos. Does the Real Academia not consider lavabo and lavamanos to be synonyms? Could it be that its editors are under the impression that a lavamanos is a sink that is only used to wash ones hands and not ones face, etc.? This seems unlikely, but if the Real Academia concedes that the two terms are synonyms, then one of them should be defined with a full description and the other should be cross-referenced; this is exactly what they have done with lavatorio, defined as 5. lavamanos.

24 24.1

(Kitchen) SINK Terms by Country (9 terms) fregadero (100%), pila (20%). fregadero (100%), fregador (30%). lavatrastes/tos (70%), lavadero (50%), pila (30%). lavadero (70%), lavatrastes/tos (50%), lavaplatos (40%). lavatrastes/tos (90%), fregadero (40%), lavaplatos (40%). lavatrastes/tos (90%), lavaplatos (50%), pntry (40%). pila (80%), fregadero (50%). fregador (90%), fregadero (70%). fregadero (100%). fregadero (80%), lavaplatos (60%). lavaplatos (100%). lavadero (70%), fregadero (60%), lavaplatos (50%). lavadero (100%). lavaplatos (100%). pileta (100%). pileta (100%). 25

SPAIN MEXICO GUATEMALA EL SALVADOR HONDURAS NICARAGUA COSTA RICA PANAMA HISPANIC ANTILLES VENEZUELA COLOMBIA ECUADOR PERU BOLIVIA PARAGUAY URUGUAY

ARGENTINA CHILE

pileta (100%). lavaplatos (100%).

24.2

Details

General: Sinks used for washing dishes and those used for clothes are sometimes different in form and given separate names. However, many use the same name for both and many have only one sink that serves both purposes. Terms such as lavadero and pila that can refer to either type are expanded to lavadero de platos, pila de platos (or de trastes), etc., if specification is necessary. Costa Rica: For some, pila refers to an enamel coated or cement sink while fregadero refers to a more industrial type, metal sink. Others indicated that fregadero is just a fancy word for pila. Nicaragua: Pntry, pantry or pantri? The word is pronounced as if it were written pantri but how should it be written? Paraguay, Uruguay & Argentina: Pileta de cocina is used to distinguish this sink from the pileta de bao and the pileta de natacin (see sections 23 and 28, respectively). Kitchen sink vs. dishwasher. The term lavaplatos is used by many Spanish speakers to refer to a dishwasher. Yet, in some countries it also refers to a kitchen sink (see 24.1 above). What, if any, regional variation is there in the words used for dishwasher? Lavaplatos, lavador de platos, mquina de lavar platos, other terms? This may become a dialectological issue in the future when dishwashers become widespread in the Spanishspeaking world. 24.3 Real Academia Regional Review

Fregadero (C), fregador (C), lavadero (D), lavaplatos (B), lavatrastes (F), lavatrastos (F), pntry (F), pila (D), pileta (A?). Pileta is defined as 4. And., Can., Argent., Par. y Urug. Pila de cocina o de lavar. Is this term used in this sense in Andaluca and the Canary Islands?

25 25.1

SPEAKER (of a stereo) Terms by Country (6 terms) altavoz (100%), bafle (30%). bocina (100%). bocina (100%). (alto)parlante (80%), bocina (60%), bafle (50%). (alto)parlante (80%), bocina (50%). (alto)parlante (100%). (alto)parlante (100%), bafle (60%). bocina (100%). bocina (100%). corneta (90%), (alto)parlante (30%), bocina (20%).

SPAIN MEXICO GUATEMALA EL SALVADOR HONDURAS NICARAGUA COSTA RICA PANAMA HISPANIC ANTILLES VENEZUELA

COLOMBIA ECUADOR PERU BOLIVIA PARAGUAY URUGUAY ARGENTINA CHILE

(alto)parlante (80%), bafle (60%). (alto)parlante (100%). (alto)parlante (100%). (alto)parlante (90%), bafle (40%). (alto)parlante (100%), bafle (60%). (alto)parlante (100%), bafle (40%). (alto)parlante (90%), bafle (50%). (alto)parlante (100%).

