One of the reasons Spanish is so hard to grasp is because Spanish speakers substitute things with pronouns without prior reference to what they're substituting. It seems that you have to be native to fully understand why some expressions use lo(s) instead of la(s) and vice versa. I have no idea what the pronouns are substituting in the following phrases:
1. Pasarlo bien
To what does the lo refer?
2. Las que lian
Las que?
3. Matarlas callando.
Las que??
4. Apañarselas
Showing posts with label Spanish. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Spanish. Show all posts
Thursday, May 27, 2010
And then there are those I can't figure out
I have no idea what the English translations for these would be.
1. El que da pan a perro ajeno, pierde pan y perro.
2. Matarlas callando
Wolf in sheep's clothing?
3. Mosquita muerta
4. Tener malas puglas, tener mal genio
5. Entrar por los ojos
6. Cuando veas las barbas de tu vecino cortar, pon las tuyas a remojar
1. El que da pan a perro ajeno, pierde pan y perro.
2. Matarlas callando
Wolf in sheep's clothing?
3. Mosquita muerta
4. Tener malas puglas, tener mal genio
5. Entrar por los ojos
6. Cuando veas las barbas de tu vecino cortar, pon las tuyas a remojar
Expressions II
So, about 2 months ago, the English teacher for adult education, asked me to come in once a month to speak with the students. This past time, she wanted to look at Spanish and English idioms. We sat down and composed a list of both English and Spanish idioms and proverbs and tried to come up with their translations. So far, we got:
1. Raining cats and dogs
Llover a cántaros; llover a jarros
2. Roll with the puches
Hay que continuar
3. Finders keepers, losers weepers.
El que se fue a Sevilla perdió su silla.
4. No good crying over spilt milk
Agua pasada no mueve molina.
5. Nothing ventured, nothing gained.
El que no arriesga, no gana.
6. Politeness costs nothing.
Ser educado no cuesta dinero.
7. The early bird catches the worm.
Al que madruga, Dios le ayuda.
8. A stitch in time saves nine.
Mas vale prevenir que curar.
9. To pull someone's leg
Tomar el pelo a alguien
10. All that glitter is not gold.
Todo lo que reluce no es oro.
11. Mas vale coger pájaro en mano que ciento volando.
A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.
12. Don't look a gift horse in the mouth.
A caballo regalado, no le mires el diente.
13. Birds of a feather flock together.
Dios los cria y ellos se juntan; estar en la misma onda
14. If you lay down with dogs, you get up with fleas.
El que con ninos se acuesta, mojado se levanta.
15. To each his own.
Sobre gustos, no hay nada escrito
16. By the skin of his teeth; by a hair
El canto de un duro; por los pelos
17. Tener buen gusto
To have good taste
18. Dressed up to the nines
Ir de punta en blanco; ir de gala
19. That is so you.
Es muy proprio de ti
Te va (muy) bien--clothing
Te pega.
1. Raining cats and dogs
Llover a cántaros; llover a jarros
2. Roll with the puches
Hay que continuar
3. Finders keepers, losers weepers.
El que se fue a Sevilla perdió su silla.
4. No good crying over spilt milk
Agua pasada no mueve molina.
5. Nothing ventured, nothing gained.
El que no arriesga, no gana.
6. Politeness costs nothing.
Ser educado no cuesta dinero.
7. The early bird catches the worm.
Al que madruga, Dios le ayuda.
8. A stitch in time saves nine.
Mas vale prevenir que curar.
9. To pull someone's leg
Tomar el pelo a alguien
10. All that glitter is not gold.
Todo lo que reluce no es oro.
11. Mas vale coger pájaro en mano que ciento volando.
A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.
12. Don't look a gift horse in the mouth.
A caballo regalado, no le mires el diente.
13. Birds of a feather flock together.
Dios los cria y ellos se juntan; estar en la misma onda
14. If you lay down with dogs, you get up with fleas.
El que con ninos se acuesta, mojado se levanta.
15. To each his own.
Sobre gustos, no hay nada escrito
16. By the skin of his teeth; by a hair
El canto de un duro; por los pelos
17. Tener buen gusto
To have good taste
18. Dressed up to the nines
Ir de punta en blanco; ir de gala
19. That is so you.
Es muy proprio de ti
Te va (muy) bien--clothing
Te pega.
Sunday, January 17, 2010
Learning a language in 3 months??
Yup, that definitely did not happen for me. Not even in 6 months.
From previous posts, I should hope that it's pretty obvious that one of my main goals here is to become fluent in Spanish. That desire has led me to blog after blog in search of the magic method. Unfortunately, there is none. However, I have gleaned things from those blogs (and my experience here) which have helped me immensely.
1. Avoid speakers of your native language like the plague.
If you really want to learn another language, you're going to have to make yourself a little (very) uncomfortable.
2. Roadtrips are a really good time for you to practice speaking the target language.
Sure you could fill 5 hours listening to music, but it would be much more to your benefit if you took advantage of the journey to have a conversation. My housemate commented on my how much better my fluency and my accent were after returning from a long roadtrip. I was alone with someone who didn't speak English and I really have any other option but to talk to him in Spanish.
