Cinco de Mayo
History
In 1861, Mexico ceased making interest payments to its main creditors. In response, in late 1861, France (and other European countries) attacked Mexico to try to force payment of this debt. France decided that it would try to take over and occupy Mexico. France was successful at first in its invasion; however, on May 5, 1862, at the city of Puebla, Mexican forces were able to defeat an attack by the larger French army. In this Battle of Puebla, the Mexicans were led by General Ignacio Zaragoza Seguín. Although the Mexican army was victorious over the French at Puebla, the victory only delayed the French invasion on Mexico City; a year later, the French occupied Mexico. The French occupying forces placed Maximilian I, Emperor of Mexico on the throne of Mexico. The French, under U.S. pressure, eventually withdrew in 1866-1867. Maximilian was executed by President Benito Juarez, five years after the Battle of Puebla.
United States
In the United States, Cinco de Mayo has taken on a significance beyond that in Mexico.[12][14][15][16] The date is perhaps best recognized in the United States as a date to celebrate the culture and experiences of Americans of Mexican ancestry, much as St. Patrick's Day, Oktoberfest, and the Chinese New Year are used to celebrate those of Irish, German, and Chinese ancestry respectively. Similar to those holidays, Cinco de Mayo is observed by many Americans regardless of ethnic origin. Celebrations tend to draw both from traditional Mexican symbols, such as the Virgen de Guadalupe, and from prominent figures of Mexican descent in the United States, including César Chávez.[17] To celebrate, many display Cinco de Mayo banners while school districts hold special events to educate pupils about its historical significance. Special events and celebrations highlight Mexican culture, especially in its music and regional dancing. Examples include ballet folklórico and mariachi demonstrations held annually at the Plaza del Pueblo de Los Angeles, near Olvera Street. Commercial interests in the United States have capitalized on the celebration, advertising Mexican products and services, with an emphasis on beverages,[18] foods, and music.[19][20]
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cinco_de_Mayo
David
Gracias por la leccion historia. Feliz Cinco de Mayo a usted tambien.
Diane, La historia es un tema muy importante para mí. Me alegro de que le gustaba la historia.
You are taxing my Spanish speaking ability. History is an important topic to me in all its forms. I am glad you liked the lesson.
David
16 de septiembre encluso mas importante in Mexico. Es para ellos el dia de la Independencia.
Quote from: Diane Amberg on May 04, 2009, 02:42:34 PM
16 de septiembre encluso mas importante in Mexico. Es para ellos el dia de la Independencia.
Diane that is true. Many people confuse Cinco de Mayo with Mexico's Independence Day which is why I posted the links to the history of Cinco de Mayo.
David
Well I have learned something today; now if I can get it translated, I will be uptown! ;D Actually, I was able to read and understand much more than I would have thought, and I was also one of those who did not understand the real Cinco De Mayo celebration! Thanks to you both!
Quote from: sixdogsmom on May 04, 2009, 03:58:25 PM
Well I have learned something today; now if I can get it translated, I will be uptown! ;D Actually, I was able to read and understand much more than I would have thought, and I was also one of those who did not understand the real Cinco De Mayo celebration! Thanks to you both!
I said Happy May 5th. or Cinco de Mayo. Then posted some info.
Diane said thanks for the history lesson. Happy Cinco deMayo to you too.
My response iin Spanish was basically the same as the English portion.
Diane said September 16 is also very important in Mexico. It is their Independence day.
Then I switched back to English, because Diane speaks better Spanish than I do and was making me think too hard. I have forgotten most of my Spanish. Now I speak what is called "kitchen Spanish" which consists of English and Spanish and derives it's name from it's use in restaurant kitchens all over the US.
David
David
David, siento que tenia que trabajar. Pardon mi por favor ! :laugh:
I thought that English was the language of Elk county .
Quote from: Diane Amberg on May 04, 2009, 05:04:15 PM
David, siento que tenia que trabajar. Pardon mi por favor ! :laugh:
Alright Diane stop it. You lost me. But I think you said something to the effect of Pardon me, I had to work hard too.
David
Quote from: Dee Gee on May 04, 2009, 05:09:35 PM
I thought that English was the language of Elk county .
Dee Gee it is and should be the language of America. What is the point of your comment?
