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Zorrillo
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Zorillo or mofeta . . . depending on where you are. Not all skunks are the same . . . and not all countries in Latin Ameria actually have skunks. For instance, I mentioned spotting a skunk ("mofeta") here in New York to a friend in Medellin, Colombia. She was mystified. After painstaking description of the beast . . . including references to Pepe LePew . . . she lit up with a smile and pronounced the animal a "zorillo."
In specialized areas of Spanish studies that involve etymology (word origins) as I mentioned in the thread I started on words of Arabic origin it is possible to have more than one word in Spanish of equal usage that refers to the same noun, verb, adjective or whatever the grammatical category may be.
Zorrillo vs. mofeta is a perfect example of this. In certain countries one word is used over the other. I will add that 'zorrillo' is the mystery word to describe in terms of its origin for the word skunk because 'mofeta' is the Latin based word which is similar in three out the four principal Latin based languages that I can account for. In the RAE it is clearly indicated that 'mofeta' comes from the Italian word 'moffetta' and in French the word used is 'moufette'. Therefore you can see the Latin similarity across three languages at least. With the appropriate phonetic adjustments the word moved across the lines from moffetta ----> mofeta----> moufette. No etymological details were posted for 'zorrillo' and I know why.
I will add that outside of South America 'mofeta' in general is used and not zorrillo. Of course there are always a few exceptions.
A side note:
Keep in mind in Spanish one will always find word variations and vast variations at times. In my experience people tend to limit themselves to what they know and I am the opposite the more broad my 'vocabulary' is in Spanish the better. Certain words in Spanish for example have wide variations.
I have mentioned this before randomly in threads when the Spanish forum did not exist. Good examples are the words for 'straw' and 'popcorn' which is different almost in every Latin country. In the case of straw the word would definitely be a 'faux pas' depending where you are. Therefore do your research or ask first. Just a suggestion.
-LDG.
Anna or Robert can you please correct the thread title. It s/b ZORRILLO. Thanks.
Zorrillo vs. mofeta is a perfect example of this. In certain countries one word is used over the other. I will add that 'zorrillo' is the mystery word to describe in terms of its origin for the word skunk because 'mofeta' is the Latin based word which is similar in three out the four principal Latin based languages that I can account for. In the RAE it is clearly indicated that 'mofeta' comes from the Italian word 'moffetta' and in French the word used is 'moufette'. Therefore you can see the Latin similarity across three languages at least. With the appropriate phonetic adjustments the word moved across the lines from moffetta ----> mofeta----> moufette. No etymological details were posted for 'zorrillo' and I know why.
I will add that outside of South America 'mofeta' in general is used and not zorrillo. Of course there are always a few exceptions.
A side note:
Keep in mind in Spanish one will always find word variations and vast variations at times. In my experience people tend to limit themselves to what they know and I am the opposite the more broad my 'vocabulary' is in Spanish the better. Certain words in Spanish for example have wide variations.
I have mentioned this before randomly in threads when the Spanish forum did not exist. Good examples are the words for 'straw' and 'popcorn' which is different almost in every Latin country. In the case of straw the word would definitely be a 'faux pas' depending where you are. Therefore do your research or ask first. Just a suggestion.
-LDG.
Anna or Robert can you please correct the thread title. It s/b ZORRILLO. Thanks.
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Zorro-illo
S?, Chiri tienes raz?n pero no es as? de simple.
The diminutive is the indicator that the word could have more than one semantic meaning and most obviously 'zorrillo' comes from 'zorro'. "Zorro"- illo in one context could refer to a 'small fox' and not a (mofeta) or skunk. Therefore, the usage of 'zorillo' lends itself to ambiguity in some regions in which case the speaker may have to resort to a description. I can confirm that Spanish taught in Canada- se usa mofeta y no zorrillo. However, in textbooks from a specific country one will run into the both words depending on where it was printed therefore students may have exposure to both words.
-LDG.
S?, Chiri tienes raz?n pero no es as? de simple.
