BajaNomad

How do you expand your Spanish?

Gypsy Jan - 3-24-2006 at 08:47 PM

I mean, what's your history/best method of expanding your understanding of the Spanish language?

I can't resist this, "Inquiring minds interested in latin countries want to know."

:):):):):)

[Edited on 3-25-2006 by Gypsy Jan]

woody with a view - 3-24-2006 at 08:54 PM

immersion therapy.............

Dave - 3-24-2006 at 09:29 PM

Read the newspaper, everyday. Sound out the words. Don't look up words you don't know. Instead, try and associate those you do with phrases in other articles and/or those describing photos. You'll eventually piece it together. Then use what you have learned in conversation

Watch Spanish TV or listen to radio and rent familiar films in Spanish. (Turn off the English subtitles.)

You'll be amazed at how quickly your vocabulary will expand.

Tomas Tierra - 3-24-2006 at 10:11 PM

Spanish soap operas seem to very easy to follow and very predictable, also Spanish love songs...But I agree with the Woodman, go deep and hang out with the locals, you will have no choice but to learn..
Mi's dos centavos!

bajajudy - 3-25-2006 at 07:04 AM

Before we moved here, we used to watch the nightly news in English then Spanish. It seemed that knowing in advance the general idea helped get the sense of what is being said.

The soap operas are another good TV source. Just remember that Mexican soap operas end. We were watching one back in the states and went on vacation; when we came back it was over. We never found out what happened to Maria:(

Now I walk out my door and talk to someone. I also pick up the local papers often and try to make my way through without the help of the dict. then go back and look up words I cant figure out....the Lencho way.

Bruce R Leech - 3-25-2006 at 08:11 AM

you must communicate with some one that only speaks Spanish on a daily bases.

this is the single most important thing you can do

Oso - 3-25-2006 at 08:16 AM

All of the above. Except I can't stand soap operas in any language. If you have the chance, watch "Bienvenidos", a comedy skit show from Venezuela. It's usually on Univision. The language is fairly standardized and usually spoken clearly unless the skit is very "regional". Many of the jokes are recognizable and if you don't get it, there'll be another one in a minute. No long plots to get involved in and lose the thread. Very funny and some nice eye candy too.:spingrin:

Bruce R Leech - 3-25-2006 at 08:24 AM

Mexican Karaoke is a very fun way to pick up some Spanish.

I get the ad from the Indio Pep Boy's

neilm - 3-25-2006 at 02:15 PM

and try to associate the names of tools and parts that I recognize.... I thought 'sierra' was a mounain, but it's also the word for a saw... 'vatios' are watts...
Quote:
Originally posted by Bruce R Leech
you must communicate with some one that only speaks Spanish on a daily bases.

this is the single most important thing you can do


I think you're right, Bruce, I could get a job at a local McDonald's or Del Taco - no hable ingles alli.

Neil

[Edited on 3-25-2006 by neilm]

Oso - 3-25-2006 at 03:17 PM

Not mountain, mountain range- think about it visually- sawtooth pattern, series of peaks... See the link?

Oso - 3-25-2006 at 03:32 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by lencho
Quote:
Originally posted by OsoAll of the above. Except I can't stand soap operas in any language.


Ha, I love 'em. Self-indulgence to an extreme-- where else can one vicariously share a variety of experience that most "normal" folks never see in a lifetime, all in 1/2 hour?

If I had a TV I'd probably even watch them... ;>

By the way, have y'all noticed the skin tone of most the actors in the soaps shown on TV in Mexico, a predominantly mestizo culture?

--Larry


You and my wife :rolleyes:

I refer to them as "Screaming b-tches shows". At least 70% of the dialogue consists of some b-tch screaming about something, usually about how the poor/honest/beautiful servant girl will never get away with stealing her son/fiance etc.

Dave - 3-25-2006 at 07:01 PM

More fun stuff:

Spanish edition of Scrabble.

Spanish crossword puzzles. (Crucigramas)

Capt. George - 3-26-2006 at 12:26 PM

practica, practica

don't be afraid to try! Mexicanos very helpful and appreciate us trying.

