Epigram Newsletter - Vol 14 Issue 2 APRIL 2025 Final copy
Epigram
Publication of the English Department, University of Puerto Rico at Ponce
Our Epigram
It is a real pleasure to share a few words with all of you as we mark the end of another incredible academic year. This Epigram captures not just our students’ works, but their voices. In the English Department, we are proud of what our students have created and contributed, both inside and outside the classroom. From compositions, essays, articles, and poems, the work featured in this volume captures great ideas, creativity, and hard work.
I want to take this opportunity to congratulate our graduating students. Thanks for sharing your academic journey with all of us at the University of Puerto Rico, Ponce. Never forget your alma mater, keep reading, keep writing, keep learning, and keep making us proud wherever you go.
Warmest wishes,
Dr. Jennifer Alicea Chairperson of the English Department
In times of uncertainty, when the future feels unpredictable and the path ahead is unclear, remember that some of the world’s most powerful breakthroughs were born from chaos and challenge. As university students, you hold the pen to a story still being written.
In our Epigram, we showcase student creativity. Let your ideas break boundaries, let your questions lead to new discoveries, and don’t be afraid to reimagine the world as it could be. The world doesn’t need you to have all the answers it needs your boldness, your vision, and your courage to create something new in the face of the unknown.
-
- - Professor Pier Angeli LeCompte, PhD
A Poem and a Story
By ENGL 3102 Students of Prof. Pier Angeli Le Compte
THINGS THAT I HAVE AND HAVEN’T DONE IN LIFE
Present Perfect Poem inspired by the song: I Still Haven’t Found What I am Looking For by U2
I have found friends along the way, I have walked the entire beach, Just to return to the same place I have always been.
I have gotten on a plane, I have flown over the sea, To reach the magical place that awaits me.
I have gone on vacation with my family, I have enjoyed it a lot, But the only thing that remains are the memories that I have gotten over the years.
I have seen romance movies, I have read about romance, Dreaming that one day something will come my way.
I haven’t traveled to other countries yet, I haven’t learned to drive yet, But I know that one day I will manage to learn about life.
By: Guadalupe Vélez Díaz Section L15
THE UN-WHITE PUERTO RICAN
Story adaptation inspired by the traditional fairy tale Snow White
Un-White Puerto Rican was a young woman with sun-kissed skin and dark hair who lived in a tropical forest. Her stepmother, Mariplili, envied her beauty and ordered her disappearance. The White Puerto Rican escaped and found refuge with seven friendly iguanas. One day, Maripili offered her a poisoned empanada, and after taking a bite, she fell into a deep sleep.
Sometime time later, Bad Bunny was passing through the forest and saw her asleep. He tried to wake her with a kiss, but Un-White Puerto Rican opened her eyes on her own and told him she didn’t need to be saved. She thanked the iguanas for their help and decided to live freely in the forest, enjoying her independence and happiness.
Moral: True strength comes from within, and only you can shape your own destiny.
By: Angelique Torres Fernando Cintrón
Section L30
Watching
MAN
Students from Prof. Le Compte’s 3102
Basic English sections watched a short animation titled MAN created by Steve Cutts. They reflected about its message while practicing creating original simple, compound, complex, and compoundcomplex sentences.
Steve Cutts is an activist illustrator and animator based in London, England. He specializes in 2D animation. His artwork satirizes the excesses of modern society.
In addition to creating a number of viral shorts on YouTube, he has produced work for clients such as The Simpsons, Moby, Alok, Tchami feat. Gunna, HBO and UNESCO. His work has been featured on various television networks, including Adult Swim, Fox in the US and Channel 4 in the UK.
The film Man serves as a satirical look at human consumption, industrialization, and the consequences of human actions on the planet. The main message of the animation is to highlight the destructive nature of human behavior towards the environment and to encourage viewers to reflect on their own impact on the natural world.
