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General Discussion => Essentially Flyertalk => Topic started by: CNS on February 23, 2011, 12:15:07 PM

Title: Wanting to learn Spanish
Post by: CNS on February 23, 2011, 12:15:07 PM
Conversational.  Don't need to know how to read and write(already know enough of the basics)

What is the best reasonable method?

Classes or something like the Rosetta Stone stuff?

Want something that works best.  Would prefer software over classes, but also want results.

Thoughts?
Title: Re: Wanting to learn Spanish
Post by: CNS on February 23, 2011, 12:16:32 PM
Also, if software, would love if someone had a clean torrent.

TIA
Title: Re: Wanting to learn Spanish
Post by: OK_Cat on February 23, 2011, 12:16:46 PM
taco
Title: Re: Wanting to learn Spanish
Post by: steve dave on February 23, 2011, 12:17:19 PM
I torrented the french version off of piratebay.  They had all of them. 
Title: Re: Wanting to learn Spanish
Post by: OK_Cat on February 23, 2011, 12:18:02 PM
chimichanga
Title: Re: Wanting to learn Spanish
Post by: stunted on February 23, 2011, 12:23:31 PM
Mexican GF
Title: Re: Wanting to learn Spanish
Post by: OK_Cat on February 23, 2011, 12:23:44 PM
chalupa
Title: Re: Wanting to learn Spanish
Post by: pissclams on February 23, 2011, 12:26:07 PM
i took a conversational spanish class at umkc.  the class met at the westport coffee shop.  it was about 10 spanish fuckers speaking spanish.  20 mins or so after the class started, i pretended i had a cell phone call and excused myself and went outside to take my call.   i then walked down the street to Kelly's and got drunk.   never went back to that stupid ass class.

my vote would go to rosetta stone.


Title: Re: Wanting to learn Spanish
Post by: TheFormerKCCat on February 23, 2011, 01:09:01 PM
Best way = immerse yourself for an extended period of time in a Spanish-speaking place (e.g. the Rio Grande Valley, Costa Rica, or someplace tropical or exotic)

Easiest way = combo of software and classes.  I've heard o.k. things about Rosetta Stone, but can't verify personally.  Sometimes nonprofit organizations offer classes for conversational Spanish, you could also volunteer at one that works with many Spanish-speakers.

¡Buena suerte!
Title: Re: Wanting to learn Spanish
Post by: CNS on February 23, 2011, 01:17:02 PM
Yeah, basically everything outside of classes or software is unreasonable.  I have a job and family.  Can't go hang out in TX for a while.

I will start with the Rosetta Stone, then eat lunch at the local MX restaurant a couple times a week until it sticks. 
Title: Re: Wanting to learn Spanish
Post by: Brock Landers on February 23, 2011, 01:46:43 PM
Watch Univision all day long.
Title: Re: Wanting to learn Spanish
Post by: OK_Cat on February 23, 2011, 01:48:28 PM
gordita
Title: Re: Wanting to learn Spanish
Post by: CNS on February 23, 2011, 01:52:56 PM
I was in QT this morning and the guy behind the counter(way whiter than me) was asking the guy in front of me if he wanted his receipt IN SPANISH!!!  :surprised:  Also asked him "credit or debit", then told him "use the keypad to enter your pin code".  I assume the last two is what he said, as I don't speak spanish.   :surprised:

Made me think that if a guy at QT can learn it, I should be able to.  

I understand why he is fluent.  The QT was the one on Southwest Blvd and 31st in KC, but still....
Title: Re: Wanting to learn Spanish
Post by: sys on February 23, 2011, 02:41:56 PM
it's real easy.  just listen hard to when other people are talking in spanish.  then, when it's your turn to talk, copy how they said stuff instead of saying stuff in your normal english voice.
Title: Re: Wanting to learn Spanish
Post by: pike on February 23, 2011, 02:47:33 PM
Work in restaurants in high school and take classes in high school and college. Since it's too late for that, then IDK.
Title: Re: Wanting to learn Spanish
Post by: CNS on February 23, 2011, 02:51:01 PM
it's real easy.  just listen hard to when other people are talking in spanish.  then, when it's your turn to talk, copy how they said stuff instead of saying stuff in your normal english voice.

Tried it.

People look really mad at me when I do this.   :dunno:
Title: Re: Wanting to learn Spanish
Post by: Dr Rick Daris on February 23, 2011, 03:02:05 PM
I was in QT this morning and the guy behind the counter(way whiter than me) was asking the guy in front of me if he wanted his receipt IN SPANISH!!!  :surprised:  Also asked him "credit or debit", then told him "use the keypad to enter your pin code".  I assume the last two is what he said, as I don't speak spanish.   :surprised:

Made me think that if a guy at QT can learn it, I should be able to.  

I understand why he is fluent.  The QT was the one on Southwest Blvd and 31st in KC, but still....

i would not underestimate the IQ or work ethic of a QT employee. they are probably better than you in everyway imaginable.
Title: Re: Wanting to learn Spanish
Post by: CNS on February 23, 2011, 03:05:48 PM
I was in QT this morning and the guy behind the counter(way whiter than me) was asking the guy in front of me if he wanted his receipt IN SPANISH!!!  :surprised:  Also asked him "credit or debit", then told him "use the keypad to enter your pin code".  I assume the last two is what he said, as I don't speak spanish.   :surprised:

Made me think that if a guy at QT can learn it, I should be able to.  

I understand why he is fluent.  The QT was the one on Southwest Blvd and 31st in KC, but still....

i would not underestimate the IQ or work ethic of a QT employee. they are probably better than you in everyway imaginable.

 :lol:
Title: Re: Wanting to learn Spanish
Post by: Dr Rick Daris on February 23, 2011, 03:23:56 PM
I was in QT this morning and the guy behind the counter(way whiter than me) was asking the guy in front of me if he wanted his receipt IN SPANISH!!!  :surprised:  Also asked him "credit or debit", then told him "use the keypad to enter your pin code".  I assume the last two is what he said, as I don't speak spanish.   :surprised:

Made me think that if a guy at QT can learn it, I should be able to.  

I understand why he is fluent.  The QT was the one on Southwest Blvd and 31st in KC, but still....

i would not underestimate the IQ or work ethic of a QT employee. they are probably better than you in everyway imaginable.

 :lol:

you got me. everyway should've been two separate words. i make grammar mistakes a lot though so really not that funny imo.
Title: Re: Wanting to learn Spanish
Post by: Johnny Wichita on February 23, 2011, 03:50:07 PM
I was in QT this morning and the guy behind the counter(way whiter than me) was asking the guy in front of me if he wanted his receipt IN SPANISH!!!  :surprised:  Also asked him "credit or debit", then told him "use the keypad to enter your pin code".  I assume the last two is what he said, as I don't speak spanish.   :surprised:

Made me think that if a guy at QT can learn it, I should be able to.  

I understand why he is fluent.  The QT was the one on Southwest Blvd and 31st in KC, but still....

i would not underestimate the IQ or work ethic of a QT employee. they are probably better than you in everyway imaginable.

 :lol:

He's not joking. 
Title: Re: Wanting to learn Spanish
Post by: CNS on February 23, 2011, 03:55:35 PM
I find it disturbing that you guys put gas station employees up on such a high pedestal.

Sad, really.
Title: Re: Wanting to learn Spanish
Post by: pike on February 23, 2011, 04:10:46 PM
QT employees are the best change counters in the nation
Title: Re: Wanting to learn Spanish
Post by: sys on February 23, 2011, 04:11:39 PM
it's real easy.  just listen hard to when other people are talking in spanish.  then, when it's your turn to talk, copy how they said stuff instead of saying stuff in your normal english voice.

Tried it.

People look really mad at me when I do this.   :dunno:

yeah, they will at first.  just ignore and work at getting a little better every day.  by 2013 you'll be able to ask clients all sorts of questions about their preferred method of payment.
Title: Re: Wanting to learn Spanish
Post by: WillieWatanabe on February 23, 2011, 04:12:07 PM
I find it disturbing that you guys put gas station employees up on such a high pedestal.

Sad, really.

Did you just call QT a gas station?!

 :angry:
Title: Re: Wanting to learn Spanish
Post by: Dr Rick Daris on February 23, 2011, 04:17:36 PM
I find it disturbing that you guys put gas station employees up on such a high pedestal.

Sad, really.

so says the guy that got a degree in cns because he knew he couldn't cut ArchE. that's rich stuff right there. oh, my.  :lol:
Title: Re: Wanting to learn Spanish
Post by: ChiComCat on February 23, 2011, 04:31:37 PM
I love me some QT.  QT is way better than a gas station and anyone who says otherwise is a tard
Title: Re: Wanting to learn Spanish
Post by: CNS on February 23, 2011, 04:31:42 PM
I find it disturbing that you guys put gas station employees up on such a high pedestal.

