The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1894-11-30
DIcRN QUE,
Nm TERRA de CIsEes 81 Tuerto 81

Roy.
EDITOR HERALD:-The ridiculous mis-
construction of Spanish words and
phrsses by Americans who desire to ap.
ply them, without sufficient previous
knowledge Is sometimes exceedingly
amusing and often become so far re-.
moved from the real as to be meaning
less If not absurd.
In the daily papers OF late we repeat
eddy see the words "Rey 81 Santa Anita"
a name inflicted upon one OF Lucky"
Baldwin's equine wonders. The words
convey no meaning whatever. as a CEN
tence (Which lie. undou btedly. intended).
the literal TRANSLATION giving liking the
Santa Anita" all OF which in any Ian
gnaRe il very expressive. We may haz-
ard guess that the name intended WAS
"El Rey de Santa Anita" We would
ADVISE LUCKY" before nsming another
horee to call in someone who knows. and
not again expose his glaring ignorance.
Another blunder in Spanish grammar,
a blunder not oven the most uniettered
paisano would commit we can see any
day blazoned upon the front windows OF
one OF the business houses OF q principal
street or advertised in our daily papers.
to wit: "Los Felix Rancho" most
infelicitous blending of singular and
plural, repugnaut to the language Of
CASTLE.
But the elimination of absurditv may
be found in the columns OF the Times Of
date November 25. in q storyette en-
tilted LA Gnllina Muerta," by L. II.
Rydall. Judging from this little mark
oil budding genius the author should be
the possesaor of 9 superb pair OF ears.
Trusting that the said budding genius
may profit by this unssked biz Of ad-
vice, end not tax apatient public with
more such morsels of literary asininity,
the writer would, regardless OF the old
saying that "where innocence is bliss
tits folly to be wise," offer little we'll
meant criticism.
Even in q story 80 exceedingly iunny
(if funny it is, for the writer &C yet has
been unable to determine whether the
article 10 intended as an idyl, bit OF
local coloring. or as humorous). as that
OF this budding genius of the Times. it
would have been we'll to have known
something OF Csstilian before attempt
ing to serve US grist of Spanish names
and "swear words" unfortunately un.
known to the tongue. His diction would
startle the Spanish academy, and the
average paisano would be utterly at a
loss to understand his int jeotions. We
trust the numerous students of the
tongue OF Cervantes may not adopt the
Spanish ca from the faclle pen OF the
budding genius" for 'del Ventura" is
a union unknown to that tongue. for in
this, unlike actual life, the masculine
and feminine genders are never 30
loosely joined. "Sefiora milo" is another
edulterous union which good grammar,
If not good morals, should have prohibit
ted. Although We are assured his hero
is of the pure Castilian race, as also his
wife, for 1.-The chevalier would marry no
other" he certainly must have
received q very mixed and bad
Frenchy sort of an education when
he 30 far deviated from his mother
tongue as to apply to himself the term
"Chsvalier," and to exclaim .SRcra,"
"Diable," ct cetera ad nauseam. Then,
too, the parents of Mr.. Rydall's "hero"
did not exercise the best OF taste in
naming their offspring "Violente"
(Which is the feminine .orm OF the
French adjective violent, also violent in
English) and they were scarcely pairs
otto to 30 borrow from two foreign Ian.
guages for misfit name, and then in
addition to travel to Italy or the Lord
only knows where to finish out with
"Flacoio."
Please. Mr.. Rydall, next time do not
eerve us up mental repast quite 30
polyglot, for really such an ill-assorted
mixture is very disturbing to ones
stomach. Then, too. to call a stately
turkey "gallina." and "muerta" one
at that, must be very Notifying to that
proud bird.
We predict future for Mr.. Rydall in
the line of writing primers, but exclu-
sively in English. 6. r. D. 3.