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Interpreting Services . ">Keep in mind when you deal with Spanish translations, where the Spanish in question comes from. You will be amazed by the difference a single word can make in a conversation. There are lots of words that don’t exist in Spain but have a full and specific meaning in Mexico or Argentina. Sometimes in Colombia they might exist but with an opposite, much odder meaning. It’s not just about accents or dialects, it’s about brand new words. It’s incredible how the same language, at least in its roots and structure and main vocabulary, can utilise an entirely independent lexicon. The funny thing when it comes to basic surviving translations, for example while travelling, is that you will either feel like your Spanish pocket dictionary is actually a rip-off (like those Easter egg bracelet surprises that only last a day) or that people are making fun of you (which is quite frustrating when you try your best to ask for a meal and there are no pictures on the menu). A friend of mine asked for a tinto, while enjoying a nice sunset in Cartagena, Colombia. The expectation was a glass of red wine to start dinner with, and he got served a tall black coffee. He thought the waiter might have misunderstood him so he smiled and said he wanted a tinto, not a coffee. Un tintoesun café. He didn’t dare to discuss it further, smiled back again, had the coffee and spent the whole night awake! So always try to remember where you speak Spanish. Of course it’s not easy to know all the different uses a word can have, but being conscious of it ensures you don’t take everything for granted. And especially be prepared to double-check your vocabulary to make sure what you say what you intend to! The consolation for us foreign speakers of Spanish is that even Spaniards and Mexicans don’t understand each other all the time! And believe me, it does happen! Read more about Spanish Interpreting Services .
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