Just like languages, there are also dialects of the languages. A dialect is a form of a language that is spoken in a distinct area of where that language is used and has some of the same vocabulary, grammar and pronunciations.
Unfortunately, every year languages and dialects are dying and no longer spoken.
Dialects of Spanish in Spain vary across regions and have several dialects according to the region. Notably, the most popular dialects are that of Castilian Spanish and Andalusian Spanish. These dialects are distinct especially in pronunciation of the z and the letter c (pronounced as a /th/ in Castillian , but not in Andalusian). However, several other pronunciations are also different between the two major dialects. Vocabulary differences also play an important role of these dialects.
In Burguillos del Cerro of Extremadura, I encountered a unique pronunciation difference that is soon becoming extinct in Spain; the ll is still pronounced as the original soft /g/ sound as in the English word genre. In Burguillos, one can still hear this distinct sound in words "calle" "villa" and 'Llerena". Unfortunately, this pronunciation is becoming one sound in many parts of Spain and is referred to as "yeismo".
"Yeismo" is the merging of the ll and y sounds in words and is common in the areas such as Madrid, Barcelona and Seville as well as many others parts of Spain. For example, in "yeismo" the words calle and mayor, (the ll and the y ) have the same sound.
Thus a more pure form of the Spanish language in the pronunciation of the ll is still found in Burguillos del Cerro and other rural areas of Extremadura.
While doing research on stories (cuentos) and legends (leyendas) of Extremadura for this project, I noticed a distinct vocabulary or dialect in the stories. I also came across this blog:
http://poesiasenestadopuro.blogspot.com/ but it wasn't until last summer that I knew the two were connected; Nico Pozon the originator of this blog is related to Antonio Requejo. During my holiday stay in Burguillos and while discussing stories and the dialects in them, Antonio showed me a dictionary. The title of this dictionary is HABLA BURGUILLANA.
To my pleasant surprise, this dictionary was compiled and written by Nico Pozon, the same blog creator of Poesias en el Estado Puro.
En el inte: En ese momento; en ese mismo instante. [In the moment/at the same time]
Ilesia: Iglesia [Church]
Jamá; Comer; tomar alimento [To eat]
To: Todo (En la boa había de to.) [All/everything]
Untavía: Todavía [Still/yet as in I still have to write.]
Vide: Ver [To see]
As a language teacher, I know that the only way to preserve languages and dialects is to continue teaching them to the younger generations. Even in this century, we have already lost languages that will no longer be spoken. What Mr. Pozon and the town of Burguillos are doing is maintaining and conserving their language in spoken and written form.
And with the language, comes the culture that gives it life and identity, thus also preserving its heritage.
The involvement in the pen pal project has made my students aware that other cultures and countries make an effort to learn more that one language. My hope for them is that they never stop appreciating other dialects as well as languages and inspire them to learn more.
R. Aguilar
( © Copyright protected: no portion may be copied or shared without written permission.)
Mr. Nico Pozon's blog has wonderful poetry, photos and information of Burguillos and Spain. For a further compiled list of his dictionary entries, go to the 2013 June entries on his blog,
http://poesiasenestadopuro.blogspot.com/ .
"Yeismo" is the merging of the ll and y sounds in words and is common in the areas such as Madrid, Barcelona and Seville as well as many others parts of Spain. For example, in "yeismo" the words calle and mayor, (the ll and the y ) have the same sound.
Thus a more pure form of the Spanish language in the pronunciation of the ll is still found in Burguillos del Cerro and other rural areas of Extremadura.
While doing research on stories (cuentos) and legends (leyendas) of Extremadura for this project, I noticed a distinct vocabulary or dialect in the stories. I also came across this blog:
http://poesiasenestadopuro.blogspot.com/ but it wasn't until last summer that I knew the two were connected; Nico Pozon the originator of this blog is related to Antonio Requejo. During my holiday stay in Burguillos and while discussing stories and the dialects in them, Antonio showed me a dictionary. The title of this dictionary is HABLA BURGUILLANA.
To my pleasant surprise, this dictionary was compiled and written by Nico Pozon, the same blog creator of Poesias en el Estado Puro.
 |
| Cover of HABLA BURGUILLANA Dictionary |
Here are a few of the entries of Mr. Pozon's dictionary.
En el inte: En ese momento; en ese mismo instante. [In the moment/at the same time]
Ilesia: Iglesia [Church]
Jamá; Comer; tomar alimento [To eat]
To: Todo (En la boa había de to.) [All/everything]
Untavía: Todavía [Still/yet as in I still have to write.]
Vide: Ver [To see]
As a language teacher, I know that the only way to preserve languages and dialects is to continue teaching them to the younger generations. Even in this century, we have already lost languages that will no longer be spoken. What Mr. Pozon and the town of Burguillos are doing is maintaining and conserving their language in spoken and written form.
And with the language, comes the culture that gives it life and identity, thus also preserving its heritage.
The involvement in the pen pal project has made my students aware that other cultures and countries make an effort to learn more that one language. My hope for them is that they never stop appreciating other dialects as well as languages and inspire them to learn more.
