Answers
Aug 18, 2009 - 11:57 AM
If you use a word which starts with ’i-’ or ’hi-’ (same sound) after the Spanish ’and’ : ’y’, the ’y’ generally changes to ’e’. I suppose this is to avoid trying to saying the same sound twice and end up sounding like you are stuttering.(kind of like how we have AAA and AA and C size batteries, but no B-batteries, as they would be difficult to ask for)Here’s some examples:Reciben tratamiento cruel e inhumano. (They are receiving cruel and inhumane treatment.)Vendemos productos de limpieza e higiene. (We sell cleaning and hygiene products.)However, if the word begins with a ’i-’ or ’hi-’ dipthong (two vowels together), the ’y’ stays the same as usual. I don’t think this comes up too often and only dipthong ’i-’/’hi-’ words that come to mind for me are ’hierro’ (iron) and ’hielo’ (ice).While we are on the topic, the same thing happens with the spanish ’or’ which is ’o’. If the word following the ’o’ starts with ’o-’ or ’ho-’ the ’o’ changes to ’u’:No recuerdo si fue ayer u hoy (I don’t remember if it was yesterday or today.)Sujeto u objeto (Subject or Object)I hope this helps!