You can watch the animation here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WfGMYdalClU (3:36 minutes)
Reflection of the Video MAN by Steve Cutts
Is humankind lost, or is there still hope for humanity? Man believes himself to be the center of the universe.
Humanity is its own archenemy.
Mankind is the villain of the story, but he can be the hero too.While killing the animals, the man was lost in his own fantasy; he enjoyed it with pleasure.When the man finished his murder streak, he laid on his throne smoking a cigarette.
Even though the man paid for his actions, it was too late for the planet. The planet ended up suffering because of the man's ambition; indeed, it was a catastrophe.
By: Nahir Santiago Negrón
UPR-Ponce Shines in MSCHE Reaccreditation Visit
By Dr. Jennifer Alicea Castillo, Self-Study Process Chair
From March 16 to 19, 2025, UPR-Ponce welcomed the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) for its institutional reaccreditation visit and the outcome was nothing short of a triumph. The evaluation team, composed of seven members led by Dr. Suzan Harkness, conducted an extensive series of interviews across our campus. Faculty, students, deans, the Administrative Board, Academic Senate, Registrar, Finance, Budget, Admissions, Counseling and Psychological Services, the Athletics Program, Virtual Education Center, Office of Planning and Institutional Research, and the Steering Committee took part in meaningful conversations that reflected our university’s mission and integrity.
After thoroughly reviewing our Self-Study report and receiving clarifications during their visit, the evaluators expressed in their exit report that UPR-Ponce meets all standards and requirements for accreditation. Not a single recommendation or observation was made! In fact, the team commended our institution more than six times. While the final decision will be made by MSCHE in June, we can—and should celebrate this outstanding result.
This success is the fruit of collaborative effort, dedication, and vision, beginning in the 2022–2023 academic year and sustained by the solid commitment of our university community. Special thanks go to the Executive Committee and the Steering Committee for their tireless work from start to finish. To our colleagues from the English Department who served as interpreters and translators during the visit Dr. Pier LeCompte, Prof. Regino Megill, Dr. Michelle Méndez, Dr. Lourdes Ortíz, Dr. Carmen M. Torres, and Prof. Frances Torres your contributions were invaluable.
To our incredible student ushers Firas Daraghma, Diareliz Figueroa, Jeilianys López, Solgialys Navarro, Benjamín Pagán, Geraldine Santiago, Melody Santiago, Edith Torres, and William Valentín thank you for ensuring every detail ran smoothly. To the entire UPR-Ponce community: thanks for your professionalism, collaboration, and excellence. It has been my honor to lead, once again, a process of such magnitude for our beloved red and black territory.
PRTESOL VISITS UPR PONCE
By Dr. Paula Cruz
On March 25, 2025, Héctor Guevara and Natalia Medina, from the PRTESOL organization, had the opportunity to visit the TESOL K-12: Teaching Methodology (EING 3515) class at the University of Puerto Rico in Ponce. Their visit provided students with important insights about PRTESOL.
For those that might not know, Puerto Rico Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages (PRTESOL) is a nonprofit organization founded in 1969 with the purpose of developing and improving the teaching of English in Puerto Rico.
PRTESOL was the first affiliate of TESOL International. There are four chapters across the island and Ponce belongs to the Southern chapter. All chapters of PRTESOL organize several conferences, professional development, and academic activities throughout the year leading up to their annual convention in November.
During the visit to UPR Ponce, Mr. Guevara and Ms. Medina gave a brief overview of PRTESOL’s mission and vision. They emphasized the importance of the organization as a community who helps educators stay connected, share best practices, and advocate for educational policies that benefit English learners across the Island. In addition, Mr. Guevara and Ms. Medina shared their personal journeys within the organization and highlighted how the organization supports its members through different activities like workshops, conferences, grants, among others.
The interaction was not only an educational experience but also an inspiration for these future English teachers.
In the photo: Natalia Medina, Héctor Guevara (in front wearing grey polos), students from the EING 3515 course, and Dr. Paula Cruz, UPRP Professor (in the back, wearing a black blouse with white dots).
