learn to speak spanish

prmenrs, RN · Dec 17, 2002

If you have already taken some Spanish in school, one thing I'd recommend is watching one of the Spanish soap operas. One colleague did this and said it really helped him--the actors speak good Spanish, clearly, and the visual cues are very helpful. If you watch the same onefrequently, you'll get to know the characters and story lines. Plus the cultural stuff is imbedded into the show, so you'll pick some of that up as well.

To help get over that "r" rolling thing, just say the words letter, better, middle...the mid consonant sound is so similar to the rolled r, it will get you over the "hump" as far as that pronunciation is concerned, which seems to be a big bugaboo for most of us anglos. When you come to a double r, just extend the sound, as if there were 3 or 4 t's in letttter.

I was functional @ work for Spanish, but I sure didn't tackle any thing serious like consents, or bad situations, I always felt that was a job for a REAL translator, even if wwe had to call AT&T.

renerian, BSN, RN · Dec 17, 2002

Thanks for the tip. Now that you mention it and I say some words in my head the RRRR really does stand out. I never took it in school so I would be starting from ground zero.......YIKES....ground zero has a whole different meaning now. No slight intended.

renerian

researchrabbit · Dec 17, 2002

Originally posted by prmenrs
To help get over that "r" rolling thing, just say the words letter, better, middle...the mid consonant sound is so similar to the rolled r, it will get you over the "hump" as far as that pronunciation is concerned, which seems to be a big bugaboo for most of us anglos. When you come to a double r, just extend the sound, as if there were 3 or 4 t's in letttter.

Another way to do this is say:

pot o tea

over and over, very fast -- then you've said para ti (for you). This was one of the "helps" I learned in Spanish pronunciation -- an upper level college class for those of us who wanted to teach it.

You might find the trilled rr a little easier if you try to purr like a cat.

nursedawn67, LPN · Dec 17, 2002

I took like a semester of spanish in high school, I wish I had finished it. I wouldn't mind learning it again and finishing it this time. So if anyone knows of CD's or whatever....

I also would love to learn sign language.

Guess I should be checking into the schools.........

renerian, BSN, RN · Dec 17, 2002

Rabbit and greer thanks for replying. I did try that pot of tea and wow it does sound like some other language!!!!! Greer a nursing home near us is a home for the deaf and blind and they do sign language classes for staff and the community. To bad you don't live near Columbus. Does your library offer classes? Ours does.

renerian

James Huffman · Dec 17, 2002

A suggestion, too, for those -- like myself! -- whose Spanish is less than perfect. There's nothing wrong with making mistakes. Your Spanish speaking patients -- or whoever -- will appreciate your making the effort, and will often gently show you your error. And you will usually be understood, even if not perfectly. If someone said to you (in English), "I are to the bathroom" you would have a pretty idea of what they were saying. English speakers are usually afraid to make a fool of themselves, but there's no better way to learn. (Unless you count the soap-opera idea, which is a really good idea. I also recommend the morning talk shows -- the "Good Morning, America" types. They also have very plain pronunciation, and are fun to watch, too).

Jim Huffman, RN

http://www.NetworkforNurses.com

kittyw · Dec 17, 2002

Our YMCA offers sign language classes.

fab4fan · Dec 17, 2002

I am pretty fluent...used as a translator in hosp.

Here are some suggestions:

1. If you have a college/univ. near you, go to the bookstore and ask them what books/tapes are recommended for their students.

2. Get magazines/newspapers in Spanish...even if you can't read them entirely at first, you'll be familiar with the appearance of the language.

3. TV programs in Spanish...definitely!!

4. This will sound strange, but talk to yourself in Spanish (when you're alone, of course)...try practicing in front of the mirror, also. When I was learning Spanish, I did this all the time, and my Spanish teacher said it does help.

5. Any Spanish radio stations in your area? Listen to them. Don't worryy if you can't understand them...just listen to get a feel for the pacing, pronunciation (this will vary depending on region...PR Spanish is different from Columbian, which is different from Mexican, but if you'll still be able to communicate to everyone, no matter which style).

6. Most important thing: NEVER, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, MAKE UP A WORD THAT YOU THINK SOUNDS LIKE THE RIGHT THING. I can tell you from personal experience that you run the risk of saying something you really don't mean to say, and embarassing yourself deeply...trust me on this one.

7. !Buena suerte!

Lausana · Dec 17, 2002

Sometimes I watch the HBO latin channel especially Sex and the City or Sopranos in Spanish I took several years of Spanish & it's fun to try to catch what they are saying!

I think it's great you're going to learn renerian! It will sure be helpful.

renerian, BSN, RN · Dec 17, 2002

These are some really good ideas. I live less than 3 miles from Otterbein College. I will check at their bookstore. They offer Spanish but it is a lab self directed course and I wanted an instructor.

Thanks everyone!

renerian

HISSYTHECAT · Dec 17, 2002

I found a spanish site ..I just typed in spanish. It is an awesome sight that teaches you and you can quiz yourself.

Signlanguage, I learned from Sylvan Learning Center, you can order tapes from them and mail them back. I learned a majority of medical sign language that helps me. I have offices who call me to interpret for them and I actually get paid 40.00 for maybe 20 minutes work.