"Using my "gutter Spanish" in multiple countries was met more with surprise that a gringo could string together a coherent sentence than with derision". Excellent!

My FIL was from Spain and one SIL was from Puerto Rico and they used to ask to translate for them. Both on English and Spanish.

For those not familiar with instant messaging speak, we can add a couple of guides:

http://talk.uk-yankee.com/index.php?topic=10959.0
http://www.netlingo.com/acronyms.php

TY

I think we can all agree then that there is really only one Spanish language. Those in doubt can ask the Real Academia Espanola I guess.

Languages evolve. In the past the changes came from the lower classes, invasions, religion, immigration, etc. but starting in the the later part of the 20th Cent, at least English, came under attack by misuse by politicians, business people, computer geeks, plus the words that accompany the constant stream of inventions and scientific discovery. Now with the infection of social media, it is changing again. And while a standard is necessary in which to deviate, the standard has become more democratic, for better or worse.

I love this thread!! My mother is Colombian but I think my accent is from everywhere living in California. I will look at those videos (youtube videos) for my upcoming trip! Thanks!!