Mariano Ávila and Michael Walenta: Slang and Cultural Expressions

Approx. time Expression Explanation
1:39 Aztec and Zapotec blood persons of central and southern Mexican descent
1:48 Catalan, Basque, Castilian, Galician blood persons of Iberian descent (Spain)
1:56 Mestizos persons of mixed European and Amerindian descent
2:20 Th.M. Degree master’s degree in theology
2:49 boots on the ground actual people in the area who do the job
4:28 top, middle, or third teir top, middle, or third level
5:21 panhandling asking other people on the street for money
5:56 ergo therefore
7:11 cracks to fall through places where gaps in the system don’t protect people
8:03 disparities inequalities, different levels of outcomes
8:37 sex trafficking forcing people to earn money by performing sex acts
8:53 infant mortality the death of children under the age of one year
9:25 systematic racism unequal outcomes caused by racial discrimination across a whole system (not just by an individual)
10:12 gonorrhea and chlamydia two sexually transmitted diseases
10:31 an STD sexually transmitted disease
10:39 abstinence avoiding sexual activity
14:54 trajectory arc, pathway to travel
15:19 wonky strange, unusual
15:39 H-1B Visa special “high-skill” visa to enter the U.S.

Alan Headbloom

Alan advises Americans how to be global citizens and expats how to fit in to Michigan culture without annoying their native coworkers and clients. He also tweets and blogs at the intersection of language and culture. Over decades, he's traveled, studied, or lived on six continents, putting strange foods into his mouth and emitting strange sounds from it. His use of English, German, Spanish, Portuguese, French, Swedish, Hausa, and Japanese all improve with alcohol use. He gives invited public presentations on culture and unsolicited private advice on English grammar and usage; the latter isn't always appreciated. Visit his website for information on consulting, coaching, or speaking engagements.