El Voseo

The Spanish spoken here is very easy to understand. The people are very receptive to speaking with you in Spanish even if they do speak perfect English. Yes, the level of success that university level students have with English is shocking.

The use of VOS in Latin America is probably something that you know about. Each area that uses the vos does have some unique features to their syntax, some areas being much more complicated than others. In Costa Rica, the usage is straight forward. No little tricks in the grammar. What is more complicated is the appropriate application of the term. When do I use vos? Basically if you are a student new to the country, you don't. Vos is used sparingly, It is heard between persons who are very close to one another: family, best friends (Latino interpretation, not the gringo understanding), sometimes long standing colleagues that are friendly outside the workplace. In all other cases, you will hear Usted(es). But, no so quick! Usted is often used between spouses when they are being lovey dovey. Totally the contrary of what was said above. It is something akin to the: Honey, Baby, Sweetheart expressions we hear in English. Honey, will USTED help me with this?

The use of TU, however, is creeping into the languge, especially among the 25 and under set. The younger the person, the useage appears to be more common. My understanding is that the usage has resulted primarily from media. TV programs, CD's, DVD's, typically produced in Mexico and Venezuela, for example, have had an enormous influence on the speech of the younger generation. Just as the younger generation in any country is apt to resematicize the lexicon of any language, so it has in Costa Rica by use of the tu form. Basically, it's cool.

Formation of the vos form is simple. You choose the vosotros form of the verb, drop the "i" from the ending and keep the stress on the final syllable. You do this only in the Present tense indicative. In all other forms of the verb, the usual second person singular tu form of the verb is used. In the imperative mode, use the traditional Spanish vosotros command form and drop the final -d from the verb, maintaining the stress on the end of the verb.


Hasta pronto.