Thread: Slang for Abuelo--help there is a bet riding on this

Growing up we've all called our Abuelitos "Buelo" or something like this. A lady at work is adamant that you spell "buelo" with a "W". I looked in an old Velazquez Spanish/English Dictionary that says "W" doesn't really exist in the Spanish language, exceptions are proper names that have no translation.

So help please

Buelo Vs Welo

Or is it just a matter of opinion?

-Melissa

Hi Melissa, it's just a matter of opinion. I don't use and have never used that expression as "Welo". Spanish speaking people are getting that kind of "speaking vice" mostly through Internet. They are beginning to use "w" instead of "bu" or "hu" pronunciation. For instance "webo" instead of "huevo", "wena" instead of "buena", etc. It's just that.

Hello missmo73,

I agree with javidissi in the sense that, via internet, Spanish speakers (and especially young people) are beginning to use "w" instead of "hu" or "bu", as well as "k" for "q" or "c" or things like that... But this is not correct in Spanish. Therefore, the correct spelling would be "buelo", never "welo".

Hope this helps!

i agree, i think it is just a matter of opinion...like you said javidissi, it is the spelling of the "speaking voice," although you might have a hard time convincing your co-worker...suerte!

That's it, you are completely right, SandraT.

And I would say more... The language used in reggeaton lyrics (leaving aside the content...) is incomprehensible for a native Spanish speaker, as I am. Maybe it is easier for latin american speakers, but I am not even sure that it is common language for them. In any case, that "w" spelling is not correct.

i pretty much agree with all of the above... good luck with your coworker!