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NTC's Dictionary of Mexican Cultural Code Words : The Complete Guide to Key Words That Express How the Mexicans Think, Communicate, and Behave
NTC's Dictionary of Mexican Cultural Code Words explores the meanings of, and cultural context for, over 100 essential Mexican expressions, providing the reader with a map to the character and personality of the Mexican people.
368 pages, Hardcover
First published January 11, 1996
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About the author
Boyé Lafayette De Mente
197 books24 followersBoyé Lafayette De Mente was an author, journalist, and adventurer. He wrote more than 100 books, most of them about the culture and language of Japan, East Asia, and Mexico.
De Mente joined the U.S. Navy and began his career as a cryptographer based in Washington, D.C. In 1948, he joined the U.S. Army Security Agency and was a decoding technician stationed in Tokyo. While there, he he founded and edited the agency's newspaper, The ASA Star.
De Mente wrote the first English guides to the Japanese way of doing business ("Japanese Etiquette and Ethics in Business" in 1959 and "How to Do Business in Japan" in 1962). His other books run the gamut from language learning to the night-time "pink" trades in Japan, the sensual nature of Oriental cultures, male-female relations, and understanding and coping with the Chinese, Japanese, Korean and Mexican mindset in business and social situations. He has also written extensively about Mexico and his home state of Arizona.
De Mente joined the U.S. Navy and began his career as a cryptographer based in Washington, D.C. In 1948, he joined the U.S. Army Security Agency and was a decoding technician stationed in Tokyo. While there, he he founded and edited the agency's newspaper, The ASA Star.
De Mente wrote the first English guides to the Japanese way of doing business ("Japanese Etiquette and Ethics in Business" in 1959 and "How to Do Business in Japan" in 1962). His other books run the gamut from language learning to the night-time "pink" trades in Japan, the sensual nature of Oriental cultures, male-female relations, and understanding and coping with the Chinese, Japanese, Korean and Mexican mindset in business and social situations. He has also written extensively about Mexico and his home state of Arizona.
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Displaying 1 of 1 review
December 25, 2009
I have found this to be a fascinating book and I look forward to using it in my quest towards even more complete Spanish "fluency". The book is organized in short, very readable "chapters" - each one about one word / phrase / concept. Mr De Mente is obviously very knowledgable concerning Mexican history and culture and his writing is very informative yet he still retains an "approachable" style.
An example of the writing (from the section on Charritas / Dichos / Indirectas :
The Mexicans style of speaking distinguishes them from North Americans and others with Anglo-Saxon backgrounds. Mexicans love their language and they love to talk, privately as well as in public. They exalt in flowery, flamboyant expressions, in poetic and literary dichos (DEE-chos) or "quotations", in witticism and in insults - both humorous and serious.
This was not one of the books on my wishlist but I am delighted to have received it. An enjoyable reference book, I whole-heartedly give it five of five stars.
An example of the writing (from the section on Charritas / Dichos / Indirectas :
The Mexicans style of speaking distinguishes them from North Americans and others with Anglo-Saxon backgrounds. Mexicans love their language and they love to talk, privately as well as in public. They exalt in flowery, flamboyant expressions, in poetic and literary dichos (DEE-chos) or "quotations", in witticism and in insults - both humorous and serious.
This was not one of the books on my wishlist but I am delighted to have received it. An enjoyable reference book, I whole-heartedly give it five of five stars.
Displaying 1 of 1 review