foreign languages

Morbyd said:
Actually, that is true... Some Russian tourists do expect that someone will understand them in Russian, especially if they're traveling to a place where a lot of Russians go (Spain being one of those locations). But, as with any nationality, it's the rotten apples that spoil people's impressions. I have heard some funny stories though.

Most Russian friends I have either speak English or try to get by on some basic English phrases when they're abroad - but these are younger, upper-middle class folk. I can only think of a couple of people who know Spanish though!
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We don't expect every tourist to speak in spanish, it's just enough if they don't expect us to know their language ;)
 
nostrum said:
and i understand spanish, but that's more because i speak italian and french and so i can mostly make the connection...
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Then catalan shouldn't be a problem for you cos it's much similar to french than to spanish ;)
 
Enough Spanish to (just about) manage and did German back in school but forgotten most of it. Wish I'd kept the Deutch up a bit better now :cry:
 
silvia said:
Me too 8O :lol:

How was your lesson yesterday, becks?
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Good thanks Sil, although me and Sar felt soooo minxy because it's so close to our holiday! We wanted to forget the lesson and go to the pub instead but thought we'd better not :lol:

We learnt about descriptions....i.e...

Yo tengo pelo liso
Ella tiene ochos negros
El es guapo!

etc etc

We learnt some more grammar too which I find hard but I'm gradually learning more and more. Now when I read in Spanish (basic) I can normally make out what is being said, or at least some of the words lol :lol:
 
Beckiboo said:
Good thanks Sil, although me and Sar felt soooo minxy because it's so close to our holiday! We wanted to forget the lesson and go to the pub instead but thought we'd better not :lol:

We learnt about descriptions....i.e...

Yo tengo pelo liso
Ella tiene ochos negros
El es guapo!

etc etc

We learnt some more grammar too which I find hard but I'm gradually learning more and more. Now when I read in Spanish (basic) I can normally make out what is being said, or at least some of the words lol :lol:
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Ella tiene ochos negros :arrow: ochos=eights / eyes = ojos ;)

It's so exciting when you start understanding bits, one day you'll realise that you can translate a whole song from spanish into english :D
 
silvia said:
Ella tiene ochos negros :arrow: ochos=eights / eyes = ojos ;)

It's so exciting when you start understanding bits, one day you'll realise that you can translate a whole song from spanish into english :D
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Ah I should have remembered that "ojos" 8O

I know I feel quite proud of myself, I know I'm still a far way off but if I can read a semi basic conversation thats a start isnt it!
Our last lesson is in 3 weeks, we are all going to a Spanish restaurant to order everything in Spanish 8O
 
Beckiboo said:
I know I feel quite proud of myself, I know I'm still a far way off but if I can read a semi basic conversation thats a start isnt it!
Our last lesson is in 3 weeks, we are all going to a Spanish restaurant to order everything in Spanish 8O
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And you can feel all smug and proud too when you are on your hols and your friends perhaps dont understand something and when you can read the menu and order in Spanish!!!:D :lol:
 
Beckiboo said:
Ah I should have remembered that "ojos" 8O

I know I feel quite proud of myself, I know I'm still a far way off but if I can read a semi basic conversation thats a start isnt it!
Our last lesson is in 3 weeks, we are all going to a Spanish restaurant to order everything in Spanish 8O
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Are you both doing evening classes? How much do they cost? Is it a local college? :lol: Sorry being nosey..
 
Beckiboo said:
Our last lesson is in 3 weeks, we are all going to a Spanish restaurant to order everything in Spanish 8O
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Really? That sounds like lots of fun, my english teachers where boring and never took me to the pub to order pints in english :? :lol:
 
Doesn't always happen but sometimes when in Ibiza I feel like the person who I'm trying to speak (admittedly v.imperfect) Spanish to is taking the pish out of my efforts. Tends to be the younger people mostly? Never really felt like that elsewhere in Spain but it puts you off trying a bit sometimes. Anyone else ever felt the same?
 
hounddj said:
Doesn't always happen but sometimes when in Ibiza I feel like the person who I'm trying to speak (admittedly v.imperfect) Spanish to is taking the pish out of my efforts. Tends to be the younger people mostly? Never really felt like that elsewhere in Spain but it puts you off trying a bit sometimes. Anyone else ever felt the same?
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Ive never met anyone like that:evil: ....I know Spanish people LOVE it when English people try to speak Spanish to them....my Spanish friends say we have very "sweet" accents to listen to when speaking Spanish.:D

Dont let some idiots put you off....best to learn some Spanish insults too!;) :lol: :lol:
 
hounddj said:
Doesn't always happen but sometimes when in Ibiza I feel like the person who I'm trying to speak (admittedly v.imperfect) Spanish to is taking the pish out of my efforts. Tends to be the younger people mostly? Never really felt like that elsewhere in Spain but it puts you off trying a bit sometimes. Anyone else ever felt the same?
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Don't take it personally cos it's not, it just happends that some mistakes are really funny.
Most members here find my mistakes really funny :oops:
 
silvia said:
Don't take it personally cos it's not, it just happends that some mistakes are really funny.
Most members here find my mistakes really funny :oops:
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True....only found out that my boyfriend has been using the word "pimp" in the wrong context for the past 4 months!:lol: Very funny indeed.....

All you should say is "at least you are trying!".....8)
 
Sirens: We're both studying at the same place, it's the YMCA gym in Tottenham Court Rd. The lessons are run every quarter, there's 3 levels (we're struggling at level 1 :lol: ). It's really cheap aswell, £75 for 8 weeks, 2.5hrs per lesson. I really enjoy it, I feel like I've learnt a lot in the 5 weeks I've done it so far :p

Sil etc: Honestly if I ever try and speak in Spanish in Ibiza, I'm sure I will get laughed at. It's going to be extremley tellytubby Spanish! At least if I manage to say hello, how are you, other greetings etc I think that's an achievement!

Sil: expect a pm tomorrow with a few translation requests ;)
 
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