25.2

Details

General: In the countries where parlante and altoparlante are used in the sense of speaker, some claim that they refer to two different types: altoparlante for large speakers, such as those at airports, theaters and stadiums, etc., and parlante for standard stereo speakers. However, in these same countries there are also those who say that an altoparlante is not a speaker, but a megaphone (megfono). In many countries where both parlante and bafle are used, the latter is used more by young people and the former is considered more correct. Bafle derives from waffle and, although usually pronounced as if it were written bafle, it is sometimes pronounced as if it were written huafle. Is bafle used in Spanish-speaking countries other than the ones where it is listed above? The English word speaker, generally pronounced as if it were written espquer, is also used fairly frequently in Spanish America and not only by those who speak English. 25.3 Real Academia Regional Review Altavoz (C), altoparlante (A), bafle (D), bocina (D), corneta (D), parlante (D).

26 26.1

STOVE Terms by Country (3 terms) cocina (100%). estufa (100%). estufa (100%). cocina (100%), estufa (30%). estufa (100%). cocina (90%), estufa (20%). cocina (100%). estufa (100%). cocina (80%), fogn (30%), estufa (30%). estufa (100%). estufa (100%). cocina (100%). 27

SPAIN MEXICO GUATEMALA EL SALVADOR HONDURAS NICARAGUA COSTA RICA PANAMA CUBA DOMIN. REP. PUERTO RICO VENEZUELA

COLOMBIA REST OF HISP. SOUTH AMER.

estufa (100%). cocina (100%).

26.2

Details

General: The item in question is an electric or gas cooking stove. There are other regional names for smaller, portable cooking stoves. Cuba: To what extent do cocina, fogn and estufa compete in this sense? 26.3 Real Academia Regional Review Cocina (A), estufa (D), fogn (D).

27 27.1

STOVE BURNER Terms by Country (11 terms) fuego (50%), quemador (50%), hornillo (40%), chapa (30%). quemador (70%), hornilla (60%). hornilla (100%). quemador (80%), hornilla (60%), parrilla (20%). hornilla (70%), quemador (40%). quemador (70%), hornilla (30%). disco (90%), quemador (30%). quemador (100%). hornilla (100%), quemador (30%). hornilla (90%), quemador (30%). hornilla (100%), quemador (20%). hornilla (100%). fogn (70%), hornilla (60%), quemador (30%), boquilla (30%). hornilla (100%), quemador (20%). hornilla (100%). hornilla (100%). hornalla (100%). hornalla (100%). hornalla (100%), quemador (20%). quemador (70%), plato (50%), fuego (20%).

SPAIN MEXICO GUATEMALA EL SALVADOR HONDURAS NICARAGUA COSTA RICA PANAMA CUBA DOMIN. REP. PUERTO RICO VENEZUELA COLOMBIA ECUADOR PERU BOLIVIA PARAGUAY URUGUAY ARGENTINA CHILE

27.2

Details

General: In countries where several terms compete, some regard them as synonyms. Others use only one term, and still others claim that some of the terms refer to burners on electric stoves while other terms refer to gas stove burners.

27.3

Real Academia Regional Review

Boquilla (D), chapa (D), disco (D), fogn (D), fuego (C), hornalla (F), hornilla (D), hornillo (D), parrilla (C), plato (D), quemador (A). The entry for hornillo does not include an appropriate definition for this sense of the word, but the usage is described in the definition of cocina, 3. Aparato que hace las veces de fogn, con hornillos o fuegos y a veces horno.

28 28.1

SWIMMING POOL Terms by Country (3 terms) piscina (100%). alberca (100%). piscina (100%). pileta (100%), piscina (100%). pileta (100%), piscina (100%). pileta (100%), piscina (20%).