Sad, really.

so says the guy that got a degree in cns because he knew he couldn't cut ArchE. that's rich stuff right there. oh, my.  :lol:

Don't open that closet.  It is a dark place.  Feelings could get hurt.  

 
Title: Re: Wanting to learn Spanish
Post by: pike on February 23, 2011, 04:34:50 PM
I love me some QT.  QT is way better than a gas station and anyone who says otherwise is a tard

Its a convenience store, that totally kicks ass with soft drinks and hot dogs. 
Title: Re: Wanting to learn Spanish
Post by: CNS on February 23, 2011, 04:35:00 PM
I love me some QT.  QT is way better than a gas station and anyone who says otherwise is a tard

What are those things out front of QT that always have cars pulling up to them.

Boom.

Debunked.  

SD, here is another one for your show.
Title: Re: Wanting to learn Spanish
Post by: CNS on February 23, 2011, 04:37:04 PM
it's real easy.  just listen hard to when other people are talking in spanish.  then, when it's your turn to talk, copy how they said stuff instead of saying stuff in your normal english voice.

Tried it.

People look really mad at me when I do this.   :dunno:

yeah, they will at first.  just ignore and work at getting a little better every day.  by 2013 you'll be able to ask clients all sorts of questions about their preferred method of payment.

I don't know...

2013 seems so close.   :ohno:
Title: Re: Wanting to learn Spanish
Post by: CNS on February 23, 2011, 04:42:39 PM
QT employees are the best change counters in the nation

Simple math surrounding the number 100 does not impress me.   :zzz:
Title: Re: Wanting to learn Spanish
Post by: ChiComCat on February 23, 2011, 04:44:09 PM
I love me some QT.  QT is way better than a gas station and anyone who says otherwise is a tard

What are those things out front of QT that always have cars pulling up to them.

Boom.

Debunked. 

SD, here is another one for your show.


I said its better than a gas station.  Go to a gas station and see if you can get a 60 oz fountain drink filled with an energy drink for .99.   You want the answer: YOU rough ridin' CAN'T!

Other notable things you can't get at other gas stations:
- A wide assortment of hot treats
- Enjoy a reliably clean store and more importantly, reliably clean rest room
- Intelligent, great smelling employees
Title: Re: Wanting to learn Spanish
Post by: chum1 on February 23, 2011, 07:41:22 PM
i listen to the local spanish radio station hoping to pick some up.  i can't ever tell when one word ends and the next begins, which makes it seem like it takes two minutes to enunciate a single word.  i haven't learned a thing using this method.
Title: Re: Wanting to learn Spanish
Post by: Duncan on February 24, 2011, 12:13:39 AM
(https://goemaw.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fgracethespot.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2010%2F04%2Fdora-the-explorer.jpg&hash=7074a1e4072bca240baa2191feeb61deae374c85)
Title: Re: Wanting to learn Spanish
Post by: pike on February 24, 2011, 12:16:36 AM
This guy will help you count to 3

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/cc/Bob-Knight-Nov-21-07-1.jpg
Title: Re: Wanting to learn Spanish
Post by: 0.42 on February 24, 2011, 12:40:25 AM
that picture is the inception horn of bbs'n

Title: Re: Wanting to learn Spanish
Post by: sys on February 24, 2011, 01:26:07 AM
i listen to the local spanish radio station hoping to pick some up.  i can't ever tell when one word ends and the next begins, which makes it seem like it takes two minutes to enunciate a single word.  i haven't learned a thing using this method.

watch tv.  it's amazing the difference having a face to watch makes.
Title: Re: Wanting to learn Spanish
Post by: Tobias on February 24, 2011, 06:27:04 PM
Just left the grocery and must've accidentally hit Spanish instead of English.  I didn't learn anything I didn't know, but I felt like a complete badass when I successfully self-checked out with produce, getting cash, etc while everyone looks over, surprised to see some dude white as the snow outside.
Title: Re: Wanting to learn Spanish
Post by: pike on February 24, 2011, 06:28:51 PM
that picture is the inception horn of bbs'n



lol didn't realize it would be that big
Title: Re: Wanting to learn Spanish
Post by: nicname on February 25, 2011, 03:10:21 AM
Get a job at a restaurant
Title: Re: Wanting to learn Spanish
Post by: CNS on February 25, 2011, 01:32:49 PM
Quote from: fortune cookie from lunch 
Espanol: Usted aprende algo nuevo diario

English: Don't let others discourage you.
:driving:
Title: Re: Wanting to learn Spanish
Post by: Dub on February 01, 2016, 06:09:26 PM
Has anyone learned Spanish as an adult?  How long can I expect to be conversational if I devote a good amount of time to studying/books/tapes/etc and can attempt speaking with multiple people per day.  A year?
Title: Re: Wanting to learn Spanish
Post by: michigancat on February 01, 2016, 06:33:11 PM
Has anyone learned Spanish as an adult?  How long can I expect to be conversational if I devote a good amount of time to studying/books/tapes/etc and can attempt speaking with multiple people per day.  A year?

Not sure, but I've heard duolingo is good.
Title: Re: Wanting to learn Spanish
Post by: puniraptor on February 01, 2016, 06:34:40 PM
Too easy, why even bother
Title: Re: Wanting to learn Spanish
Post by: The Big Train on February 01, 2016, 07:24:39 PM
About 5 months, but I am a very quick learner
Title: Re: Wanting to learn Spanish
Post by: star seed 7 on February 01, 2016, 07:58:49 PM
I've been flirting with this too but I start strong and then get lazy after a few days
Title: Re: Wanting to learn Spanish
Post by: CNS on February 01, 2016, 08:00:07 PM
Duolingo sends a reminder to your phone daily to shame your lazy ass.
Title: Re: Wanting to learn Spanish
Post by: star seed 7 on February 01, 2016, 08:04:45 PM
I didn't like duolingo
Title: Re: Wanting to learn Spanish
Post by: CNS on February 01, 2016, 08:06:50 PM
Was it the shaming?
Title: Re: Wanting to learn Spanish
Post by: Mrs. Gooch on February 01, 2016, 08:12:44 PM
I got an audio book to try to learn Spanish, but so far the only thing I can remember is how to ask what time it is.
Title: Re: Wanting to learn Spanish
Post by: star seed 7 on February 01, 2016, 08:14:24 PM
Was it the shaming?

No.

Maybe I should try again
Title: Re: Wanting to learn Spanish
Post by: Emo EMAW on February 02, 2016, 08:31:06 AM
If you want to learn Spanish get a roofing job or something like that. 
Title: Re: Wanting to learn Spanish
Post by: Mrs. Gooch on February 02, 2016, 08:35:12 AM
¡Buenos días!

BTW, why is it dias instead of dia? Doesn't that mean "Good mornings"?
Title: Re: Wanting to learn Spanish
Post by: Dub on February 02, 2016, 08:52:47 AM
Its probably one of those cultural idiosyncrasies
Title: Re: Wanting to learn Spanish
Post by: Mrs. Gooch on February 02, 2016, 09:02:06 AM
Actually ¡Buenos días! exactly translates to Good Day (or Good Days?) but they use it to mean "Good Morning"

Mañana mean "morning" but it also means "tomorrow"  :runaway:
Title: Re: Wanting to learn Spanish
Post by: Institutional Control on February 02, 2016, 09:17:36 AM
This thread was started 5 years ago, is it safe to assume that CNS now speaks fluent Spanish?
Title: Re: Wanting to learn Spanish
Post by: CNS on February 02, 2016, 09:40:03 AM
:curse:
Title: Re: Wanting to learn Spanish
Post by: HerrSonntag on February 02, 2016, 09:59:45 AM
Actually ¡Buenos días! exactly translates to Good Day (or Good Days?) but they use it to mean "Good Morning"

Mañana mean "morning" but it also means "tomorrow"  :runaway:
The German word morgen also means both morning and tomorrow.

Curious, i looked up the word morrow and sure enough it used to mean both tomorrow and morning!  Wowzers!
Title: Re: Wanting to learn Spanish
Post by: kso_FAN on February 02, 2016, 10:37:33 AM
My wife teaches Spanish. The older you get the harder it is to learn, and to really learn another language by far the best way is immersion.
Title: Re: Wanting to learn Spanish
Post by: Gooch on February 02, 2016, 10:39:11 AM
Can't roll my R's no chance of me speaking Spanish. :frown:
Title: Re: Wanting to learn Spanish
Post by: CNS on February 02, 2016, 10:46:27 AM
My wife teaches Spanish. The older you get the harder it is to learn, and to really learn another language by far the best way is immersion.

