BajaNomad - HELP!!!! I need a translator!!

HELP!!!! I need a translator!!

Bajagypsy - 8-25-2007 at 06:24 PM

Being from Canada my Spanish is limited. I am trying to learn a little bit each day, but I want to make sure I understand this email, could someone please translate for us?????

Here is the email we received:

"claro que si estoy trabajando. Si Tengo tanques y bcd y reguladores para rentar."

I think it means that we can rent two tanks a bcd and a reg for diving am I correct???

fdt - 8-25-2007 at 06:29 PM

It says:
"of course I'm working. Yes, I have tanks and bcd and regulators to rent"

Bajagypsy - 8-25-2007 at 06:31 PM

Thank you fdt, I wasn't sure abot the first part, but was pretty certain that I had the second part correct.

Now one more favour, I would like to reply in Spanish.

How would I say "Thank you for the reply, we will see you then?"

[Edited on 8-26-2007 by Bajagypsy]

fdt - 8-25-2007 at 06:36 PM

Gracias por tu respuesta, nos vemos entonces.
Saludos y gracias
Bajagypsy

I even signed it for you

Bajagypsy - 8-25-2007 at 06:41 PM

Thank you so very much. I promise I will learn more spanish!!!

fdt - 8-25-2007 at 06:45 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Bajagypsy
I promise I will learn more spanish!!!

Ok, I now have it in writing.

shari - 8-26-2007 at 09:57 AM

Dont forget to tell Ricardo (Juan's cousin) that you are our amigos and vecinos (neighbours)...just a heads up, they are very cristian so don't offer em booze!and you can say Nos vemos pronto...see ya soon

Bajagypsy - 8-26-2007 at 10:01 AM

Shari we totaly will tell them we are your amigos and vedcinos, and thanks for the heads up about the booze, you know us Canadians tend to be a bit drinky :smug:

bajamigo - 8-26-2007 at 10:37 AM

Ferna, BB2005 and I are trying to learn the language, too. We've been told several times to watch Mexican TV, but it's hard to distinguish the words, at least on the shows we're watching. Any recommendations for a kind of "Sesame Street" for adults or other shows that would help us learn faster?

bajajudy - 8-26-2007 at 10:57 AM

The Simpsons

And the news. Since you may know some of the things happening from watching the news in English.

Before we moved down here, we watched our local news, then national news, then the news in Spanish.

[Edited on 8-26-2007 by bajajudy]

Bajagypsy - 8-26-2007 at 11:05 AM

I totaly need a Sesame Street for adults course, Shari, maybe you should start a Sesame Street BCS?!!

fdt - 8-26-2007 at 11:19 AM

Well bajamigo, you're on the right track, I never went to school in the US or took any english classes or courses, I was lucky enough to have been raised in Tijuana, a border town as you know and back then television was aside from just black and white (my kids will differ with my opinion of having limmited TV), basicaly null in Tijuana, the only channel was 12 in Spanish, everything else was channels 6, 8 or 10 from San Diego or 7,11 or 13 from Los Angeles, we got those because we live up a hill, and back then of course there was no cable except for the one comming down from the antena on the roof. So I really don't know when I learned english, it just happened, I was taught by Johny Downs, Popeye, Hobo Kelly, Sheriff John, to name a few. I have no idea were I learned to write in English or read the language, it just happened and it's all because of TV.
They say (who the hell are they and what do they know anyway) that kids or very young humans can pick up languages easier than older humans and this may be true, but I believe that if you were to eliminate totaly your English radio and TV and just listen to Spanish, you will have to learn. I recommend canal 11 from Mexico City http://www.oncetv.ipn.mx/ we get it in Tijuana and it should be available in Ensenada, it's public television, listen to Spanish radio stations and Spanish songs and you will learn. Oh and very importantly, novelas, mexican soap operas, that would really help.
Try to talk to the non English speaking people in Spanish, if you don't know the words, they will surely help you.
Immerse yourself totaly in the language and you will learn.
saludos
fernando

fdt - 8-26-2007 at 11:24 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Bajagypsy
I totaly need a Sesame Street for adults course, Shari, maybe you should start a Sesame Street BCS?!!

It's been on for years, plaza sesamo.

DENNIS - 8-26-2007 at 12:57 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by bajamigo
Any recommendations for a kind of "Sesame Street" for adults or other shows that would help us learn faster?

Well, it isn't Sesame Street but if you watch the Ensenada news stations, you'll learn a lot about breasts falling out of halter tops.
So, what would be your choice? Iraq or breasts?

bajamigo - 8-26-2007 at 01:37 PM

I'm thinking, I'm thinking..........

Barry A. - 8-26-2007 at 01:48 PM

Shari------I'm a Christian, and I seldom pass up the offer of a good drink (or 2) :lol:

Anybody that would be offended by my offering them a drink is way too "picky" for my taste. They simply have to say, "no thank you". :yes:

DianaT - 8-26-2007 at 02:10 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by fdt
Sheriff John, to name a few.