SPAIN MEXICO REST OF SPANISH AMERICA PARAGUAY URUGUAY ARGENTINA

28.2

Details

Mexico, Paraguay, Uruguay & Argentina: Piscina is readily understood in these countries even though, in the case of Mexico and Argentina, another term is much more common. In Paraguay, Uruguay and Argentina, pileta is also called pileta de natacin to distinguish it from sinks (see sections 23 and 24). Do some speakers distinguish between piscina and the more regional term, alberca and pileta? What are peoples attitudes toward piscina in relation to the more regional term? For example, several Argentines indicated that, to their ear, pileta is standard, everyday usage and piscina is snobbish usage. El Salvador: Among the lower socio-economic strata, piscina is often pronounced [pik-SI-na], [pik-THI-na] and [pi-THI-na], with the TH in the last two transcriptions representing the special Salvadoran theta, an allophone of the /s/ phoneme which might be described by an English speaker as a sort of low-tension, lisping th sound. 28.3 Real Academia Regional Review

Alberca (A?), pileta (A?), piscina (A). Alberca is defined as 3. Mj. Piscina deportiva. However, the Mexicans interviewed in this study indicated that alberca is used in the general sense of swimming pool. Is there any truth to the Real Academias assertion that in Mexico albercas refer specifically to swimming pools used for water sports? Pileta is defined as 6. R. de la Plata. piscina. Is the Real Academia unaware that this usage also occurs in Paraguay, or does it consider this country to be part of the River Plate region? If one considers the River Plate region to be the area bordering the estuary formed by the 29

Paran and Uruguay rivers, then it does not include Paraguay. From a historical perspective, however, the viceroyalty of Rio de la Plata did include the territory of present-day Paraguay.

29 29.1

TAPE RECORDER Terms by Country (5 terms) grabadora (90%), magetfono (60%), (radio)caset (30%). grabadora (100%). grabador (70%), grabadora (60%). grabadora (90%), grabador (60%). grabador (90%), grabadora (20%). grabador (90%), grabadora (40%).

SPAIN REST OF SPANISH AMERICA VENEZUELA PARAGUAY URUGUAY ARGENTINA

29.2

Details

General: Other more technical terms used in this sense that do not appear to be regionally weighted include casetera, tocacaset, tocacintas and the more general mini-componente and equipo. Spain: How do most people spell the terms caset and radiocaset? (Radio)caset, (radio)casete or (radio)cassette? And is ca(s)set(te) generally pronounced with two syllables, as if it were written cas(t), or with three syllables, as if it were written casete. 29.3 Real Academia Regional Review

Casete (C?), grabador (D), grabadora (A), magetfono (C), radiocasete (C?). Casete is defined as 2. Pequeo magnetfono que utiliza casetes and abrev. fam. de radiocasete. Radiocasete, in turn, is defined as Aparato electrnico que consta de una radio y un casete . Is casete commonly used in Spain in the sense of tape recorders that are not small, and is radiocaset commonly used in the sense of tape recorders that do not have a radio component?

30 30.1

TOILET Terms by Country (8 terms) vter (100%), inodoro (50%), retrete (50%), escusado (30%). escusado (90%), inodoro (40%), wter (40%), sanitario (30%). inodoro (90%), sanitario (70%). inodoro (90%), escusado (50%). inodoro (90%), servicio (70%). inodoro (100%), escusado (40%). escusado (90%), inodoro (80%). escusado (100%), inodoro (50%), servicio (50%).

SPAIN MEXICO GUATEMALA EL SALVADOR HONDURAS NICARAGUA COSTA RICA PANAMA

CUBA DOMIN. REP. PUERTO RICO VENEZUELA COLOMBIA ECUADOR PERU BOLIVIA PARAGUAY URUGUAY ARGENTINA CHILE

inodoro (100%), servicio (30%). inodoro (100%), sanitario (30%). inodoro (100%), tilet (50%). poceta (100%), wter (40%), sanitario (30%), escusado (20%). inodoro (100%), sanitario (60%). wter (70%), escusado (50%), inodoro (20%), sanitario (20%). wter (100%). inodoro (80%), wter (60%). wter (100%), inodoro (80%). wter (90%), inodoro (20%). inodoro (100%). wter (100%), escusado (20%).

