The imprint of Cuban immigration in South Florida is felt at every step. Not only in the game of dominoes, the dance or the coffee drink, which has become one of the hallmarks of Miami.
The Cuban presence has even changed the way English is spoken in the city. And it goes far beyond some unique “happy hour” advertised in a restaurant on 8th Street in Miami.
According to linguist Philip Carter, Miami English is born from the combination of the meaning of words in Spanish and English.
It all began in the sixties of the last century and thus arose what he calls a new dialect that is kept alive even by those who were born in this part of the country.
They themselves do not realize it until they arrive in another city, speak and ask them: where are you from?
It is a different phenomenon than the so-called spanglish. The combination of words from both languages in the same sentence. A mixture that fills those of us here with pride and surprises tourists.
