And it looked like they really couldn't understand each other to well. I can't understand Spanish but I was just curious are their accents that thick to each other that they couldn't fully understand each other.
2007-09-01 19:35:09 · 4 answers · asked by Frank K 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Languages
Absolutely NOT. Mexicans and Puerto Ricans can understand each other perfectly, although they will both recognize the distinct regional differences of the other person.
It's EXACTLY the same as when an English speaker from the US talks to someone from Great Britain - it's very different, but completely understandable.
That being said, just like in American and British English, there are some vocabulary differences in different Spanish speaking regions.
In my area where the Hispanic population is primarily Mexcican, we refer to beans as "frijoles" but Puerto Ricans call them "habichuelas." In America, what we call an elevator is called a "lift" in Great Britain. In such cases of not knowing the vocabulary word, you simply ask the person who said it what that word means. They usually know the regional words of other areas as well.
2007-09-01 20:10:15 · answer #1 · answered by Mimii 5 · 5⤊ 0⤋
It depends. if this Mexican is new in N.Y and the puerto Rican it's being for a long time in N.Y it's possible that the Mexican wouldn't understands some 'SPANGLISH' words, such as
RUFO roof = Spanish techo
MAPO mop = trapeador
But sooner or later the Mexican will pick those new words
2007-09-02 18:01:22 · answer #2 · answered by Finale 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I would say that a Mexican and a Puerto Rican are more like a Texan and a New Yorker.
Unless the Mexican was one of those who don't speak much Spanish.
2007-09-01 20:40:07 · answer #3 · answered by Beardo 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
There are different dialects of Spanish.
2007-09-01 19:48:41 · answer #4 · answered by Beckers 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