30.2

Details

General: Many people avoid using any specific name for this item and refer to it as simply el bao or el servicio (the latter is short for servicio sanitario or servicio higinico). Some also use taza to refer to the whole toilet, although one could argue that technically it is just the bowl component. Sanitario is used as a somewhat technical term for toilet even in those countries where it is not commonly used in everyday language. Both wter and vter derive from water closet. Where wter competes with inodoro, the latter is considered the more correct term and the former the less refined, cruder term. However, in countries where wter was given by a high percentage of the people queried, the terms acceptance level appears to be fairly high. Spain: For many, inodoro is a somewhat technical term and retrete and escusado are now oldfashioned usages. Nicaragua: For some, an escusado/excusado is an outhouse rather than a toilet. Escusado/excusado: Many Spanish-speakers believe that the x-form is correct despite the fact that the Real Academia indicates that escusado, not excusado, is the correct spelling for this item. Is there a valid reason why excusado should be considered incorrect? 30.3 Real Academia Regional Review

Escusado (C), inodoro (D), poceta (F), retrete (C), sanitario (B), tilet (F), vter (C), wter (F).

31 31.1

TO FLUSH THE TOILET (21 verbs plus variants and 62 phrases plus variants) Phrases by Country (listed by verb) tirar de la cadena (80%), darle (a la cisterna/al agua) (20%). jalar/halar (la palanca/el bao/el agua/la cadena/el escusado/la taza) (60%), bajar (el agua/la palanca/el escusado/el sanitario/la taza) (50%). 31

SPAIN MEXICO

GUATEMALA

EL SALVADOR HONDURAS

NICARAGUA COSTA RICA PANAMA CUBA DOMIN. REP. PUERTO RICO VENEZUELA COLOMBIA

ECUADOR

PERU BOLIVIA PARAGUAY URUGUAY ARGENTINA CHILE

echar (el) agua (al sanitario) (70%), bajar (la palanca/el agua) (30%), jalar la palanca (10%), soltar el agua (10%), apretar el botn (10%), descargar el bao (10%), tirar el agua (10%). echar (el) agua (70%), halar la palanca (30%), dejar ir el agua (30%), bajar la palanca (10%). darle vuelta (al servicio/al inodoro) (70%), echarle agua (30%), bajar el bao (10%), bombear (10%), botar el agua (10%), vaciar el tanque (10%), puchar el servicio (10%). bajar (la palanca/la llave) (90%), jalar la cadena (10%). jalar (la cadena/la taza) (90%), bajar (la perilla/la cadena) (20%), echar el agua (10%), desaguar (10%). jalar/halar la cadena (80%), bajar (la cadena/la palanca) (30%), palanquear el servicio (10%). halar la cadena (90%), descargar (el inodoro/el bao/el agua) (50%), bajar la palanca (10%), disparar el inodoro (10%). bajar (el bao/la palanca/el inodoro/el sanitario) (70%), descargar el inodoro (10%), darle al sanitario (10%), halar la cadena (10%). bajar (la cadena/el inodoro/la palanca/el tilet) (80%), halar/jalar la cadena (40%), darle (al inodoro/a la cadena) (20%). bajar (el agua/la cadena/la palanca/la poceta/la vlvula) (60%), darle (a la) bomba (de la poceta) (20%), halar/jalar (la cadena/el agua) (20%), soltar el agua (10%). soltar (el agua/el bao/el inodoro/el tanque) (60%), bajar (el agua/la cisterna/el inodoro/la vlvula) (40%), tirar (el agua/la vlvula) (20%), descargar (el agua/el bao) (20%), jalar (la palanca/la vlvula) (20%), echar el agua (10%), largar el agua (10%), vaciar el inodoro (10%). bajar (la palanca/la vlvula/el agua) (60%), halar/jalar (la cadena/la tiradera) (50%), tirar (el agua/la cadena) (40%), botar el agua (20%), soltar el agua (20%), mandar el agua (20%). jalar (la cadena/la bomba/la palanca/el agua/el wter) (100%), bajar (la palanca/la vlvula) (30%), soltar (el agua/el wter) (20%). largar (el agua/el bao) (60%), soltar (el agua/la cadena) (50%), bajar la vlvula (10%), correr el agua (10%), jalar la palanca (10%). tirar la cadena (100%), estirar la cadena (30%). tirar la cadena (100%). tirar la cadena (90%), apretar el botn (50%). tirar la cadena (100%), apretar el botn (20%), largar el agua (10%), bajar la palanca (10%).

