spanish

[SuthernCumfort]

was hoping someone would help me learn some general spanish for everyday use. im quick to learn and im on yahoo most nights.

Yeah I know this is silly but shit I cant grasp the words in a book. I dont want to learn how to buy cheese. i want to be able to order my dinner, and use general phrases.

Anybody help?

 

[Sleazy19]

I'll help you....I speak Spanish, English, French and a little German....I'm a teacher so I like to help people learn languages. Languages are my life.

PM me if you'd like

S

 

[SuthernCumfort]

oh definately would love to learn any of those languages especially spanish and french.

I studied both in high school but that was 15 years ago lol.

 

[off2bed]

http://www.google.com/language_tools?hl=en

 

[Cathleen]

I'll help you....I speak Spanish, English, French and a little German....I'm a teacher so I like to help people learn languages. Languages are my life.

PM me if you'd like

S

Well, aren't you lazy with your brain! j/k

How cool to know so many languages and better yet sharing your gift.

 

[cute_nerd]

I can always help too- I have a teacher's certificate for Spanish K-12 so PM me if you have any questions.

 

[AgonySceneGirl]

was hoping someone would help me learn some general spanish for everyday use. im quick to learn and im on yahoo most nights.

Yeah I know this is silly but shit I cant grasp the words in a book. I dont want to learn how to buy cheese. i want to be able to order my dinner, and use general phrases.

Anybody help?

IMO - if they are in america THEY NEED TO LEARN OUR LANGUAGE! not the other way around. Tell them if they want to live here, learn to understand what WE say.

 

[TypicalDeviant]

...Right...

In addition to talking to someone on AIM, Yahoo!, or whatever else, you're going to need to hear the language for pronunciation, cadence, diphthongs, etc.

Pimsleur's and Berlitz's CDs are both high quality and should be available for free through your library. Listen to them in the car or while you're doing chores around the house.

Without travelling to a country where it is spoken natively, or taking years of classes, the best way to learn a language is through practice - both written and spoken.

There are some websites designed to bring people with similar hobbies together, find a group in your area that meets for Spanish. (My mom does this, it helps her a lot)

Lastly, and this is the easiest and can be the most fun, listen to music in that language. Find the Spanish-language radio station, find some Spanish MP3s, borrow some Spanish CDs from your library. You don't need to know what they're saying, just listen. Hearing it spoken and sung will help with your aural comprehension.

Also, watch movies in Spanish, for the same reasons. You'll also learn cultural facts, which impacts grammar, idioms, and other expressions. Some recomendations are Abre Los Ojos, Amores Perros, Todo Sobre Mi Madre (All about my Mother, it won an Oscar), El Norte... y más. Though just as a warning, a lot of Spanish movies that make it to the mainstream U.S. market are depressing. Or artsy. They're good, just not necessarily feel good. Though Como Agua para Chocolate (Like Water for Chocolate) is a love story...


I don't have the time to help you online, that's what all these other volunteers are for, but these are some things you can do on your own and the more you practice, then better you'll be able to speak it.

/qualifications include 10 years of Spanish classes ending with a B.A. in the language.

 

[SuthernCumfort]

this is for Agony. I have family that are spanish and they are americans. it makes no sense that they have no rights. They are people too. But I do wish to learn the language as a hobby and i think its completly ok to do so.

im not a bitch but to be honest your statement, being your own opinion of course was a little off handed.

but thank you for your imput. I think its great that we can express our opinions without getting punished for it.


Thank each and every one of yall for your input and please keep it coming im having a great time learning

 

[bailadora]

IMO - if they are in america THEY NEED TO LEARN OUR LANGUAGE! not the other way around. Tell them if they want to live here, learn to understand what WE say.

Where the fuck does this come from? I have family who were born here on American soil and who can understand and speak English, but feel more comfortable communicating in Spanish. And for your information, Puerto Rico is a US territory where Spanish is the dominant language.

That being said, I think it's admirable SC wants to learn more Spanish. For one, it helps to know the language when traveling in Spanish speaking countries, instead of expecting the locals to know English. And you probably aren't aware that being multilingual is a HUGE advantage in the job market. And with the interconnectivity of the global economy, more Americans would do better to pull their heads out of their asses, lose their xenophobic tendencies, and become more appreciative of multiple cultures and languages instead of expecting the rest of the world to cater to us because "we're Americans, by God".

For fuck's sake, no wonder we've got the reputation abroad for being "Ugly Americans."

 

[Sleazy19]

Where the fuck does this come from? I have family who were born here on American soil and who can understand and speak English, but feel more comfortable communicating in Spanish. And for your information, Puerto Rico is a US territory where Spanish is the dominant language.

That being said, I think it's admirable SC wants to learn more Spanish. For one, it helps to know the language when traveling in Spanish speaking countries, instead of expecting the locals to know English. And you probably aren't aware that being multilingual is a HUGE advantage in the job market. And with the interconnectivity of the global economy, more Americans would do better to pull their heads out of their asses, lose their xenophobic tendencies, and become more appreciative of multiple cultures and languages instead of expecting the rest of the world to cater to us because "we're Americans, by God".

For fuck's sake, no wonder we've got the reputation abroad for being "Ugly Americans."

Well said!

 

[bailadora]

Well, I probably came across as a bit harsh, but ASG unknowingly pushed one of my hot buttons. I live on the Gulf Coast and there is a lot of negativity and bigotry directed towards those of Latin culture or origin. In my neck of the woods, if you say the word immigrant, alot of people immediately assume the person is an illegal "wetback" out to cheat the American system.

It seems to me that people who live in a country that was founded and built by immigrants from all over the world would be just a bit more tolerant and understanding, but there you have it.

 

[wellnow]

Well, I probably came across as a bit harsh, but ASG unknowingly pushed one of my hot buttons. I live on the Gulf Coast and there is a lot of negativity and bigotry directed towards those of Latin culture or origin. In my neck of the woods, if you say the word immigrant, alot of people immediately assume the person is an illegal "wetback" out to cheat the American system.

It seems to me that people who live in a country that was founded and built by immigrants from all over the world would be just a bit more tolerant and understanding, but there you have it.

¡Todo lo contrario! As an expat, born and raised in a cotton patch in the delta, spent a lot of time on the Golf Coast, I have lived in a Spanish speaking country for 36 years. When I visit the US, which isn't often, I speak much more Spanish than English, in hotels, restaurants, shopping, etc. It makes for a much more enjoyable vacation.

To get back on topic, I would recommend that you go to a Spanish speaking country for as long a period as you can. You can usually find work teaching English. and spend you free time immersed in the language. As much as I now love Spanish, I would never have learned it while living in the US. Languages aren't easy for English speakers. We seldom HAVE to speak any other language. We can always find someone who speaks English. I'm sure that AgonySceneGirl and others with the same mentality would come to the country that I live in and:
- Complain loudly that the people here should learn English
if they want visitors.
- Shout at them in English to make them understand and all the other ugly
American traits.

Good luck, SuthernCumfort. You will never regret having learned an additional language. IMO, it is a cultural experience that will change you forever. It is much more than simple communication.

 

[juan is here]

......

 

[Sleazy19]

Hola Mi amor,

You can send me a Pm and i will assit you in learning some conversational spanish.

Besos

Juan in Phx

p.s. saludos a todas las chicas bonita en este sitio.

Hola Juan

 

[bailadora]

¡Todo lo contrario!

Muchas gracias, senor.

As much as I now love Spanish, I would never have learned it while living in the US. Languages aren't easy for English speakers. We seldom HAVE to speak any other language. We can always find someone who speaks English.

I agree that it can be a challenge for those whose first language is English to learn Spanish, but I don't think it's impossible. IMHO, a lot of it is going to depend on the individual's dedication and determination. The resources are there, you just have to dedicate some time and effort in finding them.

Good luck, SuthernCumfort. You will never regret having learned an additional language. IMO, it is a cultural experience that will change you forever. It is much more than simple communication.

iPor supuesto!

 

[Laila88]

.....

 

[RockChick07]

Plain BS!

IMO - if they are in america THEY NEED TO LEARN OUR LANGUAGE! not the other way around. Tell them if they want to live here, learn to understand what WE say.

Wow... that all I can say.... how ignorant for a person to think this way. How VERY IGNORANT! It very sad how people actually think this way. IM VERY HONORED of Spanish being my FIRST language. You might not think it an important thing, but you are very wrong. I have family who get pay tons of money for being able to be fluent in both SPANISH and English. I take your comment to heart, because both my parents don’t speak English and yet they are the most wonderful person in the world not being fluent in English isn’t the biggest shit in the world. And NO they didn’t fucking learn how to speak English and that doesn’t mean morans like you have to fucking discriminate them. They raised us to be good human beings, they fucking had food in our table, and THEY DIDNT needs English for that. Unlike other Americans who do speak English yet, they cant fucking feed their kids! You're a big fucking TOOL! And yeah think I'm a bitch, I don’t care I stand up for what I believe! CARAJO!!!!