Is she fluent?  I have known 3 middle school and high school spanish teachers in our area and not one is fluent.  Discouraging.
Title: Re: Wanting to learn Spanish
Post by: kso_FAN on February 02, 2016, 10:51:10 AM
My wife teaches Spanish. The older you get the harder it is to learn, and to really learn another language by far the best way is immersion.

Is she fluent?  I have known 3 middle school and high school spanish teachers in our area and not one is fluent.  Discouraging.

Yes, because she spent a year as an exchange student immersed in Spanish. Most/many foreign language teachers aren't fluent because most don't get that opportunity. There is only so much you can learn taking classes and talking in another language once in a while.
Title: Re: Wanting to learn Spanish
Post by: Mrs. Gooch on February 02, 2016, 11:37:09 AM
Actually ¡Buenos días! exactly translates to Good Day (or Good Days?) but they use it to mean "Good Morning"

Mañana mean "morning" but it also means "tomorrow"  :runaway:
The German word morgen also means both morning and tomorrow.

Curious, i looked up the word morrow and sure enough it used to mean both tomorrow and morning!  Wowzers!

OK, apparently la mañana means morning and el mañana means tomorrow....I think....maybe...stupid Spanish with it's masculine and feminine ever-y-thing! It must be really hard to be transgender in a Spanish speaking country.
Title: Re: Wanting to learn Spanish
Post by: mocat on February 02, 2016, 11:42:27 AM
also dia is masculine despite ending in a  :curse:
Title: Re: Wanting to learn Spanish
Post by: CNS on February 02, 2016, 11:51:05 AM
I don't think it reasonable to ever get a full handle on that stuff.  I mean, any American's expectancy for fluency should be to max out somewhere around sounding like the stock foreign exchange student in any teen movie you can name.
Title: Re: Wanting to learn Spanish
Post by: Emo EMAW on February 02, 2016, 12:24:43 PM
Eye yam eh zex masheen
Title: Re: Wanting to learn Spanish
Post by: kso_FAN on February 02, 2016, 12:41:22 PM
I don't think it reasonable to ever get a full handle on that stuff.  I mean, any American's expectancy for fluency should be to max out somewhere around sounding like the stock foreign exchange student in any teen movie you can name.

True. My wife can detect some differences from countries/regions of south america and spain, but you can only know so much. For example, she struggled with much of the slang when translated Ourdano's tweets last year.
Title: Re: Wanting to learn Spanish
Post by: Cire on February 02, 2016, 01:07:37 PM
how much time do you need to spend each day learning?

I have duolingo and it's kind of fun to play around with but 10-20 minutes a day doesn't seem like much.
Title: Re: Wanting to learn Spanish
Post by: Mrs. Gooch on February 02, 2016, 01:59:49 PM
One of my friends just posted on Facebook a screen shot showing she is 2% fluent in French from the Duolingo app. So I'm thinking about getting it for Spanish now.
Title: Re: Wanting to learn Spanish
Post by: Mrs. Gooch on February 02, 2016, 02:06:50 PM
how much time do you need to spend each day learning?

I have duolingo and it's kind of fun to play around with but 10-20 minutes a day doesn't seem like much.

Just downloaded it. The "insane" setting is 20 minutes per day. LOL
Title: Re: Wanting to learn Spanish
Post by: star seed 7 on February 02, 2016, 03:48:40 PM
Eye yam eh zex masheen

Wud u lik 2 tuch my peness
Title: Re: Wanting to learn Spanish
Post by: Mrs. Gooch on February 02, 2016, 05:41:27 PM
I should be fluent in 50 days.

[attachment deleted by admin]
Title: Re: Wanting to learn Spanish
Post by: pissclams on February 02, 2016, 06:29:12 PM
definitely add that little nugget to your linked in profile, much more impressive than a lawn mowing service from 7th grade
Title: Re: Wanting to learn Spanish
Post by: wetwillie on February 02, 2016, 06:42:27 PM
The 1000 most frequently used words in Spanish unlock 77% of all written language and nearly 90 % of all spoken language.   I would imagine that's plenty for what most of you want to use Spanish for.
Title: Re: Wanting to learn Spanish
Post by: star seed 7 on February 02, 2016, 06:57:23 PM
you don't rough ridin' know me
Title: Re: Wanting to learn Spanish
Post by: Mrs. Gooch on February 02, 2016, 08:51:01 PM
I'm up to 6%.
However, there is a lot of stuff (i.e. h is silent) that I learned from my audiobook which Duolingo didn't explictly tell me even though I really need to know to get the pronunciations correct.
Title: Re: Wanting to learn Spanish
Post by: sys on February 02, 2016, 09:04:30 PM
For example, she struggled with much of the slang when translated Ourdano's tweets last year.

probably not so much slang as written in textpanol not actual written spanish.  and also chock full of errors/typos and whatnot.
Title: Re: Wanting to learn Spanish
Post by: CNS on February 02, 2016, 09:05:17 PM
I really like "textpanol"
Title: Re: Wanting to learn Spanish
Post by: sys on February 02, 2016, 09:07:05 PM
btw, i've gotten noticeably worse since i started living in the us full-time and my wife is mexican and we mostly converse in spanish, so i'm starting to doubt if any of you can actually get better if you continue to live in this country.
Title: Re: Wanting to learn Spanish
Post by: mocat on February 03, 2016, 07:12:04 AM
You can get better than not knowing any spanish
Title: Re: Wanting to learn Spanish
Post by: Mrs. Gooch on February 03, 2016, 08:47:09 AM
You can get better than not knowing any spanish

 :thumbs:
Title: Re: Wanting to learn Spanish
Post by: Dr Rick Daris on February 03, 2016, 08:58:42 AM
my wife is mexican and we mostly converse in spanish,

I would pay five dollars (US) a month to subscribe to a live webcam feed of the sys household.
Title: Re: Wanting to learn Spanish
Post by: Mrs. Gooch on February 03, 2016, 09:02:26 AM
btw, i've gotten noticeably worse since i started living in the us full-time and my wife is mexican and we mostly converse in spanish, so i'm starting to doubt if any of you can actually get better if you continue to live in this country.

In my audiobook, it says people in Mexico (or maybe all Spanish speaking countries) stand close to each other when talking. It is rude to stand far away like in the US. Is this true?
Title: Re: Wanting to learn Spanish
Post by: Dr Rick Daris on February 03, 2016, 09:04:39 AM
btw, i've gotten noticeably worse since i started living in the us full-time and my wife is mexican and we mostly converse in spanish, so i'm starting to doubt if any of you can actually get better if you continue to live in this country.

In my audiobook, it says people in Mexico (or maybe all Spanish speaking countries) stand close to each other when talking. It is rude to stand far away like in the US. Is this true?

ok, 6 dollars then.
Title: Re: Wanting to learn Spanish
Post by: sys on February 03, 2016, 10:53:15 AM
In my audiobook, it says people in Mexico (or maybe all Spanish speaking countries) stand close to each other when talking. It is rude to stand far away like in the US. Is this true?

no.  you can stand however you want.
Title: Re: Wanting to learn Spanish
Post by: sys on February 03, 2016, 10:58:29 AM
Actually ¡Buenos días! exactly translates to Good Day (or Good Days?) but they use it to mean "Good Morning"

Mañana mean "morning" but it also means "tomorrow"  :runaway:

the day is the morning.  it makes more sense in spain, where good day lasts until 2 pm.  mexico keeps the greeting, but has converted to american time, so it's just good day until noon.
Title: Re: Wanting to learn Spanish
Post by: sys on February 03, 2016, 11:04:42 AM
OK, apparently la mañana means morning and el mañana means tomorrow....I think....maybe...stupid Spanish with it's masculine and feminine ever-y-thing! It must be really hard to be transgender in a Spanish speaking country.

this is interesting, because i'm pretty good at spanish and had no idea this was true until just now.  if someone had asked me how to tell them apart before right now, i'd have just said it's context.  or if i'd have thought about it more, i'd have said that the morning is almost always with an article (la) and tomorrow hardly ever is (ex.  les veo aqui manana por la manana).

don't worry too much about genders.  getting genders mixed up is part of our charming american accent.  like when a french speaking person says something like "the night, she is beautiful.".  the native speakers can figure out what you mean without any problem.
Title: Re: Wanting to learn Spanish
Post by: deputy dawg on February 03, 2016, 11:06:36 AM
Can tell you how NOT to learn Spanish--use one of those electronic translators.  Tried it in Cartagena, and the locals laughed their ass off while I was trying to type words into my translator.  The hooker that propositioned me in Santa Marta spoke the best English during my trip to Colombia.  I personally recommend duolingo, but have been stuck at the same proficiency level for 3 months.

