Author Archives: Elia Lorena Lopez

About Elia Lorena Lopez

Lecturer in Spanish for the Department of Language and Linguistic Science at the University of York.

Los cochinitos dormilones (The little sleepyhead pigs) by Cri-Cri

Posted on May 4, 2012 by Elia Lorena Lopez

“Los cochinitos” is one of the many famous songs by greatly loved Mexican composer and performer of children’s songs, Francisco Gavilondo Soler, whose stage name was Cri-Cri: El Grillito Cantor (“Cri-Cri: The Little Singing Cricket”). La canción describe los sueños … Continue reading →

Posted in Future Tense, Intermediate, Past Tenses (Preterite, Perfect, Imperfect, etc.) | 2 Comments

¿Dónde jugarán los niños? Song by Maná

Posted on April 21, 2012 by Elia Lorena Lopez

This video makes us think about the future thatwe are giving to our successors (“our children” as the lyrics say), given that our world is changing to become increasingly less safe. The song also infers that our planet is being … Continue reading →

Posted in Future Tense, Intermediate | Leave a comment

“Dime” by José Luis Perales

Posted on March 3, 2012 by Elia Lorena Lopez

José Luis Perales es un cantante oriundo del norte de España, de la comunidad autónoma de Navarra. Es muy querido tanto en España como en Latinoamérica. Su canción “Dime” invita a la reflexión sobre los males que han aquejado y … Continue reading →

Posted in Intermediate, Present Tense | Leave a comment

Agua de Rosas by Lila Downs

Posted on March 3, 2012 by Elia Lorena Lopez

Lila Downs es una cantautora mexicana originaria de Oaxaca, México que se inspira en elementos tradicionales y folclóricos de las culturas indígenas como la zapoteca, mixteca, y náhuatl. ¡Su voz es espectacular! La canción “Agua de Rosas” es especial para … Continue reading →

Posted in Intermediate, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Pedro Navaja

Posted on March 1, 2012 by Elia Lorena Lopez

Pedro Navaja is a character created by Panamanian singer and composer, Rubén Blades. Blades’ most famous salsa hit, Pedro Navajas can be taken as a social commentary telling the story of a neighborhood thug (inspired by “Mack the Knife”) who … Continue reading →

Posted in Advanced, Intermediate, Past Tenses (Preterite, Perfect, Imperfect, etc.), Uncategorized | 2 Comments

Nueva York Hispano

Posted on February 28, 2012 by Elia Lorena Lopez

This video, made by Spanish commentators (check out the European accent) presents aspects of neighbourhoods in New York and how the Hispanic culture is predominant in some of them. Although I generally favour the use of terminology like “grupos étnicos” instead of “razas” (races), I … Continue reading →

Posted in Advanced, Cultural, Intermediate | Leave a comment

Olvídame y pega la vuelta (song by Argentinian duet Pimpinela)

Posted on February 27, 2012 by Elia Lorena Lopez

Listening to songs is one of the best ways to learn a language! It is also a fantastic way to learn about cultural aspects. For example, the song Olvídame y pega la vuelta (Forget me and go away) shows a … Continue reading →

Posted in Advanced, Direct & Indirect Object Pronouns, Imperative, Intermediate | Leave a comment

El cuento de Caperucita Roja (Little Red Riding Hood story)

Posted on February 26, 2012 by Elia Lorena Lopez

Esta versión varía un poco del cuento original, pero créanlo o no, ¡es más realista y me gusta! This version varies slightly from the original story, but believe it or not it is more realistic and I like it! Copy … Continue reading →

Posted in Advanced, Intermediate, Past Tenses (Preterite, Perfect, Imperfect, etc.) | Leave a comment

La leyenda de «La llorona» (versión argentina)

Posted on February 26, 2012 by Elia Lorena Lopez

Esta es otra versión de la leyenda de esa mujer que deambula por las noches arrastrando dolor y pena… pena en el ama. Escucha la versión argentina de La Llorona, obtenida de la página de Audio Racoon. La transcripción del … Continue reading →

Posted in Beginners, Cultural, Intermediate | Leave a comment

La leyenda mexicana de «La llorona» (The mexican legend of the Crying Woman)

Posted on February 26, 2012 by Elia Lorena Lopez

La leyenda de «La llorona» es muy interesante; tiene muchas versiones, matices y canciones, pero quizá  lo único real y que mantiene viva esta leyenda es la afición por lo desconocido, por “el más allá”. Escucha este vídeo. La transcripción … Continue reading →

Posted in Beginners, Cultural, Intermediate | 2 Comments