SteveWalch
New Member
- Time of past OR future Camino
- Leon - Santiago (2011)
St Jean - Santiago (2012)
Oloron - Santiago (2015)
Seville - ? (2021)
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I haven't walked your planned route, but I have walked others where knowledge of Spanish is recommended. My knowledge of the language has grown from the proficiency of a new-born to something representing a toddler and yet, I have always found the Spanish to be tolerant, patient...and very good at charades! Mime can be your friend...I have fond memories of trying to explain that, whilst I have my debit card, the atm died before I could get the money. The funeral march by Chopin got the point across! Yes, learn basic vocab, (Duo Lingo etc) but be assured that in Spain, the people will come out to meet you more than halfway.I read on a different web site that Catalan and/or Spanish is a must on this route. I'm hoping to walk from Barcelona to Logrono this spring but I only have a small amount of Spanish and zero Catalan. Will I be OK? Thanks in advance!
Hadn't thought about that, but you are absolutely right! Stop in at the farmacia!On the Catalan to the Aragonese this last autumn I didn't encounter much English but that may be because I tortured the locals with my Spanish first (though I did run into two who commanded me to speak English). You should be able to get by though, they know what you want.
If stuck in a really bad situation you might pull out your phone, fake dial it as you say "amigo con ingles?" (or better Spanish if you can remember it). Also, a tip learned on this forum is that you have a really good chance of finding an English speaker at a pharmacy.
But when push comes to shove, a smile will smooth over all the cracks...I recall my first camino and while in a shop in SJPP. I used my best french to tell the shop keeper I only spoke a little french. He replied in english that was no problem. I then said I only speak very little spanish and again he said no problem. He then asked if I speak Basque? I said no, to which he replied with some humour " now we have a problem". A number of cominos later and having spent much post-camino time travelling around Eurpoe my advice is to spent some time before you leave to learn at least enough to be polite and ask for necessities and to apologize. Make good use of all the great technology at hand to fill in the blanks.
Yes, I have done fine on three other Caminos with my minimal Spanish and earnestness. This time I am asking specifically about the Catalan region, where I have heard this is more difficult.Spain has more than 80 million tourists annually so the hospitality industry is used to dealing with non Spanish speakers. Learn a few words of Spanish and there's always Google translate. You'll be fine.
Everything said above is true, and the Spanish (and Catalans) are amazingly graceful and helpful, but having no language knowledge will be a problem on the Cami Catalan. There are few to no pilgrims, and qute possibly you will find yourself not saying anything to anyone for a fortnight.
Equip yourself as best as you can, beginning with politesse, then moving to numbers. Prepare a potted biography of yourself, as everyone is very social and wants to know about you, and be able to recite it. Get a good idea of food vocabulary, and how to find your accommodation. Engage with people and don't worry about your mistakes-- this will provide them with much amusement for days to come!
Without expending some effort, while you'll be ok, you will not have anywhere as much fun. Try to have fun.
Point taken. According to Wikipedia more than 95% of Catalans understand and can speak Spanish or Castilian as they call it. We visit the region most years and my rusty Spanish has usually sufficed.Yes, I have done fine on three other Caminos with my minimal Spanish and earnestness. This time I am asking specifically about the Catalan region, where I have heard this is more difficult.
Yes, in Cataluña you won't have any problem using Spanish.Point taken. According to Wikipedia more than 95% of Catalans understand and can speak Spanish or Castilian as they call it. We visit the region most years and my rusty Spanish has usually sufficed.
I think, this view is rather blue-eyed if you are walking on a camino passing through the less touristic countryside, such as the Camino Catalan.Spain has more than 80 million tourists annually so the hospitality industry is used to dealing with non Spanish speakers. Learn a few words of Spanish and there's always Google translate. You'll be fine.
I have walked this route twice. As an expat living in Barcelona, I have some very basic Catalan and a little Spanish I have acquired while walking Camino routes elsewhere in Spain. Certainly many, if not most, young people have some English. Other people without English are always very kind and patient. I have never found language to be a problem, sometimes having to gesture wildly or draw pictures! As an aside, it is quite remarkable the reception I get when trying to use even a few Catalan words. Once while in a small food shop along this Camino, my husband and I asked for a few items in Catalan. We actually had locals applauding us for trying to use some of their language. (Everyone speaks Spanish as a second language by the way.) Have no fears! It is a lovely Camino. You will enjoy yourself.I read on a different web site that Catalan and/or Spanish is a must on this route. I'm hoping to walk from Barcelona to Logrono this spring but I only have a small amount of Spanish and zero Catalan. Will I be OK? Thanks in advance!
Or better still on the Catalan route: "Ho sento, parlo anglès.""Lo siento, no hablo Espanol." Even I, who speak a bit fluently, didn't understand everything that was being said to me all the time. A puzzled look and a "Lo siento, no comprendo," ALWAYS worked. The people on and along the Camino are friendly and understanding. You will be fine.
