Mexican culture: why the pun is mightier than the word
Friday, 3rd July 2009
When I first arrived in England as a teenager, I enrolled for my A-Levels. At school I made lots of friends quite quickly and I think my adopted nickname played a big part in it.
The name is Nadine. Shortly after introducing myself to my peers, they had created a suitable nickname for me. “Nadz”. I never quite understood why people were giggling at me especially when I introduced myself;
“My name is Nadine, but people call me Nadz…”
Avoiding these little language blunders or “techniscisms” can be quite tricky when you’re new to a language, country or culture. Great thing I was in England, rather than Mexico…
“¿Hola, que tal? Mi nombre es Nadine, pero me llaman testiculos…!”
I’m pretty sure that wouldn’t have gone down well with the locals…or would it?
If I was a man living in Mexico, I would actually be quite popular, considered “clever” or “quick” and even “macho”. If I was a woman on the other hand, and in Mexico, I would be considered a “Naca” (common, tacky, uneducated) - not only for understanding “albures”, but even worse for using them in my day to day lingo.
About 4 years ago I moved to Mexico and there I was quickly introduced to “albures”. Many people - when they heard that I am a foreigner - asked if I understood the “doble sentido” (double meanings) which are quite popular in Latin America in general. My answer to this was …
“No…”
Not because I didn’t understand double entendre’s with sexual undertones, but because I was surrounded by people of a different social status than those who might “alburear” as a way of life. Although it is quite commonly used by men of lower social status, ironically and contradictory to what it means to use this way of communicating, it is fast becoming a way for men even of higher social classes to speak to each other in such a way. Calling each other silly names like; mule, donkey, lazy, ox, ram, dog etc, which in some other countries would be considered extremely rude, but in Mexican culture between men is quite acceptable, funny and a light way to jokingly make fun of each other. “Albures” are often used to exhibit the opponent as dumb or stupid, subtly or bluntly can mention the “alburero’s” masculinity. The sexual “aggressor” or quite the opposite - his lack of virility. Anything to offend and confuse the opponent in such a way that he is left without a “come-back”.
“Alburear” (verb) is a game of associated meanings, where men jokingly tease each other using ordinary words and their double meanings to mock each with vulgarities. Just as animals in the wild, the fittest and toughest will survive. Only the most “Macho Alburero” will win the game, leaving his friend, colleague or relative emasculated and clinically depressed! Just kidding. Until the next opportunity arrives to lock horns in a verbal match.
Let’s see how this works…
Take for example in English. If I was to talk about “buttocks”- I would most likely use the following synonyms: backside, behind, bottom, bum, posterior, rear, rump, seat, back end, derrière, fundament, gluteus maximus, haunches, hindquarters, tush etc.
In Mexico though, ANYTHING remotely related with the shape, color, texture or position would be used as a double entendre aka “albur”.
E.g.
Asentaderas, posaderas, nalgas, trasero, hancas, cachas, canco, fondillos, rulé, trás, traspontín, salvahonor, las de atrás tiempo, popa, nalgatorio, asiento, rabel, bullarengue, teleras, nachas, ignacias, pompas, hanchas, tafanario, aposentaderas, bote, tambochas, tambos, chunde, las de carne, las naylon, torombolas, bollos, jamones, cabuz, retaguardia, tortas, petacas etc (some of these words can be very offensive and rude, especially when used in conversation with women).
Or for example, something as simple and innocent as “Give me a hand…” could spark off a verbal battle, where the most agile (dirty) mind wins.
“Mexican” humour can be really offensive and extremely funny at the same time. That’s why it’s very common for adults to accompany their children when watching animated films. Whilst a foreigner like me might think it’s a boring children’s film, the locals will find a way to decipher the language and make themselves laugh through spotting the “adult(toilet) humor” carefully masked within the sweet and innocent portrayal of a children’s story.
If you would like to know more about Mexican culture, social norms and what make the locals giggle. Why not take a language course abroad with Cactus and “Sacale provecho!” (Get the most out of it!) Get it? * wink-wink.
Tags: spanish, culture, cactus, mexico, language, language course, language course abroad, slang
Posted by Nadine Burzler under Language variations,
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