It's because we have bigger roosters.
Posted on 06/28/2008 8:44:01 AM PDT by SwinneySwitch
Marketers increasingly use commingling of languages for ads
A billboard on U.S. Highway 77/83 reads, "Our huevos are bigger."
The bigger huevos are the subject of a Stripes' convenient store advertisement for its in-store restaurant, the Laredo Taco Company.
The sign's clever use of bilingual double entendre has caused quite a stir on this stretch of the Texas-Mexico border, in addition to being a source of amusement for some.
The success of the sign hinges on the Spanish word huevo, which literally translates as egg and figuratively refers to a part of the male anatomy.
The commingling of Spanish and English, while nothing new in the Rio Grande Valley, has become the latest marketing ploy in an effort to lure the coveted bilingual Hispanic consumer.
"Everybody likes a good message if it's the right message," said Bo Bothe, president and chief creative officer of the Houston-based Brand Extract LLC. "But, you could really offend somebody if you don't watch it."
Bothe and Brand Extract developed Stripes' ad campaign to announce itself after the company bought Circle K in 2006.
The key, Bothe explained, is to adapt the message to the audience.
Easier said than done, especially where cultures collide, but household names such as Burger King and Anheuser-Busch are increasingly embracing the concept.
Even the U.S. Army has adopted the practice with its "Yo Soy el Army" advertisement.
But, it's not as simple as it looks.
"It's really easy to put Spanish words on a billboard," Bothe said. "The reality is more complex."
(Excerpt) Read more at themonitor.com ...
SMS will leave English beyond recognition long before Spanglish is a problem.
¡Cómo no!
Dos mas cervezas por favor.
All the Spanish you need to know.
The border region/South Texas has been a predominantly hispanic cultural melange since statehood. Folks from Ohio may find it strange, but thats a fact. ;-)
Followed by “¿dónde está el baño”
Cojones ping!
If you want on, or off this S. Texas/Mexico ping list, please FReepMail me.
and: qué manera al cantina?
Our Eggs are bigger in South Texas...ha..
We have numerous Spanish tv stations in Houston but the other day I saw a McDonald’s ad on a regular station completely in spanish - really ticked me off.
Could it become a melange a trois?;^)
Mimg src="http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B000067O2T.01.LZZZZZZZ.jpg">
In all seriousness, the main demographic change in Texas since the end of WWII has been the migration of Mexicans/Central Americans (especially illegals) to eastern and central Texas. Houston and Dallas were at one time essentially white/black cities, with the hispanic population overwhelmingly concentrated from San Antonio to the border.
They tested bilingual ads in the New York market, but they flopped. It appears as though second and third generation hispanics in the tri-state area prefer being hustled in English like the rest of us.
Now, there’s a cock you can really be proud of...
Y, ?donde esta el bano?
/johnny
But you figured out how to do the nino and the upsidedown question mark.
/johnny
When I was 12, my grandfather declared me illiterate. I hadn't been taught any greek. 6 years of latin, hebrew, and french, but no greek.
And I didn't learn spanish until I worked in a kitchen.
As far as I'm concerned everyone is welcome to speak whatever they want, and I'm justified in ignoring them.
Even in greek.
/johnny
You’re right - the Texan Lexicon is filled with TexMex words that have existed since the very beginnings of the Republic. If you’ve lived in Texas all your life, you’ll speak Spanglish anyway, because that’s how you stock your pantry!
Any given day of the week, we’ll be eating Huevos Rancheros, Taquitos, Tortillas, Chalupas, Cilantro, Burritos, Tostadas, Gorditas, Mole, Guacamole, Chile con Carne, Salsa, Pan Dulces...
Spanglish makes me hungry.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.