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Katia |
Felipe |
Colombian Music
Felipe talks about the music scene in his home country of Colombia.
Katia: Felipe, you know I like music very much. So I wanted to ask you about music in Colombia, in Ecuador. What kind of music do they have?
Felipe: Well, if you go to Colombia, I think it’s, you know, it’s such a diverse country in terms of music. There is the – you know what is salsa?
Katia: Salsa? I have heard of it.
Felipe: Well, salsa is really popular in Colombia. And it’s popular because of the African influence, you know, because in the 16th Century, people from Africa came to Colombia as well, and they brought many kind of music. And this music, you know, mixed with the Spanish music. And now we have the well-known, you know, salsa. So salsa is popular in Colombia, and most Colombians can dance salsa, even children, you know, small children also can dance salsa.
Apart from that, we also have many different traditional dances such Joropo and Bambuco, which are, you know, dances – traditional dances in the countryside regions. Peasants, you know, they have many – these different kind of dances.
In the Amazon region, you also find traditional dances. So Colombia is, I think, like a really diverse country in terms of dances.
Katia: That is amazing. What about Ecuador? Is it the same as Colombia?
Felipe: Yes, it’s similar but in Ecuador, the indigenous people who are living in the highlands have, I think, a more diverse, you know, group of dances. So, if you travel to the highlands, you will find that people in Quito, which is the capital of Ecuador, they have traditional dances. And if you go to the south and to the north, you will find many differences.
Traveling to the Amazon region is also a chance to know more and more different traditional dances. So I think in terms of indigenous traditional dances, Ecuador is more diverse.
Katia: That is so interesting. Really, thank you for this information. Now, I want to get more into music from Ecuador and Colombia.
Felipe: Great. You’re welcome.
in terms of
It’s such a diverse country in terms of music.
Here, 'in terms of' means 'regarding'. Notice the following:
- In terms of music, my city has lots to offer.
- Tokyo is a great place to live in terms of food.
I have heard of it
Salsa? I have heard of it.
The phrase 'I have heard of it' lets the speaker know the listener only knows a little about something and would like to hear more. Notice the following:
- Have you heard about Parkour?
- I have heard of it, but know little about it. Tell me more.
influence
It’s popular because of the African influence.
Influence means to have an affect on something. Notice the following:
- We are all influenced by our parents.
- Developing countries are influenced by Western Culture.
even
Most Colombians can dance salsa, even children.
Here, 'even' refers to something that is not expected to be part of a group. Notice the following:
- The whole family danced, even grandpa.
- All the stores, even gas stations, have wifi.
highlands
The indigenous people are living in the highlands.
Highlands are flat lands in the mountains. Notice the following:
- Scotland is famous for its highlands.
- The highlands are pretty but cold.
get into
I want to get more into music.
When you 'get into' something, you become interested in it. Notice the following:
- As a kid, I got into manga.
- She is getting into urban gardening.
Vocabulary Quiz
even • highlands • get into
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About the Teacher / Creator
Hello, and welcome to elllo. My name is Todd Beuckens. I've been an ESL teacher for 25 years. I created elllo to provide teachers and students free audio lessons and learning materials not usually found in commercial textbooks.
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