| | T&T’s Bilateral Trade Agreements with the Spanish-speaking World
(published: Trinidad Guardian 6-Dec-06; Business Express 14-Dec-06)
Did you know that Trinidad and Tobago is the Caribbean’s leading producer of oil and gas? Similar to a David and Goliath situation, our tiny country, with a population of just over 1,300,000, has to compete yearly with larger, more powerful nations both regionally and internationally. |
| | Sport in Latin America
(published: Trinidad Guardian 22-Nov-06)
Names such as Pele, Maradonna, Ronaldo, and Ronaldinho trip easily off the tongue of anyone with even the slightest interest in football. The sport itself is of great importance to many Latin Americans… |
| | Francisco Goya - The Father of Modern Art
(published: Trinidad Guardian 18-Oct-06)
Francisco Goya was born on March 30th, 1746 in a small village in the north of Spain called Fuendetodos. He spent much of his young life there and at the age of 14 his family. |
| | Telenovelas
(published: Trinidad Guardian 4-Oct-06)
The word ‘telenovela’ is a combination of the words ‘tele’, which is short for ‘television’ and ‘novela’, which means ‘novel’ or ‘narrative’. While the ‘telenovela’ is similar to the soap opera, there are… |
| | The Siesta
(published: Business Express 23-Aug-06)
This two-hour, sometimes three-hour, midday rest period is considered ‘sacred’ by a number of Spaniards and Latin Americans, but is seen as a major Spanish obsession by many in the non-Hispanic world. |
| | Santeria Child of an African Mother and a Spanish Father
(published: Trinidad Guardian 9-Aug-06)
‘La Santería’ as it is called in the Spanish – speaking world is indeed a child of Afro-Hispanic parentage. The religion is practiced in various nations throughout our region- Puerto Rico, Venezuela… |
| | The Beauty Industry in Venezuela
(published: Trinidad Guardian 2-Aug-06)
Today’s culture of beauty promotes a much deeper and holistic understanding of good looks. It emphasizes the harmonious integration of a balanced diet, exercise, poise, intelligence, good manners, a positive attitude, self-confidence, self-respect and discipline. |
| | Spanish in the Workplace
(published: Trinidad Guardian 19-Jul-06)
The benefits to knowing Spanish in the world in which we live today, and more importantly in the hemisphere in which we live, are well-known and far reaching. Too often we make excuses in an attempt to justify why we are not taking any steps to… |
| | Waiting for Snow in Havana
(published: Sunday Guardian 16-Jul-06)
“Have mercy on me Lord, I am Cuban,” is the sarcastic appeal uttered throughout the autobiographical novel by Carlos Eire, one of fourteen thousand children who migrated unescorted to the United States following the revolution that placed Fidel Castro firmly in control of Cuba… |
| | Talking Fashion: A completely different language for Hispanics
Fashion, especially Latin American fashion like low-rise jeans, reflects a people and is recorded in the ruffles, sequins, and flair of the Hispanic persona. |
| | Ecotourism in Latin America: Destination Costa Rica – “Conservation can be good business!”