31.2

Details

General: The above phrases surely do not exhaust the list of Spanish equivalents for the U.S. English flush the toilet and they may only be the tip of the iceberg. They have been grouped by verb, but one could also group them by noun (object). Many of the phrases of the form verb + definite article + noun have variants of the form verb + (le) + a + definite article + noun. Thus, for example, bajar el inodoro is also expressed as bajar(le) al inodoro.

31.3

Real Academia Regional Review None of the above phrases is listed (F).

32 32.1

(Toilet) PLUNGER Terms by Country (17 basic terms plus variants) desatascador (100%). bomba (50%), destapacaos (30%), destapador (20%). bomba (60%), destapador (40%). ventosa (60%), destapador (40%), bomba (30%). bomba (80%), destapador (20%). destaquiador (80%), bomba (30%). bomba (60%), destaquiador (50%). destapador (70%), bomba (50%). destupidor (90%), bomba (50%). bomba (80%), pompa (30%), destapador (20%). bomba (70%), destapador (40%), chupn (20%). chupn (70%), destapapoceta (60%), bomba (40%). chupa (60%), bomba (60%), destapabaos (30%). bomba (60%), destapabaos (20%), destapador (20%). desatorador (90%), chupn (20%). destapador (70%), bomba (20%), sopapa (20%), sopapo (10%). destrancador (80%), destapador (40%), sopapa (40%), ventosa (20%). sopapa (70%), chupn (30%), sopapo (20%). sopapa (100%). sopapo (60%), sopapa (50%).

SPAIN MEXICO GUATEMALA EL SALVADOR HONDURAS NICARAGUA COSTA RICA PANAMA CUBA DOMIN. REP. PUERTO RICO VENEZUELA COLOMBIA ECUADOR PERU BOLIVIA PARAGUAY URUGUAY ARGENTINA CHILE

32.2

Details

General: Many of the terms listed above are the short forms to which modifiers are added for purposes of clarification. Thus destapador, for example, can be expanded to destapador del bao, destapador del servicio, etc. About half the terms derive from a verb that begins with the prefix des-, to wit, desatascar, desatorar, destapar, destaquiar/destaquear, destrancar and destupir. To what extent are these verbs used in their respective countries, or outside of them, in the sense of to clear a clogged pipe? Are there any plunger terms that are derived from the verb desatancar (see 32.3 below)? Nicaragua & Costa Rica: Is the word spelled destaquiador or destaqueador? Many educated people are uncertain. The question is whether the verbs that destaquiador/destaqueador derive from are (des)taquiar or (des)taquear? If these verbs, in turn, derive from taco, does this mean they should be spelled -quear rather than -quiar, or not necessarily? 33

Cuba: The long form of bomba is bomba de destupir. 32.3 Real Academia Regional Review

Bomba (D), chupa (D), chupn (D), desatascador (F), desatorador (F), destapabaos (F), destapacaos (F), destapador (D), destapapoceta (F), destaqueador (F), destaquiador (F), destrancador (F), destupidor (F), pompa (D), sopapa (F), sopapo (D), ventosa (D). Of the verbs that begin with the prefix des- listed in 32.2, General, above, only desatascar, desatorar and destupir are listed with a meaning of to clear a clogged pipe. Desatancar is also defined in these terms.

