Dealing With Spanish Language and Culture

As one of the globe’s most popular and most widely spoken tongues, Spanish is a business worth billions of pounds that attracts many new learners each and every year. As these learners clamour to get to grips with Spanish language and culture in the fastest time possible they inevitable run into a few problems. What is the best way to come to terms with these issues? Continue for some sage advice.

Phrasing in Spanish

Translating directly from English to Spanish, you can encounter many problems between particular sayings and expressions. The best way to evade these issues is not to treat Spanish as something that can directly switched into English but to learn it with a fresh mind. Picking up the language and not thinking about how to say it in your own is crucial to advancing quickly.

The Problems with Spanish Culture

Spanish cities are not the best place to be if you’re brand new to the language and culture and find yourself alone. Spending any amount of time in these will quickly lead to the realisation that you’re unable to express yourself fully in a new language and won’t be able to do the things you might usually take for granted. The difficulty of the Spanish language and culture should not be underestimated yet there is one way to make your life a little easier and that is by maintaining patience with yourself and those around you. Ask others for help and to slow down in their speech, people won’t usually have a problem following suit.

Common Informalities

Pretty soon after arriving in Spain you’ll probably recognise a big difference in the use of informal and formal words between Spanish and English. The truth of the matter is that informal words, and particular swear or light words, are much more frequently used in Spanish than in English. Don’t be surprised to hear swear words in the street or even in formal environments. Just make sure you get up to speed with the contexts they can be used in and follow suit. There’s no point shying away from using them.

In “La Calle”

Streetlife in Spain is one of the most enjoyable aspects of living and enjoying the country. Hanging out in “la calle” taking in the ambiance and chatting away with others is one of the best ways to intregrate yourself in Spanish language and culture. Make no mistake however. This takes a certain amount of guts and involves you throwing caution to the wind and ploughing on bravely opening up conversations with others and bringing yourself far outside your comfort zone.

Thinking about immersing yourself in Spain and really getting to grips with the language. Check out MySpanishAdventure.com, a blog all about Spanish language and culture as lived by an Englishman roaming the globe.