Fernando,

One of my absolute favorites---Sheriff John along with Crusader Rabbit and Rags. However, I am not as thrilled these days with "Put another candle on your birthday cake..."

We don't have TV at our place in Bahia Asuncion, but we are listening to more Spanish on TV here and on the radio. Besides, there are so few people in BA who speak English, it is forcing us to learn more Spanish----a good thing. When we learn a new word or phrase, we try to use it right away and write it down---it helps.

Also, when we leave BA and are in hotels, we like to watch English movies with Spanish subtitles---it helps.

Gypsy, down there everyone will help. It has been really fun because people like our builder, the workers, and shop owners also want to learn English, so we trade words and politely model and correct each other. I read more Spanish than I speak, and understand more than I can put together---but I just keep trying.

Diane

Bajagypsy - 8-26-2007 at 02:54 PM

I always find when I'm down in Baja, I understand alot more than I'm confident in replying! I quess I'll just have to reply, and hope that I'm saying what I think I'm saying instead of insulting someone!!!

bajamigo - 8-26-2007 at 03:52 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by lencho

Quote:

Originally posted by bajamigo
Ferna, BB2005 and I are trying to learn the language, too. We've been told several times to watch Mexican TV, but it's hard to distinguish the words, at least on the shows we're watching. Any recommendations

Consume moderate amounts of your favorite ethanol mixture when you watch Mexican TV.

I'm serious. One of the biggest problems with adult second language learners is relaxing enough to not worry that they don't understand what people are talking about, and simply go with the sound and get used to it. TV is a great source of passive material, ie you don't HAVE to perform or respond in reaction to what's coming at you, so you can let it flow over you without getting stuck on figuring things out or trying to respond...

--Larry

I completely believe you. It makes a lot of sense. When I started my 5-year tour of duty with the Air Force in a remote part of Germany, I found a cognac and cola or two to be a great tongue-loosening formula. After a year or so, I spoke great German (and still do).

DENNIS - 8-26-2007 at 04:24 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by jdtrotter

One of my absolute favorites---Sheriff John along with Crusader Rabbit and Rags. However, I am not as thrilled these days with "Put another candle on your birthday cake...":
Diane

Gee whiz, my heroes are lost here. What happened to Beany and Cecil, Captain Horatio Huffnpuff et. al.?
Those were the days.

woody with a view - 8-26-2007 at 04:39 PM

Quote:

Captain Horatio Huffnpuff

H.R. Puffnstuff????

DianaT - 8-26-2007 at 04:49 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by DENNIS

Quote:

Gee whiz, my heroes are lost here. What happened to Beany and Cecil, Captain Horatio Huffnpuff et. al.?
Those were the days.

Ah yes, even enjoyed the old test patterns---but Dennis, I don't think Engineer Bill would have approved you playing red light green light with your Pacificos. :tumble:

We have tried watching some cartoons in Spanish, but they tend to speak too quickly.

Diane

DENNIS - 8-26-2007 at 04:53 PM

No, Woody..........HuffnPuff. Horatio HuffnPuff. That was on the "Time For Beany" show.
Before your time, Woodman.

woody with a view - 8-26-2007 at 04:55 PM

Quote:

Before your time, Woodman.

much...

DENNIS - 8-26-2007 at 05:10 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by jdtrotter
Ah yes, even enjoyed the old test patterns---but Dennis, I don't think Engineer Bill would have approved you playing red light green light with your Pacificos. :tumble:

We have tried watching some cartoons in Spanish, but they tend to speak too quickly.

Diane

Don't think so, Diane? I've done "Red Light-Green Light" a million times with Pacifico's and it's still fun.
As for the cartoon problem.....you should put them on slow-motion so you could understand the words. The only problem with that method is that it would take two hours out of your life to see the mouse avoid the cat.

Seems as though you're up and running at your house, internet-wise, 'cause your responses are quick. Good for you guys.
Or, am I not paying attention and you arn't down here.....

Whatever..........I enjoy your company here a lot.

DENNIS - 8-26-2007 at 05:12 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by woody in ob

much... :lol:

Respect your elders, :yes:

DianaT - 8-26-2007 at 05:45 PM

Quote:

Or, am I not paying attention and you arn't down here.....

Bingo---can't wait to get back, but then it is the slow Internet Cafe for a while.

Diane and Dishonest John, for at least one Halloween that is who he was---

PS---we are trying to remember which of the Captains was kicked off the air for the famous comment when he thought the cameras were off????

Now we need to translate this into Spanish as to not hijack the thread---I know, we can talk about why Soupy Sales was kicked off----it is the same in both languages.

DENNIS - 8-26-2007 at 06:39 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by jdtrotter

PS---we are trying to remember which of the Captains was kicked off the air for the famous comment when he thought the cameras were off????

