Concept in Definition ABC

In everyday use of the language, the word recado has two different meanings. On the one hand, it is a short message that is transmitted by word of mouth to another person. In this sense, the message or notice can be made directly, in such a way that a communication between two individuals (I gave him a message on the phone last night) or indirectly through the mediation of a person (Juan sent a message to his father through Irene). In another sense, an errand is a concrete management destined to fulfill a commission and that normally implies going out to the street for its compliance.

In the second sense, recado is equivalent to mandado, a very common term in Spanish that is spoken in America but is not used in Spain.

Technology as the new transmission medium

Although the idea of ​​transferring a message to another person is very common, this reality has varied substantially over time. Before the appearance of some means of communication (especially the telephone), the message was an essential means of communication. With the irruption of sms, whatsapps or voice messages, the message

traditional it has adapted to new technologies.

The person as a messenger

A clear proof that the idea of ​​errand has evolved is the fact that we no longer speak of the errand boy, the person who has the function of running errands (in some Latin American countries a messenger is a sparrow). The figure of the messenger has practically disappeared and is more typical of other times, in which some young people performed this type of task, especially in the world of work. However, it continues to be used in the form of expression (I'm not anyone's messenger).

Colloquial language versus educated language

There are almost always two different ways of communication: a more informal one, colloquial and direct and another more cultured. This is what happens with the term errand. In a formal or official context, the word procedure or diligence is more appropriate than message, which is should be used in everyday situations, for example in communication between friends, neighbors or relatives.

There is no specific rule regarding when a colloquial or cult language should be used, as both are equally valid. However, in the case of the word recado, its use depends on the common sense (For example, it would be very inappropriate to leave a message in the field of official communication and it would also be atypical resorting to a diligence or a request to contact someone from confidence).

Topics in Message