A TikTok video featuring a Mexican man married to a Cuban woman has humorously reignited the cultural debate on the distinct way Cubans speak. Posted by the user @yenicofino, the video captures the couple lounging in bed as they engage in a lighthearted conversation about Cuban speech. When asked for his opinion, the husband's response triggered laughter: "Oh, you Cubans don't talk, you shout. You're always yelling because you don't know how to speak."
Amid laughs, she retorts that sometimes she can't understand him and needs to ask him to "turn it up a notch" because he speaks so softly. He counters, "Well, that's because we speak quietly... not like you guys who are always shouting."
The exchange reaches a peak as he playfully mocks how certain words are pronounced on the island, saying, "And what's with 'calol'? Everything with an L."
The video has garnered thousands of comments on TikTok, with Cubans, Mexicans, and users from other countries joining in the conversation with their own anecdotes and humor. One user confessed, "I'm Cuban and even I sometimes tell my husband to lower his voice." Another added, "We don't shout; we speak with passion, from the diaphragm, as it should be."
Some defended that not all Cubans speak the same way, noting that the substitution of the "L" for the "R" is more common in specific regions like Havana or eastern Cuba. Others embraced the stereotype with humor: "We come from a breezy island, if we don't shout, we can't be heard."
Responses from Mexico also surfaced: "My Cuban husband shouts so much the neighbors think we're fighting," shared a Guatemalan woman. "I've already picked up the shouting," said another.
This isn't the first time the couple has gone viral. In an earlier video, the Mexican husband complained about Cuban white rice, saying, "I'm sick of white rice, learn to make a different kind." That post sparked a strong reaction from fans of Cuban cuisine.
Cuban speech patterns have been the subject of viral commentary before. In December 2024, a young Venezuelan defended her desire to "speak like a Cuban" after facing criticism, proudly stating, "I will continue learning regardless."
Both instances illustrate how Cuban vernacular has become a cultural phenomenon, generating admiration and controversy, especially when observed from afar with a mix of curiosity, affection, and stereotypes.
The Cultural Impact of Cuban Speech Patterns
Why do Cubans have a distinct way of speaking?
Cuban speech is influenced by the island's diverse cultural history, including African, Spanish, and indigenous elements. This blend creates a unique linguistic style characterized by its rhythm and pronunciation.
Is the Cuban way of speaking similar across the island?
While there are commonalities, variations exist depending on the region. For example, the substitution of "L" for "R" is more prevalent in places like Havana and eastern Cuba.
How do people outside Cuba perceive the Cuban way of speaking?
People often view Cuban speech with a mix of curiosity and affection, sometimes feeding into stereotypes, but also appreciating its musicality and expressiveness.