Gracias for the correction. I've been consciously "learning" Spanish...

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Posted by RickFeliz on February 09, 2001 at 16:37:17:

In Reply to: Re: Ayyyyyy posted by tacoguy on February 09, 2001 at 14:39:31:

the way a little kid learns a language. By copying those around me, making many, many mistakes, listening to the corrections, and gradually, unconsciously learning what SOUNDS right rather than what LOOKS right.
Many years ago I studied Spanish the old way in school, got straight A's, could WRITE it perfectly, and still couldn't even walk into a bar and order "una cervesa" and make myself understood. And many, many years later, I seem to have to forgotten most of my book learning.

Now, consciously, I'm learning by participating in live "vida" the ways that kids learn. I've discovered that I can SPEAK and understand quite subtle conversations over hours. However, I can't WRITE it correctly because although I know the sounds, I don't know how the words are spelled. Thank goodness for the tolerance, understanding, and patience of "las maestras de la Universidad de la Zona"
(the teachers of the University of the Zone). Instead of criticism and disapproval of the many mistakes I make in my attempts to learn to communicate VERBALLY in another language, they've been wonderfully supportive. I, of course, have been equally supportive of their attempts to learn English. A much better environment to learn in than one based on disapproval and concern about impressing others.

I've been reading (in English) an interesting and useful book called "Travelers' Tales Guides - MEXICO: true stories of life on the road." edited by James O'Reilly and Larry Habegger. Here's an interesting excerpt from the book,
"The problem of studied efforts to communicate is well illustrated by the experience of some friends. When they went to Mexico, the woman had a degree in Spanish from a large university and her boyfriend knew several obscenities and no grammar - good whorehouse Spanish. Within two weeks she felt her nerves straining every time she was forced to speak Spanish, caught between the rigid grammatical training of school and the sloppy everyday speech of the people. He was right in there, waving arms, laughing, gesticulating over this and that, throwing in an occasional inappropriate obscenity and generally making himself understood and liked."

When learning something new, it's okay to make mistakes. It fact it's part of the process. My goal is to learn, communicate, and participate. I find it a lot more fun and useful than concerning myself with "impressing" others.

Regards,
RickFeliz


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