TV, movies with sub-titles (both ways)...

hand held translators.....as stated above immersion...Capt. George

Bruce R Leech - 3-26-2006 at 12:41 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Capt. George
practica, practica

don't be afraid to try! Mexicanos very helpful and appreciate us trying.

TV, movies with sub-titles (both ways)...

hand held translators.....as stated above immersion...Capt. George


TV, movies with sub-titles (both ways)...

I find these to be vary sloppy translations . usually they cant even get the title of the movies right.

comitan - 3-26-2006 at 12:52 PM

Learning new words is good, but the real challenge is understanding what they are saying to you. Also making them understand the new words you've learned after you've repeated them 5 times and they still don't understand.

[Edited on 3-26-2006 by comitan]

Oso - 3-26-2006 at 01:11 PM

Movie titles and sub-titles are rarely verbatim in either direction. Subtitles attempt to keep the gist of the dialogue going within the time frame of the scene. Titles often have no relation at all to the original but are "re-named" and chosen for their ability to attract interest in the second language market.

And I only watch telenovelas inadvertantly for the time it takes me to get out of the room. Well, unless there's a scene with Thalia or Maribel Guardia, and then it depends on what they're wearing...

Oso,

neilm - 3-26-2006 at 02:59 PM

yeah, I got that one..

One that suprised me is 'derecho' for 'right' - seems to work for legal rights and right turns...

Neil
Quote:
Originally posted by Oso
Not mountain, mountain range- think about it visually- sawtooth pattern, series of peaks... See the link?


[Edited on 3-26-2006 by neilm]

Oso - 3-26-2006 at 06:41 PM

Wrong. Derecho is either the study of law or "straight ahead". Un derecho is a right such as free speech and una vuelta a la derecha is a turn to the right.

Roberto - 3-27-2006 at 11:28 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Oso
Wrong. Derecho is either the study of law or "straight ahead". Un derecho is a right such as free speech and una vuelta a la derecha is a turn to the right.


What about, e.g. "un tequila ... derecho". Does that work? I swear I've heard the usage.

Oso - 3-27-2006 at 12:34 PM

Yeah, that's "straight".:tumble:

Roberto - 3-27-2006 at 02:46 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Braulio
Solo and puro are more common for straight drinks - but then "tequila puro" has kind of another meaning - like all agave Tequila


Yeah, I've used puro Tequila - I seem to get the right stuff, anyway. How do the Mexicanos order a shot of Tequila (or anything else)?

Ya learn something everyday

neilm - 3-27-2006 at 03:39 PM

Glad we got around to important linguistic activities - how to properly order tequila!

Neil
Quote:
Originally posted by Oso
Wrong. Derecho is either the study of law or "straight ahead". Un derecho is a right such as free speech and una vuelta a la derecha is a turn to the right.

bajajudy - 3-27-2006 at 04:03 PM

It is un drago de tequila, isnt it?

Oso - 3-27-2006 at 04:17 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by bajajudy
It is un drago de tequila, isnt it?


That's "trago", but not a particularly elegant way to say it. A trago could be chugged straight out of the bottle as certain uncouth ruffians known as "the crazy brothers" are wont to do...:lol:

What you're looking for is " Una copa de tequila".

Oso - 3-27-2006 at 04:18 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Braulio
Derechito'll work - but it sounds kind of anglicized to me (what do you think Oso?).

Solo and puro are more common for straight drinks - but then "tequila puro" has kind of another meaning - like all agave Tequila - so you'd probably want to use something else like solo or derecho with that one.

I've also heard neto used in bars too - I always figured it came from neat.


Don't see the anglo angle, seems pretty common usage. I've also heard "derechito" as in " straight ahead a short distance" and "Derecho, derecho" as in "straight ahead, a farther distance".

Often, when ordering a drink neat (common for tequila, unusual for rum, but that's how I like really good rum like Ron Potosi) the waiter will ask "?La pura copa?" or "?La copa sola?" to make sure he got it right.

Not familiar with "neto" but "La Neta" is slang for "the truth", so it looks like a connection there.

[Edited on 3-27-2006 by Oso]

Oso - 3-27-2006 at 04:41 PM

Una turista gringa queria entrar a una catedral en "chorts y tube top". Un sacristan bloqueaba la puerta, diciendo que no.