3. Read read read.
You have to pick up vocabulary from somewhere. Children learn it from their parents and in school. Since your parents probably don't speak your target language, and 3 months of schooling, even intensive schooling, can not make up for years of vocabulary deprivation, you must take other steps to acquire the vocabulary that you lack. Books, newspapers, and magazines are great sources.
4. Watch the news.
Besides being a well informed person, you will get the chance to hear proper pronunciation (the ideal) and learn new words. Also, the news is done at a pace that is faster than many of the lessons on language tapes, while not as fast as that of normal conversations.
5. Intensive language courses...
Don't work in my opinion. If you're going to take one, make sure to practice outside of class.
6. Bars are probably the best place to learn a language.
Usually in these settings, people are more relaxed and much more likely to use slang, idioms, and popular sayings which are fundamental in the transformation of the target language from a textbook language to a real, living thing.
7. Break up your language learning.
For me, that meant dedicating the first 3 months to listening and understand. I dedicated (and am currently in) the next trimester to syncing my brain and my tongue. That means taking extra care with my pronunciation and making sure to get my point across. I don't know what I'll focus on during the 3rd trimester. I'll just have to pay attention to the areas in which I am really weak.
I've found excellent advise from the following sites:
http://www.fluentin3months.com/
http://www.fourhourworkweek.com/blog/2009/01/20/learning-language/
From previous posts, I should hope that it's pretty obvious that one of my main goals here is to become fluent in Spanish. That desire has led me to blog after blog in search of the magic method. Unfortunately, there is none. However, I have gleaned things from those blogs (and my experience here) which have helped me immensely.
1. Avoid speakers of your native language like the plague.
If you really want to learn another language, you're going to have to make yourself a little (very) uncomfortable.
2. Roadtrips are a really good time for you to practice speaking the target language.
Sure you could fill 5 hours listening to music, but it would be much more to your benefit if you took advantage of the journey to have a conversation. My housemate commented on my how much better my fluency and my accent were after returning from a long roadtrip. I was alone with someone who didn't speak English and I really have any other option but to talk to him in Spanish.
3. Read read read.
You have to pick up vocabulary from somewhere. Children learn it from their parents and in school. Since your parents probably don't speak your target language, and 3 months of schooling, even intensive schooling, can not make up for years of vocabulary deprivation, you must take other steps to acquire the vocabulary that you lack. Books, newspapers, and magazines are great sources.
4. Watch the news.
Besides being a well informed person, you will get the chance to hear proper pronunciation (the ideal) and learn new words. Also, the news is done at a pace that is faster than many of the lessons on language tapes, while not as fast as that of normal conversations.
5. Intensive language courses...
Don't work in my opinion. If you're going to take one, make sure to practice outside of class.
6. Bars are probably the best place to learn a language.
Usually in these settings, people are more relaxed and much more likely to use slang, idioms, and popular sayings which are fundamental in the transformation of the target language from a textbook language to a real, living thing.
7. Break up your language learning.
For me, that meant dedicating the first 3 months to listening and understand. I dedicated (and am currently in) the next trimester to syncing my brain and my tongue. That means taking extra care with my pronunciation and making sure to get my point across. I don't know what I'll focus on during the 3rd trimester. I'll just have to pay attention to the areas in which I am really weak.
I've found excellent advise from the following sites:
http://www.fluentin3months.com/
http://www.fourhourworkweek.com/blog/2009/01/20/learning-language/
No te cortes! Sin miedo....
are probably among the phrases I hear the most (along with "etypically espanish") often directed at me. Usually the speaker is trying to pull me out of my shell and get me to speak more, to make me forget about utilizing correct grammar and and trying to pronounce things as perfectly as I can, however painstaking it may be.
I would like to think that I have made progress in this area, but perhaps what may seem like leaps and bounds to me doesn't even constitute a half step to someone else. In any case, no te cortes is easier said than done. I sometimes wonder how I would interact with people here if I didn't have the language problem. However, then I realize that language isn't the only problem. Many times in group situations, I find myself lost because someone makes a cultural reference. While said reference can bring some of the participants in the conversation closer, at the same time, it can easily exclude those who don't understand it. And that is the position in which I find myself many times. Before coming here, I didn't realize how much language was used to reference and rehash cultural facts. I figure that there is no way that I can get around being in the dark about what people are talking about except to ask. Sin miedo. Don't be afraid.
I suppose that I must do the same that I tell my students: don't worry about making a mistake. The important thing is getting your message across and if you don't understand something, ask.
