Hondurans Celebrate As Local Idioms Are Added to the Real Academia Española Official Dictionary

TEGUCIGALPA, Honduras, Oct. 27, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Next time you are enjoying baleadas with your Honduran amigos, make sure you know the difference between the simple, special, and super special, or they are sure to call you "dundo" for not ordering it the "authentic" way. If a couple of the words used in the sentence above did not make sense, you are not alone, as "baleada" and "dundo" are just a couple of the thousands of words that reflect the unique vocabulary found in Honduran Spanish.

As was announced on October 8^th, around 3000 different Honduran idiomatic expressions, words, and phrases were included in the updated version of the Real Academia Española (RAE)'s Official Spanish dictionary, making Honduran Spanish one of the largest contributors to the Real Academy's collection of Spanish terms. Although many of these newly added words may be unfamiliar to people residing in the other 19 Spanish-speaking countries, their distinct regionalism, combined with formal accreditation, gives Hondurans worldwide another reason to be proud of their homeland.

Originally, the RAE controlled the content of the dictionary from a more traditional perspective, seeking to maintain the Peninsular dialect as the standard. However, recently it has decided to embrace a more pan-Hispanic approach to the Spanish language, looking to include the linguistic nuances of each region and country, thus allowing Honduras to develop its novel role within the Spanish speaking world.

The Honduran Academy of Language, (Academia Hondureña de la Lengua, AHL) sought a combination of timeless words and expressions that have specific meanings within the context of Honduras, and that have become staples in Honduran Spanish, to make their official request for inclusion in the RAE's dictionary. "It's not just any slang word that can be added, it has to be one that is used frequently, and is representative of the Honduran way of speaking" comments Litza Solís, linguist from AHL, and Director of Special Programs at the National Pedagogic University Francisco Morazán. Solís continues, "Honduras is considered one of the major contributors to the dynamics of the Spanish language and that should be source of pride for us, [Hondurans]."

As a result of the country's rich linguistic tendencies, the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Honduras (National Autonomous University of Honduras), is developing programs that groom a new generation of linguists dedicated to studying the specific characteristics of Honduran Spanish. These studies will seek to understand how certain words and phrases survive throughout the language's constant evolution, while investigating the influence of native languages on the country's unique Spanish dialect.

The inclusion and recognition of Honduran expressions into the official Spanish dictionary reflects the important contributions that this Central American country provides the Spanish-speaking world, while giving the Honduran community yet another reason to proudly wave their flag in support of their homeland, their language, and their people.

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SOURCE Honduras Presidency