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Most Hondurans speak Spanish, the country's official
language. Honduran Spanish is similar to the language spoken in other
Central American countries, but contains specifically Honduran slang
words, which vary from region to region. Hondurans also know many
English words, because North American culture has influenced Honduras
for more than a hundred years. Many people in the Bay Islands speak
Western Caribbean Creole English, because English people settled there
in the 17th century. Indigenous languages tend to be spoken only in
remote areas.
Hondurans routinely begin conversations with a
friendly "Buenos días" (good day). They consider it
rude to pass someone without a greeting. They also shake hands when
they meet. Women may kiss when greeting each other. When sitting down
to a meal with others, a Honduran will say "Buen provecho"
(May it do you good!). Politeness is important, and these gestures are
appreciated. |
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Hondurans show their respect for education by
giving professionals special titles. For example, they would say
"Doctor Pérez," "Teacher Cardona," "Professor Nuñez,"
or "Attorney Amador." A non-professional man is addressed as
Señor, a single adult woman as Señorita,
and a married adult woman as Señora. Don and
Doña are titles given to particularly well-respected
men or women, respectively.
Hondurans usually have four names: two first
names and two family names, one to represent the father's side of
the family, and the other the mother's side. For example, if a
woman's name was Elena María García Lopes, García
would be the last name of her father's family, and Lopes her mother's
family. When women marry, they may drop the final name and replace it
with the name of their husband's family, preceded by "de." For instance,
if Elena María married a man whose father's name was Torrez,
she would be known as Elena María García de Torrez. |
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Did you know? |
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Chickens and roosters are prominent in Honduran
culture and folklore. One common expression is "este es mi gallo."
Literally translated, it means "This is my rooster," but it has come to
mean "This is mine and it is the best."
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