Yes, in Cataluña you won't have any problem using Spanish.
But those with a very good command, could find a local reluctant to speak in Spanish.
In this case say "jo soc pelegri(or turista), no parlo Catala" and then the local will speak Spanish.
You met all 40M? hahaGoogle translate is a fabulous app, can be used offline. There is a conversation mode, it's good to learn that. Also work out ten phrases, use aforesaid Google translate to put them into Spanish, print out. Point to them if you must.
For example: one cup of black coffee please. One bed for one person for tonight please. One menu of the day please. How much is the bill?
There are 40m Spaniards and I've never met a bad one. They seem universally patient, kind and willing to cut you a bit of slack when you're struggling.
I've fallen in love with the place.
Everything said above is true, and the Spanish (and Catalans) are amazingly graceful and helpful, but having no language knowledge will be a problem on the Cami Catalan. There are few to no pilgrims, and qute possibly you will find yourself not saying anything to anyone for a fortnight.
Equip yourself as best as you can, beginning with politesse, then moving to numbers. Prepare a potted biography of yourself, as everyone is very social and wants to know about you, and be able to recite it. Get a good idea of food vocabulary, and how to find your accommodation. Engage with people and don't worry about your mistakes-- this will provide them with much amusement for days to come!
Without expending some effort, while you'll be ok, you will not have anywhere as much fun. Try to have fun.
Google translate was my friend. The other thing is, I would find it surprising if one could walk from SJPP to SdC and not pick up a little Spanish. One learns how to ask for certain foods/drinks/bathroom and other basics fairly quickly.Spain has more than 80 million tourists annually so the hospitality industry is used to dealing with non Spanish speakers. Learn a few words of Spanish and there's always Google translate. You'll be fine.
4 Caminos, never a problemI read on a different web site that Catalan and/or Spanish is a must on this route. I'm hoping to walk from Barcelona to Logrono this spring but I only have a small amount of Spanish and zero Catalan. Will I be OK? Thanks in advance!
Nice explanation, and makes it easy to remember, but I'm not sure that's exactly why día is masculine.We say, in Spanish: Buenos dias, buenas tardes, buenas noches (Good morning/day, good afternoon, good night) Notice Buenos/Buenas: The first is masculine, meaning that the day belongs to the men (work), but the afternoon (dinner/family life) and the night (of course) belong to the females. Such subtle meaning, not? (atleast that's what my Spanish native teachers told me).
A better explanation is the latin origin of the word diéus, which is masculine
When I read the jokes I wondered whether the teacher was of an advanced age or whether he tailors his jokes to the advanced age of his pupilsNice explanation, and makes it easy to remember, but I'm not sure that's exactly why día is masculine.
My Spanish teachers couldn't explain it. I asked. It is what it is, they said.Of course now I wonder why they say buenos dias - good days - and buenas noches - good nights - in Spanish, ie plural and not singular as in other European languages. It is after all buen camino and not buenos caminos.
Sounds good to this Camino addict...It is after all buen camino and not buenos caminos.
hahaIt's all very well learning a few Spanish phrases, but the difficulty really starts
when the rapid fire replies start coming back.
My Spanish teachers couldn't explain it. I asked. It is what it is, they said.
Also makes sense greeting one person and wishing several good days (a long good period of time).2) One theory is that it's plural because you usually greet several people, so that you're effectively wishing several good days for several people.
This is really true with Portuguese!It's all very well learning a few Spanish phrases, but the difficulty really starts
when the rapid fire replies start coming back.
There are huge differences as to foreign language competence, in particular in English, between Iceland and rural Catalonia which was the original question, and generally between smaller and larger European countries, and between places frequented more by international travellers including pilgrims like the Camino Frances and other places that see travellers less frequently like the Cami St Jaume.I spent 34 days walking the Camino from SJDP to Santiago in 2016. I’m Canadian and only speak English. I truly wish I could masters languages, I’ve tried. I had no problems what so ever. Our family has traveled to Iceland several times as well.
Also makes sense greeting one person and wishing several good days (a long good period of time).
There are huge differences as to foreign language competence, in particular in English, between Iceland and rural Catalonia which was the original question, and generally between smaller and larger European countries, and between places frequented more by international travellers including pilgrims like the Camino Frances and other places that see travellers less frequently like the Cami St Jaume.
There are not only differences in education systems and workforce capabilities (required for cross border trade, tourism etc) but in particular television and movie theatres. English language movies and series are dubbed in Spain but not in Iceland and other Nordic countries and in the Benelux, plus they produce less content themselves than larger countries so they rely more on broadcasting or showing content in English. That makes a considerable difference.
Does it exist in Portuguese? I've always heard and read "bom dia," "boa tarde," and "bom noite," which would be singular, I think?except the curious anomaly of it, and the fact that it exists also in Portuguese
Yes all of them are singular (boa noite).Does it exist in Portuguese? I've always heard and read "bom dia," "boa tarde," and "bom noite," which would be singular, I think?
