Celebrate a Quinceanera While You Learn Spanish

If you are lucky enough to live in an area where thererituals, it also is a huge party designed to include as
are many native Spanish speakers, you will havemany friends and family members as possible.
heard about a Quinceanera. But, if you have neverGifts and fun are an expected part of the day.
attended one, you may be curious about it. You mayThe primary gifts are symbols for life. The girl wears a
even be invited to one if you have Latin Americantiara to represent leaving her childhood and living a life
friends. This celebration is filled with customs that arein victory over challenges of her adult environment, she
very special to Latin American families. You can learnreceives a bracelet or ring to represent the circle of
about this unique tradition and learn Spanish at thelife and her ties to her community, she receives
same time.earrings as a reminder to listen to God's word, and a
The Quinceanera celebrates a young girl's 15throsary or prayer book as religious resources.
birthday. In Latin American culture, this age is the ageTiara = tiara, a symbol of victory
where a girl leaves childhood to enter maturity. It isCross = cruz, or Medal = medalla, symbols of faith
believed that the ceremony owes its origins to theBible = La Biblia
Aztecs and some of its unique vocabulary to FrenchScepter = cetro, a symbol of elegance
culture of the late 1800s. The celebration has religiousShoes = los zapatos
significance for Spanish-speaking Roman Catholics,The guest of honor will wear flat shoes at first and will
and begins with a thanksgiving Mass, or misa debe presented with a pair of elegant high-heeled shoes
accion de gracis, to give thanks for her family andto represent that she has entered womanhood. Her
friends. But the celebration is also a very specialmother will often change the girl's shoes for her, in a
birthday party, so much of the festivities also includespecial ritual at the party.
giving of gifts and enjoying food and dance together.The Last Doll = la ultima muneca
This makes the celebration a wonderful way to learnThe celebrant is given her last doll to symbolize leaving
about the tradition and the Spanish languagechildhood.
associated with it.The toast to the girl of honor = El brindis por la
Here is some distinctive vocabulary and why you needquinceanera
to learn it:This toast is part of the common rituals at the birthday
Quince anos = 15 years, or 15th birthdayparty.
This is the coming of age time for girls in Latino culture.These are some of the traditional basics when it
Young male companion = Chambelan, or Escorte, orcomes to a Quinceanera, but if you would like to learn
Galanmore, there are hundreds of online resources to
Seven young males of the court = Chambelanesreview. There are, of course, hundreds of variations on
Seven young ladies of the court = Damasthe theme. You will discover that some websites offer
The court of young ladies and men, including theEnglish to Spanish translations for their pages. This is a
quinceanera girl, equals 15.great resource for learning Spanish because you can
Traditional Ballroom Waltz = Valscompare the English and Spanish versions on the spot.
A choreographed dance performed by the Court ofNow, if the invitation to attend comes to you, you will
Honor, often with classical European music.be able to attend knowing that you have some of the
Godparents = Padrinosbasic Spanish vocabulary learned and ready to go. All
The girl's godparents often give the primary gifts, butyou will need is a gift, and your best attire, and you will
guests invited to the event also bring gifts that reflectbe ready for the party!
the girl's personality. Though the event has religious