Tips and Anecdotes on Spanish Idioms
The most prominent difference between Castillian Spanish and Latin American Spanish is the use of ‘vosotros,’ the familiar form of the second person plural pronoun. Or ‘you guys’, or you all, in English. This pronoun is replaced with “Ustedes,” the formal form of the second person plural pronoun, in all Latin American countries where Spanish is spoken, in both formal and informal situations. Another prominent difference is the pronunciation of the Z, in Spain it is what we would refer to as a lisp,it is with a very strong inter-dental emphasis. But in Latin America the Z is equal to our English S.
Many anglicisms have entered into Spanish,especially among the richer folk(or at least those wanting to be that way) two examples of this is a lot of times Spanish speakers will say voy a hacer mi shopping ‘I’m going to go’ in Spanish then the word Shopping in English, instead of the ‘proper’ way Voy a hacer compras, another example is they use the word ‘look’ to refer to a new style or haircut.
For example they might say ‘Me encanta mi nuevo look.’ (I like my new style, haircut). You may agree that these words are a corruption of the Spanish language, but that aside, it is important to realize that all languages are ever-changing(which is one reason they’re so much fun to learn).
This is not reserved just for Spanish however, some Spanish words have made there way into every day English usage, Fiesta, Siesta, No bueno, adios. I even heard a commercial referring to a friend as a ‘brochacho’(mixing of the slang bro in English and the word for boy ‘muchacho’ in Spanish. And French also has a strong influence on many English words, Fiance, rendevous, to name just two.
You would be surprised at the variation in vocabulary among Spanish-speaking countries. The word, ‘guagua,’ for example, means ‘baby’ in Chile and ‘bus’ in Cuba! Another example is in Central America Coche is a pig, and in Mexico it means a car! A traffic jam is called ‘una cola’ in Venezuela; in Chile it is called ‘un taco;’ in Panama it is called ‘tranque;’ and in Puerto Rico it is called ‘un tapon.’
There is always more to say about Spanish and the interesting facts and twists that make the language so intriguing, but I hope that you have enjoyed this article and please feel free to comment about any idioms you have encountered in your studies!
There is always more to say about Spanish and the interesting facts and twists that make the language so intriguing, but I hope this article helps you with all of your
Spanish learning goals!
Top 5 Reasons to Learn Spanish
For many of use, we want to learn a language but sometimes we lack the motivation to start. In this article I’ve written five reasons why learning Spanish is important.
5. For older patrons, learning a new language can help delay aging.
Talk about the power of words–speaking at least two languages may slow dementia in the aging brain, new research shows.
Scientists were already aware that bilingual young adults and children perform better on tasks dictated by the brain’s executive control system.
Located at the front of the brain, this system is ‘the basis for your ability to think in complex ways, control attention, and do everything we think of as uniquely human thought,’ said Ellen Bialystok, a psychologist at York University in Toronto, Canada.
Even if you do not learn a second language until after middle age, it can still help stave off dementia, York’s Bialystok said.
Being bilingual is one way to keep your brain active–it’s part of the cognitive-reserve approach to brain fitness,’ Bialystok said.
(Paraphrased from the article ‘To stave of Alzheimer’s', National Geographic)
4. Learning Spanish will enhance your travel experience.
Acapulco, Machu Picho, Madrid, Barcelona. Some of the world’s great travel destinations are located in Spanish speaking countries. Get to know the country you are visiting past the tourist traps! We all want the ability to connect with other cultures, and there is nothing like talking to someone in their native toungue. ‘The world is a book and those who do not travel read only a page’ St. Augustine.
3. For those who live in the USA, learning Spanish can be an invaluable tool.
Harnessing this tool can lead to opportunities you never thought possible. One customer shared a story with me about how he started learning Spanish, and even though he was far from fluent, he had the opportunity to use it in a great way. He struck up a conversation with a native Spanish speaker in a grocery store and he came to find out that the native Spanish speaker was a business owner who was looking for a long-term cleaning contract for his company office, this customer just happened to own a cleaning company and that one contract he received turned his entire business around. Knowing Spanish in the workforce can give many advantages, especially to those who work in the customer service, business, and medical fields.
2. Studies have shown that those who are bilingual tend to make more than their monolingual counterparts.
Even if you feel learning Spanish is not a necessity in your profession, employers will be delighted to know that they have a bilingual worker if the needed ever arises.
1. It’s fun.
Learning Spanish, or any language for that matter, although hard, is an absolute joy. Think of the wonderful possibilites that will open up! Learning a foreign language can be a hugely rewarding thing.
I hope you have enjoyed these 5 reasons to learn Spanish. Keep studying and I know you will reach your goals!
I hope you have enjoyed these 5 reasons to learn Spanish. Keep studying and I know you will reach your goals!
What Does Learning Spanish and Exercise Have in Common?
What in the world do learning Spanish and exercising have in common? A few things, believe it or not. If you are someone who has wanted to learn Spanish and exercise more, read on. If you are someone who doesn’t care to learn Spanish or exercise, you may want to read on anyway or take the risk of having an unhealthy and unfulfilling life.
Have you had a goal to exercise a certain number of times per week, yet you can’t seem to stay dedicated to exercising for more than one day at a time? Have you had a goal to learn Spanish for years, yet you never seem to find time to learn? If you’re not doing these things, it’s probably because you don’t want to do them bad enough. Think about it. You probably watch your favorite TV shows every week, and when it’s football season you might find yourself in front of the TV all weekend long every weekend. You might have other hobbies or even work that gets in the way of these things.
