Spain are a good team

#1 smug

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Posted 13 July 2010 - 12:33 AM

Kelme are running a big race. This sounds so funny to Americans, who would say "Spain is a good team." But it's different in the UK. But we get British commentators for the Tour and World Cup. What about other English-speaking countries? In Austrailia? Canada? Ireland? India? Nigeria? Do those countries follow the UK?

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#2 crockett

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Posted 13 July 2010 - 02:29 AM

QUOTE(smug @ Jul 12 2010, 07:33 PM)

Speaking of which, how do you pronounce Xavi?

The English WC announcer went back and forth between Jav-ee and Chav-ee.

#3 smug

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Posted 13 July 2010 - 03:10 AM

and how come the brazilian players have one name and the spanish riders have four?

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#4 The Rake

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Posted 13 July 2010 - 06:38 AM

QUOTE(smug @ Jul 13 2010, 04:10 AM)

and how come the brazilian players have one name and the spanish riders have four?

In general, a person born into a Spanish-speaking family is given a first name followed by two surnames, the first being the father's family name (or, more precisely, the surname he gained from his father) followed by the mother's family name (or, again more precisely, the surname she gained from her father).

If a girl gets married she can then either add another name or substitute one for another, I think. So Maria Indurain Olano if she she marries Pedro Delgado, could become Maria Indurain Olane de Delgado.

As for the Brazilians, these are nicknames, which appear to be in common usage in Brazil. That's the Brazilian convention. Nicknames and first names are used in all settings, no matter the gravity. Some have meaning appended to them (e.g. Ed- at the beginning denotes a mother called Edna apparently). And size matters; having 'ão' at the end of a name signifies a big player (Luizão - Big Lou); having 'inho' at the end of a name signifies a little one (Robinho - Little Robson).

Also, I guess they have long names. Would Pele be so popular if we referred to him only as Edson Arantes di Nascimento? And Zico sounds better than Artur Antunes Coimbra? And it fits on the back of the shirt...

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#5 VdB

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Posted 13 July 2010 - 08:10 AM

QUOTE(crockett @ Jul 13 2010, 04:29 AM)

Speaking of which, how do you pronounce Xavi?

The English WC announcer went back and forth between Jav-ee and Chav-ee.

It depends on which Spanish you follow - in Catalan, his native dialect, it's a softer version of 'Chavi' (the ch like in cheese), almost 'Shavi'. Castellan Spanish would be a hard 'Chavi'.

In many South American countries it's more 'Javi' with the J as in Spanish 'jejejeje' (hehehehe)

QUOTE(The Rake @ Jul 13 2010, 08:38 AM)

As for the Brazilians, these are nicknames, which appear to be in common usage in Brazil. That's the Brazilian convention. Nicknames and first names are used in all settings, no matter the gravity.

See also: the current president of Brazil (Lula).

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