The diminutive is the indicator that the word could have more than one semantic meaning and most obviously 'zorrillo' comes from 'zorro'. "Zorro"- illo in one context could refer to a 'small fox' and not a (mofeta) or skunk. Therefore, the usage of 'zorillo' lends itself to ambiguity in some regions in which case the speaker may have to resort to a description. I can confirm that Spanish taught in Canada- se usa mofeta y no zorrillo. However, in textbooks from a specific country one will run into the both words depending on where it was printed therefore students may have exposure to both words.
-LDG.
Lesley D said:A side note:
Keep in mind in Spanish one will always find word variations and vast variations at times. In my experience people tend to limit themselves to what they know and I am the opposite the more broad my 'vocabulary' is in Spanish the better. Certain words in Spanish for example have wide variations.
I have mentioned this before randomly in threads when the Spanish forum did not exist. Good examples are the words for 'straw' and 'popcorn' which is different almost in every Latin country. In the case of straw the word would definitely be a 'faux pas' depending where you are. Therefore do your research or ask first. Just a suggestion.
Lesley, that might make for an interesting thread,the variations in meaning of certain words across regional borders. I knew that popcorn varied, but straw is a new one for me. I would like to know more.
would "ardilla"(squirrel) be a similar case like zorrillo/mofeta? I have noticed that some Dominicans dont seem to know what I am referring to when I say "ardilla" but it could they have never seen the animal, so it is not a linguistic matter.
Macocael-
I agree word variations across regional borders would be an interesting topic but in my esteem too big for a message board if the intent is to initiate the thread properly with solid background information etc. I carefully choose all my thread topics by taking into consideration the level of complexity, information availability, level of interest and time expenditure on my part. Unfortunately, a thread of such nature would require too much background preparation and an investment in posting time.
Regarding 'straw' variations, how about this? You could do some investigation on your own and then you can PM me if you want with your findings. Telling you is not nearly as much fun as finding the differences and meanings on your own. I did a survey recently on this I am still missing the word for 'straw' used in a few countries which I will find soon. The variations are interesting as well as the various meanings in several countries. Some of the words used are local indigenous words of the countries in question. Alternatively, I could just add the list of words to the PM I have pending for you. However, expanding here would be inappropriate since it's not the thread topic.
I agree regarding ardilla yes it is more of a question of not seeing the animal and as well, if seen in the DR one may ponder about its proper zoological name. Keep in mind ardilla is the common word for squirrel. Next time someone asks you what an ardilla is give them a simple definition like: es un mam?fero roedor de cola peluda (dictionary def.) with a picture should be a good start.
All for now.
-LDG.
Edited to respond to your post below: In general I don't use Internet resources for language information except for online dictionaries. 95% of the information I use is from textbooks, references and specialized references. The odd Internet source here and there adds to the info that I have and is chosen very carefully.
I agree word variations across regional borders would be an interesting topic but in my esteem too big for a message board if the intent is to initiate the thread properly with solid background information etc. I carefully choose all my thread topics by taking into consideration the level of complexity, information availability, level of interest and time expenditure on my part. Unfortunately, a thread of such nature would require too much background preparation and an investment in posting time.
Regarding 'straw' variations, how about this? You could do some investigation on your own and then you can PM me if you want with your findings. Telling you is not nearly as much fun as finding the differences and meanings on your own. I did a survey recently on this I am still missing the word for 'straw' used in a few countries which I will find soon. The variations are interesting as well as the various meanings in several countries. Some of the words used are local indigenous words of the countries in question. Alternatively, I could just add the list of words to the PM I have pending for you. However, expanding here would be inappropriate since it's not the thread topic.
I agree regarding ardilla yes it is more of a question of not seeing the animal and as well, if seen in the DR one may ponder about its proper zoological name. Keep in mind ardilla is the common word for squirrel. Next time someone asks you what an ardilla is give them a simple definition like: es un mam?fero roedor de cola peluda (dictionary def.) with a picture should be a good start.
All for now.
-LDG.
