languages

~~Cuthbert~~ · 03-17-2013, 06:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by misspoptart

I'm from the US and I speak English as a native language (of course). I took my first Spanish class when I was 13, and I wasn't particularly good at it.

With Spanish, if you're planning to use it in Spain, make sure you learn the Spanish accent. For some, it is really disorienting to arrive in Spain with a pretty decent knowledge of Latin American/Mexican Spanish and not understand a damn thing. The Spanish accent sounds kinda dumb at first to most English speakers, but I assure you it is both eloquent and much sexier.

Good thinking actually, yeah I'm learning Spanish um.. Spanish

Castellano isn't it?

If you were to learn Castellano, how hard would it be to visit places like Mexico and Belize and be able to speak with them? Are the accents that different?

Quote:

In terms of learning, try to get in sitautions where you can only speak Spanish. Do not rely on English for anything, and find a native-speaking teacher, tutor, or friend that forces you to use it. I really started to learn when I was 17, because I got a scholarship to study it for 1 year at the local university in combination with the high school course. The teacher at the uni was Dominican and threatened to fail us if she even heard one word of English in the classroom. Her strategy worked, because we were all struggling at first but it became more and more natural for the class as the course went on. As is the case with any language-learning environment, if the mother tongue can be used, it will always be relied on. So just try to get immersed. It could be better to go to Spain or Costa Rica for example and learn, but chances are you'll meet english speakers and the whole experience will be different anyway. You have to want to speak Spanish only in those situations. so go prepared to meet resistance.

both study abroad programs I participated in were full of English speakers and we all just talked English. needless to say, I learned more at home in Maine with my Dominican nazi teacher

This will be hard as I'm doing it on my own at home, I am using the Michel Thomas course and the Pimsleur course, Memrise and a few other things. I have been thinking about finding a Spanish pen pal to help (and me help with their English) as that is the only way I'd be able to speak with a native speaker other than to go there, which isn't an option atm. I know there's no substitute for living in a country that speaks it but I'm trying to do my best without that

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Quote:

Another option (which also works wonders) is to fall in love with a spanish speaker. Even if brief, your emotional attachment to the language will be heightened, and learning it will become more imperative. Think about the reasons we have a language. Is not the most important one to express ourselves? Aaaaand...do you not feel an uncanny need to express yourself when you're in love? The two things CLEARLY go together. Again, good luck. And you made the right choice with Spanish. It's WAY more useful than German.

Will try my best to find a Spanish girl

Thanks misspoptart.

misspoptart · 03-18-2013, 01:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fluffy Kittens

If you were to learn Castellano, how hard would it be to visit places like Mexico and Belize and be able to speak with them? Are the accents that different?

Well, for Mexico it's no problem. They will understand you but laugh frequently at your pompousness. Don't let it get to you.

For Belize, well, the official language is English. I'm not sure how much Spanish is actually spoken there, or what kind of Spanish it is.

Quote:

I have been thinking about finding a Spanish pen pal to help (and me help with their English) as that is the only way I'd be able to speak with a native speaker other than to go there, which isn't an option atm. I know there's no substitute for living in a country that speaks it but I'm trying to do my best without that

.

You could also try to make friends on Skype.

Good luck again.

Unknown Soldier · 03-18-2013, 10:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by misspoptart

And you made the right choice with Spanish. It's WAY more useful than German.

Spanish of course is a much better language in regards to tourism and travel etc but as far as work goes, I'd say German was far more useful.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fluffy Kittens

Good thinking actually, yeah I'm learning Spanish um.. Spanish

Castellano isn't it?

If you were to learn Castellano, how hard would it be to visit places like Mexico and Belize and be able to speak with them? Are the accents that different?

They tend to understand Castellano speakers ok in most parts of Latin America, the problem often occurs when Latin Americans go to Spain and speakers of Castellano can have problems understanding them initially. You have to remember that the differences between Spanish from Latin America and Spain are far greater than between UK English and American English. Even within Latin America the differences between say Mexican Spanish and Chilean Spanish are substantial.

~~Cuthbert~~ · 03-19-2013, 01:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Unknown Soldier

They tend to understand Castellano speakers ok in most parts of Latin America, the problem often occurs when Latin Americans go to Spain and speakers of Castellano can have problems understanding them initially. You have to remember that the differences between Spanish from Latin America and Spain are far greater than between UK English and American English. Even within Latin America the differences between say Mexican Spanish and Chilean Spanish are substantial.

Cheers mate.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Darren

Fluently bilingual(English/French). My dad is Québécois and we speak almost exclusively in French. My mom is American and doesn't speak a lick of French, so I grew up learning both languages concurrently.

