TresSugar

Supermercado de Wal-Mart Coming to Texas and Arizona

CitizenSugar — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 10:30:30 -0700

Bienvenido a Wal-Mart!

Retail giant Wal-Mart will soon open Hispanic-focused grocery stores in Texas and Arizona. The staff will be bilingual and the stores will feature tortilla bakeries, a larger selection of Spanish-language music and DVDs, and a wide assortment of Hispanic food.

Companies can't help but pounce on the potential in the Hispanic market. In addition to Wal-Mart's supermercado plans, Home Depot and Best Buy have launched Spanish-language websites.

Are you happy a huge retailer can adapt to a specific market, or would you rather see local stores appeal to the local tastes?

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74 Percent of El Paso Households Are Spanish Speaking

CitizenSugar — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 00:00:30 -0700

According to new information released by the US Census Bureau, 74 percent of all households in El Paso, TX, speak Spanish as their primary language at home, even if they're fluent in English. That number is coupled with the fact that one out of every five residents of Texas, Arizona, California, and New Mexico speak Spanish at home too.

One home-Spanish-speaker says, "Spanish was my first language and it's the language that my parents speak, so I just use it when I'm there. I don't even think about it. And although I speak English, I sometimes feel more comfortable speaking Spanish. It's like going back home."

The high at-home use of the language prompts changes in the local culture and government. Most agencies and stores publish notices in both English and Spanish. One spokeswoman for the county of El Paso said it makes sense to write news releases and public notices in both languages. "Our goal is for our message to reach the intended audience as quickly as possible," she said. "If we were to send out notices in English only, the message will eventually get to Spanish-speaking families but it will take some time."

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The One Semester of Spanish Spanish Love Song

GiggleSugar — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 09:00:00 -0700

A little learnin' is a dangerous thing. Just ask this lovely señorita who has to listen to this dude try to hit on her in really bad Spanish. (How does she keep from laughing?) I love that he signs off by saying, "Au revoir!" Classic.

¿Sí o no? Should All American Kids Be Bilingual?

LibertySugar — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 10:00:20 -0700

We call someone who speaks two languages bilingual, and a person who speaks one language . . . American. Barack Obama wants to end that reality. He told parents yesterday "to make sure your child can speak Spanish. We should have every child speaking more than one language."

According to Obama, not only is America's lack of languages embarrassing, but learning a foreign language will make Americans more employable in a global economy. Considering China's economy will be number one by 2035, Americans may no longer have the ability to dictate the world's language preferences. It might make sense to teach second languages to all children when they are young enough to pick it up.

Should American schools seriously dedicate more of their limited resources to realizing second-language fluency?

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Anyone Up for Live-Action Spanish Simpsons?

GiggleSugar — Fri, 09 May 2008 09:00:00 -0700

It's hard to improve upon a show that's been on the air for 19 years, but two goofballs (Cruz and Raya) figured out how to do it. Using some comical eyeballs and a bucket of yellow paint, the duo gave The Simpsons a live-action makeover. The emotionless acting and mile-high wasp nest are entertaining, but Marge's fabulously toned biceps steal the show. Hello, hottie.

Un Momento Contigo, Por Favor...

GiggleSugar — Sun, 23 Sep 2007 02:00:00 -0700

Those of you who have ever tried to learn another language will understand where this dude's coming from. Using his limited "Introduction to Spanish" skills, he tries to hit on a chick. In his sweetest, most romantic sing-song voice, he croons about bathrooms, burritos and nachos. Muy bien, no? (What he should be singing is "Lo Siento Senorita..." cuz of that douche-y unbuttoned dress shirt!)

Chris Farley Is: El Niño

GiggleSugar — Fri, 01 Jun 2007 08:00:00 -0700

Take out your pens and paper for a brief Spanish lesson taught by a costume-clad Chris Farley. Es muy bien, in a comical sort of way. (And he's even funnier if you take his bolero very seriously.)

Enchanté? Carla Bruni Meets Her Match in Spain

TresSugar — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 14:00:00 -0700

It's no secret we're obsessed with all things French at TrèsSugar, and France's first lady, Carla Bruni, is no exception. But while she may be our favorite, the Daily Mail claims she was bested yesterday by Princess Letizia of Spain in style and beauty.

Carla accompanied President Nicolas Sarkozy to Spain to placate rumors that Spanish tempers ran high after a gaffe-y Sarkozy said Spanish Premier Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero was "not very smart." What better way to reach peace than to bring two beautiful faces from each country together?

I will insert an obligatory line about how both women are beautiful in their own right because, well, they are, but that takes me away from a problem I want to discuss. Beautiful women - Michelle Obama, Carla Bruni, and now Princess Letizia - are used to distract us from the political issues at hand. You know, like how President Sarkozy said something mean about the Spanish premier. Mon dieu!

Anyway, since the Daily Mail started it, I am going to finish. With a superior integration of the beauty-pageant-like sash and fortunate absence of a tiara, Carla reigns.

View 5 Photos ›

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Ad-rageous: Barack Obama Speaks Spanish

LibertySugar — Thu, 29 May 2008 09:00:57 -0700

Barack Obama has a Spanish mensaje personal for Puerto Rico. Unbeknownst to the English speaking public, Obama is promising Puerto Ricans independence as soon as he becomes president. OK, just kidding! But, check out the ad, which I swear is not dubbed! Obama really can roll his Rs.

Puerto Rico will hold its Democratic primary on June 1. Bill Clinton has assured Puerto Ricans that this is their rare opportunity to influence US presidential politics. Whether or not the island territory, which does not vote in the general election, isn't too late to the primary game is up for debate. But either way, do you think this ad, which showcases Barack Obama's Spanish-speaking skills, will help him wrap this thing up?

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Reggaeton Rocks!

GiggleSugar — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 01:00:00 -0700

I love robots, dancing, and Reggaeton, and this Spanish music video has it all. Now, all I need to do is learn Spanish and learn how to bust some of these robo-babe moves, and I'm set. (I seriously need to download this to iTunes.) "El Chiki Chiki!"