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Just a philosophical question. Judging by the posts on this forum, most people spend an inordinate amount of time, money and effort fretting about gear and clothing, reading tons of blogs, and diligently watching films and reading books, and yet seem to expend so little effort trying to learn some Spanish. Why?
I suspect that many people think that I am spending an inordinate amount of time trying to learn Spanish (I am getting better, but far from fluent). I love the Spanish language, and I think that local people appreciate it when someone shows an effort to try to speak in their language. Being a North American, I have often felt woefully inadequate compared to Europeans who speak 3, 4, 5 languages. The advantage of having English as my first language, or the disadvantage??? I often wonder.Just a philosophical question. Judging by the posts on this forum, most people spend an inordinate amount of time, money and effort fretting about gear and clothing, reading tons of blogs, and diligently watching films and reading books, and yet seem to expend so little effort trying to learn some Spanish. Why?
Just a philosophical question. Judging by the posts on this forum, most people spend an inordinate amount of time, money and effort fretting about gear and clothing, reading tons of blogs, and diligently watching films and reading books, and yet seem to expend so little effort trying to learn some Spanish. Why?
Maybe because they are spending an inordinate amount of time, money and effort fretting about gear and clothing, reading tons of blogs, and diligently watching films and reading books?Just a philosophical question. Judging by the posts on this forum, most people spend an inordinate amount of time, money and effort fretting about gear and clothing, reading tons of blogs, and diligently watching films and reading books, and yet seem to expend so little effort trying to learn some Spanish. Why?
Just a philosophical question. Judging by the posts on this forum, most people spend an inordinate amount of time, money and effort fretting about gear and clothing, reading tons of blogs, and diligently watching films and reading books, and yet seem to expend so little effort trying to learn some Spanish. Why?
Spanish language is spoken throughout Spain (Español-Castellano)).Spainish NOT necessary. To walk a Camino. Too many different dialects. Imho. BC
Spanish language is spoken throughout Spain (Español-Castellano)).
Only other languages are spoken at the beginning of the Camino:
In northern of Navarre, Euskera-Basque language.
And at the end of it, in Galicia that besides the Castellano speak the Galician.
All Spaniards have the right and duty to know and the obligation to pull Spanish-Castilian.
In the Autonomous Communities that have their own language, their own language is official. Teaching is compulsory in both the official languages Castellano and the Community languageMikel : I know Catalan is officially taught in Catalunya aka a mandatory course. Is this also the same for Euskera in Pais Vasco and for Gallego in Galicia? Just curious.
Just a philosophical question. Judging by the posts on this forum, most people spend an inordinate amount of time, money and effort fretting about gear and clothing, reading tons of blogs, and diligently watching films and reading books, and yet seem to expend so little effort trying to learn some Spanish. Why?
Judging by the posts on this forum, most people spend an inordinate amount of time, money and effort fretting about gear and clothing, reading tons of blogs, and diligently watching films and reading books, and yet seem to expend so little effort trying to learn some Spanish. Why?
If my first Camino had been the Frances I doubt that I would have learned much Spanish.
Was it www.enforex.com ?Prior to my first camino (Mozarabe/VdlP/Sanabres) I was advised that I really should learn some Spanish and so I did - 4 weeks intensive in Granada. It was invaluable.
I got so excited to see that you were asking a "philosophical" question and assumed that it would reap inspiration on how one prepares spiritually for the Camino. My daughter embarks in June and I am fortunate to get to walk the first week with her. I have two weeks to buy a backpack, the proper shoes & gear, and to make our travel reservations....not to mention train this 55 year old body to walk 10-15 miles a day. Annie Lamont says that the two most important prayers are "Help me! Help me!" and "Thank you! Thank you!" Or should I say, "Socorro! Socorro!" Y "Gracias a Dios! Gracias a Dios!" Buen Camino!Just a philosophical question. Judging by the posts on this forum, most people spend an inordinate amount of time, money and effort fretting about gear and clothing, reading tons of blogs, and diligently watching films and reading books, and yet seem to expend so little effort trying to learn some Spanish. Why?
Por que I haven't a notion. Seriously though good point.I did learn some Spanish in school and even had two Spanish students stay with us when I was young (which wasn't today nor yesterday).I try to make an effort but all I can seem to remember these days are words not phrases or sentences. Please don't be mad at me God does love a trier mi amigoJust a philosophical question. Judging by the posts on this forum, most people spend an inordinate amount of time, money and effort fretting about gear and clothing, reading tons of blogs, and diligently watching films and reading books, and yet seem to expend so little effort trying to learn some Spanish. Why?
What's a better program to learn pilgrim's Spanish, enough to get by at shops and cafes?