Tourism plays an important role in the national economy of many of the developing countries of the Latin America and Caribbean regions. |
| | Lopinot: French in name but Hispanic in culture
This little village, nestled in a valley in the Northern Range, lies about ten kilometres north of Arouca and can be accessed by a meandering road providing amazing views of the beautiful surrounding landscape. |
| | The History of Cinco de Mayo
It is not, as is commonly believed, the celebration of Mexican independence which was gained on September 16th 1810, nearly 5 decades before the actual events that led up to Cinco de mayo. |
| | Getting to know Argentina
The Secretariat for the Implementation of Spanish (SIS) hosted another seminar for the business community, this time featuring the Republic of Argentina which aimed at addressing particular aspects when conducting business in that country. |
| | Colombian Ambassador among panel of speakers at SIS’s second Cultural Awareness Seminar for the business community
“I believe the timing is ‘perfect’ to have this Seminar to sensitize the community about the opportunities that exist for trade and cultural relations between Trinidad & Tobago and Colombia,” stated TIDCO representative Brian Benjamin. |
| | Trade official sells his South American country to TT… For sure, Guatemala got game
In his discussions on Guatemalan business etiquette, Alejandro Aquino stated that a suit and tie were normal business attire but ties were not obligatory when visiting plants in the warmer regions. |
| | Spanish goes to Community Centres
Organised by the Secretariat for the Implementation of Spanish (SIS) for citizens of all ages ¡Vamos a aprender español! (Let’s Learn Spanish!) is aimed at teaching the basics of the language in order that one may be able to communicate efficiently in the language. |
| | Spanish reaches south
Presentations from three Latin American embassies concluded a recently held cultural awareness seminar series which was jointly hosted by the Secretariat for the Implementation of Spanish (SIS) and Petrotrin at the latter’s staff club in Pointe-a-Pierre. |
| | Vivan las Mariposas
The theme of Freedom, a privilege that many of us take for granted today, is dealt with masterfully by author Julia Alvarez in her fact-based fictional account of the life of the Mirabal sisters, ‘In the time of the butterflies’ |
| | Spanish Fiestas
A long and interesting history that saw various groups like Romans, Visigoths and Arabs occupy what is present-day Spain allows for quite a multifaceted culture that is very similar to our own culture here in Trinidad and Tobago. |
| | Hispanic Culture
Sancoche, parang and the Castillan Waltz are all part of Trinbagonian culture however another commonality is that they were also introduced to our society by the early Spanish settlers many centuries ago. |
| | 2005 To Top |
| | New approaches to Spanish
Pub. Guardian, Public Affairs, Wed. January 26th, 2005.
An outline of modern approaches to teaching and learning Spanish for beginners and advanced students of all ages, including advantages and disadvantages of various approaches. |
Why Spanish and why now?
Guardian, Public Affairs, Wed. February 16th, 2005.
An article on the importance and benefits of learning Spanish at the individual and national level. |
Aquí en T&T
Guardian, Public Affairs, Wed. March 2nd, 2005
Benefits of learning Spanish from more personal perspectives, including insights from Marisol Romany, president of the Hispanic Women's Association of Trinidad and Tobago and Suzette Simpson, an Administrative Assistant who grew up in Venezuela. |
Getting to know Argentina
(Guardian, Wednesday September 28th, 2005 )
A piece on the SIS-Argentine Cultural Awareness Seminar held on September 16, 2005. |
Talking Trade, Culture Between Trinidad and Tobago and Colombia
(Newsday, Section B, September 24, 2005)
A piece on the SIS-Colombian Cultural Awareness Seminar held on September 9th, 2005. |
A Fact, Fiction of SAFFL Initiative
(Guardian, September 14, 2005)
An article addressing misconceptions about the SAFFL initiative and the SIS and clarifying the SIS' official stance on certain issues. |
Business strategies and Spanish – When does proficiency in a foreign language become useful?
(Business Express August 31, 2005)
An outline of where fluency in Spanish becomes useful in today’s business organisation. |
Spanish Place names in Trinidad
(Guardian, August 31, 2005)
Reflections on the origin of Spanish-derived place names in our country. |
A novel way to learn
(Guardian, Public Affairs, Wed. August 10th, 2005)
A thought provoking review of Nobel Prize Winner, Gabriel García Márquez's book, No one Writes to the Colonel (El Coronel tiene quien le escriba) including a comparison with the film. |
From Tequila Worms to grasshopper tacos… Latin American Cuisine - exotic, exciting
(Guardian, Public Affairs, Wed. July 6th, 2005)
A piece on fascinating recipes and related historical and cultural facets from across Latin America. Includes a recipe. |
Latin American Wedding
(Newsday, Lifestyle. Section C. Wed. July 13th, 2005.
Intriguing wedding traditions and customs from various Latin American countries, including tips on how to achieve a special Spanish look for your wedding. |
Business Etiquette in Latin America
(Guardian, Public Affairs, July 20th, 2005)
Important tips and vital reminders about what to do and what to expect when setting up or attending a meeting in Latin America. |