I think that was Captain Kangaroo.
I'm digging for a paper in my mountan of stuff that tells of Lee marvin on a talk show, responding to a question about his heroism during WW2. He played it down with admirable modesty although he was awarded a Silver Star and he proceeded to tell of two of his colleagues who were, in his estimation, much more deserving of acclaimation than he. They were also awarded Stars, for good reason.
The first was Keershan [again SP], Captain Kangaroo, for unreal heroism in combat. The clown we saw on TV was the last thing a lot of the enemy ever saw. He had a giant pair.
The second, and the most surprising to me, was Fred Rodgers. Mr. Rodgers. Remember his neighborhood?
Rodgers was a Ranger who saw it ALL. He was also a religeous man who vowed to never follow his past and took the cloth of his selection. He joined the faithful path he had always aspired. On his shows, Mr.Rodgers Neighborhood, he always wore long sleeved atire to hide the tatoos he had aquired during the war. This man was highly decorated. I give him one more for pointing out that, you really never know who you're talking to.

Bajalero - 8-26-2007 at 07:06 PM

Sabado Gigante

Use closed captioning . " EL Tigre " speaks slow enough that even a Canadian can understand! :lol:

It's actually a decent show too.

Your only other choice is to show up at a bilingual AA meeting with a case of Tecate

More entertaining than Rosetta Stone

lero

DENNIS - 8-26-2007 at 07:16 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Bajalero
Your only other choice is to show up at a bilingual AA meeting with a case of Tecate

lero

There has to be a place here for "Classic Posts."
This one qualifies.

Dennis

DianaT - 8-26-2007 at 07:29 PM

I loved Mr. Rodgers. What amazed me was how with his soft voice and personality, he just captivated my VERY active pre-schooler. That pre-schooler is now 40---then again, I was 5 when he was born. :tumble:

Also, one of my all time favorite Robin Williams routines was his take-off on Mr. Rodgers. :yes:

Just think if we had those things we sent away for back then, the Captain Jet decoder ring, the official Hoppy badge, on and on----would have retired sooner.

Gypsy, you mentioned just needing to go for it and try out your Spanish. My experience has consistently been that people really appreciate your attempt and will patiently work with you. I think we all hesitate because we know we don't exactly sound very educated----but at least with age comes the I don't care as much any more about those things, so I just go for it.

Diane

Roberto - 8-26-2007 at 07:34 PM

Rodgers? Was that his name?

DianaT - 8-26-2007 at 07:37 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Roberto
Rodgers? Was that his name?

vacaenbaja - 8-26-2007 at 10:38 PM

I had a French teacher in college that said on the first and only day that she would not allow anyone to speak or hear englishin class. That to use a dictionary was an automatic fail, to speak english in class is a
fail. Essentially on that first day she showed us several phrases like "what is this called" "yes" "No" basicly the questions that you used when you were learning your first languge. In this way you learn to think in the words of the language you are learning rather than cumbersomely trying to translate your way through .

DENNIS - 8-26-2007 at 10:53 PM

Jeezo........

If we just had Snopes when I formed my opinions in life. Snopes calls all the Rogers crap, just that. The first impression holds true. He was a broadway dancer.

[Edited on 8-27-2007 by DENNIS]

Oso - 8-27-2007 at 08:17 AM

All a matter of taste. Personally, I can't stand Don Francisco and "Sabado Interminable". For painless absorption of the language I would recommend "Bienvenidos" if available in your area. This is a one hour comedy skit show from Venezuela with a likeable ensemble of actors. The jokes are most often "adult" in nature with a lot of the "Husband comes home, finds guy in the closet" variety. Most of the skits are very short, the situations easy to identify with the props and costumes. Unless it's a regional dialect joke, the Spanish is usually standard and clear and there is some really nice "eye candy", especially when they do their annual on location beach show. You won't "get" all the jokes (I don't), but you'll figure out enough of them to enjoy the show and it'll get better as your ear gets accustomed.

shari - 8-27-2007 at 08:26 AM

When I taught English in Guerrero Negro, I would take my classes to the bar/pool hall when my english friends were visiting...they learned and retained way more in one night of drinking and playing pool than a whole semester of classes! On fridays at the private classes, they would bring a 6 pack and we would play cards and board games and had a blast and of course they learned much better having fun! I have designed my immersion programs on the FUN LEARNING technique.

DENNIS - 8-27-2007 at 10:30 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by shari
When I taught English in Guerrero Negro, I would take my classes to the bar/pool hall when my english friends were visiting...they learned and retained way more in one night of drinking and playing pool than a whole semester of classes! On fridays at the private classes, they would bring a 6 pack and we would play cards and board games and had a blast and of course they learned much better having fun! I have designed my immersion programs on the FUN LEARNING technique.

Definitly my kind of teacher.

Bajagypsy - 8-27-2007 at 10:35 AM

Quote:

I do everything better after a few drinks!! :lol: