Lexicon, Gastronomy and Culture: Loja (Ecuador) and Cerro Azul, Veracruz (Mexico)

This article exhibits a lexicological approach to different dishes belonging to the heritage culture of Loja and Cerro Azul. The main objective is to verify the links between language and culture, taking food as an empirical testimony. Through the information provided by six interviewees, we selected four common reference lexical areas for regional gastronomy from two geographically distant areas, we selected four referential fields common to the regional gastronomy of two geographically distant areas but with shared elements. The peculiarities that characterize culinary preparations and associated traditions are considered. Our perspective is ethnolinguistic and historical, and seeks to motivate reflection on the importance of culture-centered approaches in lexical studies to the study of lexis.Keywords: cultural meaning; ethnolinguistic sign; gastronomic lexicon; lexicon of American Spanish; traditional dishes; cultural parallels.