As a useful byproduct of some word game design, I ended up with spreadsheet full of random Spanish words that I could sort and slice a lot of different ways. Based on a game I called CADENA, I was interested in identifying last letter in words that could link to first letter of next words. Think: AGUA [seed word] > abril > leve > enigmático > ombligo. Score one point for words that work and three points for words that begin and with the same letter: agua and ombligo fit the bill.

In prepping the game and trying to run up my score–plus add to my data-informed sense of Spanish–I looked closely at patterns. It was clear that many Spanish words would begin and end with A, O, R and S. This should come as no surprise to even first year students. It was also clear that few words would end in B, F, J and P. For whatever reason, I think I had never identified how few words end in C. This meant my whole wonderful list of words that begin with C, approximately 1,400, was put in jaque.

Interest in and opinions on the letter X have spiked in the last week or so. Take that for what it is worth in Wordle, WordPress or whatever platform you use. I noticed that there are 10 words on my Spanish list that end in X: flux, bórax, bótox, burofax, ex, fénix, látex, relax, sílex and tórax. Few words start with X in Spanish, however there are some winners derived from Greek and Nahuatl: xenofobia, xilófono, xilofonista, xóchil and xoloitzcuintle. In English that number is 74, not the same ones, of course but similar points of origin.

From a spelling, grammar and pronunciation point of view, these Spanish signatures help learners make sense of the language. How do we fold this into instruction? How and when do learners respond to spelling and sound signatures of certain languages? (Test your mettle with this other game.)

Some may be familiar with the research-based-but-pop-science-taste of “typoglycema” or the transposed letter effect. I’ve played with this a little, but never as a tool or technique towards greater comprehension. Is this useful? Counterproductive? Is this approach only useful to those who have a native or near-native level of fluency and/or literacy? As a singular approach, I’d say it’s misguided, but as a way to understand patterns at play and the ways our brain encodes them, perhaps it’s useful.

As a way to hack Wordle, Cadena and Unscramble games, it is next level stuff. This is the key to the castillo. For example, JAQUE could be a reasonable place to start. CAREY. (Try these resources for more on Wordle hacks in Spanish and English.)

This is a general representation of spelling patterns in Spanish vs. English based on the frequency of last letter is 12K word sets. A word on sourcing. The English list is “single-origin” in that it comes from this set I found on Kaggle. It presents the 333,333 most-frequently used word in English. I limited to about 12K. The Spanish set is markedly not a “single-origin” one. Call it my delicious blend of my Wordle words, my Cadena words, my syllable game words and others I had sourced for different reasons. As such, it is representative of use in word language classes and in the wild, but not statistically so. Where do we see this? The list probably under-reports the number of Ss in the last position because there is not a 1:1 ration of singular to plural words. Also, this Spanish list does not include complete conjugation tables, so there is no guarantee that the tú, nosotros and vosotros forms that tend to end in S are there. Nevertheless, the list is solid and it makes a clear case that an S in the final slot of a word is a good play–whether a three letter word or a twelve letter word.

In the end, this exercise is more about testing systems than supporting a thesis. I hope it can help learners recognize and repeat patterns in languages. As they build their confidence, I hope they can see how characteristic patterns connect languages. What does this mean of recognizing and leveraging word roots? I am also of the mind that including language data in classes and taking a computational linguistics approach–no matter how light or seemingly loopy–can help make sense of language and Large Language Models. This is my latest effort to do that.

This is a postscript to the reflection above. What if we fed some of these parameters into ChatGPT or an even more powerful generative AI tool to produce and parse possible words. I started with “I’m going to give you a list of LAST letters and frequency in an unspecified language. Based on this. Make up fun but possible real words in this language.” For those old enough to get the reference, these are “Sniglets” for the new century.

