A Review of a Mexican Spanish Dictionary - The Dictionary of Chicano Spanish

As every Spanish translator knows, Spanish is aof dictionaries with regional words in them. One of
diverse language and can vary among speakers,the more well-known (Chicano) Mexican Spanish
depending on the region where it is spoken. Theredictionaries available is The Dictionary of Chicano
are many different regions in the world whereSpanish.This dictionary, according to the preface
Spanish is spoken and translators have to knowwritten by a former governor of New Mexico,
how to deal with these regional varieties in their"contains the special colloquial, euphemistic, slang,
translations.For example, Spanish spoken in Cubaand commonplace expressions of the speech of
is slightly different than Spanish spoken in Spain,Mexican-American citizens in the United States,
which is slightly different from the Spanish spokenalong with the spelling and pronunciation variants
in Mexico or the Dominican Republic.Because ofcommon to Chicano Spanish."While it doesn't
the differences that exist in the Spanish ofcontain all slang terminology specific to Mexico, it
different regions of the world, Spanish translatorsdoes have over 9,000 "words and expressions
have to know what audience their translation isnot usually found in standard references" and it
intended for. However, as good as translators canalso has variant spelling for these Chicano words
be in understanding these differences, they mightand phrases. The author has also included a very
not know them right off the bat all the time, anduseful appendix listing 650 common proverbs and
therefore rely on help and translation aids to clearsayings, as well as a bibliography that you can use
up any confusion they might have. This isto find even more resources on the topic.The
especially true when translating slang terms andbook is less than 250 pages and while the latest
terminology.One of the best translation aids toedition was published over 10 years ago (1995),
have is people who are from different regions soit's still a great book to have in your Mexican
that you can ask them their advice and opinion onSpanish dictionary collection. Also, you can find
word usage or terms you might run across.used ones for fairly cheap on Amazon.com, which
However, sometimes translators are unable tomake it a bargain dictionary to have.Clint Tustison
find someone to help them out and have to useis a Spanish English translator interested in helping
dictionaries or other written aids to help thembusinesses and translators better understand the
out.In the case where a translator has to go to atranslation industry.
dictionary for answers, it's good to have a series