Key word at bodegas:  cerveza
Title: Re: Wanting to learn Spanish
Post by: mocat on February 03, 2016, 11:20:32 AM
i have enough spanish knowledge to carry on a conversation with a native speaker who is willing to slow down a bit for me.
the thing that gets me the worst is any tense other than present tense.
Title: Re: Wanting to learn Spanish
Post by: mocat on February 03, 2016, 11:39:34 AM
like if someone asked me how long i've been there or something i'd be like

en la mas de abril, estoy primero aqui
Title: Re: Wanting to learn Spanish
Post by: Emo EMAW on February 03, 2016, 11:44:28 AM
I would go with "I arrived in April."  But in Spanish.  And only if I could remember the verb for arrive.  I can't.  crap. llegar?
Title: Re: Wanting to learn Spanish
Post by: Emo EMAW on February 03, 2016, 11:45:30 AM
llegar yes!

(https://goemaw.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2F9RhCWsL.gif&hash=3c3424b2c95a38c15dd90e1024a31cfb8db900bc)
Title: Re: Wanting to learn Spanish
Post by: mocat on February 03, 2016, 11:53:34 AM
yeah but i can't remember how to conjugate verbs in past tense and future tense and all that, is what i'm saying
Title: Re: Wanting to learn Spanish
Post by: Dub on February 03, 2016, 11:54:50 AM
Downloaded Duolingo as well, will see how it goes (I'm semi-immersed in the culture so hopefully that will help)
Title: Re: Wanting to learn Spanish
Post by: sys on February 03, 2016, 12:19:28 PM
en la mas de abril, estoy primero aqui

heh, that's good.
Title: Re: Wanting to learn Spanish
Post by: Mrs. Gooch on February 03, 2016, 01:07:25 PM
So far, this is pretty much what I can say...

El gato es amarillo. El perro es cafe. Yo soy bueno. Ella come fruta y queso.

I don't know how to do the accent marks on my phone so Duolingo keeps telling me to pay attention to accent marks....Are they really that importante?
Title: Re: Wanting to learn Spanish
Post by: Brock Landers on February 03, 2016, 01:19:09 PM
I can read Spanish but trying to have a live conversation with somebody is waaay beyond my abilities.
Title: Re: Wanting to learn Spanish
Post by: CNS on February 03, 2016, 01:28:30 PM
I can read Spanish but trying to have a live conversation with somebody is waaay beyond my abilities.

This is me, but un piquito(SP).
Title: Re: Wanting to learn Spanish
Post by: sys on February 03, 2016, 01:31:47 PM
Duolingo keeps telling me to pay attention to accent marks....Are they really that importante?

if you are going to be writing formal documents, then yes.  you'll appear ignorant if you don't place appropriate accent marks.  for any other purpose, ignore them completely.  actually, if your intention is to speak, i don't think it's helpful to look much at written spanish - it just fucks up your pronunciation.
Title: Re: Wanting to learn Spanish
Post by: CNS on February 03, 2016, 01:32:54 PM
I only care about conversational, but I also think it useful to be able to read a sign while drunk in a foreign country.   :dunno:
Title: Re: Wanting to learn Spanish
Post by: Mrs. Gooch on February 03, 2016, 01:38:26 PM
Duolingo keeps telling me to pay attention to accent marks....Are they really that importante?

if you are going to be writing formal documents, then yes.  you'll appear ignorant if you don't place appropriate accent marks.  for any other purpose, ignore them completely.  actually, if your intention is to speak, i don't think it's helpful to look much at written spanish - it just fucks up your pronunciation.

Apparently 'El' means 'he' and 'the'; but one of them has an accent mark??? How am I supposed to know which one they mean????
Title: Re: Wanting to learn Spanish
Post by: sys on February 03, 2016, 01:43:53 PM
I only care about conversational, but I also think it useful to be able to read a sign while drunk in a foreign country.   :dunno:

if you can speak, you'll be able to read signs and menus and what not.  and i'm not suggesting you put blinders on and never look at written spanish.  just don't spend any time intentionally working with written language.

i find when people see the written word they are prone to pronounce it as if it were english.  where if they just hear it, they imitate what they hear and thus pronounce it much better.  i've actually had it happen to me where i've finally seen words written out that i've been saying for years and it'll trip my tongue up and make me mispronounce it even when i know how to say them correctly and have been doing so previously.
Title: Re: Wanting to learn Spanish
Post by: CNS on February 03, 2016, 01:45:59 PM
I get that.  I would love it if there was some way to do that better than some dumb cd.  Duolingo is mostly written in the early stages, but has a audio/verbal component too.  I am hoping that the latter is emphasized more as it goes on.
Title: Re: Wanting to learn Spanish
Post by: sys on February 03, 2016, 01:48:35 PM
Apparently 'El' means 'he' and 'the'; but one of them has an accent mark??? How am I supposed to know which one they mean????

how would you deal with an english speaker that said "i need to climb he wall"?  or "the is tall"?
Title: Re: Wanting to learn Spanish
Post by: sys on February 03, 2016, 01:50:23 PM
I get that.  I would love it if there was some way to do that better than some dumb cd.  Duolingo is mostly written in the early stages, but has a audio/verbal component too.  I am hoping that the latter is emphasized more as it goes on.

watching tv/movies is amazingly good for learning a language.  probably the best way other than living soemwhere the language is spoken.
Title: Re: Wanting to learn Spanish
Post by: Mrs. Gooch on February 03, 2016, 01:51:07 PM
Apparently 'El' means 'he' and 'the'; but one of them has an accent mark??? How am I supposed to know which one they mean????

how would you deal with an english speaker that said "i need to climb he wall"?  or "the is tall"?

I would say, "What are you talking about, Fanning?"
Title: Re: Wanting to learn Spanish
Post by: Mrs. Gooch on February 03, 2016, 01:52:25 PM
I get that.  I would love it if there was some way to do that better than some dumb cd.  Duolingo is mostly written in the early stages, but has a audio/verbal component too.  I am hoping that the latter is emphasized more as it goes on.

watching tv/movies is amazingly good for learning a language.  probably the best way other than living soemwhere the language is spoken.

Do you need subtitles? If I don't know what they are saying then I am not going to know what they are saying....
Title: Re: Wanting to learn Spanish
Post by: mocat on February 03, 2016, 01:56:18 PM
I get that.  I would love it if there was some way to do that better than some dumb cd.  Duolingo is mostly written in the early stages, but has a audio/verbal component too.  I am hoping that the latter is emphasized more as it goes on.

watching tv/movies is amazingly good for learning a language.  probably the best way other than living soemwhere the language is spoken.

Do you need subtitles? If I don't know what they are saying then I am not going to know what they are saying....

you'd be surprised
Title: Re: Wanting to learn Spanish
Post by: sys on February 03, 2016, 01:58:29 PM
Do you need subtitles? If I don't know what they are saying then I am not going to know what they are saying....

start with movies in spanish with english subtitles.  eventually try watching some without subtitles.  but you can also fall back to subtitles when you are feeling lazy (you'll have to concentrate more to understand without subtitles, so it isn't very relaxing).
Title: Re: Wanting to learn Spanish
Post by: CNS on February 03, 2016, 02:01:03 PM
CNSWife and I love watching HBO in Spanish when in MX and too tired to go out after a super long day in the sun/at the beach.  Its pretty great.
Title: Re: Wanting to learn Spanish
Post by: Gooch on February 03, 2016, 02:06:19 PM
Those tele novellas on Telemundo look interesting as eff.
Title: Re: Wanting to learn Spanish
Post by: Dub on February 03, 2016, 02:58:04 PM
Is there anyway we can get Telemundo to broadcast Bruceketball?  Would definitely make the rest of the season worthwhile.
Title: Re: Wanting to learn Spanish
Post by: CNS on February 03, 2016, 02:59:00 PM
Yes
Title: Re: Wanting to learn Spanish
Post by: Mrs. Gooch on February 03, 2016, 03:05:07 PM
Those tele novellas on Telemundo look interesting as eff.

OK, we can start watching them as soon as I get to 20% fluency. I'm only at 7% right now, but I should be to 20% by the end of the weekend.
Title: Re: Wanting to learn Spanish
Post by: mocat on February 03, 2016, 03:20:52 PM
Those tele novellas on Telemundo look interesting as eff.

OK, we can start watching them as soon as I get to 20% fluency. I'm only at 7% right now, but I should be to 20% by the end of the weekend.

