Something which has come up recently is the fact that there are some slang words used by Venezuelans which may confuse someone who is used to Mexican or other varieties of Spanish. So throw your words chamarra and chaleco* on the hook; they make no sense to people from Caracas!
You don’t have to be a professional translator in Chicago! There are 100s of languages spoken all over the city every single day! This is a language teacher’s paradise!
If you speak some Spanish, right now you have a great opportunity!
People who speak Spanish and who are suddenly being called upon to translate have noticed some different vocabulary and a different tone. The tone seems to be much like spoken Italian—where many of their ancestors came from!
…And their Spanish is pretty fast, people say, but very clear.
Here are some words to use or you will hear when talking with Venezuelan neighbors…
You might be hearing them say “perico” (for eggs) and maybe coffee and toast for breakfast. Be careful, though, because it can also mean “cocaine.”
The word “coño” is common and means “Damn it!” and it is a rather vulgar term. Avoid it always in talking to families.
“Albergue” is the word for “a shelter” but lots of speakers of Venezuelan Spanish have been referring to the armory on North Broadway as the “refugio” where they sleep.
“Arrecho” means cool or neat but has a dirtier side to it. Some speakers use it casually… avoid it… it has a sexual connotation.
“Birra” means beer or some other drinks casually – not a goat. It is simply from the Italian word birra meaning beer.
“Burda” is an intensifier and just means “a lot” or “very.” Ese coche es burda de rapido!” That car is sooo fast! …and “Este libro es burda de difícil.
Yes, they really say “chévere” a lot. It’s not just for Puerto Ricans, like the textbooks sometimes say! It means “super cool!”
“Rumbear” means bump around or celebrate – like in a club or at a big party… it can also be used ironically, meaning, just working instead of having any free time… “rumbeando toda la noche” (partying all night long) like we might say, “Just living the American dream…”
“Vaina” just means thing. “Qué vaina es?” just means what is that thing? “Hay muchas vainas en la bolsa…” means there are a lot of things in that bag.
For them, “vale” often does not mean “it’s worth it” or “that should work out” and instead means buddy or pal.
Some notes about the grammar? Some Venezuelans use “vos” forms instead of “tu” in everyday speech. Vos occurs in many, many countries, despite what your textbook says. You must become familiar with those forms and remember you will hear them in many countries, and in yours when dealing with native speakers from some regions and areas. You will hear “De donde sos” …instead of “De donde eres?”
Another note is that most Venezuelans use “ico” and “ica” for diminuitives… “Momentico!” Do they really do that? Yes, they do.
Pronunciation is also a little different from your Spanish 101 language tapes. Very often, the “d” is dropped between vowels in verbs and adjectives, as in “bailao, cerrao, and cansaos” instead of bailado, cerrado, and cansados.
Venezuelan Spanish is a rich variety—with Italian rhythm and with words from native languages, Italian, French, English, and other origins! These are only a few of the very interesting linguistic issues you will experience as you translate for our new neighbors!
So what are parchitas? That’s your homework to find out!
*Yes, chaleco and hook – a play on words. Chaleco actually means “hook” in some countries—and not a vest!