One of the interesting issues with identifying "cultural" differences between the Americans and Nicaraguans that I know is that many of the times, what I think at first glance is a "cultural" difference is really just a difference in socio-economic status or urban vs. rural locations. It's made me realize how sheltered my life has really been, despite my insistence that I've lead a very worldly existence. Also it's made me wish that I had spent more time volunteering in the States, because much of the need that I see here is just as prevalent in many places close to where I lived (inner-city DC and Atlanta). It's funny how we end up understanding things sometimes. Thinking about places like that in the States gives me even more reason to break down stereotypes here that all Americans come from an upper-middle class suburb like most of the volunteers/students that come down here.
On the other hand, it's endlessly entertaining (and slightly worrisome from a linguistic-preservation point of view) how Espanglish-fied Nicaragua has become. Today Eliott and I were at a department store and I decided to see how much their duvets/comforters cost, since I never brought one down from the States. After I asked the store employee how to say "twin size" in my circumlocuted Spanish, she smiled and replied, "Ah! Twin." I burst out laughing and couldn't control myself...very rude, I know. She was mystified at the gringo chinita laughing at her, but just calmly showed me to where the twin comforters were. I'm still giggling about the incident as I think about it. And no, I didn't buy one...the cheapest one was $40! I could buy the material and have a mother in Cedro Galan make me one for a fraction of the cost!
Other words in Nica-spanish that are surprisingly English-sounding: tape (tape), kleenex (tissue in general), folder (yep, folder. not carpeta, folder), toner (toner like for your printer), On the Run- pronounced On da Roon (it's HUGE here for an inexplicable reason), give me five - dame un five, bye (instead of adÃos)...there's probably more; if you have Nica experience let me know if you think of any.
Suppose I should head to bed now. And belated Happy Birthday Mrs. Plummer!
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