Edited to respond to your post below: In general I don't use Internet resources for language information except for online dictionaries. 95% of the information I use is from textbooks, references and specialized references. The odd Internet source here and there adds to the info that I have and is chosen very carefully.
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YOu are on Lesley, I will investigate "straw." But -- where do I start? At home I have only my Webster's New World Spanish Dictionary -- where are the good websites or sources on the internet, if any?
For some reason this thread conjures up images of Pepe Le Pew or Sankies on the prowl..."Hello...what ze beutiful gil like you doin all by youlself on this beach???"
Anywho...I've been seeing / running over a lot of those up her in Michigan lately. I know the call them Zorrilos in Mexico but I always thought the correct name was Mofeta.
Anywho...I've been seeing / running over a lot of those up her in Michigan lately. I know the call them Zorrilos in Mexico but I always thought the correct name was Mofeta.
Ardillas
As far as I know there is no ardillas in the DR but where my wife is from Hato Mayor they call some type of rodent (I think is a Juron) by that name. I knew what was an ardilla in the DR through children's book and the cartoon "Las aventuras de banner y flapi".
As far as I know there is no ardillas in the DR but where my wife is from Hato Mayor they call some type of rodent (I think is a Juron) by that name. I knew what was an ardilla in the DR through children's book and the cartoon "Las aventuras de banner y flapi".
Stodgord said:As far as I know there is no ardillas in the DR but where my wife is from Hato Mayor they call some type of rodent (I think is a Juron) by that name. I knew what was an ardilla in the DR through children's book and the cartoon "Las aventuras de banner y flapi".
A Huron is a ferret. Very mean little animal...my grandma ran into a huron mother with babies. It attacked her and about three guys had to come to her rescue to kill it. We used to catch them with traps in our farm as they would kill our chickens and eat the eggs...
macocael said:So they have ferrets here? Didnt know that.
The ferrets were brought in during the Conquest, as trained hunting animals, and were used much like falconry (hunting with trained hawks). It is believed that these ferrets and their wild descendants completely obliterated the abundant small game population of the island, including squirrels and rabbits...
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Ah, yes. Thanks for that Mirador, very interesting. Of course, that would explain it.
As for being mean little animals, they certainly can be -- in the wild. But in developed nations these are now being kept as pets. Imagine. I was once asked to take care of two ferrets who belonged to the ditzy boho girlfriend of a friend of mine. They were remodeling the house they were to move into, and they let the animals run free in this house, which I was watching over for them (they were off travelling). Well the ferrets, of course, found a little hole in wall somewhere and promptly disappeared. You could hear them running around in the walls and the ceilings for a couple months afterward. Never saw them again though.
Cant say we have had any problems with them in Sonador, our chickens are safe so far -- but it is good to know this info.
As for being mean little animals, they certainly can be -- in the wild. But in developed nations these are now being kept as pets. Imagine. I was once asked to take care of two ferrets who belonged to the ditzy boho girlfriend of a friend of mine. They were remodeling the house they were to move into, and they let the animals run free in this house, which I was watching over for them (they were off travelling). Well the ferrets, of course, found a little hole in wall somewhere and promptly disappeared. You could hear them running around in the walls and the ceilings for a couple months afterward. Never saw them again though.
Cant say we have had any problems with them in Sonador, our chickens are safe so far -- but it is good to know this info.
suarezn said:For some reason this thread conjures up images of Pepe Le Pew or Sankies on the prowl..."Hello...what ze beutiful gil like you doin all by youlself on this beach???"
Anywho...I've been seeing / running over a lot of those up her in Michigan lately. I know the call them Zorrilos in Mexico but I always thought the correct name was Mofeta.
I guess it depends what part you come from, I was taught mofeta....but i will ask again to some friends and see what they say.
Ardilla=Squirrel! that was my nick name for a while...thank god they dropped that and started mofi instead.Stodgord said:As far as I know there is no ardillas in the DR but where my wife is from Hato Mayor they call some type of rodent (I think is a Juron) by that name. I knew what was an ardilla in the DR through children's book and the cartoon "Las aventuras de banner y flapi".
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