Words that Don’t Exist in Spanish.

It is easy to assume that people speak the same way all over the world. Ok, obviously there are different languages, different expressions, and different urban words; however, one would think that the vocabularies would be similar and made up of the same words. One would be wrong.

There are many important words in English that do not have a precise counterpart in Mexico. These examples illustrate Mexican society and some of the problems that are innate within it.

Procrastinate. Talk about denial. They don’t have the word procrastinate here. Do you think that is because procrastination doesn’t exist? Think again. The word is very important to me. It was my first thirteen-plus letter word. My character, my persona, and my tendencies would all be meaningless without this word. How can people live without it?

I think the point is that procrastinate translates into the word “work” in Mexico. There is no apparent difference. Example, I am writing this blog instead of writing a memo about Carlos Slim’s speech on the Acuerdo Chapultepec and developing infrastructure. If someone asked me if I was busy and working, I would say “yes, yes I am. Thanks for asking.” However, as all Americans know, what I am really doing is procrastinating. Putting off obligation and responsibility because it is daunting to begin the job.

Nag. Today at lunch we were sitting around the table chatting. One of the head consultants, Javier Mancera, was telling a story about Adam and the Apple of Knowledge. He said to me, “do you know what happened when Adam ate the Apple?” I responded with an obvious, “duh” tone, “Um, yeah, Man fell from the grace of God and was expelled from the Garden of Eden.” A grin crept across Javier’s face, “no,” he said,” man grew ears in order to hear woman whine.”

Apparently, he had had a rough night with the wifey. He went on to say that he loved the word “nag” in English. “It is beautiful and explains women so well,” Javier continued. I wiggled my index finger and continued stuffing my face. If women can’t nag, then what can they do?

Accountability. This is my favorite word that doesn’t exist in Spanish. Apparently, nothing means anything close to accountability here. Corruption has run rampant in since Mexico gained its independence, laws are not always enforced, and politicians squeak by while stealing millions of dollars from the government.

What happens when it is obvious that a politician is corrupt and has stolen millions? Nothing. One such crook is Roberto Madrazo, he is running for president, and he has a chance to win.

How does one expect to solve corruption issues if you can’t hold someone “accountable” for their actions?