For me, tarde always starts at 2 p.m.The other intriguing question is of course: when does tarde(s) start and end?
@SteveWalch. ☺
There are huge differences as to foreign language competence, in particular in English, between Iceland and rural Catalonia which was the original question, and generally between smaller and larger European countries, and between places frequented more by international travellers including pilgrims like the Camino Frances and other places that see travellers less frequently like the Cami St Jaume.
There are not only differences in education systems and workforce capabilities (required for cross border trade, tourism etc) but in particular television and movie theatres. English language movies and series are dubbed in Spain but not in Iceland and other Nordic countries and in the Benelux, plus they produce less content themselves than larger countries so they rely more on broadcasting or showing content in English. That makes a considerable difference.
I’m sorry , I need to realize with my Lyme and M.S. head I don’t always come off clearly. I also realize I didn’t finish my thoughts on Iceland. I didn’t mean by saying linguistics were the same. I just meant to say that when I travel I’M the same. I desperately wish I could learn languages, unfortunately those abilities may never return. What does remain is my love to converse. To learn about others whether languages are common or not.There are huge differences as to foreign language competence, in particular in English, between Iceland and rural Catalonia which was the original question, and generally between smaller and larger European countries, and between places frequented more by international travellers including pilgrims like the Camino Frances and other places that see travellers less frequently like the Cami St Jaume.
There are not only differences in education systems and workforce capabilities (required for cross border trade, tourism etc) but in particular television and movie theatres. English language movies and series are dubbed in Spain but not in Iceland and other Nordic countries and in the Benelux, plus they produce less content themselves than larger countries so they rely more on broadcasting or showing content in English. That makes a considerable difference.
Tarde starts after lunch and stops after dinner. Easy!For me, tarde always starts at 2 p.m.
In winter ends at 8 p.m and in summer between 9:30 and 10 p.m.
I agree. Situations like the one you described when you find that you can communicate with someone despite knowing next to nothing of each other's languages are delightful, and I have similar uplifting memories. Is it coincidence that it's been usually older women and small children with whom I "talked" in this wayWhat I was trying to relay was with a common patience, compassion and want to converse a way can always be found.
Yes, "Buenas noches" is a greeting but sometimes is also a farewell particularly in conversations on Internet.I'm know we are going way beyond what the pilgrim needs to know in the way of elementary vocabulary but I just realised that I've never thought much about all this. If I'm not mistaken, buenas noches is actually (or also?) a greeting, in the same way as buenas tardes, and unlike good night, gute Nacht, bonne nuit, which are used as a farewell.
The French, of course, have bonjour/bonsoir and bonne journée/bonne soirée, so it's easy to know what's what. ☺
I chuckled when I read your posting. Why? Because when we walked from Logrono to Barcelona three years ago, we did need Spanish for some of the villages between Logrono and Lleida (Lerida). It was quite an adventure, one so unforgettable that we continue to talk about it even though we have walked other caminos every year since.I read on a different web site that Catalan and/or Spanish is a must on this route. I'm hoping to walk from Barcelona to Logrono this spring but I only have a small amount of Spanish and zero Catalan. Will I be OK? Thanks in advance!
"Donde estoy?" (Where am I?) is a phrase I used and then I point to my map. I needed to google translate it and then learn it since I needed it quite a bitI read on a different web site that Catalan and/or Spanish is a must on this route. I'm hoping to walk from Barcelona to Logrono this spring but I only have a small amount of Spanish and zero Catalan. Will I be OK? Thanks in advance!
The other intriguing question is of course: when does tarde(s) start and end?...
I thought that this was the biggest thrill on my Camino and culminated in a group of us at the Santiago de Compostela with 12 people mostly different languages all understanding each other and a deaf lady who walked the Norte by herself, inspirational and courage made my heart skip a beat, all smart phones have language and GPS you will be right mate just go for itI read on a different web site that Catalan and/or Spanish is a must on this route. I'm hoping to walk from Barcelona to Logrono this spring but I only have a small amount of Spanish and zero Catalan. Will I be OK? Thanks in advance!
Don’t worry too much. The problem with any phrasebook/ dictionary is that you won’t understand the answer, even if you put the question in a way the local person can understand.Learn what you can of Spanish, carry a small Spanish/? Dictionary, be kind and patient, smile a lot and be willing to laugh at yourself and you will be surprised how well you get along. Good advice in any country I think.
Surely the problem is not "English-only" but rather "English"? According to the poll at this site, more than 60% of members(hope not visitors!) are from english first language territory!!I read on a different web site that Catalan and/or Spanish is a must on this route. I'm hoping to walk from Barcelona to Logrono this spring but I only have a small amount of Spanish and zero Catalan. Will I be OK? Thanks in advance!
Hadn't thought about that, but you are absolutely right! Stop in at the farmacia!
I read on a different web site that Catalan and/or Spanish is a must on this route.
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