That's quite good that you've been fluent in both all your life.

I've noticed on here the bilingual posters are all non-British. And by non-British I really just mean English as at least the Irish and Welsh have their own languages plus speak English too (I think anyway, maybe someone from Ireland, Scotland or Wales can correct me). I find it a bit embarrassing that most English people can't speak a word of any other language yet most of the rest of the world can speak English, that seems quite ignorant tbh, especially when we go on holiday to other countries and don't bother to learn a few words of their language.

Darren · 03-19-2013, 09:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fluffy Kittens

That's quite good that you've been fluent in both all your life.

I've noticed on here the bilingual posters are all non-British. And by non-British I really just mean English as at least the Irish and Welsh have their own languages plus speak English too (I think anyway, maybe someone from Ireland, Scotland or Wales can correct me). I find it a bit embarrassing that most English people can't speak a word of any other language yet most of the rest of the world can speak English, that seems quite ignorant tbh, especially when we go on holiday to other countries and don't bother to learn a few words of their language.

It is true that most of the world's population is multi-lingual. I live just outside of Montreal during the week and New York on weekends. In Canada outside of Quebec, there's a good amount of bilingual people but most are unilingual English speakers. In Quebec, French is the sole official language. But if you live in and around Montreal, public service jobs require you to be fluent in both French and English. Then when I live in New York, we're right back to the unilingual English speakers.

It is true than Anglophones are vastly unilingual. And it's also highly disrespectful to go to another country and expect to be catered to in English.

misspoptart · 03-19-2013, 01:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Unknown Soldier

Spanish of course is a much better language in regards to tourism and travel etc but as far as work goes, I'd say German was far more useful.

In what lines of work?

Worldwide, there are 92 million native German speakers, in seven countries on one continent. Meanwhile, there are almost 390 million native Spanish speakers (+70 million as a second language), spread over 25 countries, 3 continents, and comprising 6% of the world's population. Even if a number of jobs seek German speakers, MANY more seek Spanish speakers. Having "Spanish" on your CV is an asset for almost any line of work.

However, some types of work may require German, and for those it would make sense. In any case, you will probably meet many more Spanish speakers in your lifetime than you would any other language.

PoorOldPo · 03-18-2013, 07:11 AM

Gaeilge, french and english. Used to be pretty fluent in the other two. My sister is completely fluent in gaeilge.

Darren · 03-18-2013, 10:51 PM

Fluently bilingual(English/French). My dad is Québécois and we speak almost exclusively in French. My mom is American and doesn't speak a lick of French, so I grew up learning both languages concurrently.

~~[MERIT]~~ · 03-19-2013, 01:53 AM

I am fluent in English and conversational in Spanish. I took four years of Spanish in high school and still remember the better part of it.

Burning Down · 03-19-2013, 06:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fluffy Kittens

Cheers mate.

That's quite good that you've been fluent in both all your life.

I've noticed on here the bilingual posters are all non-British. And by non-British I really just mean English as at least the Irish and Welsh have their own languages plus speak English too (I think anyway, maybe someone from Ireland, Scotland or Wales can correct me). I find it a bit embarrassing that most English people can't speak a word of any other language yet most of the rest of the world can speak English, that seems quite ignorant tbh, especially when we go on holiday to other countries and don't bother to learn a few words of their language.

But a lot of people in other countries always want a chance to practise their English with native speakers who visit their country. My boyfriend was always practising his English with foreigners and especially the numerous American and British ex-pats in Belgrade. I think a lot of people around the world, when they find out you are Canadian/American/British/Australian, will want to speak English to you regardless of whether or not you'd like to hone your language skills with them (of course they want you to help them hone their English skills).

03-18-2013, 07:11 AM	#7 (permalink)
PoorOldPo Blue Pill Oww Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Luimneach, Eire Posts: 1,107	Gaeilge, french and english. Used to be pretty fluent in the other two. My sister is completely fluent in gaeilge. __________________ https://www.instagram.com/hennas.lullaby/

03-18-2013, 10:51 PM	#8 (permalink)
Darren Groupie Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Pierrefonds, Quebec Posts: 25	Fluently bilingual(English/French). My dad is Québécois and we speak almost exclusively in French. My mom is American and doesn't speak a lick of French, so I grew up learning both languages concurrently.

03-19-2013, 01:53 AM	#9 (permalink)
~~[MERIT]~~ Account Disabled Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Missouri, USA Posts: 4,823	I am fluent in English and conversational in Spanish. I took four years of Spanish in high school and still remember the better part of it.