Two Cuban women have taken to TikTok to showcase the various ways of naming things in Camagüey and Matanzas. "For me, recording the memory when someone says 'the package came out,' 'the soap opera came out in the package,' it's that, the package came out," says one of the women, referring to Camagüey. The other counters, "No, for us, it's 'I'm going to record the memory that the load came in,' it's the load."
The debate continues with other words and expressions. "For me, it's 'anoncillo,'" asserts one, to which the other replies, "For me, it's 'mamoncillo.'" They also discuss "mantecadito," which is known as "polvorón" in Matanzas, and "tocineta," which Matanzas residents call "bacon."
Among other differences, clothes are hung on "cordeles" in Camagüey, while in Matanzas, they use a "tendedera." Additionally, "colcha de trapear" or "frazada" are terms used in Camagüey for mopping the floor, whereas in Matanzas, it's called "bayeta de piso."
Another topic that caught attention was "malanga," known as such in Camagüey, while in Matanzas, they also refer to a smaller, elongated variety as "guagüí."
The video was posted on the account @leydismarian and has sparked a significant amount of comments. Some users have expressed their preference for one usage over the other: "No offense, but Camagüey is the best, long live all of Cuba"; "Proud to be from Camagüey"; "For us, what they sell on the street, in the small kiosks, the people who walk around, scrape them with ice and pour syrup on them, for us, that's 'granifrío'"; "Matanzas, Playa Giron in the house... blessings."
Other comments reflect the cultural and linguistic blends present in Cuba: "I'm from Villa Clara. I have a mix of both"; "Habaneros say some things like Matanzas and others like Camagüey"; "I'm from Cienfuegos and I have a mix of both, haha"; "Santa Clara is a mix of both provinces, we have words from both but more from Camagüey."
This exchange of expressions has highlighted the richness and diversity of language in Cuba, showcasing how the same words can have different meanings and uses depending on the region.
Exploring Regional Dialects in Cuba
Here are some common questions and answers about the regional dialects in Camagüey and Matanzas as discussed in the TikTok video.
What are some key differences in terminology between Camagüey and Matanzas?
For example, "mamoncillo" is used in Matanzas, while "anoncillo" is common in Camagüey. Similarly, "tocineta" is referred to as "bacon" in Matanzas.
How do Camagüey and Matanzas differ in terms of household terminology?
In Camagüey, clothes are hung on "cordeles," while in Matanzas, a "tendedera" is used. Additionally, "colcha de trapear" or "frazada" in Camagüey is known as "bayeta de piso" in Matanzas.
What sparked the conversation about regional dialects on TikTok?
The conversation was sparked by a video posted by @leydismarian, where two Cuban women discussed various words and expressions unique to their regions, Camagüey and Matanzas.