Sí, lo puedes (si lo puedes)
Title: Re: Wanting to learn Spanish
Post by: mocat on February 03, 2016, 03:25:03 PM
^ good example of accent mark mattering in written spanish
Title: Re: Wanting to learn Spanish
Post by: Mrs. Gooch on February 03, 2016, 03:34:14 PM
^ good example of accent mark mattering in written spanish

But if you were speaking, how would I know the difference? Is Sí pronounced different from Si?
Title: Re: Wanting to learn Spanish
Post by: mocat on February 03, 2016, 03:35:22 PM
^ good example of accent mark mattering in written spanish

But if you were speaking, how would I know the difference? Is Sí pronounced different from Si?

context. the same way you can tell if someone is saying "won" or "one"
Title: Re: Wanting to learn Spanish
Post by: sys on February 03, 2016, 03:39:15 PM
good example of how accent marks don't matter at all.
Title: Re: Wanting to learn Spanish
Post by: Bloodfart on February 03, 2016, 10:57:34 PM
you don't rough ridin' know me

Read the last couple pages and this is still killing me.   :lol:
Title: Re: Wanting to learn Spanish
Post by: star seed 7 on February 03, 2016, 11:21:46 PM
thanks bloodfart  :cheers:
Title: Re: Wanting to learn Spanish
Post by: Mrs. Gooch on February 04, 2016, 11:18:45 AM
I must be a prodigy or something.

[attachment deleted by admin]
Title: Re: Wanting to learn Spanish
Post by: CNS on February 04, 2016, 11:20:53 AM
 :surprised:
Title: Re: Wanting to learn Spanish
Post by: Emo EMAW on February 04, 2016, 12:09:25 PM
"Chicharron" is my new favorite word in Spanish.  Just say it, I'm sure you will feel the same way.
Title: Re: Wanting to learn Spanish
Post by: Mrs. Gooch on February 08, 2016, 07:48:16 AM
Do they not capitalize names of months, days, or languages en espanol?
Title: Re: Wanting to learn Spanish
Post by: mocat on February 08, 2016, 09:51:02 AM
Do they not capitalize names of months, days, or languages en espanol?

wgaf?
Title: Re: Wanting to learn Spanish
Post by: Mrs. Gooch on February 08, 2016, 09:54:01 AM
Do they not capitalize names of months, days, or languages en espanol?

wgaf?

I would like to know because I would like to be able to translate a short document that includes dates. All the Duolingo stuff shows days/months/languages in lowercase, and also when I use Google Translate the Spanish version has lowercase. But a Spanish-speaking kid that I know told me they should be capitalized so now I am confused...
Title: Re: Wanting to learn Spanish
Post by: mocat on February 08, 2016, 09:54:48 AM
why don't you go to a spanish news website or something instead of using a translation app?
Title: Re: Wanting to learn Spanish
Post by: Mrs. Gooch on February 08, 2016, 10:27:53 AM
why don't you go to a spanish news website or something instead of using a translation app?

Well I was using the app that is supposed to be teaching me Spanish and then the translator was just a confirmation.

Also, this story from CNNEsponal.com confirms it...

Quote
Al Jazeera America cerrará el 30 de abril, informó la compañía, tras una repentina reunión de los ejecutivos el miércoles.
Title: Re: Wanting to learn Spanish
Post by: sys on February 08, 2016, 12:12:59 PM
you're wasting your time.  you're not going to be writing anything in spanish that anyone is going to critique for proper grammar, accent marks, spelling or capitalization.
Title: Re: Wanting to learn Spanish
Post by: CNS on February 08, 2016, 12:28:45 PM
you're wasting your time.  you're not going to be writing anything in spanish that anyone is going to critique for proper grammar, accent marks, spelling or capitalization.

I am doing pretty well on the writting/recognizing writing part of the app.  It doesn't do a lot of spoken word so far.  It does some, but not as much as the other methods so far.  I am worried that I will get good at reading/writing but still won't understand a damn thing anyone is saying to me. 
Title: Re: Wanting to learn Spanish
Post by: sys on February 08, 2016, 12:34:07 PM
I am doing pretty well on the writting/recognizing writing part of the app.  It doesn't do a lot of spoken word so far.

this doesn't seem like it would be very helpful.
Title: Re: Wanting to learn Spanish
Post by: CNS on February 08, 2016, 12:38:47 PM
I am doing pretty well on the writting/recognizing writing part of the app.  It doesn't do a lot of spoken word so far.

this doesn't seem like it would be very helpful.

I know.  I am hoping that the ap is just easing me in and that the spoken part will accelerate as I get further into it all.
Title: Re: Wanting to learn Spanish
Post by: Mrs. Gooch on February 08, 2016, 12:46:22 PM
you're wasting your time.  you're not going to be writing anything in spanish that anyone is going to critique for proper grammar, accent marks, spelling or capitalization.

Well I am going to be writing something in Spanish and I don't want to talk about anuses (anos) when I mean years (años).

I have the same experience as CNS. I can recognize and read the sentences pretty well, but I wouldn't be able to say or write some of them because I can't remember the proper verb conjugations. Actually the app never even taught the verb conjugations, it just started using them.

I do like the parts where it makes you say stuff and tells you if you are saying it right. I also like that there is a button to tell it that you can't talk right now (turns it off for an hour) but I clicked that 2 days ago and it hasn't had any speaking requirements since then.
Title: Re: Wanting to learn Spanish
Post by: Mrs. Gooch on February 08, 2016, 12:48:33 PM
Mi papá tienes 40 años.
My dad is 40 years old.

Mi papa tienes 40 anos.
My potato has 40 anuses.
Title: Re: Wanting to learn Spanish
Post by: CNS on February 08, 2016, 12:50:59 PM
I bet the lols as a native speaker are pretty great.
Title: Re: Wanting to learn Spanish
Post by: sys on February 08, 2016, 12:51:21 PM
don't waste your time studying verb conjugations.  just use present tense or cheat with estar/ser until the verbs start to come naturally.


ñ is a different letter than n, so technically it's not an accent mark.  even so, i just use n if i'm emailing someone i know.  they can figure it out.
Title: Re: Wanting to learn Spanish
Post by: sys on February 08, 2016, 12:54:09 PM
Mi papá tienes 40 años.
My dad is 40 years old.

Mi papa tienes 40 anos.
My potato has 40 anuses.

saying that your father have 40 years is worse than saying that he has 40 asses, imo.  i mean, native speakers understand that año is very similar to ano and that english keyboards don't have an ñ key.
Title: Re: Wanting to learn Spanish
Post by: Mrs. Gooch on February 08, 2016, 01:05:26 PM
don't waste your time studying verb conjugations.  just use present tense or cheat with estar/ser until the verbs start to come naturally.


I haven't even gotten to any other tenses besides present yet. I am just talking about the different verbs for different subjects.

como/come/comes/comemen

Also, I was a bit confuse about the difference between soy and estoy but now I think I understand that "soy" is "I am" for something permanent. Soy alto. "Estoy" is "I am" for something not permanent. Estoy bien.
Title: Re: Wanting to learn Spanish
Post by: mocat on February 08, 2016, 01:08:05 PM
Mi papá tienes 40 años.
My dad is 40 years old.

Mi papa tienes 40 anos.
My potato has 40 anuses.

tiene not tienes
Title: Re: Wanting to learn Spanish
Post by: Mrs. Gooch on February 08, 2016, 01:08:49 PM
Mi papá tienes 40 años.
My dad is 40 years old.

Mi papa tienes 40 anos.
My potato has 40 anuses.

tiene not tienes

eff!
Title: Re: Wanting to learn Spanish
Post by: mocat on February 08, 2016, 01:10:21 PM
Quote
my potato you have 40 butt holes.

you should never talk to a potato mrs gooch
Title: Re: Wanting to learn Spanish
Post by: Emo EMAW on February 08, 2016, 01:11:57 PM
My old boss didn't give a crap that I spelled his name "Thorbjorn" and not "Thorbjørn."  So I think sys is right.  Assuming the Mexicans are like Danes.  Which might be a stretch. 
Title: Re: Wanting to learn Spanish
Post by: Mrs. Gooch on February 08, 2016, 01:14:17 PM
Quote
my potato you have 40 butt holes.

you should never talk to a potato mrs gooch

 :lol: OMG! That is what is going to happen when I try to speak Spanish to someone.
Title: Re: Wanting to learn Spanish
Post by: mocat on February 08, 2016, 01:17:18 PM
ahora mismo is one of my favorite spanishisms, but i've always wondered why it isn't ahora misma.

sys?
Title: Re: Wanting to learn Spanish
Post by: Mrs. Gooch on February 08, 2016, 01:17:36 PM
My old boss didn't give a crap that I spelled his name "Thorbjorn" and not "Thorbjørn."  So I think sys is right.  Assuming the Mexicans are like Danes.  Which might be a stretch.