I would like to think that I have made progress in this area, but perhaps what may seem like leaps and bounds to me doesn't even constitute a half step to someone else. In any case, no te cortes is easier said than done. I sometimes wonder how I would interact with people here if I didn't have the language problem. However, then I realize that language isn't the only problem. Many times in group situations, I find myself lost because someone makes a cultural reference. While said reference can bring some of the participants in the conversation closer, at the same time, it can easily exclude those who don't understand it. And that is the position in which I find myself many times. Before coming here, I didn't realize how much language was used to reference and rehash cultural facts. I figure that there is no way that I can get around being in the dark about what people are talking about except to ask. Sin miedo. Don't be afraid.
I suppose that I must do the same that I tell my students: don't worry about making a mistake. The important thing is getting your message across and if you don't understand something, ask.
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Wallowing in ignorance
Every now and then, my housemate refers to some Spanish idioms that have been translated to English and laughs about how funny they are while I'm at a loss as to what they mean. So, I've taken the liberty of posting the idiom, it's English translation, and what it means (based on what I've been able to find on the internet).
1. Se te ha ido la olla: Your pan has gone
To go crazy.
2. Mi gozo en un pozo: My happiness in a well.
My hopes were crushed/just my luck/my luck went south/things didn't turn out the way I would have hoped.
3. Compuesto y sin novia: Composed and without a girlfriend.
Ready to go, but missing an important piece. To be left high and dry.
4. La madre que lo/te/me pario: The mother who gave birth to him/you/me
Son of a gun. Can be used to express frustration, surprise, or anger. Depending on the context, it can have a meaning stronger than "son of a gun."
5. Vamos, no me jodas: Let's go. Don't fuck me.
Come on. Stop kidding around. Or, are you serious?
6. Marcando paquete: Marking parcel.
Showing off one's package/family jewels/male genitalia.
7. Marica de playa: Sissy of the beach
Refers to the overly muscular guys that you find at the beach prancing around in their revealing beach wear and showing off their muscles.
8. Marica el ultimo: Sissy the last
Last one's a sissy.
9. Apaga y vamanos: Switch off and let's go.
Enough already; Let's call it a wrap; I rest my case (when used to express
frustration).
10. Meter un puro: To put in a cigar
To sanction someone; to punish someone.
11. Salir por piernas: Go out by legs
To make a hasty/speedy exit; to leave quickly in the face of danger or an uncomfortable situation.
12. Cantamanana: Morning singer
A fly by night; a wreckless, loquacious person, a bull shitter, a rascal, a ruffian.
13. Por si las moscas: For if the flies
Just in case.
14. No es moco de pavo: It is not turkey mucus.
Used to signal that something is important.
15. Me la suda (vulgar): It sweats me.
It's all the same to me.
16. Tienes mas cuento que Calleja: You have more story than Calleja
The stories or excuses that you give ring a bit false, seem exaggerated.
Will add more another day.
1. Se te ha ido la olla: Your pan has gone
To go crazy.
2. Mi gozo en un pozo: My happiness in a well.
My hopes were crushed/just my luck/my luck went south/things didn't turn out the way I would have hoped.
3. Compuesto y sin novia: Composed and without a girlfriend.
Ready to go, but missing an important piece. To be left high and dry.
4. La madre que lo/te/me pario: The mother who gave birth to him/you/me
Son of a gun. Can be used to express frustration, surprise, or anger. Depending on the context, it can have a meaning stronger than "son of a gun."
5. Vamos, no me jodas: Let's go. Don't fuck me.
Come on. Stop kidding around. Or, are you serious?
6. Marcando paquete: Marking parcel.
Showing off one's package/family jewels/male genitalia.
7. Marica de playa: Sissy of the beach
Refers to the overly muscular guys that you find at the beach prancing around in their revealing beach wear and showing off their muscles.
8. Marica el ultimo: Sissy the last
Last one's a sissy.
9. Apaga y vamanos: Switch off and let's go.
Enough already; Let's call it a wrap; I rest my case (when used to express
frustration).
10. Meter un puro: To put in a cigar
To sanction someone; to punish someone.
11. Salir por piernas: Go out by legs
To make a hasty/speedy exit; to leave quickly in the face of danger or an uncomfortable situation.
12. Cantamanana: Morning singer
A fly by night; a wreckless, loquacious person, a bull shitter, a rascal, a ruffian.
13. Por si las moscas: For if the flies
Just in case.
14. No es moco de pavo: It is not turkey mucus.
Used to signal that something is important.
15. Me la suda (vulgar): It sweats me.
It's all the same to me.
16. Tienes mas cuento que Calleja: You have more story than Calleja
The stories or excuses that you give ring a bit false, seem exaggerated.
Will add more another day.
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
There are just some sounds que no me salen
I totally sympathize with my students. Just like they have problems pronouncing God, and other word that I can't think of at the moment, I have the hardest time pronouncing:--madre/padre
--luego
--agua
--drama
--aire
--any word with double Rs
--any word with a final r.
Thus I have a long list of things that I need to improve. Poco a poco, no.
Switching topics, I spent the afternoon trying to find exercises to teach the kids English vowels. Since English has 11 vowel sounds and Spanish has only 5, it's natural that they find some sounds both difficult to distinguish and produce. Any ideas about how to go about teaching them?
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