Sunday 2 August 2015

Using Spanish abroad

It is no wonder Spanish is fast becoming the language to learn, with over 400 million people speaking it. That's more than the whole population of the USA! It is used as the official language in 21 countries, so statistically speaking 11% of the world use it on a daily basis.


Source: http://goodpixgallery.com/flags-of-spanish-speaking-countries-photos/

Why you should make an effort


You are in a foreign country, it is the polite thing to do. Whether the locals can speak your language or not, it is still always preferable to speak to them in their own language where possible, even if you can only say the basics. I guarantee they will appreciate this gesture and you will feel good for making an attempt. As you become more confident, you can try new phrases.


Furthermore you can't assume that everyone will speak English or another language, and you might just need help in a sticky situation. Recently in Barcelona, I heard the French couple in front of me talking about what bus to get to the airport. From listening I could tell they were about to get on the bus to the wrong terminal. I didn't want them to miss their flight so told them in French that they needed to get the other bus. Knowing I had helped someone made me feel happy. In the interests of disclosure, I am a polyglot so it was easy for me to do so. But even if I had only known some French I still would have tried.


I haven't yet been to Latin America, but I know from living in Spain that the Spanish are very proud of their language. The majority of the time, and especially outside tourist areas, they will always speak to you in Spanish, even if they can tell you are foreign. Why? Because to them, their language is a huge part of their culture. They appreciate when foreigners make an attempt to communicate with them in their language, more so than any other country I have been to. I may be wrong, but I get the impression Latin Americans would also react in the same way. I certainly hope so anyway!



Source: https://www.pinterest.com/saundzcom/inspiring-language-quotes/

Tips for using Spanish


- Before your trip use the website www.duolingo.com to get you up to speed on the basics. Be careful though as the Spanish they teach you contains many Latin American words that may not be understood in Spain and vice versa.


- There are many other websites and Youtube videos you can watch to help you learn some phrases. Find one that suits how much you want to learn.


- Get a cheap language guide, even the small one would help you. Sometimes, charity shops have these at really cheap prices. Avoid buying at the airport as you will pay a lot more for one. If not, use the Internet to find some phrases you may need and write them down. I'd start by searching greetings, asking for help, asking how much something is and asking for directions.


- Make the flight time pass quickly by practising phrases, remember the pronunciation is easy as most words sound the way they are written. Small tip : the h is always silent so to say hello we say "ola" instead of "hola".


- Listen to the locals use their language - how does someone ask for the bill? how do they order a beer? Or if you're a beginner how do they say hello/goodbye? With Spanish, it is probably easier to pick up on the spot than many other languages.


- If you are unsure of a word, ask whoever you are speaking to ¿Cómo se dice (insert word) en Español? Then by learning it, you will know it for next time.


- Be prepared to make errors but don't let it affect your confidence. It's part and parcel of learning a new language.

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