Argentina is not only known for being the land of good wine, good meat, tango, and football but also by its accent. Argentinian Spanish, also known as Rioplatense Spanish, is a variant of the Spanish language that is spoken in Argentina and Uruguay. Due to its unique history and cultural influences, Argentinian Spanish has some distinct features that set it apart from other Spanish dialects. Here we’ll explore some of the key characteristics of Argentinian Spanish and how it differs from other types of Spanish.
One of the most notable features of Argentinian Spanish is its unique intonation. Argentinians tend to speak in a sing-songy Italian manner, with a rising intonation at the end of statements and questions. Their tone has been heavily influenced by the Italian language, due to the large number of Italian immigrants who settled in Argentina in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. That is why Argentinian speech has a melodic quality that is often referred to as the “porteño” accent, especially prevalent in Buenos Aires, the capital city of Argentina, and it’s often associated with sophistication and charm.
Argentinian Spanish also has some distinctive vocabulary that reflects its history and cultural influences. They have a lot of unique words and expressions that are not used in other parts of the Spanish-speaking world. For example, the word “che” is a common interjection that is used to get someone’s attention or to express surprise or disbelief. It is believed to have originated from the indigenous language Quechua, which was spoken by the Inca people. Other words that are unique to Argentinian Spanish include “laburar” (to work), “fiaca” (laziness), and “bondi” (bus).
In the same manner, Argentinian Spanish also has some grammar differences when compared to other forms of Spanish. For example, Argentinians tend to use the pronoun “vos” instead of “tú” when addressing someone informally, so in present simple tense and in imperative mode, the conjugation with that pronoun will be different with many verbs, such as “vos cantás” instead of “tú cantas” for “you sing;” or “vos decís” instead of “tú dices” for “you say”, and so on.
In addition to its distinctive pronunciation, grammar, and vocabulary, Argentinian Spanish also has a rich literary and cultural tradition. Some of the most renowned writers in the Spanish language, such as Jorge Luis Borges, Julio Cortázar, and Ernesto Sabato, were Argentinian. The country also has a thriving film industry, and many of its films have gained international acclaim.
Another feature of Argentinian Spanish that sets it apart from other dialects is the pronunciation of certain consonants. In particular, the “ll” and “y” sounds are pronounced differently from other dialects. In most Spanish-speaking countries, these sounds are pronounced like the “y” in “yes”. However, in Argentinian Spanish, they are pronounced more like the “sh” sound in English. For example, instead of pronouncing “lluvia” (rain) like “yu-via”, an Argentinian speaker would say “shuvia”; instead of pronouncing “yo”, they would pronounce as “sho”. For those Linguistics nerds as me, this phenomenon has a name: yeísmo rehilado.
Learning Argentinian Spanish can be a rewarding experience for those who are interested in knowing about the different accents in Spanish, and the Hispanic culture as well. As said earlier, Argentina has been home to so many important cultural characters and has contributed greatly to the Latin American varied identity.
We invite you to learn more about the Argentinian accent and culture by booking classes with our many Argentinian tutors at WorldsAcross. By immersing oneself in the language and culture of Argentina, one can gain a deeper understanding and appreciation of this unique dialect of the Spanish language. Also, you can learn with other native tutors from other LatinAmerican countries at WorldsAcross. ¡Vamos! ¡Aprendamos español, che!