Well his name without that special o thingy probably does not mean anus.
Title: Re: Wanting to learn Spanish
Post by: sys on February 08, 2016, 01:36:07 PM
ahora mismo is one of my favorite spanishisms, but i've always wondered why it isn't ahora misma.

sys?

mismo is functioning as an adverb, not an adjective.
Title: Re: Wanting to learn Spanish
Post by: sys on February 08, 2016, 01:37:27 PM
I haven't even gotten to any other tenses besides present yet. I am just talking about the different verbs for different subjects.

como/come/comes/comemen

yeah, you should work on those.
Title: Re: Wanting to learn Spanish
Post by: Mrs. Gooch on February 08, 2016, 01:43:44 PM
Is it true that Spanish speaking people get annoyed with you if you use unnecessary pronouns?

Like, if you say "Yo quiero fruta" instead of "Quiero fruta".
Title: Re: Wanting to learn Spanish
Post by: sys on February 08, 2016, 01:46:20 PM
Is it true that Spanish speaking people get annoyed with you if you use unnecessary pronouns?

Like, if you say "Yo quiero fruta" instead of "Quiero fruta".

they don't get annoyed, but it sounds stupid.  it'd be like one of the things someone would do if they were trying to imitate a foreigner who barely speaks spanish.
Title: Re: Wanting to learn Spanish
Post by: sys on February 08, 2016, 01:47:41 PM
doing it all the time, i mean.  it's ok to do it sometimes.  usually for emphasis.
Title: Re: Wanting to learn Spanish
Post by: CNS on February 08, 2016, 01:49:40 PM
 :curse: taco bell
Title: Re: Wanting to learn Spanish
Post by: Mrs. Gooch on February 08, 2016, 01:52:14 PM
:curse: taco bell

That little dog wants to emphasize that he is the one who wants Taco Bell.
Title: Re: Wanting to learn Spanish
Post by: sys on February 08, 2016, 04:25:25 PM
yo quiero _ is a pretty natural construction.  it sounds most obnoxious with tu _.  and when repeated over and over again in the same convo. yo _, yo _, yo _, etc.
Title: Re: Wanting to learn Spanish
Post by: Mrs. Gooch on February 11, 2016, 08:11:04 AM
Duolingo seemed pretty good for the first "25%" of Spanish but it is not so good after that...

The first part is learning a lot of vocabulary and very simple sentence structure, so that was pretty easy. Now I've gotten to direct and indirect objects and past tense and I do not like it.

Duolingo does not have lessons, it just has questions/exercises that you have to get wrong, look at the correct answer they show you, then when the same exact question comes up again answer it correctly. So you can memorize that specific phrase for a couple of minutes and pass. But you don't understand why that was the correct answer or when to use the personal "a" or when to add "lo" before the verb or how to make a verb into past tense.

Sure, I could Google all of this but the point was to find an app that would teach me Spanish.
Title: Re: Wanting to learn Spanish
Post by: sys on February 11, 2016, 11:31:39 AM
that's probably the right way.  learning language rules and whatnot is mostly a waste of time.  you want to learn the way babies learn - you listen and then imitate.  trying to learn a language the way you learned algebra doesn't work very well.
Title: Re: Wanting to learn Spanish
Post by: Mrs. Gooch on February 11, 2016, 11:50:33 AM
that's probably the right way.  learning language rules and whatnot is mostly a waste of time.  you want to learn the way babies learn - you listen and then imitate.  trying to learn a language the way you learned algebra doesn't work very well.

I don't know about you, but I had language arts classes in grade school to learn how to put together a proper sentence.
Title: Re: Wanting to learn Spanish
Post by: star seed 7 on February 11, 2016, 11:51:54 AM
that's probably the right way.  learning language rules and whatnot is mostly a waste of time.  you want to learn the way babies learn - you listen and then imitate.  trying to learn a language the way you learned algebra doesn't work very well.

I don't know about you, but I had language arts classes in grade school to learn how to put together a proper sentence.

Waste of time
Title: Re: Wanting to learn Spanish
Post by: sys on February 11, 2016, 12:07:23 PM
Waste of time

 :cheers:
Title: Re: Wanting to learn Spanish
Post by: mocat on February 11, 2016, 12:19:11 PM
my brain works like mrs gooch's on this topic
Title: Re: Wanting to learn Spanish
Post by: Mrs. Gooch on February 11, 2016, 02:20:09 PM
Here's an example:

Usted le respondió a ella.

Why do you need both le & ella? They are both indicating her (who you responded to).
Title: Re: Wanting to learn Spanish
Post by: Mrs. Gooch on February 11, 2016, 02:24:17 PM
But this sentence...

Ella entro al restaurante.

does not have a "le" in it....
Title: Re: Wanting to learn Spanish
Post by: Emo EMAW on February 11, 2016, 02:51:34 PM
It hurts my head that you don't get this.  But it's not your fault, the app sucks (which you alleged). 

Also sys is wrong.  It's useful to know the rules.  A baby has to figure out the rules but they have their entire life to do that.  You are doing it as an ambition, in your free time. 
Title: Re: Wanting to learn Spanish
Post by: Mrs. Gooch on February 11, 2016, 02:54:41 PM
It hurts my head that you don't get this. 

Well then answer my question...
 :impatient:
Title: Re: Wanting to learn Spanish
Post by: sys on February 11, 2016, 03:00:22 PM
this is exactly who you shouldn't try to learn rules.  just listen and imitate.

why do you need to use le with the first example?  because you've heard other people do it enough that by now your brain has figured out that it sounds better to do so than to not do so.

Title: Re: Wanting to learn Spanish
Post by: sys on February 11, 2016, 03:02:59 PM
actually, i think your question is inverted.  the le is the normal part and the addition of a ella is the part that should be confusing you (only confusing if you insist on rules).
Title: Re: Wanting to learn Spanish
Post by: Emo EMAW on February 11, 2016, 03:04:35 PM
Mrs. Gooch, I will only help you if you promise to spend three contiguous weeks in an immersion. 
Title: Re: Wanting to learn Spanish
Post by: Mikeyis4dcats on February 11, 2016, 03:58:05 PM
It hurts my head that you don't get this. 

Well then answer my question...
 :impatient:

http://www.spanishdict.com/topics/show/17
Title: Re: Wanting to learn Spanish
Post by: Mrs. Gooch on February 11, 2016, 04:01:19 PM
Mrs. Gooch, I will only help you if you promise to spend three contiguous weeks in an immersion.

I interact with Spanish speakers twice per week already. I will ask them to speak to me in Spanish. (actually already asked one of them.) Is that enough?
Title: Re: Wanting to learn Spanish
Post by: Mrs. Gooch on February 11, 2016, 04:05:53 PM
this is exactly who you shouldn't try to learn rules.  just listen and imitate.

why do you need to use le with the first example?  because you've heard other people do it enough that by now your brain has figured out that it sounds better to do so than to not do so.

But my restaurant example didn't have a le in it....so if that is the "normal" part then why isn't it used there???   :confused: :facepalm:
Title: Re: Wanting to learn Spanish
Post by: sys on February 11, 2016, 05:02:35 PM
But my restaurant example didn't have a le in it....so if that is the "normal" part then why isn't it used there???   :confused: :facepalm:

because that sentence didn't have an indirect object pronoun.  just subject = ella and direct object = restaurante.
Title: Re: Wanting to learn Spanish
Post by: The Big Train on February 11, 2016, 06:55:47 PM
Talking about proper grammar and sentence structure in any language :flush:
Title: Re: Wanting to learn Spanish
Post by: wetwillie on February 11, 2016, 07:39:08 PM
Talking about proper grammar and sentence structure in any language :flush:

The irony of this.....
Title: Re: Wanting to learn Spanish
Post by: Mrs. Gooch on February 11, 2016, 08:57:10 PM
I tried to eavesdrop on a Spanish conversation today but the only word I caught was casa.
Title: Re: Wanting to learn Spanish
Post by: mocat on February 11, 2016, 09:02:12 PM
Spanish is generally spoken pretty fast with a lot of rounded off words and contractions, like english. Unless of course you're talking to someone from the pure Ecuadorian andes
Title: Re: Wanting to learn Spanish
Post by: wetwillie on February 11, 2016, 09:11:31 PM
mrs gooch, when you give up on duolingo you should try my approach of learning the 1000 most frequently used Spanish words. 
Title: Re: Wanting to learn Spanish
Post by: Tobias on February 11, 2016, 09:14:10 PM
watch a sport or movie you know in spanish
Title: Re: Wanting to learn Spanish
Post by: Mrs. Gooch on February 11, 2016, 09:31:17 PM
mrs gooch, when you give up on duolingo you should try my approach of learning the 1000 most frequently used Spanish words.

