Continuing a previous thread on the spread of gringoisms, I have come across some new ones. Many of course are the bastardisation of Gringlish words, such as describing 4*4s as yipetas, originating from the word jeep. Likewise, all the hip and very annoying young things constantly say es jevy, derivative of heavy, as a positive adjective. Hence these yipeta driving brats are known as jevitas, which is definitely not a positive description. Indeed this gringoisation extends into all aspects of their lives – one of the places where they drink in Santo Domingo is known as BoBos, which as the neon sign tells us is an abbreviation for Bourgeois Bohemian. With its shiny bar, fancy décor and outrages prices it is certainly one, but not the other. I hate that place and its clientele with a passion, preferring el Sarten next door, a down to earth yet madly vibrant bar that plays old time son music.
Anyway, I recently discovered that el marking tape is a crucial part of cockfighting, as this standard Blue Peter item is used to hold artificial spurs in place on the cock’s leg whilst the wax is drying. Random Gringlish words pop up in the agricultural outposts down the roads, which originate from the agrochemical industry. I passed a small shop that advertised itself as El Store de RoundUpPlus. There is a sense that your business is more reputable if it has a Gringlish word in the title, much like restaurants who think that because their menu is in French then the food tastes better. Hence Betty’s Salon can charge twice the price of Salon de Betty. Bonus points are given for incorrect grammar and spelling, though this afflicts the Spanish signage as well.
This trend also extends into naming for children, as they are often given Gringlish names, particularly ones relating to American presidents, names that have no Spanish origin. In my village there is a Wilson, a Washington, a Jeferson, as well as a Jefrey, a Jon-David. Someone up the road is called Welington, and I was laughing uncontrollably when he was introduced to me, whilst wearing rubber boots. Some things just don’t translate.
How they get these names I still don’t understand. I did hear that a new musical about DominicanYorks (a Gringoised word used to describe the expat population in New York) in which a major character is called Usnavy, after the first sign his parents saw when they arrived in the port of New York. I am still waiting to meet young RoundUpPlus Fernandez.