Lesson plan
Gabacho
In the Spanish language, the word ( ) describes foreigners of different national origins in the history of Spain. The word originated in Peninsular Spain as a derogatory term for French people and things, and in contemporary usage the term retains the initial meaning. However, in other Hispanophone countries, the word acquired a meaning similar to the word (a slur for light featured foreign tourists, especially those from northwest Europe) in Spain. In some Hispanophone countries of Latin America, the word is akin to and refers to people and things from the United States. When the definite article is used, as in the phrase " " it refers to the country. In Mexico, Guatemala, and El Salvador is a deprecatory reference for someone from the U.S. In Mexico, also identifies the U.S. as a place: " " (I’m going to the U.S.). Moreover, in the Central American varieties of Spanish, the word refers to certain types of work-coats, such as the laboratory coat of a doctor, the smock of a kindergarten student, and a ceremonial vest worn in school-graduation ceremonies.
Article summary
In the Spanish language, the word ( ) describes foreigners of different national origins in the history of Spain. The word originated in Peninsular Spain as a derogatory term for French people and things, and in contemporary usage the term retains the initial meaning. However, in other Hispanophone countries, the word acquired a meaning similar to the word (a slur for light featured foreign tourists, especially those from northwest Europe) in Spain. In some Hispanophone countries of Latin America, the word is akin to and refers to people and things from the United States. When the definite article is used, as in the phrase " " it refers to the country. In Mexico, Guatemala, and El Salvador is a deprecatory reference for someone from the U.S. In Mexico, also identifies the U.S. as a place: " " (I’m going to the U.S.). Moreover, in the Central American varieties of Spanish, the word refers to certain types of work-coats, such as the laboratory coat of a doctor, the smock of a kindergarten student, and a ceremonial vest worn in school-graduation ceremonies.
Key claims
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Discussion questions
- Summarise the article in your own words. Which single claim would you verify first, and why?
- Which claim in this article is most likely to be revised as the sources update? How would you check its current status?
- If two sources disagreed about one of these facts, what would you need in order to trust one over the other?
Bibliography
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Key claims and bibliography are generated from the same tracked claims and sources as the article page.