R. Aguilar
( © Copyright protected: no portion may be copied or shared without written permission.)
Mr. Nico Pozon's blog has wonderful poetry, photos and information of Burguillos and Spain. For a further compiled list of his dictionary entries, go to the 2013 June entries on his blog,
http://poesiasenestadopuro.blogspot.com/ .
I certainly agree with maintaining a dialect. A dialect is what makes a region unique such as the stereotypical "Texan" dialect. Due to the diminishing numbers still using this "Burguillana" dialect, maintaining the dialect will be somewhat challenging. But seeing how dedicated you are to your project, you will definitely work hard at it. Just because it isn't as common in today's society anymore, it is still important to maintain this uniqueness as dialects makes a place stand out. This article has really explained to me how the Spanish language we're learning today in the classroom is very different from what it used to be many years ago. The Spanish language has definitely come very far and has evolved a lot since the beginning. I would be eager to continue learning about this dialect and more.
ReplyDeleteThanks,
James Dai
James, you are correct in saying that a region is unique because of its dialect, just like "Texan". I too hope that this article serves not only to educate, but to continue preserving what we have today in whatever dialect you encounter. It is refreshing to see that others are working hard to maintain it, such as Mr. Pozon-which by the way, has read this article too!
DeleteMs. Aguilar
After reading this article, I realized that maintaining a dialect should be a main priority. The // that you mentioned in the article is an example of this loss of a dialect occurring in Spain. This is not only the extinction of a unique pronunciation, but the extinction of part of Spain's language history. Although the numbers of people using this dialect are reducing, I feel that we should be grateful that it is still found in Burguillos and other rural areas in Extremadura. Hopefully // will make a steady come back among Spain's people, culture, and language. What you are doing is one way in which it will reappear among the next generation of Spanish speakers and hopefully the world will be able to enjoy the uniqueness of this dialect. Preserving lost languages will further enrich our world and the many cultures that inhabit the planet.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your efforts in preserving the "Burguillana" dialect.
Morgan Parker
Morgan, perhaps one day, you will be able to hear this dialect in Spain. Perhaps, you might even converse in it!
ReplyDeleteYes, Mr. Pozon and Burguillos are doing a great job in maintaining it. Hopefully, more Spaniards will also see the importance of it and expand its usage, so that their culture is not also lost.
Ms. Aguilar
This was a very interesting article, I remember talking a little bit about this in class, but this went into a lot more detail. I think it's really cool that through your research you were able to find a whole dictionary about this unique dialect. I find it interesting that there are some very small differences in dialects such as small sounds in words pronounced differently, as well as very large differences such as whole words being entirely different, yet these are still spoken in the same country. Languages and dialects are a huge part of culture and it is great that you are working to raise awareness of this importance. Hopefully we can keep the "Burguillana" and "Texan" dialect as James mentioned spoken in the regions and cultures that they originated in for many more years to come!
ReplyDeleteThank you for your work towards raising awareness of this unique dialect, Harry Swales
Harry, it's wonderful that you noticed the structure of the words and how they are related.
DeleteOne of the main reasons that languages and dialects are part of the culture, is because it gives us identity; it identifies who we are. Others recognize the "Texan" in us because it is who we are. :)
Ms. A.
I never thought there were that many languages. I wish I spoke more than one. One day I know I'm going to to be fluent in Spanish. Spanish is incredible. How the different accents and pronunciations make such a difference in what you may be trying to say.I think it is a great idea and we should preserve as many languages as possible. We talked about it briefly in class, but I think it would be cool if we had a class period dedicated to talking about all the different types of dialects and pronunciations. How many dialects are there? What history could they reveal about a certain region? I have really enjoyed Spanish this year learning about Spain, and so much more.
DeleteHi George, I am glad you are learning more than the language because the culture makes the language. Therefore you are connecting to it in more ways than one. Happy to see you are enjoying the class too!
DeleteI believe you will be fluent in Spanish sooner with your determination. Perhaps one day, I'll have a full conversation with you in Spanish :)
Ms. A.
This is a very interesting blog. People in my moms side of the family(Mexican), sometimes speak with the soft g instead of the y sound. I never understood why, and when I went to Mexico, everyone else spoke with the y sounding double l. I wonder if the y sound for ll came to Mexico when Spain changed it from the soft g? I also wonder if my moms side of the family preserved the g sound? I really like the way that it rolls of the tongue. Since the dialect was preserved in the rural town of Burgillos, would it be preserved in other rural towns too? I really want to do more research about this topic, and learn how it was changed, and why it was changed. I really enjoyed class this year, and the little subtopics of the Spanish language we had in class just like this one.
ReplyDeleteI think this was an interesting article. I never knew much about dialects before reading this. I knew different regions had different pronunciations but I didn't know what they were called. I also think it is sad that they are not appreciated as much as they should. It's good that people of Burguillos de Cerro still speak it. Hopefully more people will start speaking it.
ReplyDelete