This is an important message for all gringos, regardless of geographic location, who want to show their ethnic sensitivity by giving year-end greetings to their Spanish-speaking friends (i.e. the household help).
The Spanish language uses a few accent marks that show which syllable to emphasize, if it isn’t the customary next-to-last one, when pronouncing words. There is also a diacritical mark, squiggly line that is placed above the letter “n” in some instances, and that changes the standard pronunciation of that letter. The mark is called a “tilde” and looks like this: ñ.
This little mark is VERY important at this time of the year, when you want to wish someone “Happy New Year,” or “Feliz Año Nuevo.”
With the tilde, the word is pronounced ”ahn-yo,” meaning year. Without the tilde, the word is pronounced “ah-no”. Small difference in pronunciation, huge difference in meaning.
If you wish someone “Feliz Ano Nuevo,” you have just wished him a “Happy New Asshole.”
So let’s be careful out there. Don’t make an ANO of yourself!
ROTFLMAO
Thanks I needed that still chuckling …..
Thanks to this blog! It is important to know the importance of learning spanish language it helps me a lot to understand the benefits of it Gracias..