A note on pronunciation

As you learned in high school, in Spanish a double L is pronounced as “y,” such as in the word “tortilla.” However, here in Medellin, the “y” sound becomes a cross between a soft “j” and “sh.” I cannot think of a corresponding sound in English – though I am sure something exists. The best I can come up with is the “j” sound in “muhajadin” (as in the Afghan rebel fighters that have been so popular in the news over the past few years). Therefore, “Medellin” is pronounced “Medejin,” not “Medeyin.” A straight “y” also uses this soft j sound – for example, the name Yolima is pronounced “Jolima.”