What good is knowing 1000 words if I don't know how to put together a sentence?
Title: Re: Wanting to learn Spanish
Post by: Mrs. Gooch on February 11, 2016, 09:32:59 PM
Spanish is generally spoken pretty fast with a lot of rounded off words and contractions, like english. Unless of course you're talking to someone from the pure Ecuadorian andes

So I need to find someone from the Ecuadorian Andes to practice with.....or maybe that's where I should do my immersion.
Title: Re: Wanting to learn Spanish
Post by: mocat on February 11, 2016, 09:34:25 PM
Spanish is generally spoken pretty fast with a lot of rounded off words and contractions, like english. Unless of course you're talking to someone from the pure Ecuadorian andes

So I need to find someone from the Ecuadorian Andes to practice with.....or maybe that's where I should do my immersion.


Yes. You could call it "in vitro en quito"
Title: Re: Wanting to learn Spanish
Post by: sys on February 11, 2016, 09:36:28 PM
Spanish is generally spoken pretty fast with a lot of rounded off words and contractions, like english. Unless of course you're talking to someone from the pure Ecuadorian andes

So I need to find someone from the Ecuadorian Andes to practice with.....or maybe that's where I should do my immersion.

central (highland) mexicans pronounce just about every syllable.
Title: Re: Wanting to learn Spanish
Post by: sys on February 11, 2016, 09:37:01 PM
I tried to eavesdrop on a Spanish conversation today but the only word I caught was casa.

20% of the conversation, i'm assuming.
Title: Re: Wanting to learn Spanish
Post by: wetwillie on February 12, 2016, 06:25:03 AM
mrs gooch, when you give up on duolingo you should try my approach of learning the 1000 most frequently used Spanish words.

What good is knowing 1000 words if I don't know how to put together a sentence?

Let's practice ITT with the following:

The Apple is red
It is johns Apple
I give John the apple
We give him the apple
He gives it to John
She gives it to him
I must give it to him
I want to give it to her



Title: Re: Wanting to learn Spanish
Post by: Mrs. Gooch on February 12, 2016, 08:54:28 AM
mrs gooch, when you give up on duolingo you should try my approach of learning the 1000 most frequently used Spanish words.

What good is knowing 1000 words if I don't know how to put together a sentence?

Let's practice ITT with the following:

The Apple is red
It is johns Apple
I give John the apple
We give him the apple
He gives it to John
She gives it to him
I must give it to him
I want to give it to her

La manzana es rojo.
Es manzana de Juan.
Nosotros ???? lo la manzana. or this... Lo nosotros ??? la manzana.
El ???? lo a el. (I don't know how to say him instead of he????)
Ella ???? lo a el.
Quiero ????? lo a ella. or maybe this is better...... Lo quiero a ella.

OK, I typed all that without using Google or anything to remind me of words. I have learned to say him/her, but I don't remember. I don't think I have learned to say give.
Title: Re: Wanting to learn Spanish
Post by: Emo EMAW on February 12, 2016, 09:15:36 AM
The Mexicans I come into contact here are very hard for me to understand.  And there could be Guatemalans and Hondurans and others sprinkled in and I'd have no idea.  The Chileans are easier, IMO. 
Title: Re: Wanting to learn Spanish
Post by: Mrs. Gooch on February 12, 2016, 09:18:24 AM
Oh, I just realized I used him (or he) instead of John for these two sentences...

I give John the apple
He gives it to John

Yo ???? la manzana a Juan.
El lo ???? a Juan.
Title: Re: Wanting to learn Spanish
Post by: mocat on February 12, 2016, 10:03:22 AM
yep, 25% there mrs gooch
Title: Re: Wanting to learn Spanish
Post by: Dub on February 12, 2016, 10:21:40 AM
I've never used a sentence like "he gives (object) to (name)" in my life.  That's what I hate about learning languages, I wish they'd teach you true conversational language.

I have a French friend who learned this way and spoke extremely proper english for about 2 years until people corrected little parts of it to make it current.
Title: Re: Wanting to learn Spanish
Post by: sys on February 12, 2016, 10:26:03 AM
that was good, wetwillie.  good job.
Title: Re: Wanting to learn Spanish
Post by: sys on February 12, 2016, 10:28:52 AM
The Mexicans I come into contact here are very hard for me to understand.  And there could be Guatemalans and Hondurans and others sprinkled in and I'd have no idea.  The Chileans are easier, IMO.

a lot of mexicans that make their way into the us aren't from the central highlands.  but mostly it's probably just what you got used to.

Title: Re: Wanting to learn Spanish
Post by: Mrs. Gooch on February 12, 2016, 10:30:27 AM
that was good, wetwillie.  good job.

It just proves that I can't speak (or type) properly because I don't understand the rules about direct/indirect objects.
Title: Re: Wanting to learn Spanish
Post by: Emo EMAW on February 12, 2016, 10:31:46 AM
The Mexicans I come into contact here are very hard for me to understand.  And there could be Guatemalans and Hondurans and others sprinkled in and I'd have no idea.  The Chileans are easier, IMO.

a lot of mexicans that make their way into the us aren't from the central highlands.  but mostly it's probably just what you got used to.

The folks on Univision enunciate such that I can understand better.  Like the telenovela folks.
Title: Re: Wanting to learn Spanish
Post by: sys on February 12, 2016, 10:33:41 AM
It just proves that I can't speak (or type) properly because I don't understand the rules about direct/indirect objects.

you should probably learn wetwillie's 1000 words first.
Title: Re: Wanting to learn Spanish
Post by: The Big Train on February 12, 2016, 10:35:16 AM
They invented google translate for a reason, so you don't have to learn the intricacies of other languages
Title: Re: Wanting to learn Spanish
Post by: chum1 on February 12, 2016, 10:37:52 AM
Enunciation doesn't matter because no one pauses in between words and you don't know when one word ends and the next begins.

Also, I can hear the word "casa" in 100 percent of Spanish converstaions that do not include the word "casa".
Title: Re: Wanting to learn Spanish
Post by: Mrs. Gooch on February 12, 2016, 10:51:26 AM
They invented google translate for a reason, so you don't have to learn the intricacies of other languages

So I'm going to use Google translate in the middle of a conversation?  :facepalm:
Title: Re: Wanting to learn Spanish
Post by: The Big Train on February 12, 2016, 10:52:22 AM

They invented google translate for a reason, so you don't have to learn the intricacies of other languages

So I'm going to use Google translate in the middle of a conversation?  :facepalm:

No, you should be using it for the whole conversation
Title: Re: Wanting to learn Spanish
Post by: sys on February 12, 2016, 11:46:22 AM
Enunciation doesn't matter because no one pauses in between words and you don't know when one word ends and the next begins.

Also, I can hear the word "casa" in 100 percent of Spanish converstaions that do not include the word "casa".

you just have to listen to enough that you can start hearing what they are actually saying and not just your brain throwing everything it can think of at a wall and seeing if anything sticks.  our brains are made to do this, don't try to reinvent the wheel.
Title: Re: Wanting to learn Spanish
Post by: wetwillie on February 12, 2016, 12:05:09 PM
I'm rooting for you Mrs. Gooch.  Memorize 30 words a day for 30 days and you will be set.
Title: Re: Wanting to learn Spanish
Post by: Mrs. Gooch on February 12, 2016, 12:08:37 PM
I'm rooting for you Mrs. Gooch.  Memorize 30 words a day for 30 days and you will be set.

Nouns? Verbs? Adjectives? Adverbs? Do multiple versions of the same word count (i.e. 1st, 2nd, 3rd person versions, masculine & feminine versions)?
Title: Re: Wanting to learn Spanish
Post by: wetwillie on February 12, 2016, 12:22:14 PM
I'm rooting for you Mrs. Gooch.  Memorize 30 words a day for 30 days and you will be set.

Nouns? Verbs? Adjectives? Adverbs? Do multiple versions of the same word count (i.e. 1st, 2nd, 3rd person versions, masculine & feminine versions)?

start at 1 and work your way down

 https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Wiktionary:Frequency_lists/Spanish1000  (https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Wiktionary:Frequency_lists/Spanish1000)
Title: Re: Wanting to learn Spanish
Post by: star seed 7 on February 12, 2016, 12:24:32 PM
señora Gooch hace que este demasiado difícil
Title: Re: Wanting to learn Spanish
Post by: Mrs. Gooch on February 12, 2016, 12:46:05 PM
señora Gooch hace que este demasiado difícil

No, I did not a difficult time sleeping last night.
Title: Re: Wanting to learn Spanish
Post by: sys on February 12, 2016, 01:08:40 PM
it's like she's got the ball at the top of the key, wide open and she's complaining to her teammates about how she can't possibly shoot if she doesn't even know the distance to the rim, much less the angle and force necessary to propel the ball along the optimal trajectory.
Title: Re: Wanting to learn Spanish
Post by: Emo EMAW on February 12, 2016, 01:12:37 PM
It is better to open your mouth and speak very poor Spanish, than to keep it closed.  Because then you couldn't eat tacos.
Title: Re: Wanting to learn Spanish
Post by: wetwillie on February 12, 2016, 01:23:17 PM
She will get it,  languages are arts and I get the feeling she likes science
Title: Re: Wanting to learn Spanish
Post by: Mrs. Gooch on February 12, 2016, 02:23:50 PM
I'm rooting for you Mrs. Gooch.  Memorize 30 words a day for 30 days and you will be set.

