Meanings of phrases in Spanish be expressed through intonation, like affection, anger, or politeness; but one must always be cautious because the tone used can often alter the meanings of the same words.

Both words and sentences in the Spanish language can sometimes be very complex and long – so complex in fact that non-native speakers of this language will probably have great difficulty in mastering the wide range of tenses. The verb ‘to be’ is a Spanish translation of both ‘ser’ and ‘estar’ and non-native speakers have a difficult task in understanding the difference between these two. Meanings of phrases in Spanish be expressed through intonation, like affection, anger, or politeness; but one must always be cautious because the tone used can often alter the meanings of the same words. Native speakers of this language like to use augmentative and diminutives, and these suffixes alter a lot depending on the region.

The Spanish Language Specific to Colombia

The Spanish language of Colombia is said to be one of the most beautiful forms of spoken Spanish in South America, with its clear pronunciation and almost musical intonation. The many different dialects of Spanish spoken throughout the country have been greatly influenced by the diverse ethnic background of so many of the Colombian people. Generally, the form of Spanish spoken in Colombia can be defined as a grouping of the various varieties of the many languages spoken. This term has more geographical relevance than linguistic relevance because the dialects spoken throughout the various regions of Colombia are so diverse.

Located in Colombia’s capital of Bogotá is the Caro y Cuervo Institute, which is Colombia’s main institution for promoting the study of both the language and literature of Colombia and Spanish America. Bogotá is a conservative but educated variety of Spanish, which holds high prestige amongst Spanish speakers throughout the Americas. For the translation of any documents either to or from any version of the Spanish language, why not contact Eging Translation today. Whether your Spanish translation is technical or legal in nature, small or large in size, our highly experienced translators can complete accurate translations from any source material.

Spanish Slang in Colombia

The slang speech used in Colombia has become very popular and is frequently used in pop culture, particularly in the barrios of the big cities. In Medellín and the Paisa region, the local slang is known as ‘Parlache’. Many commonly used slang expressions are now being used outside their original areas and have become understood throughout Colombia. An example of some of these slang words which have been popularized by the media include –

brutal: awesome, or really cruel

cojo: lacking sense, or weak

golfa: a promiscuous woman

abrise: to split up, or leave

filo: hunger

plata: money

tombo: policeman

chevere: admirable, or cool

Levantar: to “pick up” a woman or a man

Colombia’s Various Spanish Dialects

Some of the regional dialects of Colombia include –

Paisa dialect - spoken in Colombia’s coffee-production regions

Rolo (Cachao) dialect – used in the city of Bogota

Cundiboyacense dialect - spoken mainly in Boyacá (Cundiboyacense High Plateau) and Cundinamarca

Caribbean (costeño) dialect – spoken in the Caribbean region of Colombia

Valluno (español vallecaucano) dialect - spoken in the valley of the Cauca River, between the central and western cordilleras

Andean dialect - spoken in the southwest region of Colombia

Opita dialect - mostly spoken in the southern and central parts of the Magdalena River Valley

Santanderean dialect - spoken mostly in the northeastern part of Colombia (bordering Venezuela)

Eastern Plains (Llanero) dialect - spoken from the Cordillera Oriental and into Venezuela

Chocó (Pacific) dialect - this dialect extends throughout the Pacific Coast beyond the Department of Chocó. It reflects African influences in terms of rhythm and intonation.

Island dialect -this dialect is spoken in Providencia, the Islands of San Andreas, and Santa Catalina.