The point is that you are excited for those things and you really want to participate in them. Well, maybe not work, but that’s got to be done so that you can have a computer and read an article like this. For the most part, however, you make time for the things that mean the most to you. So, one thing they have in common is that it can be difficult to make time for them.
Another problem with exercise and learning Spanish is that they are viewed as work. Although both of them certainly require work, they can be fun. If you don’t like to run but enjoy playing basketball, then choose to play basketball for your cardiovascular exercise instead of running. If you don’t like to read through Spanish grammar books, then look into online courses, classes, and software programs instead. If you don’t like to learn alone, include something social in your Spanish lessons. With the advances of social media and video chatting, it is much easier to connect with an expert or someone who is going through the same thing as you. Don’t classify them as work. Do your best to enjoy exercising and learning Spanish.
Another thing that learning Spanish and exercise have in common is that if you don’t keep doing them you’ll slowly lose what you worked so hard to build. If you are working on your endurance in order to run a marathon, you need to run almost everyday. If you stop running, then you will begin to lose some of your endurance. If you are a hardcore body builder, then you need to be lifting weights consistently. Your muscle mass will decrease as you decrease the amount that you lift weights. Likewise in learning Spanish, you need to continually be studying, learning, reviewing, and absorbing the Spanish language. If it’s been a few years since you’ve practiced your Spanish, you’ll find it to be a bit rusty.
You can’t accomplish everything all the time. Life happens, and that’s great. Do your best to accomplish the goals you have set and make time for the most important things. Some may argue that exercising and learning Spanish shouldn’t be considered among the most important things; however, that is only for you to decide. Do what is important to you.
If you decide that you want to learn to speak Spanish, then you can start today. Be consistent, have fun, and make time for the things that are most important to you.
Learn Spanish for Free
Due to the rapid advancements of the internet, a lot of people have come to expect that they can learn whatever they want for free. That has also become true for learning Spanish. The internet is flooded with information, and most of it is free.
A mistake made by many people is that they believe anything they see or read on the internet just because they found it on the internet. You do not have to be an expert on a topic to publish something on the internet. Research the source, read reviews, and see what others think before you spend money or believe something online.
Also, realize that there might be a reason that something is free online. Why would somebody spend the time to offer you free information? Do they truly care about providing good and honest information for the internet? Think about why they are providing you with the resources at hand.
The internet is commercial. Millions and billions of dollars change hands everyday on the internet. There is nothing wrong with that as long as it is done in an honest way. Making purchases online is the current wave of the current times and the future. Learning online is the also riding the waves of present time. Some have even predicted that learning will move from the traditional classroom to the internet in coming years.
Companies are starting to realize that they must offer something free online to entice potential customers to try their products. Many software companies allow you to try out the software for free before making a purchase. Other companies offer a Lite version in hopes that you will see that it is cool enough to pay for the Premium or Full version. So, to a certain extent you really can learn Spanish free.
When considering the purchase of a Spanish software course, be sure to find out if you can try the course before you buy it. Searching for online reviews can also be helpful. If you consider yourself a free loader, then learn as much as you can online for free. There is a lot of information out there. Beware, however, of the fact that some information may not be correct.
In order for you to truly become conversational in Spanish, you will probably have to spend some money. Look for something that focuses on conversation and comprehension, yet also includes reading and writing in the learning process.
Any Spanish learner can learn Spanish for free through resources provided by Visual Link Spanish. Do your due diligence in research of a good course because you don’t want to waste your money.
Learn Spanish and A New Way of Life
Learning Spanish can improve your life. That is why so many people are making an effort to do so. You might make more money at your job by learning Spanish. You might meet new people. Your confidence level will likely increase because of your hard work and acquisition of a new language. It might help you stave off Alzheimer’s.
None of those reasons are bad reasons to learn Spanish. They are all good reasons, and there are many more good reasons to learn Spanish. Those reasons should not be downgraded with this article.
The best and most lasting reason to learn Spanish is to improve the lives of others. You certainly will benefit from the aforementioned reasons of learning Spanish. Improve and serving others with the Spanish language will change your life and change your perspective on life.
“When you’re feeling down in the dumps, when you feel depressed, when you feel sad, lonely, or even angry, do something good for someone else. Forget about yourself if for only a moment in time. Watch your mood and your attitude change as you do so. You will gain more from serving others than the receptors of your service will.”
-UNKNOWN
I had the great privilege to work with a few friends from France recently. Learning French is not high on my list but I still wanted to make people smile. When someone would ask me how I was doing in French, I would respond in perfect French grammar by saying, “I am very good looking, thank you”. It would catch people off guard and they would smile and laugh.
It doesn’t need to be anything extraordinary, just think of ways that you can brighten people’s days with your Spanish knowledge. Think of the people that you have met in your learning process. What can you say or do for any of your new friends? What is something funny you could say to strangers? Is there anything that you can do for those with whom you are learning?
Dare to be creative and light-hearted. You will find yourself smiling and laughing more. Although you can’t completely neglect yourself and the things that you need to do on a daily basis, you will look forward to the times when you will not be so focused on yourself. Your life will change and become more enjoyable.
Don’t just learn a new language, learn a new way of life. Let your stamp on life be a stamp of service.
It was once said that “by small and simple things shall greater things come to pass”.
The burden of speaking in Spanish will be lightened if you utilize your Spanish to brighten the days of other people. Learn and beware of ways you can help your fellow man.