Compositions
Lessons Learned During Freshman Year
By: ENGL 3102 students of Dr. Lourdes Ortiz
Time Management: A Valuable Lesson Learned During College Freshman Year
A Writing Activity with Types of Sentences
During my first semester in college, I learned a valuable lesson about time management. (Simple sentence) I had always been punctual with my assignments in high school, but college was different; the workload was heavier, and deadlines approached faster than I expected. (Compound sentence) One day, I underestimated the effort required for a research paper, which resulted in a last-minute scramble to complete it. (Complex sentence) Although I managed to submit it on time, the quality was poor, and I received a disappointing grade, which taught me a harsh but necessary lesson. (Compound-complex sentence) From that experience, I realized the importance of planning ahead and allocating sufficient time for each task to ensure success. (Simple sentence) Now, I create detailed schedules and set reminders, to help me stay organized and to avoid the stress of last-minute work (Simple sentence). This shift in my approach has not only improved my grades but also enhanced my overall college experience. (Simple sentence)
By: Paola Arias Cartagena
Adaptation and Resilience as a Key to Success: Lessons Learned During College Freshman Year A Writing Activity with Types of Sentences
We never imagined that college would teach us so much during our freshman year (1 Complex sentence). To begin with, we have learned many strategies to study for classes and to adapt to the different teaching approaches used by professors (2 Simple sentence). Secondly, a university lifestyle can be demanding, and to an extent it can be overwhelming. This can affect our confidence and our will to keep going, but the key to success is maintaining balance in life because life is not just about work (3 Compoundcomplex sentence). Furthermore, time management is essential since it helps us keep on track with deadline dates. (4 Complex sentence). Learning is important, yet understanding how much time we should dedicate to each class and ourselves is essential for success (5 Compound sentence). On a personal level, we need to know how much time to dedicate to things without neglecting time to digress for a while (6 Simple sentence). Equally important, we must never underestimate a class because it is too easy (7 Complex sentence). Doing so can lead to overconfidence ;consequently, we lie back and don't perform well on tests or quizzes. (8 Compound sentence). Lastly, in a university environment, we are bound to run into doubts even about the simplest things, and while it may feel intimidating it’s always better to ask questions because working on tasks and projects without guidance can lead to confusion or even committing serious mistakes that can cost us points (9 Compound-complex sentence). In conclusion, we have learned these valuable lessons that not only could help you academically, but it could lead us to a successful life as well (10 Compound- complex sentence).
By: Dereck De Alba
Dominick Álvarez
Jezebel Correa
Continued- Compositions
Lessons Learned During Freshman Year
By: ENGL 3102 students of Dr. Lourdes Ortiz
Lessons Learned During College Freshman Year
A Writing Activity with Types of Sentences
From the first day, college has tested me in every possible way (Simple sentence). Juggling school, work, and personal responsibilities has pushed me to become more intentional with how I approach each day (Complex sentence). I’ve learned that relying on the right people can make all the difference, especially when things get heavy ( Complex sentence). As time passed, I became better at recognizing my limits and making choices that protect my peace (Complex sentence). There were times I doubted myself, but I kept showing up even when it was hard (Compound-Complex sentence). Challenges forced me to adjust quickly and find new ways to handle pressure (Simple sentence). Some lessons came from experiences that didn’t go as planned, and others came from moments where I had no choice but to figure things out on my own (Compound-Complex sentence). In the end, every high and low has helped me grow into someone stronger and more capable (Simple sentence).
