Intermediate · 30 min · 19 words

Spanish you already hear

Four centuries of Spanish, folded into California English

California was Spanish-speaking long before it was English-speaking. The words in this course are in daily use, but many of them belong to specific communities. They are documented so you can understand them. Using them of yourself if you are not part of that community is a different decision, and the usage notes say so.

Learners who hear Spanish in California English and want to follow it.

Lessons

1. 1

   Friends and family

   These are the people-words you will hear in everyday speech, music, and film.

   8 words

2. 2

   Everyday words

   These show up in workplaces, group chats, and protest signs — not only in Spanish-language spaces.

   5 words

3. 3

   Places and identity

   California identity is talked about in this vocabulary. Misusing it is not a small mistake.

   6 words