Back to reality again!

[cancunhound]

... in response to Re: Re: Re: Very Nice CP, posted by beenthere on Aug 18, 2003

This is one of those Cali specific words IMHO.  Nena is caleña slang - "young girl".  Nene is what it is - "bambino", "baby" - I don't believe it has a feminine specific counterpart (i.e. caleños wouldn't change nene to nena when referring to a girl when used in this scenario).  At least that's what I've noticed in conversation, however "grammatically incorrect" it may be.

[CaliAdvisor]

... in response to Nena/Nene, posted by cancunhound on Aug 19, 2003

Nena means babe.. Like "Whats up babe?"

[beenthere]

... in response to Nena/Nene, posted by cancunhound on Aug 19, 2003

cancunhound,  I hope you're not calling your wife nene.

[cancunhound]

... in response to Re: Nena/Nene, posted by beenthere on Aug 19, 2003

Nope, I've found that "baby" works fine (and you don't have to nitpick over feminine/masculine)

There's a pretty good database of Cali specific slang at:
http://www.caliescali.com/diccionario.php3

[beenthere]

... in response to Re: Re: Nena/Nene, posted by cancunhound on Aug 19, 2003

I'm familiar with the website (it even translates "nena" as joven muchacha)......
As per Traveler's eloquent post yesterday, if you're going to speak the language, try to get it right.  Regardless of what you say, correctly using the feminine/masculine forms is VERY important when speaking the language. It can either impress a woman or make a man look very silly.  I for one would rather impress them.  I was just trying to give Calipro some advice, after all, he's always trying to help you guys.  Even a "pro" needs help from time to time.

[cancunhound]

... in response to Re: Re: Re: Nena/Nene, posted by beenthere on Aug 19, 2003

Hopefully you haven't been correcting native speakers on their grammar?  Unless one is extremely proficient with a language - the native speakers are going to give you alot of slack.  Worrying about ending a word in an "o" or an "a" would be way down my list of recommendations for guys travelling solo to Colombia.  Most gals could care a less about a gringo's spanish proficiency.

[CaliAdvisor]

... in response to “el mar” or “la mar” , posted by cancunhound on Aug 19, 2003

In regards to the last two sentences.

[beenthere]

... in response to “el mar” or “la mar” , posted by cancunhound on Aug 19, 2003

cancunhound, the more you post on this, the more you show me you don't know what you're talking about.  You also have a hard time accepting correction.  I give Calipro alot of credit for showing class in his last post.  As for you, since I have been following this board, you have always been quick to criticize, but when you're criticized and proven wrong, you don't take it well.  I'm just curious, you've been married for almost 6 years, what is your spanish proficiency???  Is it wrong to call a man senora, or a women senor???  According to you it's ok.  How long would you tolerate your wife calling a woman sir or mister in English?  I would be willing to bet that your wife has made more of an effort to learn english, than you have made to learn spanish, and I am sure she is more fluent in english than you are in spanish.
I'm telling everyone on this board, it is to your advantage to learn spanish and learn it well.  Forget about looks, a man who knows how to treat a lady and is fluent in spanish has a HUGE advantage over a guy who can't.  Cancunhound, your last sentence of your last post is absurd.

[cancunhound]

... in response to Re: “el mar” or “la mar” , posted by beenthere on Aug 20, 2003

Maybe it's important in your circle of friends.  I believe you are correct with your grammar lessons.  I've just met too many gringos in the states that speak virtually no Spanish and are married to calenas and doing just fine - indeed the less Spanish a gringo knows the quicker his Colombian wife will learn English.  To go ballistic on nena/nene is a bit too much, could have been a simple typo - sorry if some of my Colombiana friends incorrectly say nene when referring to a girlfriend, but I'm not going to correct them - it's just their slang.  But the HUGE advantage to mastering Spanish prior to going to Colombia - that's hogwash, what competition are you referring to - a spelling B?  You guys looking for a Colombian bride don't have any competition, what you have is a smorgasboard.  But I stand corrected, thanks. (Both "la" and "el" "mar" are correct BTW depending where you're at - and I believe that's in the books too).

[CaliAdvisor]

... in response to I wouldn't dwell on it beenthere, posted by cancunhound on Aug 20, 2003

You do have a HUGE advantage if you speak good spanish. First, you have access to a lot more girls and second, of the girls you meet, you will attract a lot more. Maybe the And I am not just talking about agency girls here.

[cancunhound]

... in response to Re: I wouldn't dwell on it beenthere, posted by CaliAdvisor on Aug 20, 2003

OK, I'll continue to play.  To communicate properly with local non-agency gals you will have to have a basic command of the language if you're trying to meet them on their turf - but that's a given if you're going to function at all down there away from the agencies - and basic will get you by just fine.  Kind of like the French guy here in the states with very basic English - for some reason AW are intrigued by this.  Now there's a "competitive" edge.  Here's what I've recommended to friends that are going to pursue the Colombia quest, that were not exposed to Spanish in grade school or college - grab and complete at minimum the 1st Pimsleur series - that gives 'em a basic vocabulary to build upon in conversation, and that's worked fine.  Now  HUGE advantage at an agency - come on.  If a gal is really contemplating between several gringos she's going to make a beeline towards the richest one that lives in the most latin friendly location - period.  Now kudos to all that speak alot of Spanish, just be prepared should you get married and expect her to learn English rapidly - it doesn't work that way because you won't be able to refrain from continually speaking Spanish, especially where Spanish is readily available (I wish I could say beenthere was accurate about my wife speaking better English than my Spanish).  

But maybe we should bump this topic to the top because perhaps some other married guys that have experienced this with their circle of friends can cite different experiences.  I just tell it like I see it.  Actually not a bad topic and beats the hell out of nitpicking over ending a word with an e or a when referring to localized slang or the context it's used in.

[beenthere]

... in response to Nena/Nene, posted by cancunhound on Aug 19, 2003

Sorry, you're wrong on this one, Nena is an affectionate term for a girl, like baby, darling, dear, a "pet" name.  It is gender specific in Cali or wherever.  Nene is used by a woman when addressing her man with a pet name.  Nena is used by a man when addressing a girl using a pet name.  Calipro should call his girl nena if he is using it affectionately such as baby, dear, darling etc., and she can call HIM nene.  Doesn't matter if you're in Cali or wherever.

[Calipro]

... in response to Re: Nena/Nene, posted by beenthere on Aug 19, 2003

For all the guys out there that haven't had the chance to meet beenthere, he really does speak excellent spanish. It is obvious that he has studied spanish for a long time or more likely has had the opportunity to live in a spanish speaking country for some time.

On a final note I don't know how important it is to this particular girl if I called her "nene" or "nena" as she never bothered to correct me one way or the other. But, nena probably is the correct way to address a girl.

Now on to big and more important things!!

[HeyNow]

... in response to Re: Re: Re: Very Nice CP, posted by beenthere on Aug 18, 2003

Nene Nena,,,whatever,,A rose by any other name would smell so sweet.

[Calipro]

... in response to Re: Re: Re: Very Nice CP, posted by beenthere on Aug 18, 2003

I can't believe you are implying that she is a guy.

So, I want you to know up front that no matter how much you antagonize me I will not post a crotch shot of her to prove you wrong.

Quit being such a pervert!  beenthere.

It won't work!!!