By: Paola González Ortiz
Personal, Social and Psychological Well Being:
Lessons Learned During College Freshman Year
A Writing Activity with Types of Sentences
When we look back on our first semester, we realize that we have learned important lessons not only for college but also for our personal, social, and psychological lives. To begin with, we learned the value of self-knowledge and prioritizing on your mental health (Simple sentence). Second, we’re not alone (Simple sentence). There are a lot of people struggling with the same changes as we are, so we must not be afraid to ask for help (Compound sentence). In addition, adaptation is a process, and it's normal not to feel 100% (Compound sentence). In fact, it's completely normal to have doubts and questions that need to be addressed (Complex sentence). Don't despair and trust the process (Simple sentence). Although it was hard at the beginning, we kept our heads up to continue what we had started, and we learned not to give up. (Compound-complex sentence). In conclusion, no matter how many times we fall, or how many times we want to give up; persevere and fulfill our dreams no matter how far away they seem because dreams come true for those who stay faithful to their vision no matter how difficult the journey is (Compound-complex sentence).
By: Xarielyz Nuñez
Julio Burgos
THE INVASION OF SLOPPINESS
By Yariel Rivera Torres [English 3202] Prof. Frances Torres
My cousin Joseph had always been a careless person, but over time, his lack of responsibility began to affect him more and more. He used to promise things he never kept, forget important dates, and leave everything for the last minute, which got him in constant trouble with both his boss and his friends. His desk in the office was full of crumpled paper, coffee cups with leftovers from previous days, and pens without ink that he never threw away. In his house, dirty laundry stands for weeks piled up in corners, and dishes “soak” in the kitchen sink for days. His hygiene also reflected his disorder: he rarely showered in time, his clothes had stains from past foods, and his breath betrayed his constant forgetfulness to brush his teeth. Although sometimes he realized how troubled he was, he simply always told himself, "I'll fix it tomorrow." Just like my cousin Joseph there are many similar cases. Certainly, the worm of sloppiness is invading the world of some unfortunate souls, and it is evidenced in poor personal hygiene, disorder in their workspaces, and irresponsibility in the fulfillment of commitments, which negatively impact both the individual and those around them.
What is poor personal hygiene? This is the lack of proper cleansing and body care habits, which can affect health and social interaction. Some examples include not bathing regularly which leads to bad body odors, not brushing one’s teeth which leads to bad breath and cavities and wearing dirty clothes which can lead to skin infections. The reasons behind poor hygiene can be diverse. In some cases, lack of access to clean water or cleaning products makes self-care difficult. Also, mental health problems such as depression can make some people lose motivation to maintain their hygiene. In addition, a lack of education since their childhood about the importance of personal hygiene can lead to bad habits as adults. Poor hygiene not only affects appearance, but it can also cause illness and even affect self-esteem. For this reason, it is important to maintain a daily cleaning routine to take care of health and quality of life.
People who are sloppy tend to live and work in an environment that is marked by disorder and neglect. Their living space might be filled with scattered clothes around their room, unwashed dishes in the kitchen sink, and items spread around their house. Dust on the furniture and items that should have been thrown away weeks ago may be still lingering around. The lack of organization extends to their workspace, where finding important documents or tools becomes nearly impossible. Their desks are filled to the brim with old notes and papers, half-finished projects, and empty food and drink containers. This can worsen their chances or their ability to complete simple tasks like paying their own bills and procrastinating tasks to be done. More and more tasks will accumulate, so the harder it will be to deal with them. This
type of disorder can cause them to miss deadlines or fulfill commitments, which can lead to them losing their job. If sloppy people entertain any visitors in their homes, they may feel uncomfortable in said space; while the sloppy people may have become insensitive to the disorder and see it as normal. Over time, this lifestyle can affect their wellbeing, contributing to feelings of frustration and being out of control. Without intervention, this type of behavior can have long-lasting consequences that can negatively affect their personal and professional prospects.
