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Lesson Transcript

INTRODUCTION
Eric: Hello and welcome to Culture Class: Mexican Superstitions and Beliefs, Lesson 3 - Sweeping Feet and Ringing in your Ear. I'm Eric and I'm joined by Alex.
Alex: Hola! Hi, I'm Alex.
THE TWO SUPERSTITIONS
Eric: In this lesson we’ll talk about two common superstitions in Mexico. The first superstition is about bad luck. What’s the superstition called in Mexican Spanish?
Alex: barrer los pies
Eric: Which literally means "sweeping feet." Alex, can you repeat the Mexican Spanish phrase again?
Alex: [slow] barrer los pies [normal] barrer los pies
Eric: Alex, I’ve been having trouble getting a date recently.
Alex: Well did someone sweep your feet with a broom?
Eric: Actually someone did.
Alex: In Mexico, it's believed that if someone gets their feet swept by a broom, they’ll be single forever,
Alex: If they are already married, it’s said that their marriage won't last.
Eric: This superstition probably began because brooms are associated with witches.
Alex: So brooms are omens of bad luck.
Eric: Wait, does this mean I’m going to be single forever?
Alex: Maybe. Let’s talk about good luck now.
Eric: The second superstition is about good luck. What’s the superstition called in Mexican Spanish?
Alex: zumbido en el oído
Eric: Which literally means "ringing in your ear." Let’s hear it in Mexican Spanish again.
Alex: [slow] zumbido en el oído [normal] zumbido en el oído
Eric: In Mexico, it's believed when someone’s saying good things about you, your right ear will ring.
Alex: If someone’s saying bad things, then your left ear will ring.
Eric: Your ears ringing when someone talks about you is a very ancient superstition, first recorded more than 2000 years ago!
Alex: For Catholics, the right side is associated with good luck. The left side is linked with bad.
Eric: My ears have been ringing lately actually.
Alex: Left or right?
Eric: Right.
Alex: Maybe you won’t be single forever!

Outro

Eric: There you have it - two Mexican superstitions! Are they similar to any of your country’s superstitions? Let us know in the comments!
Alex: Hasta pronto!

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