... in response to remember our friend 'vos'?, posted by Michael B on May 24, 2001Below is a post from Traveler/Malandro who is moving and having some temporary trouble (we hope, when Mr. Patrick can get to his backlog of e-mails) posting. This thing about "vos" is interesting to me because I have been studying Spanish here locally for a year and a half and never heard a word about "vos" until Bret raised it here. I had heard about vosotros and had some teaching so I was a little familiar with what it was. So if I run across "vos" being used, at least I will know what it is. Edge.
Again, I think vos is used alot more than people realize. In C.A. and
southern South America especially. I think people don't realize this
because they don't teach it in Spanish class and the majority of the
immigrants from LA to the US are from "tu" countries. Mexico, Puerto Rico,
Cuba
I think it goes back to the colonial times where Spanish settlers from
different areas of Spain colonized different areas of LA. also, I believe
"vos" was kind of the language of the blue collar guy like sailors for
example. Thus, it remains in use in LA where it may no longer be used much
in Spain now days.
its also noteworthy to point out that "Spanish", as we know it, is really
"castellano" or Castilian in English. They speak it of course in the
Castilian area of Spain which includes Madrid the historical seat of power.
However, in "Galicia" which is part of Spain they speak "Gallego". In
Catalonia they speak "Catatlan". both are similar to Spanish but not
exactly (kind of like Portuguese). but Castilian is the common language of
the entire country. Education, mass media, etc.. but regional dialicts
are used in everyday talk.
well, that's the lesson for today. if you want to post it