Irresponsibility in fulfilling commitments usually has negative consequences in both personal and professional environments. For instance, if an employee is known to repeatedly miss project deadlines, it does not only interrupt the flow state of all the workers, but it can also impose serious pressure on their colleagues, who may have to work hard to compensate for the delay. If after a while, a person keeps making empty promises, like missing family functions or not helping a friend in need. Such behavior could create issues of trust and build up hatred within the relationship, potentially meaning disrespect and untrustworthiness. Another example is how some students fail to study for tests; hence, they perform poorly in their exams. This not only affects their grades but also limits several life opportunities, proving the harsh effects of irresponsibility. These are just a few examples of sloppiness. Disorder and personal hygiene are another sign of sloppiness; one element they all have in common is the lack of discipline and irresponsibility.
In conclusion, sloppiness can be seen reflected in poor hygiene, disorderly living, cluttered workspaces, and irresponsibility in fulfilling commitments which can lead to serious personal and social consequences. With the example of Joseph, one can realize that carelessness not only affects a person’s wellbeing but also hinders relationships and personal growth. Whether it’s neglected hygiene, broken promises, or messy environments, it often lies in the inability of people to take accountability for their actions and to be in control. Addressing sloppiness requires self-awareness, a commitment to change, and establishing healthy behaviors. It is not impossible to stop sloppiness; sloppy people must realize that overcoming sloppiness can lead them to feel less stressed and to live a more organized, productive, and fulfilling life.
PUBLIC SPEAKING ANXIETY
Why do we fear public speaking?
- We fear public speaking due to the pressures we put on ourselves trying to make everything go perfectly. And if it doesn’t, we feel ashamed and embarrassed. We feel like messing up on public will put a mark on us that we can’t get rid of.
Is speech anxiety normal? Why or why not?
- Speech anxiety is completely normal for me due to the pressure of doing everything perfectly. And we start mumbling on our words which makes our anxiety increase because we feel like we are making a fool out of ourselves.
What can we do to face our public speaking fear and anxiety?
- The only way to get rid of our fear is by doing what we fear. So, we should try to put ourselves in situations where we will have to do public speaking. But we should remind ourselves that we are humans and mistakes will happen. And if they do just keep going and to not let that stop you.
Reflection by Alanis Y.
Pérez Pérez
INCO 4055-L00
Prof. Alejandra Zapata
How
can
I overcome my fear of public speaking?
From Craig N. Sawchuk, Ph.D., L.P. of Mayo Clinic
Fear of public speaking is a common form of anxiety. It can range from feeling a little nervous to extreme fear and panic. These steps may help you overcome your fear:
• Know your topic. The better you understand what you're talking about and the more you care about the topic the less likely you'll make a mistake or get off track. And if you do get lost, you'll be able to get back on track quickly. Think about up to five questions the audience may ask and have your answers ready.
• Get organized. Ahead of time, carefully plan out the information you want to present. This includes props and audio or visual aids. The more organized you are, the less nervous you'll be. Use an outline on a small card to stay on track. Visit the place where you'll speak, review the equipment and practice the talk before your actual presentation.
• Practice, practice, practice. Practice your presentation several times. Do it for some people you're comfortable with and ask for feedback. It also may help to practice with a few people who you don't know well. Make a video of your presentation so you can watch it and see ways to improve.
• Challenge specific worries. When you're afraid of something, the fear may be larger than the actual threat. List what you're worried about. Then list what else could happen and any evidence that supports whether or not what you fear will happen. Ask yourself how past presentations have gone.
• See yourself as a success. Imagine that your presentation will go well. Positive thoughts can ease concerns about how you perform socially and make you feel less anxious.
• Breathe deeply. This can be very calming. Take two or more deep, slow breaths before getting up to the podium and during your speech. Anxiety usually peaks at the start of the presentation and usually settles down within a few minutes.
• Focus on your material, not the audience. People mainly pay attention to new information not how it's presented. When presenters are anxious, they tend to overestimate how much others can tell they're stressed. The audience may not notice how nervous you are. If audience members do notice that you're nervous, they may root for you and want your speech to be a success.
