dominican bites

Latino parents and education: debunking the myth

I received a call the other day. It was an old classmate from the Dominican Republic whom I talk to from time to time after reuniting via Facebook. She says she has read some of my articles and wants me to write about education in the U.S.: how underfunded the system is, bullying, cases of child abuse and molestation by teachers, school shootings, etc. When I told her I needed inspiration to write, she proceeded to tell me a story different from the topics she previously mentioned. It was the story of an immigrant Latino mother, who cares very much…

The modern-day Dominican fogón, made of adobe. Still used as stoves in rural areas of the Domincan Republic, fogones are powered by firewood and lit with “cuaba” (pine kindlings). Picture taken in Manabao, Dominican Republic. El fogón moderno dominicano, hecho de adobe. El fogón aun se utiliza como estufa en muchas zonas rurales de la República Dominicana. Se prende con astillas de cuaba (sacadas del pino) y se mantiene con leña. Foto tomada en Manabao, municipio de Jarabacoa.

“Si como caminas cocinas, guárdame el concón”

Literal translation: if you cook like you walk, save me the concòn (the part of the cooked rice that sticks to the bottom of the pan). Concòn is considered a Dominican delicacy and is usually eaten with bean soup as part of daily meals. Meaning: I like you, you have a nice walk, harmless compliment (piropo) to a woman passing by Significado: piropo (me gustas), tienes bonito caminar Use: colloquial, urban Update: It seems I hit a nerve with the use of the word “harmless” in the description above. A piropo’s interpretation is of course, subjective and many Dominican women…

“Debajo de cualquier yagua vieja sale tremendo alacran”

"Debajo de cualquier yagua vieja sale tremendo alacrán" Literal translation: a huge scorpion can come out from under any old yagua (the branch of a palm tree) Meaning: don’t underestimate anyone; they might surprise you Significado: no subestime a nadie o se puede llevar una gran sorpresa Use: general

“Te la comiste”

Literal translation: you ate it Meaning: you nailed it, you did great Significado: excelente, lo hiciste bien Use: colloquial, urban

“Cógelo con su avena”

Literal translation: to take it with its oatmeal Meaning: take it easy. A variant of ¨cólego suave¨ (take it easy) Significado: tómalo con calma, no te preocupes Use: colloquial, urban

“Hacerse el chivo loco”

Literal translation: to play the crazy goat Meaning: to pretend one is unaware that something is happening; to pretend one forgot a commitment or a promise; to take it in stride Significado: fingir que uno no sabe algo; fingir que uno ha olvidado una promesa o compromiso; asumir una actitud de indiferencia Use: colloquial

Subir lo’ vidrio’

Literal translation: to raise the car window (to someone) Meaning: to leave, finish a conversation or announce that you’ll be ignoring someone Significado ¨te subí lo vidrio¨: irse, terminar una conversación o anunciarle a alguien que va a ser ignorado Use: colloquial, urban