APPENDIX: ADDITIONAL TOPICS The following are some additional topics in the field of Spanish lexical dialectology that relate to the home. In most cases, only a few informants from each specified country have been observed or questioned regarding these issues. The findings, therefore, are tentative at best. Although some information is provided on how the terminology varies by region, the topics are primarily presented to call attention to their existence as possible dialectological issues and to encourage others to research them further. Across the street: Is the house across the street la casa de enfrente (or ...de en frente), la casa de al frente, la casa del frente or la casa al frente? The Real Academia accepts only enfrente and en frente in this sense, but the answer to the question appears to depend in part on geographic region. De enfrente/de en frente seems to be preferred in Spain, Mexico, Cuba, Venezuela, and Argentina, but de al frente, del frente and/or al frente have been heard by people from El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Bolivia. Can (aluminum): Where are bote, lata and tarro used in this sense in the Spanish-speaking world? Bote appears to be more common in Mexico and parts of Hispanic Central America; lata in Spain, the Hispanic Antilles and Panama; and tarro in parts of Hispanic South America, but what exactly are the regional preferences? Some Spanish-speakers use two or more terms and distinguish between different types of cans. What are the distinctions? Chair A (arm chair): Silln and/or silla de brazo(s) appear to be used in most countries, but butaca is used in Cuba and Puerto Rico. The Real Academia defines silln as 2. Silla de brazos, mayor y ms cmoda que la ordinaria, butaca as Silla de brazos con el respaldo inclinado hacia atrs and poltrona (under silla poltrona) as La [silla] ms baja de brazos que la comn, y de ms amplitud y comodidad. Do most Spaniards really make these distinctions between these three terms? Do any Spanish Americans? Chair B (rocking chair): Mecedora and/or silla mecedora/silla de mecer appear to be used in most countries, but silln is used in Cuba and Puerto Rico. Chair C (stool): The Real Academia defines taburete as Asiento sin brazos ni respaldo para una persona, but many Spanish Americans use the term banquito. Butaco appears to be used in this sense in Nicaragua, and in Colombia taburete refers to a typical hand-crafted chair with a raw-hide seat and back.

Ceiling: Tumbado is used in Ecuador and cielo in Chile in addition to the more universal techo or cielorraso. Cup: Pocillo is used in many parts of Colombia in place of the more universal taza for a standard one-handled drinking cup. Clothesline: Cordel is used in Chile, Peru, Dominican Republic, coastal Ecuador and parts of Cuba, whereas alambre, cuerda, lazo, pita or soga, etc., often with a modifier such as de colgar, de tender, de guindar, are used elsewhere. Tendedero and tendedera refer to the set of clotheslines or to the place (often in the patio) where the clotheslines are hung, but there appear to be regional preferences. The Real Academia also lists tendalero in the sense of the place (with no regional specification), but where is this term commonly used? Guindadero was also indicated by a Panamanian in both senses. Does anyone use colgadero to refer to clotheslines? Doorknob/door lock: The following terms have been offered for doorknob: agarradera, agarrador, jalador, manecilla, mango, manigueta, manija, manilla, manubrio, perilla, perinola, pestillo, picaporte, pomo, puo and tirador (with the modifier de (la) puerta added to them for clarification). One can argue that most of these words can also refer to other types of handles (and indeed handle is another item that warrants dialectological study), and that pestillo and picaporte propiamente dicho refer to locking mechanisms on doors, but such arguments do not change the fact that Spanish speakers regularly use these terms to refer to doorknobs. Llavn was given by Cubans in the sense of the lock on a door or the doorknob that has a locking mechanism. And the Real Academia defines chapa as cerradura, mecanismo para cerrar. . m. en Amrica (door lock, used more in Spanish America), but are there regions of Spanish America where this usage is not common, and is it at all common in Spain? Floor: Are piso and suelo used interchangeably in this sense throughout the Spanish-speaking world, or are there regional preferences? Kerosene, diesel fuel, and other fuels: For kerosene, queroseno is used in Spain whereas kerosn, kerosene or kerosn are used in most of Spanish America; parafina is used in Chile and luz brillante in Cuba. For diesel fuel, diesel, also spelled disel, and pronounced as if it were written dsel or disel, is used in much of Spanish America, but A.C.P.M., for aceite combustible para motores, is used in Colombia. Other regional fuel names are: canfn (derived from candle fine?) in Costa Rica, tractolina in Mexico, and krex in Ecuador, but what fuels do these terms refer to? Ladys handbag/purse: Is it bolso in Spain and cartera in Spanish America for handbag or is it not quite that simple? What about purse? Newspaper: Although both diario and peridico are readily understood and to some extent used throughout the Spanish-speaking world, there are regional preferences. Diario is more common than peridico in Argentina, Uruguay, Chile and Paraguay and peridico appears to be more common everywhere else. However, even in areas where peridico is more common in the general sense of newspaper, there are specific newspapers with names like Diario la Prensa that include the word diario. Pot (metal, cooking): Caldero is used in parts of Puerto Rico in place of the more universal olla. Rattle (babys toy): The following terms/countries have been encountered: cascabel (Chile), chinchn (Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras), chilindrn (Costa Rica), chinesco 35