"?Como negar entrada?", dice la gringa, "?Yo tener derecha divina!"

"Tambien la izquierda." dice el sacristan, "pero si quieres 'el derecho' de entrar a la iglesia, tienes que ponerte mas ropa."

bajajudy - 3-27-2006 at 04:46 PM

Como esta hermana loca? Oso

Oso - 3-27-2006 at 04:49 PM

Judy,
Looking forward to meeting you at one of the next "prayer meetings":lol:

Oso - 3-27-2006 at 07:26 PM

Have never tasted "legal" Bacanora, although the unpaid gummint tax variety is quite common here. It's essentially the same as tequila but few observe rituals with lemon and salt. Mostly we just chug a slug from a 2 liter pepsi bottle.:lol:

Bacanora - on the shelves

Gypsy Jan - 3-27-2006 at 08:44 PM

at the Calimax in Rosarito.

Bottles; liters and half literd with all the proper governmental stamps.

I haven't tasted it either.

Oso - 3-28-2006 at 07:33 AM

Un trago just means a drink- could be anything. Pisto is booze in general, no particular kind of serving. Pistear is to drink anything alcoholic.

Dave - 3-28-2006 at 09:56 AM

Un tequilita.

Tomas Tierra - 3-28-2006 at 10:09 AM

El Oso, una pregunta.

While on the subject of drinking....
I was given my nickname "Tomas Tierra" By some mexican buddies in El Rosario years ago...My real name Tom Land is the literal translation..

But...tomas tierra in spanish means exactly what??

would you like a drink of dirt??
I drank dirt??
I have been trying to figure this out for some time..and have never asked an english speaker that speaks good spanish...Ayudan me por favor!

The dirt drinker (I think?)

bajajudy - 3-28-2006 at 10:19 AM

The verb tomar actually means to take.

You take dirt.

Tomas Tierra - 3-28-2006 at 10:28 AM

wow..
not nearly as romantic...somany times you are asked "y para tomar" and it is in reference to your chioce of drink..hardly ever "y para bebir"...

bajajudy - 3-28-2006 at 10:37 AM

Well TT I guess that it is your choice whether you want to be you drink dirt or you take dirt...really the same idea.

bajajudy - 3-28-2006 at 10:38 AM

AND Tomas with a big T is a real name.

Tomas Tierra - 3-28-2006 at 11:48 AM

Judy...

:saint:A saints name no less:saint:

I think it's drink dirt....seems like when I get to the end of the Pta San Carlos road and see my fisherman buddies and they say "Tomas Tierra?", I think, well, lets see,all that moon dust, and all that beer. yeah i guess i did drink some dirt!:lol:

A gritty beer sounds pretty good!

[Edited on 3-28-2006 by Tomas Tierra]

Oso - 3-28-2006 at 04:30 PM

I wouldn't read too much into it, it's a pretty mild joke. I'm assuming they are giving the name an approximation of the English pronunciation with the stress on the first rather than the second syllable.

As usual, I have a joke about it...

A gorr?n goes into a cantina, sees an acquaintance and says "Hola Manuel, te manda saludos tu amigo, el gringo Tomas " (TOHmas)

Manuel doesn't know who he is talking about and asks, "?Que Tomas?"

"Un tequilita, gracias."

Tomar can be interpreted as "to drink "- ?Y de tomar, que? or "to take", but as in English, this can be to take a pill, to take antibiotics, etc. Not exactly drinking or "eating" in English, but it does involve swallowing. So, I would say a closer interprtation of "?Tomas tierra?" would be "Do you eat dirt?"

"?Y de tomar que?" from a waitperson means they are asking what you want to drink with your food. "?Que tomas?" (What are you drinking?) from a bartender means "What'll you have?" (but you're paying for it), whereas from anyone not working there, it's usually an invitation- they are offering to buy a round.

Tomas Tierra - 3-28-2006 at 08:57 PM

Grover:

Si`mon, yo conosco el...from the Mag and the point.
It was a sad day when they dragged his red Volks. van off the point..place hasn't been the same since..'cept for the wind!

Tomas Tierra - 3-28-2006 at 09:14 PM

And thank you Oso! great explanation, and funny joke..