Nouns? Verbs? Adjectives? Adverbs? Do multiple versions of the same word count (i.e. 1st, 2nd, 3rd person versions, masculine & feminine versions)?

start at 1 and work your way down

 https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Wiktionary:Frequency_lists/Spanish1000  (https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Wiktionary:Frequency_lists/Spanish1000)

A quick glance tells me that I pretty much know the first 60 so the first two days should be easy.
Title: Re: Wanting to learn Spanish
Post by: Mrs. Gooch on February 16, 2016, 07:58:48 AM
Yesterday I eavesdropped on another conversation and I got 3 words this time...Si, No, & Siente.

Today I'm listening to Spanish music...right now Rico Suave by Gerardo.
Title: Re: Wanting to learn Spanish
Post by: Emo EMAW on February 16, 2016, 09:04:47 AM
Mrs Gooch we are using some Spanish/Spanish slang in my house with Baby Emo.  Chichis are...you know what they are.  Kiki's are teeth.  Tell him to wash his hands in Spanish.  We also play "la mano peluda."
Title: Re: Wanting to learn Spanish
Post by: Mrs. Gooch on March 02, 2016, 08:27:35 AM
Well at least Duolingo is teaching me the important stuff.

[attachment deleted by admin]
Title: Re: Wanting to learn Spanish
Post by: Mrs. Gooch on March 25, 2016, 02:08:42 PM
I should be fluent by the end of the year.

[attachment deleted by admin]
Title: Re: Wanting to learn Spanish
Post by: mocat on March 25, 2016, 02:14:34 PM
I spoke spanish to some native speakers today. I give myself a C+, maybe B-
Title: Re: Wanting to learn Spanish
Post by: Mrs. Gooch on April 20, 2016, 01:57:41 PM
The progress has slowed to about 1% per month.

I did say some Spanish to a Spanish-speaker the other day and he understood what I said so that was good.
Title: Re: Wanting to learn Spanish
Post by: Mrs. Gooch on May 16, 2016, 01:19:05 PM
Can someone explain past imperfect tense to me? TIA
Title: Re: Wanting to learn Spanish
Post by: TCUHornedFrog on May 16, 2016, 01:47:08 PM
Can someone explain past imperfect tense to me? TIA

The imperfect tense (el imperfecto) is one of the several past tenses in Spanish. It is used mainly to describe past habitual actions or to set the scene in the past, what a person “used to” do or “was” doing. Below you will find when to use it as well as how to conjugate it for regular and irregular verbs.
Title: Re: Wanting to learn Spanish
Post by: TCUHornedFrog on May 16, 2016, 01:49:23 PM
Simply, it is used if someone used to do something or was doing something and a resolution is unimportant.  For example, "he was washing his hands when the door rang."

Title: Re: Wanting to learn Spanish
Post by: Mrs. Gooch on May 16, 2016, 01:56:58 PM
Simply, it is used if someone used to do something or was doing something and a resolution is unimportant.  For example, "he was washing his hands when the door rang."

Please translate that sentence to Spanish.
Title: Re: Wanting to learn Spanish
Post by: sys on May 16, 2016, 02:34:45 PM
estaba lavando sus manos cuando sono el timbre.
Title: Re: Wanting to learn Spanish
Post by: Mrs. Gooch on May 18, 2016, 04:32:51 PM
 :runaway: :runaway: :curse: :runaway: :confused: :bang: :runaway: :frown: :runaway: :rolleyes: :runaway: :bang: :confused: :shakesfist: :curse: :cry: :facepalm: :runaway: :dubious: :shakesfist: :bang: :bang: :curse: :runaway: :runaway: :dunno:
Title: Re: Wanting to learn Spanish
Post by: TCUHornedFrog on May 18, 2016, 04:40:42 PM
Just wait until you get to imperfect subjective and present perfect tense.  Those are fun.
Title: Re: Wanting to learn Spanish
Post by: Dub on May 18, 2016, 05:42:12 PM
:runaway: :runaway: :curse: :runaway: :confused: :bang: :runaway: :frown: :runaway: :rolleyes: :runaway: :bang: :confused: :shakesfist: :curse: :cry: :facepalm: :runaway: :dubious: :shakesfist: :bang: :bang: :curse: :runaway: :runaway: :dunno:

So we started at the same time and I'm at 2% fluency.  Now making it a priority though.  Do you feel 50% fluent?  Have you been able to hold a conversation?
Title: Re: Wanting to learn Spanish
Post by: Mrs. Gooch on May 18, 2016, 09:56:23 PM
Right now Duolingo says I am 51% fluent, but there is no way that is accurate.

When reading I might be about 40% fluent. When writing or speaking I probably could say 40% of what I want to say although not with perfect grammar. When listening I could probably only catch 5% if the Spanish speaker is speaking at normal speed; maybe 20% if they speak slowly.

The problem is that I know basic sentence structure but don't have a huge vocabulary, so having a conversation with someone who doesn't know what my vocabulary is would be difficult. Also, how often do I need to say "The dog is brown. The cat is yellow." and things of that nature? I could probably have a decent conversation with another Duolingo learner.

The closest I have come to an actual conversation is that I said a monologue (basically) to a Spanish speaker and asked him to repeat back in English what I had said. He understood everything I said. I am hoping to have some actual conversations with him.

When I hear a native Spanish speaker, I have a hard time hearing the letters. For instance, I hear a "d" when the word actually has an "r".
Title: Re: Wanting to learn Spanish
Post by: Mrs. Gooch on May 18, 2016, 10:03:40 PM
Duolingo was pretty easy until I got around 45%. The progress gets slower as you move up. I have been hovering between 50 and 51% for about 2 months. (It goes back and forth when I have skills that need to be strengthened.)
Title: Re: Wanting to learn Spanish
Post by: Mrs. Gooch on May 19, 2016, 02:07:45 PM
Duolingo just told me that I have learned 1187 words in Spanish.
Title: Re: Wanting to learn Spanish
Post by: sys on May 19, 2016, 03:19:50 PM
don't let it boss you around.
Title: Re: Wanting to learn Spanish
Post by: Mrs. Gooch on May 24, 2016, 04:01:16 PM
Quote
El is often used for masculine nouns and la for feminine ones. But when the noun begins with a stressed a- or ha-, you must use el regardless of the gender.

 :runaway:
Title: Re: Wanting to learn Spanish
Post by: Mrs. Gooch on August 04, 2016, 09:11:36 AM
I got invited to a Quinceañera but I am going to be out of town.  :frown:
Dang, my new español knowledge would have really come in handy.
Title: Re: Wanting to learn Spanish
Post by: sys on August 04, 2016, 09:55:54 AM
i've been forgetting spanish at a pretty good clip lately.
Title: Re: Wanting to learn Spanish
Post by: The Big Train on October 10, 2016, 07:04:39 PM
https://techcrunch.com/2016/10/10/duolingo-chatbot-video/
Title: Re: Wanting to learn Spanish
Post by: Mrs. Gooch on October 11, 2016, 03:47:00 PM
I just realized a couple of days ago that the word for umbrella (paraguas) is a combination of para and aguas. "Para aguas" literally translates to "for waters".  :surprised:
Title: Re: Wanting to learn Spanish
Post by: mocat on October 11, 2016, 03:48:00 PM
so now i know there's a country called "for water-y"  :lol:
Title: Re: Wanting to learn Spanish
Post by: Mrs. Gooch on October 13, 2016, 08:20:10 PM
Ugh. Duolingo just got ads.
Title: Re: Wanting to learn Spanish
Post by: sys on October 13, 2016, 09:43:16 PM
wait till you try to wrap your brain around parasols.
Title: Re: Wanting to learn Spanish
Post by: SdK on May 17, 2017, 07:09:21 PM
I'm all up in that duolingo life if anyone wants to be buds
Title: Re: Wanting to learn Spanish
Post by: DaBigTrain on March 31, 2019, 09:04:39 AM
:horrorsurprise:

https://twitter.com/monadoboii/status/1112210937493291009