Sable Smith had always felt self-conscious about her poor Spanish, especially as someone of Puerto Rican heritage who struggled to keep up with the island’s distinctive version of the language. But one evening aboard a Miami party boat, she sought to enjoy a night out with her Latina friends, even if they sung along to Spanish songs whose meanings were unknown to her.

She had long loved reggaeton, the thumping, forceful genre infused with the complex rhythms of Caribbean music that was now playing on the boat.

However, when the D.J. transitioned to “Ibiza” by the Puerto Rican reggaeton artist Ozuna, Ms. Smith said she began to feel “completely left out.” As Ozuna’s voice blared over a sensual drum beat with plucky guitars,
“Ibiza” (2018)
Ozuna feat. Romeo Santos
she saw her friends smiling and chanting, in communion with a language lost to her.

“That was the moment I realized that I needed to do more studying,” Ms. Smith said.

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