Margazine

My Spanish language history

So, it has been over 12 years since I started really practicing Spanish. I was inspired to really pursue it after hearing a group of Mexicans speaking at my subdivision’s pool. For some reason, I felt terrible that I could not understand, so I decided to learn. Now I already had a good background in the language. I got some of my highest grades in Spanish, including the HS state exam(then known as Regents in my native New York’ I also won a gold medal in middle school awards. In high school, I reached the highest level, Spanish 8. However, once I finished high school, I had no chance to study it before the college I attended eliminated language classes t was kind of rusty when I took the placement test for college anyway.

Ironically, despite 7 years of not studying, I had retained what I learned. I could not say that for anything else I rook in school. I discovered the now-defunct Lenguajero site, where I met most of my online practice partners. Some have come and went, but I have become good friends with others, such as Fabricio Reyes of Argentina. But I really wanted to focus on Jose Diaz, probably one of many, from Spain.

How I met Jose and practice Spanish with him

I met Jose on the Lenjaugero chat feature in 2010. We began corresponding by email, and it was fun. He’d send me articles and ph He is a retired miner, a lover of trains who photographs them and widower He now has a new partner and a granddaughter that he tells me about occasionally.

We lost contact for a while. In 2016 we resumed the relationship after Jose emailed me again out of the blue. We picked up as if we never lost contact. I remember him asking what was up with me. Now we correspond mainly by Whatsapp, which makes it easier to send photos ( Photos he sent from a trip o the province of Navarra are at the bottom)

Spanish dialect differences are not a problem with us

We rarely have misunderstandings due to dialect differences. I try to use familiar words like coche for car, and ordenador for computer. I also learned from a mix-up with other Spaniards that cuadra is a horse stable in Spain. In Latin America, this word refers to street block. , the second person, an informal verb form that only Spainards use. In contrast to Latin American the other secord person is only formal in Spain.

For some reason, form is only present in old texts but absent in the Latin American vernacular. However, since it is not taught on the other pond, I have not memorized all the forms. . When he corrects me. I have to keep in mind it may be different from what I know as a Latin American Spanish learner. I often remind him of the fact that my Spanish is from the new world. However, with the influx of Latin Americans, Spaniards might become more familiar with other Spanish dialects.

While in-person is best. It is easier to find native on the internet. In addition, this will expose you to a great variety of Spanish dialects, which is not possible in person. It is also safe to build the confidence to speak to a random native on the street. In addition, Your confidence will a random native you meet in person more comfortable talking with you in their language.

Thanks to him, Asturias is on my travel bucket list

He has interested me in the home province of Asturias, in Northwestern Spain near France. Austrias was once the mining center of Spain and is now the fishing center. Therefore it is not surprising that seafood is popular in the Province. Furthermore, the province is perfect for nature lovers with the Peaks of Europe mountain range and many open areas. The capital Oviedo is the famous carry in the province along with Gijon ( pronounce hee-hown). Aviles is also another town of interest. it would be the perfect place to practice and expand my Spanish since it is not that well known by English-speaking tourists . One Spanish school, Peak Me, in the province offers a Spanish course with nature excursions.

… But Only If I Can GO

Of course, Jose has invited me several times, and I wish I could have gone. However, I never had the money to travel. In addition, the Schengen Zone rules, of which Spain is a part, make it difficult. I don’t know why you’d have to prove financial independence just to visit. Similarly, unless your layover is long, getting a visa just to pass through a member country doesn’t make much sense either . . The 90-day visa-free privileges for specific countries are not guaranteed either. Therefore Until I can, I will continue to live vicariously through Jose’s pictures.

Related

More about Asutrias. The article mentions rain, but summer 2021 was really cold according to my friend

Asturias Travel Guide | Spanish Fiestas (spanish-fiestas.com)

If you are interested in my more of my Spanish teaching post I have written about songs on my LiveJournal page. This one of them abt the song El gato volador the tag for these is Spanish vocabulary which is listed on the profile section

Spanish In Song World Cat Day Edition El Gato Volador: magaretnahmias — LiveJournal

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