(Ecuador), chischil (Nicaragua), maraca and maraquita (Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Panama, Venezuela), maruga (Cuba), sonaja (Mexico, Peru), sonajera (Bolivia), and sonajero (Spain, Colombia, Paraguay, Uruguay, Argentina). The Real Academia claims that sonaja (rattle) is an Andalusianism, but the Andalusians queried indicated that sonajero was the term they used. Razor: Rastrillo is used in Mexico. Mquina de afeitar, rasuradora, gillette (pronounced as if it were written yil(t) and feminine, una gillette) and navaja are used in other areas. To what extent do these terms refer to different types of razors (razor blade, disposable razor, electric razor and barbers old-fashioned razor) and to what extent are they regionally weighted? Shower: Regadera is used in this sense in Mexico and Hispanic Central America (and elsewhere?) instead of the more universal ducha. However, some argue that regadera is really the showerhead rather than the shower. In Mexico and Hispanic Central America regadera also refers to the nozzle of hoses, sprinklers, etc. Suitcase/briefcase: Are maleta and valija used interchangeably in the sense of suitcase throughout the Spanish-speaking world, or are there regional preferences? Valija appears to be preferred in the Southern Cone and maleta in most of the other countries. Is there also regional variation with briefcase, maletn, portafolio, valija, other terms? Switch (light switch): Although interruptor is used everywhere in technical language and in Spain in everyday language, suich, suiche and/or apagador are used in many parts of Spanish America, chucho in Cuba, and llave (de luz) and interruptor in Argentina and Uruguay. Teakettle: Pava is used in Argentina and Uruguay, according to informants, but the Real Academia defines caldera as 7. NE. de la Argent. y Urug. Pava, recipiente de metal con asa en la parte superior, tapa y pico, para calentar agua. Is the term tetera used in the sense of teakettle in all other Spanish-speaking countries where people use this vessel? Do Spanish speakers from countries other than Argentina and Uruguay use different words to distinguish teakettles from teapots? To throw out/throw away: In Spain and the Southern Cone tirar is used and botar is not used in this sense. From Bolivia northward to Mexico both botar and tirar appear to be used and in most of these countries botar seems to be more common. Towel: Pao is used in Venezuela, in addition to the more universal toalla. Wallet: Where is billetera preferred and where is cartera preferred? The former in Hispanic South America and the latter in Spain, Mexico, Hispanic Central America and the Hispanic Antilles? Washbasin/washbowl: Different regional terms used in different countries include batea, guacal (or huacal), jofaina, latn, latona, lavacara (Ecuador), paila, palangana, platn (Colombia). However, they are often not equivalents as they can refer to different types of vessels. Much research needs to be done in order to lexico-geographically pin down these and other terms that refer to different types of bowls and basins.

REFERENCE Real Academia Espaola. 1992. Diccionario de la Lengua Espaola. Twenty-First Edition. Madrid: Espasa-Calpe, S.A.