ENGLISH CORNER, CON LINDA JIMÉNEZ – This week’s trivia question: What does the word “polaquear” mean in modern Costa Rican Spanish, and where does the term come from?

Dr. Saúl Weisleder was born in San José, Costa Rica. He studied economics and sociology in Costa Rica and development studies at Sussex University, in the U.K. He has been Dean of the School of Social Sciences at the National University in Costa Rica and also Director of its Economics Department and professor of Economic Policy in its Masters program. Dr. Weisleder has served as a consultant to several international and national organizations and has published several books in the areas of Economics, and Natural and Social Sciences. He was elected a member of the Costa Rican parliament in 1994, during which time he also served as its President for two years, until 1998. He has also served as Costa Rica’s Alternate Ambassador to the United Nations.

Dr. Weisleder is a prominent member of Costa Rica’s Jewish community, and he spoke with us about its early days and how it has evolved until the present.