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Quiz about Archaic Spanish and Other Spanish Phenomena
Quiz about Archaic Spanish and Other Spanish Phenomena

Archaic Spanish and Other Spanish Phenomena Quiz


A quiz on some archaic forms of Spanish, as well as some more modern phenomena that have popped up in the past few hundred years.

A multiple-choice quiz by tiffanyram. Estimated time: 4 mins.
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Author
tiffanyram
Time
4 mins
Type
Multiple Choice
Quiz #
237,427
Updated
Jun 04 23
# Qns
10
Difficulty
Average
Avg Score
6 / 10
Plays
1677
Awards
Top 20% Quiz
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Question 1 of 10
1. When reading literature from Columbus' day, you will find that the language is a little different. Which of the following is an archaic form of "vi" (I saw) that can be found in conquest and pre-conquest literature? Hint


Question 2 of 10
2. In Spanish today you have instances where two words join together to form one word, such as "de + el = del." A few hundred years ago, this was more common. Which of the following would be written as "de ella" today? Hint


Question 3 of 10
3. You are reading an old document and you see the word "foja." What would be its modern equivalent? Hint


Question 4 of 10
4. In Spanish, "usted" is a formal way to say you (singular); however, "usted" hasn't always been "usted." Which word/phrase did the word "usted" originate from? Hint


Question 5 of 10
5. In Spanish, "tú" is the singular, familiar form of you. In some Latin American countries, there is another way to say you, which is even more informal. What is it? Hint


Question 6 of 10
6. In some regions, words differ a little bit from the normal Spanish pronunciation. One such word is "nadie", which means 'no one'. Which of the following is an alternative word/pronunciation of "nadie"? Hint


Question 7 of 10
7. Which of the following is an archaic spelling of the word "muchacho"? Hint


Question 8 of 10
8. Another archaic verb form, which can still be found in the dialect of some modern Spanish speakers is "trujo", which means 'he brought'. What would the more modern form of this verb be? Hint


Question 9 of 10
9. Some words in Spanish came about as a result of the mixing of several words. Which of the following resulted from the phrase "hijo de algo"? Hint


Question 10 of 10
10. We saw previously that 'h' was sometimes written as 'f' in older texts in a more archaic form of Spanish. There are some instances where in the archaic form of the word 'h' was replaced with 'g'. What would the modern form of the word "agora" be? Hint



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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts
1. When reading literature from Columbus' day, you will find that the language is a little different. Which of the following is an archaic form of "vi" (I saw) that can be found in conquest and pre-conquest literature?

Answer: vide

The past tense of the verb "ver" used to have 'd' in it. Instead of saying "yo vi", you would have said "yo vide". Interestingly enough, in some rural parts of Latin American countries, this form is still used. When I go visit my in-laws in rural Mexico, they use this archaic form instead of the modern "vi".
2. In Spanish today you have instances where two words join together to form one word, such as "de + el = del." A few hundred years ago, this was more common. Which of the following would be written as "de ella" today?

Answer: della

We still use some word combinations in Spanish today; however, just a few hundred years ago, it was much more common to combine words when writing. Another example would be "de + este = deste."
3. You are reading an old document and you see the word "foja." What would be its modern equivalent?

Answer: hoja

Languages change over time, and one of the changes that occurred in Spanish, was a change from 'f' in some words to 'h.' It is common to see these words spelled with an 'f' when reading old literature, but these spellings can still be found in some legal documents today.
4. In Spanish, "usted" is a formal way to say you (singular); however, "usted" hasn't always been "usted." Which word/phrase did the word "usted" originate from?

Answer: Vuestra merced

"Vuestra merced" is like saying 'Your Mercy', or 'Your Grace' in English. It was used to talk to people who were higher up in society or had important positions. "Usted" today is still a formal form used to show respect when you are talking to elders, bosses, and strangers. Note: the use of "usted" varies from country to country: some use it more than others.
5. In Spanish, "tú" is the singular, familiar form of you. In some Latin American countries, there is another way to say you, which is even more informal. What is it?

Answer: vos

"Vos" is a way to say 'you' that is really informal. Its use changes from country to country, as does its verb conjugation. In some countries, it is conjugated like "tú", in others it is conjugated like "vosotros", and in some it is conjugated as a variant or mixture of the two.
6. In some regions, words differ a little bit from the normal Spanish pronunciation. One such word is "nadie", which means 'no one'. Which of the following is an alternative word/pronunciation of "nadie"?

Answer: naide/naiden

"Naide" is a word used by the Gauchos of Argentina. The Spanish spoken by the Gauchos has several differences from everyday Spanish, and this is one of them. Also, e.g. in the part of Mexico where my husband is from - Jalisco- you can also hear this same variation but usually with an 'n' at the end of the word.
7. Which of the following is an archaic spelling of the word "muchacho"?

Answer: mochacho

The word "muchacho" has changed spellings over the years and used to be spelled as "mochacho." You can find this form in older texts such as "Lazarillo de Tormes".
8. Another archaic verb form, which can still be found in the dialect of some modern Spanish speakers is "trujo", which means 'he brought'. What would the more modern form of this verb be?

Answer: trajo

Just as "naide" is still spoken by the Gauchos of Argentina, so is the verb form "trujo". You can see it in old texts but you will also find it in more modern Gaucho literature and language.
9. Some words in Spanish came about as a result of the mixing of several words. Which of the following resulted from the phrase "hijo de algo"?

Answer: hidalgo

"Hijo de algo" literally means 'son of something'. The title became known as an "hidalgo" which is a person who would be part of the lesser nobility. They really wouldn't have had a lot of money or power but they weren't commoners.
10. We saw previously that 'h' was sometimes written as 'f' in older texts in a more archaic form of Spanish. There are some instances where in the archaic form of the word 'h' was replaced with 'g'. What would the modern form of the word "agora" be?

Answer: ahora

The word "ahora" means 'now'. In older texts, it is spelled with 'g' instead of 'h.'
Source: Author tiffanyram

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