David
Dee Gee, neither of us is in Elk County right now. ;) ;D David, I said sorry for you having to work hard. Please forgive me.
Diane, as a EMT where you live do you need to use spanish. I know that a lot of our EMT's here do speak spanish and when the patients do not speak english very will it is very comforting for them to have the EMT's able to communicate with them in spanish.
I admire anyone who speaks multiple languages, I wish that I had eschewd some of my highschool science classes in favor of language. No, on second thought I don't. But I do wish that I had a much broader understanding of Latin, something they hardly teach anywhere these days. I would like to see every child in this country be able to handle at least one more language beside their native tongue. Most cannot handle english very well. Too bad.
Quote from: sixdogsmom on May 04, 2009, 06:40:18 PM
I admire anyone who speaks multiple languages, I wish that I had eschewd some of my highschool science classes in favor of language. No, on second thought I don't. But I do wish that I had a much broader understanding of Latin, something they hardly teach anywhere these days. I would like to see every child in this country be able to handle at least one more language beside their native tongue. Most cannot handle english very well. Too bad.
We are never too old to learn anything. All the things you mention would be time well spent learning.
David
You are right David, I should get off my duff and just do it! Well, maybe after the dishes are done, I will think about it tomorrow! ;)
The only time it is too late to learn something new is when you are six feet under, pushing daisies.
Ms Bear, Si, Ayuda (yes, it helps) Donde le duele. (Where does it hurt?) We have some classes where EMTs can learn the basic health questions and a few folks are fluent. There are translators for everything at the hospitals. We get by alright.
David, not really any point because you translated the conversation, but it is just like when you are out in a public place you wonder just what others are saying when they are speaking a foreign language.
Diane, I'm not Elk county either, but I'm close to there.
I do admire people that can speak and understand different languages, i have a hard time with just English.
I was very good at one time but I've lost a lot. I can still get by though.
Quote from: Dee Gee on May 04, 2009, 09:35:53 PM
David, not really any point because you translated the conversation, but it is just like when you are out in a public place you wonder just what others are saying when they are speaking a foreign language.
Diane, I'm not Elk county either, but I'm close to there.
I do admire people that can speak and understand different languages, i have a hard time with just English.
Dee Gee, I translated it because I actually feel it is rude to speak in a foreign language when other people are involved in the conversation (with out including them by translating) ; which is always the case here on the forum. SDM's comment reminded me of that belief.
David
What bothers me is a group of young men, obviously not white or black, hanging out in a mall seemingly without any purpose and of course, speaking in their own language. I am not talking about school age teenagers. I am talking about young men of working age who don't seem to have a job to keep them busy. And their attention isn't on each other. Their eyes are working the crowd.
A number of years ago I was walking in the door to Christiana mall, our big regional shopping mall when I passed a group of young Hispanic males making unnecessary comments in Spanish about some girls waiting by the movie theater. I couldn't help but hear them and I said,''Parar! Silencio por favor. Eso muy grosero! (Stop! Quiet please. That is very rude!) You should have their faces. They left.
Diane and Wilma since you both have "free passes" from me I won't post. Not that you did anything wrong. I just had a devilish comment. Since we still don't have an icon with horns. :angel:
David
LOL! Diane, I had a couple of fellows from Columbia and another who was American and had spent many years in South America who worked for me. It was a natural that they should speak spanish among themselves when we were out on break. Sometimes their exchanges were pretty rough and of course I knew what they were saying. I thnked them very kindly not to speak about 'Hos in my presence. They all three very sheepishly apologised and I never heard them do that again. Isn't it funny that the very first things that somebody learns is the gutter language? My dad worked with a mostly Mexican crew and of course came home and promptly 'taught' us the latest thing he had learned. It has come in handy many times in my life however. ;)
Si. Mi tambien. David, Porque no dilo. No me Importante. ( yes, me too. ) ( David why not tell. I don't mind.) ;D
El pequeño diablo nunca habla.
Diane you can translate better than I can. I will post what I meant later.
David
The little devil never speaks? (or spoke) OK That one wasn't hard.
Yes that is the literal translation. What I wanted to say was the The little devil never tells, but my Spanish grammar is worse than my English grammar. That is the problem when you think in English and try to say it in Spanish. Never works out right because both languages don't use the same slang.
David
;D ;D