• Don't fear a moment of silence. If you lose track of what you're saying or start to feel nervous and your mind goes blank, it may seem like you've been silent for an eternity. In reality, it's probably only a few seconds. Even if longer, it's likely your audience won't mind a pause to think about what you've been saying.
• Celebrate your success. After your speech or presentation, give yourself a pat on the back. It may not have been perfect, but chances are you're harder on yourself than your audience is. See if any of your specific worries came true. Look at any mistakes you made as ways to make your skills better.
• Get support. Join a group that offers support for people who have a hard time with public speaking. One effective resource is Toastmasters International, a nonprofit organization with local chapters that focuses on training people to speak and lead well.
Dear Merrys: As a subject appropriate to the season, I want to tell you about a New Year's breakfast which I had when I was a little girl. What do you think it was? A slice of dry bread and an apple. This is how it happened, and it is a true story, every word.
As we came down to breakfast that morning, with very shiny faces and spandy clean aprons, we found father alone in the dining-room.
"Happy New Year, papa! Where is mother?" we cried.
"A little boy came begging and said they were starving at home, so your mother went to see and ah, here she is."
As papa spoke, in came mamma, looking very cold, rather sad, and very much excited.
"Children, don't begin till you hear what I have to say," she cried; and we sat staring at her, with the breakfast untouched before us.
"Not far away from here, lies a poor woman with a little new-born baby. Six children are huddled into one bed to keep from freezing, for they have no fire. There is nothing to eat over there; and the oldest boy came here to tell me they were starving this bitter cold day. My little girls, will you give them your breakfast, as a New Year's gift?"
We sat silent a minute, and looked at the nice, hot porridge, creamy milk, and good bread and butter; for we were brought up like English children, and never drank tea or coffee, or ate anything but porridge for our breakfast.
"I wish we'd eaten it up," thought I, for I was rather a selfish child, and very hungry.
"I'm so glad you come before we began," said Nan, cheerfully.
"May I go and help carry it to the poor, little children?" asked Beth, who had the tenderest heart that ever beat under a pinafore.
"I can carry the lassy pot," said little May, proudly giving the thing she loved best.
"And I shall take all the porridge," I burst in, heartily ashamed of my first feeling.
"You shall put on your things and help me, and when we come back, we'll get something to eat," said mother, beginning to pile the bread and butter into a big basket.
We were soon ready, and the procession set out. First, papa, with a basket of wood on one arm and coal on the other; mamma next, with a bundle of warm things and the teapot; Nan and I carried a pail of hot porridge between us, and each a pitcher of milk; Beth brought some cold meat, May the "lassy pot," and her old hood and boots; and Betsey, the girl, brought up the rear with a bag of potatoes and some meal.
Fortunately it was early, and we went along back streets, so few people saw us, and no one laughed at the funny party.
What a poor, bare, miserable place it was, to be sure, broken windows, no fire, ragged clothes, wailing baby, sick mother, and a pile of pale, hungry children cuddled under one quilt, trying to keep warm. How the big eyes stared and the blue lips smiled as we came in!
"Ah, mein Gott! it is the good angels that come to us!" cried the poor woman, with tears of joy.
"Funny angels, in woollen hoods and red mittens," said I; and they all laughed.
Then we fell to work, and in fifteen minutes, it really did seem as if fairies had been at work there. Papa made a splendid fire in the old fireplace and stopped up the broken window with his own hat and coat. Mamma set the shivering children round the fire, and wrapped the poor woman in warm things. Betsey and the rest of us spread the table, and fed the starving little ones.
"Das ist gute!" "Oh, nice!" "Der angel Kinder!" cried the poor things as they ate and smiled and basked in the warm blaze. We had never been called "angel-children" before, and we thought it very charming, especially I who had often been told I was "a regular Sancho." What fun it was! Papa, with a towel for an apron, fed the smallest child; mamma dressed the poor little new-born baby as tenderly as if it had been her own. Betsey gave the mother gruel and tea, and comforted her with assurance of better days for all. Nan, Lu, Beth, and May flew about among the seven children, talking and laughing and trying to understand their funny, broken English. It was a very happy breakfast, though we didn't get any of it; and when we came away, leaving them all so comfortable, and promising to bring clothes and food by and by, I think there were not in all the hungry little girls who gave away their breakfast, and contented themselves with a bit of bread and an apple of New Year's day.
