In many languages there are words that have the same sense but are different words, these are called synonyms. In different Spanish-speaking countries, there are many different synonyms for specific words. Although they are synonyms in the same language each variety of the word is dependent on the country or region you are in or from. Since these synonyms are dependent on the country or region some people from certain countries may not understand or be familiar with your term, but sometimes some words may have a “general term” for words. Although not all synonyms have a “general term” there are some synonyms that some countries may share or be familiar with because they have been exposed to it. The words I will be focusing on is drinking straw (sorbete, bombilla, popote, or sorbente), corn (maiz, choclo, elote or jojote), cake (pastel, torta, or bizcocho), and clothing hanger (percha, gancho). I will be asking spanish speakers what they would call these items and if they are familiar with the other translations. In addition, ask them if they would ever use the other varieties in any circumstances. Also, I will also be finding if there is a general translations for these terms, why some have a general translation and why others dont, and where the different varieties of tranlslations coming from.

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