language barrier

I have visited Mexico a few times. Once in a resort city where you could almost always find someone who could help you out. All other times were in a small fishing village where almost no one spoke English. There, people were very nice and really appreciate you speaking their language. I had great times when the local kids would start teaching you and they took great pleasure in helping me. You will do fine but please do spend a little time learning Spanish as it is such a beautiful language. Most importantly, Mexican people are wonderful especially when they are treated with due respect. I love it down there.

Almot wrote:
Ah... the last thing I'm worried about is vos/vosotros. Mexicans don't use Vos. It will never be perfect, and Spanish of Mexico is different from Spain or South America. Helps fighting Alzheimer, yes.

All true. I don't think I would try using the vosotros form either although it was kind of fun. We were in Costa Rica for a few weeks this year and they only use the ustedeo and rarely the tuteo. That's actually easier as most students find the Usted form of you to be the easiest to conjugate.

Thanks Chris.

John & Angela wrote:
Funny how small of a world it is. Angela and I are working an RV display at the IPE (interiour provincial exhibition and rodeo) here in Armstrong BC. A father and son from El Salvador doing summer work came by the booth and we had a pleasant 20 minute conversation in Spanish. It was my first conversation using the voseo form of you. It was a great experience and I realized once again how much there is still to learn. Not two hours later during the rodeo we ran into trabajadores (workers) from one of our favourite towns in Michoacan, Patzcuaro. It was loud but we still managed to talk about some of our favourite places in their state, this time in a little more familiar Spanish. It's all good. Don't let anyone tell you you can't learn Spanish or any other language later in life. I learned French as a middle aged adult, Spanish in my mid 40's and now at aged 51 am working on German. My Spanish isn't perfect but am comfortable in the language on any topic. Learning other languages keeps your mind strong and an open perspective on other cultures. Like anything else, stick with it and it'll come together.

John, you Spanish is excellent!

Ah... the last thing I'm worried about is vos/vosotros. Mexicans don't use Vos. It will never be perfect, and Spanish of Mexico is different from Spain or South America. Helps fighting Alzheimer, yes.

Funny how small of a world it is. Angela and I are working an RV display at the IPE (interiour provincial exhibition and rodeo) here in Armstrong BC. A father and son from El Salvador doing summer work came by the booth and we had a pleasant 20 minute conversation in Spanish. It was my first conversation using the voseo form of you. It was a great experience and I realized once again how much there is still to learn. Not two hours later during the rodeo we ran into trabajadores (workers) from one of our favourite towns in Michoacan, Patzcuaro. It was loud but we still managed to talk about some of our favourite places in their state, this time in a little more familiar Spanish. It's all good. Don't let anyone tell you you can't learn Spanish or any other language later in life. I learned French as a middle aged adult, Spanish in my mid 40's and now at aged 51 am working on German. My Spanish isn't perfect but am comfortable in the language on any topic. Learning other languages keeps your mind strong and an open perspective on other cultures. Like anything else, stick with it and it'll come together.

Bill, most of the time you don't need to talk Spanish on a visitor's few months stay. But you will like it better if you can talk a little. Anything, from grocery shopping to minor repairs will go faster and more efficient. You will make fewer costly mistakes. Most Mexicans are polite and patient in your attempts to communicate, but it doesn't mean they like it and they might not have time. It's better to know at least some Spanish.

They will appreciate if you are trying to talk some, and it is not difficult and doesn't cost money to make this first step. You can download free Spanish dictionary in Android, it's called Xynotec - they have other languages as well. And you can learn how to build basic phrases like "I need ...", "where is...", and numbers. Polite phrases like "Excuse me" before saying that you need this or that, will help more than you can imagine. Their culture is very traditional, in some ways almost as formal as Victorian English society, despite low standards of life.

I don't know what would be the best way to learn - there is no easy way after you turn 40-45, and for some people it's more difficult than for others. But you may try. I like Standard Deviants DVD series, it should be available in your local library, the first 2 discs contain all the basics. Repetition is the key, at our age. Watch it again and again, write down the phrases and words - Spanish in one column and English in another, and repeat with Spanish column covered with a sheet of paper. Leaving legal aspects aside, let's say that it is possible to record the library DVD into your computer for further studies at home, people are doing this all the time. Or buy it, it doesn't cost that much.

Automated voice translators have never been good, the chances of getting it totally wrong are high. Xynotec dictionary has a voice option if you need to hear the word, though Spanish phonetics is straightforward - it will sound just like you see it.

Yes, what Mex said - "I have a question" - pregUnta, accent on U. Wouldn't also hurt to say Buenas dias (or buenas tardes, or buenas noches, whatever the time of the day is), before saying this. Then you may point on your map, or broken RV part, or empty water container, or whatever your problem is, and go on in your Ingles or sign language, or both.

Don't want to go into endless list of suggestions, but this is something related to langguage: unless it says $US or USD, or DLS, always assume that $ sign on the price tag means Pesos. If you are in doubt, ask "Este precio es dolares o pesos?"

Probably the most unknown of the Spanish phrases to use when you are ready to ask a question is:

"TENGO PREGUNTA' (pronounce it like it is spelled)

This works like magic. Don't know exactly why but you Spanish speakers out there ought to try it. It seems to overcome a Mexican's natural doubt that you can speak Spanish and their brain gears engage. Strange but what the heck - it works.

wildtoad wrote:
Years ago My wife and I were on a cruise and she suffered a mild stroke and we were put off the ship in Peru where she went into the hospital. Very few people spoke English and those that did weren't around much. Very Very frustrating. So I made a decision to avoid places that don't speak English. Of course that means certain parts of the USA now.

Wow I'm so very happy I never made that decision.

Spent 6 months in Japan when I was only 20 thanks to the US Navy.
Loved the place and the people.

Married a Danish girl now we've been to:
Denmark, Germany, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Russia, Holland, Belgium, Luxembourg, France, Mexico and even Canada.

We have found English speakers everywhere plus many who did not speak English but did their best to be kind and helpful.

Wow I'm glad we did not miss those opportunities !!!!

My Spanish is pretty bad but I will attempt to write what I think is the most important phrase to learn "Lo siento, mi Espanol es malo, hable Ingles" what it means is "I'm sorry, my Spanish is bad, do you speak English?" This has always worked wonders for me. Mexicans realize you are trying to speak their language and showing some respect to them. I usually get a smile and often an answer that their English is bad as well but it's usually good enough to communicate. Don't make the mistake of many arrogant tourists that walk up to a Mexican and immediately start babbling in English assuming they understand it. I find this disrespectful and rude. Imagine someone walking up to you in your country and launching into Chinese or some language you know nothing about.

Mexicans in general are wonderful, generous and friendly people. I've met many that will go out of their way to help you find what you need. Show them the respect they deserve, learn as much Spanish as you can and they will surprise you how helpful they are. The people are one of the big reasons I love Mexico.

If you can get in a basic Spanish course before you leave (community college, night school, etc), it will help with the basics and give you a head start on learning more as you go, such as basic pronunciation. RYV