Problemas con mis Palabras (Problems with my Words)

The frustrating thing about learning a new language is that one quickly learn that there are not only multiple ways of saying the same thing, but also multiple meanings for different words. The funny thing about learning a new language is that one will, without fail, use a word or phrase incorrectly, often with embarrassing consequences.

At the Foreign Service Institute it is common for instructors to ask their students to bring a short news article to discuss with the class. The article can be in whatever language you like, but you are required to discuss the article in the language being studied. In Spanish, we call these "Pequeñas Noticias."

Because this can get a bit repetitive, I like to select my articles from a number of sources, ranging from the credible (The Washington Post) to the incredulous (The Onion). Yesterday I chose an article from The Orlando Sentinel that talked about the recent glee "scandal." Three of the show's young actors posed for racy photos in this month's issue of GQ. Because the magazine is written with an adult male audience in mind, and because the actors portray high school students on television, some of the more conservative circles have chosen to view the images as something akin to pedophilia.

I tried to make the point that, because the actors are in their twenties and only portray teenagers on television, the photos are not really all that inappropriate.

I have consulted a friend on this matter (Thanks, Shalinn!) and now understand that what I wanted to say was:

"Los actores en 'glee' interpretan a estudiantes de la escuela secundaria."

What I actually said was:

"Los actores en 'glee' tocan estudiantes de la escuela secundaria. "

Tocan is the 3rd person plural form of the verb Tocar, meaning "to play."

Or...when used in this way, "to touch."

Yes, while discussing an article about the pedophilic implication of these photographs, I actually stated, rather confidently I might add, that the cast of glee likes to touch children.

Needless to say, I turned fire engine red and much laughter was had at my expense.

365 Challenge, Day 68: Gleeks

Finally finished watching Glee: The Complete First Season on Blu-Ray this evening, and was able to watch S2E1 on Fox.com. This came as quite a relief, as I had actually finished watching Season One last spring when the finale aired, but TJ was stagulating and hadn't seen the last five episodes. Sorry for the urbandictionary grammar there, folks.

Anyway, we're all up-to-date now, and ready to watch Glee at its regularly scheduled time...at least for the next month or so until our move.

...and....is Finn gay now, or what?

365 Challenge, Day 22: Aaron's Book Club (Part One)

Today, I'd like to talk to you about glee.

No, not the hit FOX television show. No, not the wildly popular music that is currently trending more iTunes downloads than American Idol.

Instead, I want to talk to you about a new book series based on the television show and music.

Let me preface this by saying two things:

#1 - I don't normally read "literature" based on television programming. I tend to think it's trite, unimaginative, and unnecessary. Not to mention the fact that it usually contradicts the media it is based on.

#2 - I was bored today. And I love me some glee.

It was a quick read. Something one might finish off during an afternoon at the beach. As for me, I burn easily, so I read it in bed.

All told, glee: The Beginning was much better than I expected, and I seriously recommend it to any and all "gleeks." The book delves into events occurring prior to the pilot episode of glee and does a great job of establishing a status quo for the main cast.

My biggest concern about the transition to the written word was that there would be an inability to enjoy the musical numbers. I was right in that fear, but it is such a trivial concern. After a season with the glee kids, the show is more about the characters than it is about the singing. And thanks to the written word, I feel that I understand each of them better than I did before.

And that's what makes glee so great. No matter how old you are, no matter how far removed you are from high school, you can stilll relate to these kids. Each slushie thrown in their faces, each coming out story, each struggle with weight, each desire to be more popular. We all know, to some extent, what they are going through. The humor is but a backdrop. These are the laugh-to-keep-from-crying moments in everyone's lives. If you don't watch glee, you really should. If you do watch glee, you should read this book.

The book was penned by one Sophia Lowell. If her name sounds familiar, I couldn't say why. A Google search shows that this was her debut novel. She is working on a sequel, though, that is due in February. I'll be picking that up, too.

Oh, wait. Can I get a volunteer to please pick this up and mail it to Mexico?

Hello?

Anyone?