Regional Usages and Differences

As we know, Spanish speakers in the U.S. may come from over 20 different countries, with their particular regional usages which differ in varying degrees from other speakers of the same language. At Cultivate Learning, we try to accommodate these differences depending on who the audience receiving the materials will be.

For materials to be distributed in Washington State, through the Early Achievers program or others, we prioritize the usage of terms familiar to the state’s Spanish-speaking or bilingual population, the majority of whom are descendents of generations of Mexicans and Central Americans, as well as more recently arrived immigrants from those regions.

For materials from EarlyEdU or others which will be distributed nation-wide, including to our colleagues in Puerto Rico, we frequently add terms used there and in wider regions, separated by a slash (/):

Examples: 

• eyeglasses = lentes/espejuelos/gafas
• bucket = cubeta/cubo/balde

The Somali language is divided into three major dialects: Northern (the most common dialect and the basis for standard Somali), Benadir (on the Indian coast), and Maay (the southern part of the country). Generally, people from remote areas understand all dialects, although they may have different terms for different things.

Examples:

• Banana= Muus/Moos
• Girl= Gabar/Inan/Gabadh
• Fish=Kaluun/Malaay
• Drink= Abitaan/Cabitaan