3 Dangerous Spanish phrases when avoiding Prison Rape (PREA)

We humans are all but direct, we love slang and hints because they are fun to use when we speak to people we love, its one of the things that makes humans humans. But what about when language is used as a weapon?

If you are a PREA Coordinator, auditor or simply one of the brave humans managing a Correctional Institution and are responsible for keeping inmates as safe as possible?

We are compiling, in a series of blog posts, a toolbox for you to identify potentially dangerous language when it comes to avoiding Prison Rape.

We are designing this in a way that you can identify what you hear regardless of your Spanish fluency.

Let me know what you think and how the KLS team and I can help you better use language in your day to day activities using our contact form.

You can consult:

each phrase, along with variations ( / ),

a Translation,

the corresponding Explanation and,

a sound file where you can listen, download and practice identifying (and speaking if you want) the corresponding phrase:

Let's get to the juicy part:

1. Ahí te voy / te caemos / te caigo

Translation: I'll pop in later / I'll see you later / later

Explanation: This can be used in a threatening way specially in a situation when the aggressor is in presence of authority, then they will use this to threaten the victim of later action. In most cases, one must pay attention to the tone when said. Even if Spanish is not your language, you will be able to identify a tone that implies that the aggressor will be "paying a visit" to the victim later.

Listen to the Sounds and practice:

2. ¡No le saque! / sin miedo / ¿quién dijo miedo?

Translation: Don't chicken out / don't be scared / no fear / are you scared?

Explanation: These are slang expressions used to taunt a person who is clearly being intimidated. It's an open call to violence and/or intimidation. Intonation can be that of mockery, to make the receiver feel inferior or triggered to demostrate power by reacting.

Listen to the Sounds and practice:

3. Le / te va a gustar / si no le gusta me dice eh / seguro le gusta

Translation: You'll like it / you tell me if you don't like it / you tell me if it hurts / you'll love this for sure

Explanation: These expressions are used to coerce a victim into doing something that is potentially and almost certainly painful, it is used to ironically reassure the victim that there will be no pain, or that the victim will "enjoy" and/or "like" the pain. It can be used jokingly, but even then, it has homosexual implications, and its part of a cultural legacy of penetration and sexist and typically homophobic superiority.

Listen to the Sounds and practice:

So, yes, it is possible to listen to and understand #realSpokenSpanish almost overnight, with the right tools and training. Stay tuned for the next entry where we will continue to explore more potentially dangerous expressions for PREA coordinators to better prevent potential PREA situations.

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