I see with displeasure that there are still many foreigners who see the Spaniards of the XXI century, as their ancestors saw us in the XIX century.
Fortunately and for good we have changed a lot.
The first sentence that I recommend when you speak to a local, would be: "Buenos días o buenas tardes". and them "Por favor, ¿podria ayudarme?"
I also do not want to give a language class and manners, because anyway most of us will try to communicate with you in any way.
I consider that we are very friendly with all our visitors.
Mikel...I think Spanish people are one of the nicest people ever!
I do exactly what you write...just excusing myself with my limited Spanish knowledge...and then we are off for a lovely conversation.
And like LTfit writes...knowing more languages surely broadens our horizon even more...
Absolutamente de acuerdo. Jajajajajajajajaja Lol.On the fun side: Here are two of the first lessons i was taught in my Spanish class:
1. When arguing with a woman, make sure your last sentence in the argument is : "Si, Senora". Brings peace to the house...
2. Rule of thumb trying to jugde if a word is feminine or masculine: "Problemos masculinos; soluciones femininas"...
It would be a brave man who would disagree with any woman believe you meAbsolutamente de acuerdo. Jajajajajajajajaja Lol.
I agree my tutor once told me it was a 'bastard' language. It is very hard to get a true translation of another more pure language. For instance we have one word for 'know' the Greeks have four says it all reallyI love the clarity of the Spanish language: They begin with a turned questin (or exclamation) sign: ¿podria ayudarme? signaling that here comes a question (or a statement!) so you'll know. Fantastic concept. Also the grammar: saturated with the difference between the sexes. And the verbs, giving that you do not need the I/you/he/she, etc. It is posssible to say a lot of meaning in very few words. But then again, I am not an expert: I just try to respect and learn.
As for English, IMHO, it is not a language, but a collection of words from several old languages (Old Norwegian (+5.000 pallabras, because of the Viking tours and influence, Greek, Latin, Spanish). f.ex "Starboard" is from Norw. (styrbord, steering board, "Port" is from Spanish Porta, gate to the city) not to mention all scientific expressions we all share from Greece, and so on and on.
Hi, fellow pilgrim,I agree my tutor once told me it was a 'bastard' language. It is very hard to get a true translation of another more pure language. For instance we have one word for 'know' the Greeks have four says it all really
As you say know more languages open up more horizons. In my case I began to study English with 59 years.
Two Americans are talking at a street corner. A car pulls up with a lost Italian visitor who, needing directions, rolls down the window and asks: "Parlate italiano?"
The Americans reply "Huh?"
The Italian tries "Parlez-vous français?" Nothing but a shrug.
Next, "Sprechen Sie Deutsches?" Again nothing.
"Hablan Espanol?"
"Você fala o Português?"
"Gavaru Paruski"
Each question gets no response from the Americans except head shakes. The Italian gets fed up, uses some Italian sign language and drives off.
One of the Americans turns to the other and says "I've thought about learning another language." His friend responds with "Why bother? That guy spoke six and it didn't do him any good."
Was it www.enforex.com ?
Mine is rough and I keep Re: Learning easy words I forget (like huevos)!! It will come back but it was encouraging to be able to read and understand immediately everything that you wrote above in Espanol .he estudiado español por muchos anos, y en la escuela donde trabajo, mis favoritas clases son las de la idioma español. Soy profesora de ingles, per en facultidad, estudie Espanol.
But it's rough. And it's imperfect. I work on it.
The first thing I learned was una cerveza por favorI see with displeasure that there are still many foreigners who see the Spaniards of the XXI century, as their ancestors saw us in the XIX century.
Fortunately and for good we have changed a lot.
The first sentence that I recommend when you speak to a local, would be: "Buenos días o buenas tardes". and them "Por favor, ¿podria ayudarme?"
I also do not want to give a language class and manners, because anyway most of us will try to communicate with you in any way.
I consider that we are very friendly with all our visitors.
Happy wife, happy life lolThe life is better wihtout desagree any woman
Couldn't agree more.It seems to be and I do not say it, that Spanish is one of the richest languages that exist.
.
Just don't confuse el papa (the Pope) with la papa (the potato)With masculino & femino, don't sweat it: even in Spain they are sometimes confused. El mar, or La mar? Just now heard about the sarten, the pan. In Mexico it's El sarten, on the Camino it's been La sarten.
But sometimes it could be ok to confuse el papa (the dad) with la papa (the potato)Just don't confuse el papa (the Pope) with la papa (the potato)
Some say tomato some say tom ate o lets fall in loveJust don't confuse el papa (the Pope) with la papa (the potato)
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