Barrio Language Dictionary: First Dictionary of Caló by Dagoberto Fuentes and José A. López

Barrio Language Dictionary: First Dictionary of Caló by Dagoberto Fuentes and José A. López

Regular price $185.00 Sale

Printed by Southland Press, Inc. Los Angeles, CA 1974 

Has noticeable wear to edges, covers worn with dog eared pages. No underlining or highlighting in the text

"Without an adequate vocabulary there can never be true communication between the people from the Barrio and their counterparts in American society.

It is becoming extremely impossible in the world of changing ideas to get along with the basic supply of words that exist today. Lexicographers in the process of compiling dictionaries to meet this challenge have completely ignored the vocabulary of the Barrios. The language of the Barrio is unique in that many of the words used are explosive and clear, but most of them in conjunction with others carry a message that is forceful and to the point.

The compilers of this dictionary do not profess to be the experts, however, the research undertaken for this work encompassed several years. People from all levels of Barrio society, young and old, were interviewed constantly to make this dictionary as comprehensive as possible. While most words are contemporary in usage very few others are out dated. The writers believe that it is important to include as many as possible because some, as old as they are help shed light on the history, origin and culture of Chicanos in the Barrios. Students of Cultural Anthropology, Sociology, Linguistics, Mexican-American, Latin- American and Chicano Studies can benefit greatly from the first Barrio Language Dictionary."