Two Backpackers

Can You Please Roll Your R’s!

| by Aracely on September 13th, 2024 | 5 Comments » | Central America, Costa Rica, Reflections

« Returning Home Culture Shock?

I was born in Ecuador and migrated to the United States when I was 7 years old.  My sister and I still grew up speaking Spanish in our homes, since at the time that is all our parents knew.  My name, Aracely, comes from Latin (Roman) origin and is often very difficult for North Americans to pronounce without some assistance.  While growing up here in the United States, it was always pronounced flat, without the rolling “r” sound that my Spanish family infused.  I assumed that while traveling in Central America I would hear my real name again, but surprisingly I was wrong.

It’s special for me to hear my name pronounced with a Spanish accent, providing me a sense of pride and homage to my family, something I didn’t quite experience in Costa Rica.  My time there made me very bitter, since every local I met spoke like a North American who hasn’t learned to roll their r’s.  Instead or saying “carrrro” like a native Spanish speaker should, I heard, “cowro,” which lacked the fluttering of the tongue.

It made me angry.

I am cautious to offend any Costa Ricans reading this; that is not my intention.  I am simply voicing my opinion of what I experienced and how I felt.  Did anyone else with a trained Spanish ear notice this?  Jason and I did take the Gringo trail through Costa Rica, which means most people we met were involved in tourism, but it doesn’t justify the accent shift.

I also want to acknowledge Costa Rica for their ability to successfully use tourism to improve their economy, environment and human development.  I recently read that Costa Rica is ranked 3rd in the world, and 1st among the Americas, in terms of the 2024 Environmental Performance Index by the United Nations.  In 2024 the government announced plans to become the first carbon neutral country by 2024. (Wikipedia)  This is a very ambitious and impressive goal and I admire the country’s commitment to environmental protection while maintaining a healthy tourism industry.

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However, I just don’t understand why the need to alter their language, and in essence, their identity.  As a Latina, I am bitter.  Recently someone asked me about Costa Rica and I noticed my resentment surface.  I believe Costa Rica is a beautiful, educational and adventure filled country that many travelers will seek out, but I really wish they would just roll their r’s!

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Tags: Central America, Costa Rica, culture