Spanish is one of the most widely spoken languages in the world.  This makes it cool, because you can see all of the different ways it adapted as it spread around the world. Spaniards pronounce c’s as a “th.” Argentineans say a “y” sound using a “juh.” In Costa Rica, the word for cool can be “duanes” or “pura vida,” while in southern Spain, it’s “guay.”

So why should you care?

Because you’re going to Tacoma’s Ethnic Fest, where you can now put all of this oh-so-useful information to, well, use. You can hear Latin, Brazilian and many other dance based forms of music while you sample a boatload of ethnic food. You can eat, shop, dance and explore and celebrate diversity with more than 20 other ethnic groups.

And, yes, that includes polka!

[Wright Park, July 25-26, noon to 7 p.m., free, 501 S. I St., Tacoma, ethnicfesttacoma.com]