Reaction to the story by Jan Paul Berríos Guzmán
ENGL 3102 Prof. Zapata
FAST FOOD RESTAURANTS
by ENGL 3114 students of Prof. Zapata
Kamelia Hernández Rodríguez
Angelica Santos
Should fast food restaurants be banned?
I think fast food should be removed because it can lead to diseases such as obesity, diabetes, and heart problems. It’s not the healthiest option and can even lead to depression. Additionally, fast food is expensive despite being marketed as affordable, and its convenience reduces the practice of home cooking, causing people to lose control over what they consume. These foods are highly addictive and negatively impact small local businesses due to their competitive “low prices.” Furthermore, fast food contributes to environmental damage by using excessive plastic and disposable packaging that pollutes the planet. Eventually, its impact on health, society, and the environment becomes undeniable. On the other hand fast food restaurants are not super clean. In addition, it leads us to spend too much money. It's not the healthiest option. It can also lead to depression. And due to all the plastics it comes to a point when all of this affects the environment.
Amneris I. Ramírez Maldonado
Idanna S. Lagomarsini López
Fast Food Restaurants Can Be Good (Pronunciation Exercise: Identifying Vowel Sounds)
Fast food restaurants are vital in today’s society. They offer affordable meals for people on tight budgets. Banning these restaurants would affect numerous employees who rely on these jobs for a stable income. They provide access to quick, hot meal options when people are occupied with busy schedules. Fast food restaurants have a lot of benefits such as their drive through service in which customers do not have to step out of their car. They’re also an excellent choice for those who have experienced a long day and lack the energy or desire to prepare a homemade meal. Many students and workers rely on fast food to avoid skipping meals during busy days. Additionally, many fast food chains have broad menus that include healthier choices, giving customers more options. Fast food can be an acceptable part of a strong balanced diet when enjoyed in moderation. For many, the occasional fast food meal offers a sense of comfort and enjoyment that should not be taken away.
1. Fast (short a: /ae/) 6. not (short o: /a/)
2. are (short o: /a/) 7. car (short o: /a/)
3. offer (aw sound: /Ɔ/) 8. long (aw sound: /Ɔ/)
4. hot (short o: /a/) 9. broad (aw sound: /Ɔ/)
5. lot (short o: /a/) 10. strong (aw sound: /Ɔ/)
SPANGLISH
Presentation by Angélica Massol
INCO 4055 - Prof. Alejandra Zapata
The Funnies
EPIGRAM
Language Bloopers, Blunders, Mistakes, Slip-ups, Mix-ups, Errors, and Gaffes
This is the section in EPIGRAM where we share with you common mistakes sometimes funny, sometimes embarrassing, and many times unforgivable -that people make while trying to communicate in English.
A common error that Spanish speakers make when learning English is confusing false cognates, also known as "false friends." These are words that look similar in both languages but have different meanings.
For example:
"Actually" is often mistaken for "actualmente" (which means currently in Spanish). Spanish speakers might say, "Actually, I live in Peñuelas," intending to say "Currently, I live in Peñuelas."
"Assist" might be confused with "asistir" (which usually means to attend), so someone might say, "I assisted the meeting," instead of "I attended the meeting."
There is actually a song by the group MAGIC!, and the title is “RUDE,” and people mistakenly think it means “rudo” when in fact the meaning is closer to “grosero.”
Do you remember the lyrics of the song?
Here is the link to the Lyrics video in case you want to hear it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=NoEMIVx4J78
Contact
Address:
University of Puerto Rico at Ponce English Department P.O. Box 7186