Sure, based on the given last letters and their frequencies, here are some fun and possibly real words in this unspecified language:

  1. Ográ – A mythical creature with special powers, often depicted in local folklore.
  2. Droní – Referring to a group of intelligent birds known for their singing abilities.
  3. Lesá – A beautiful natural forested area, often considered a sacred place in this language’s culture.
  4. Rú – A traditional dance form performed during festive occasions.
  5. Hensí – A sweet and aromatic spice used in local cuisine.
  6. Anó – A popular term for expressing surprise or excitement.
  7. Jix – A small, mischievous creature often causing harmless pranks in villages.
  8. Naró – A warm and comfortable clothing item worn during winter.
  9. Éliz – A famous artist or singer who gained prominence in the language’s music industry.
  10. Huz – A light and refreshing beverage made from a unique combination of fruits and herbs.
  11. Roquí – A type of precious gemstone known for its vibrant colors.
  12. Nuv – A fluffy cloud-like confectionery that’s a favorite treat among children.
  13. Yalí – A traditional board game played by two players, involving strategic moves and skill.
  14. Wez – A local flower species admired for its beauty and therapeutic properties.
  15. Lorá – A small boat used by fishermen in coastal regions.
  16. Drif – A traditional art form involving intricate wood carvings.
  17. Sení – A friendly greeting used when meeting someone for the first time.
  18. Zorí – A star-shaped fruit with a unique tangy taste, grown in the language’s tropical regions.
  19. Pat – A popular dish made with a mixture of various local spices and vegetables.
  20. Xil – A small, furry mammal found in the forests, often kept as a pet by some families.

Remember, these words are just creative and imaginary examples based on the given last letters and frequencies. As an unspecified language, their actual meanings and pronunciations would depend on the linguistic and cultural context, which is not provided here.

Of course! Here are some longer and more creative words in the unspecified language:

  1. Naréoza – An enchanting garden filled with rare and exotic plants.
  2. Elixírion – A sacred potion believed to grant eternal youth and wisdom.
  3. Flóvandra – A mythical creature resembling a majestic winged horse.
  4. Zaléndrica – A dazzling dance performed during grand celebrations.
  5. Garmístico – A mysterious and powerful ancient artifact of unknown origin.
  6. Vónandria – An ethereal melody that evokes deep emotions when played.
  7. Rénfilaron – A royal crown adorned with precious gems and metals.
  8. Cyrléstria – A hidden valley with lush greenery and serene waterfalls.
  9. Quimbalúra – A traditional dish made with a harmonious blend of local spices.
  10. Xaladéstria – A magical academy where young wizards learn their craft.
  11. Píromántico – A skilled fire manipulator capable of producing mesmerizing displays.
  12. Torgandoríl – A legendary sword said to possess incredible strength and prowess.
  13. Heluvándria – A breathtaking lake surrounded by snow-capped mountains.
  14. Mystralíthia – An ancient prophecy foretelling the rise of a chosen hero.
  15. Ylandérion – A majestic creature with the body of a lion and wings of an eagle.
  16. Durandélion – A delicate and intricate artwork crafted from fine golden threads.
  17. Zandorímia – A remote island rumored to hold hidden treasures and secrets.
  18. Ondalástica – A special form of meditation practiced by wise sages.
  19. Aqúilendra – A rare aquatic plant with magical healing properties.
  20. Thaldoráles – An annual festival celebrating the language’s cultural heritage.

Again, these words are purely imaginative and created for fun, and their meanings and pronunciations are left to the imagination based on the unspecified language’s context and culture. Enjoy the creativity!

I later identified the language as Spanish and asked ChatGPT to “Invent new words based on the sound/spalling of CIELO, DULCE, AMOR, OCIO, VIAJE…”

Apologies for the misunderstanding! Let’s create new words based on the sound and spelling of the words “CIELO,” “DULCE,” “AMOR,” “OCIO,” and “VIAJE”:

  1. Cielero – A term for someone who deeply admires and connects with the sky or heaven.
  2. Dulcíneo – An adjective used to describe something or someone sweet and charming.
  3. Amora – Referring to a fictional fruit with a delightful taste and unique color.
  4. Ociante – An adventurous soul who embraces leisure and relaxation.
  5. Viajero – Meaning “traveler” in Spanish, denoting someone who enjoys exploring new places.

Remember, these words are invented and may not have established meanings in Spanish, but they respect the sound and spelling of the provided words. Enjoy the creative process!

See you later, cielero!! After a while, viajero!!