I did a search for 'barrio' in the Spanish101 section, and lots of references to 'barrio' as in 'barrio Spanish' vs. 'correct' Spanish, but what about the word barrio itself? Is the negative connotation a dominicanismo?
I knew that while in the DR 'barrio' and 'being from a barrio' has a negative connotation, in Spain 'barrio' has a more neutral meaning of 'neighbourhood' or urban district. I thought it was an Iberian vs. South American Spanish distinction.
But recently I spoke with some Mexican students and learned 'barrio' is a neutral word in Mexico too. And today I read Isabelle Allende (Chilean) writing about a childhood move to one of the wealthy upperclass 'barrios' of Santiago (de Chile), using that word.
So, I wondered, is the use of 'barrio' with its meaning as a poor working class neighbourhood and negative connotations - as it is used frequently here in the forums - specifically Dominican, or are there more countries where it has that meaning?
Just curious, and it's one of those words that can lead to faux pas in certain situations...
I knew that while in the DR 'barrio' and 'being from a barrio' has a negative connotation, in Spain 'barrio' has a more neutral meaning of 'neighbourhood' or urban district. I thought it was an Iberian vs. South American Spanish distinction.
But recently I spoke with some Mexican students and learned 'barrio' is a neutral word in Mexico too. And today I read Isabelle Allende (Chilean) writing about a childhood move to one of the wealthy upperclass 'barrios' of Santiago (de Chile), using that word.
So, I wondered, is the use of 'barrio' with its meaning as a poor working class neighbourhood and negative connotations - as it is used frequently here in the forums - specifically Dominican, or are there more countries where it has that meaning?
Just curious, and it's one of those words that can lead to faux pas in certain situations...