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Spanish for Tourists - part 2 "Courtesy Expressions"
Spanish for Tourists - Part 2 "Courtesy Expressions"
Asking, answering and making comments:
| Perdón. Discúlpame | Excuse me |
| Por favor | Please |
| ¿Le importa si...? | Do you mind if...? |
| Disculpe por la molestia. | Excuse me for your trouble. |
| Gracias. | Thank you |
| Muchas gracias. | Thank you very much. |
| Muchísimas gracias | Thank you very much. |
| Muy amable. | How kind. |
| Usted es muy amable. | You are very kind. |
| De nada | You are welcome |
| No hay de que | Don't mention it |
| No importa. | It doesn't matter. |
| No se hubiera molestado. | You shouldn't have. |
| No se preocupe. | Do not worry. |
| Déjelo. | Never mind. |
| Que lástima | What a shame |
| Ha sido sin querer. | It was not intentional. |
| Lo puede pasar a cualquiera. | It could have happened to anyone. |
| Le invito a un café. | I invite you to a coffee. |
| ¿Le apetece ... ? | Would you like ... ? |
| Es una buena idea. | That is a good idea. |
| Cuento con Usted. | I'm counting on you. |
| Iré con mucho gusto. | I'd love to come. It would be a pleasure to come |
Affirmations in Spanish:
| Sí. | Yes. |
| Sí, claro. | Yes, of course. |
| Yo también. | Me too. |
| De acuerdo. | OK. All right. |
| Está bien. | All right. |
| Vale. | All right. |
| Con mucho gusto. | With pleasure. |
| Será fantástico. | It will be great. |
| Quizá | Perhaps |
Negations in Spanish:
| No | No |
| No, eso es imposible. | No, that's impossible. |
| No, de ninguna manera. | No, not at all. No, no way. |
| No, nadie. | No, no one. |
| No, nada. | No, nothing. |
| No estoy de acuerdo. | I do not agree. |
| No es cierto. | That's not right. That's not true. |
| No lo sé. | I do not know. |
| Lo siento | Sorry |
| Lo siento, pero no puedo | I'm sorry, I'm afraid I can't. |
| Lo siento, pero no estaré. | Sorry, but I won't be there. |
| Me gustaría mucho, pero ... | I'd love to, but ... |
Learn Languages On Your Own
Learn Languages On Your Own
It is not that much difficult as it was in the past. The opportunities to learn a foreign language is nowadays 15 times greater than it was 10 years ago. The development of technology and the internet is giving people many possibilities to reach and learn new things
in a shorter and easier time.
in a shorter and easier time.But the question is, " How far can you go on your own and how much time will it take to learn a new foreign language. ? "
There are many institutions or books which are talking about "Español in 3 Months". What are they talking about, to be fluent ?
A realistic short term goal of any foreign language learning method is a vocabulary to get thorugh, ability of conversation, or a foundation for further study. Even with a normal program, any of these goals are achievable in a few months of study. For the average
person, however, a realistic accomplishment is a good foundation in the language in 3 months. To be functional in the language in 6 months 
and real fluency is probably a few years away.Actually, this is possible if you are using your method every day
, and supporting it with real life practice, and vocabulary. Afterwards moving on to a more advanced level based language course. The KEY is to use the language every day. You will be able to be understood in a short period of time, but ease of communication or proficiency with your foreign language will take time.
, and supporting it with real life practice, and vocabulary. Afterwards moving on to a more advanced level based language course. The KEY is to use the language every day. You will be able to be understood in a short period of time, but ease of communication or proficiency with your foreign language will take time. What to do, to do it on your own.....
First Set Goals : As you are doing it in your whole life make short term, medium term and long term goals. Always reward yourself when you hit them, but don't get too down when you don't : ))) Reevaluate always whether your goals are reasonable and adjust them if necessary. Don't set a goal which is global like "I want to complete this Spanish course." Be more specific so thaht you can evaluate yourself. Like "One chapter per week"
Try to Learn from many sources possible : As mentioned before the internet is a good place. for gathering information, its like a ope source. There are more sources of free information and learning on the internet than it was just a few years ago. Search for learning materials that you can use to help you to learn your foreign languag. Websites, podcasts
, tutorials and even videos are available for many many languages. Use them to support your language learning to help you achieve your goals.
, tutorials and even videos are available for many many languages. Use them to support your language learning to help you achieve your goals.Study every day : Do your best and work hard every day, even if only a little bit. This phase is so critical, especially when you are working on your own. You can achieve a very good foundation in almost any foreign language you learn on your own. And not just a few words or phrases, but real conversational ability and understanding. It will take hard work and 3P´s (daily practice, permanence, and persistence). A modest and less expensive language method supporte
d with free materials can give you all the tools you need to achieve to learn a foreign language, but it all comes down
to you doing the work yourself!
d with free materials can give you all the tools you need to achieve to learn a foreign language, but it all comes down to you doing the work yourself!21 Funny Translation Mistakes
21 Funny Translation Mistakes
Paris hotel elevator - Please leave your values at the front desk
Tokyo hotel - It is forbidden to steal hotel towels please. If you are not a person to do such a thing is please not read this notice
Bucharest hotel - The list is being fixed for the next day. During this time you will be unbearable
Japanese hotel room - You are invited to take advantage of the chambermaid
Leipzig elevator - Do not enter the lift backwards, and only when lit up
Athens hotel - Visitors are expected to complain at the office between the hours of 9 and 11am daily
Belgrade elevator - To move the cabin, push button for wishing floor. If the cabin should enter more persons, each one should press a number of wishing floor. Driving then going alphabetically in national order.
Sarajevo hotel - The flattening of underwear with pleasure is the job of the chambermaid
Moscow hotel - You are welcome to visit the cemetery where famous Russian and Soviet composers, artists and writers are buried daily except Thursday
Swiss menu - Our wines leave you nothing to hope for
Hong Kong tailors shop - Ladies may have a fit upstairs
Bangkok dry cleaners - Drop your trousers here for best results
Paris dress shop - Dresses for street walking
Rhodes tailor shop - Order your summer suit. Because is big rush we will execute customers in strict rotation
Hong Kong advert - Teeth extracted by the latest methodists
Rome laundary - Ladies, leave your clothes here and spend the afternoon having a good time
Copenhagen airline - We take your bags and send them in all directions
Moscow hotel - If this is your first visit to the USSR, you are welcome to it
Norwegian lounge - Ladies are requested not to have children in the bar
Tokyo shop - Our nylons cost more than common but they are better for the long run
Acapulco hotel - The manager has personally passed all the water served here
Language Jokes 5
 |
| Language Jokes |
Nouns : Masculine or Feminine ; ))
A foreign language teacher was explaining to her class that, unlike their English counterparts, French nouns are grammatically designated as masculine or feminine.
Things like ‘chalk’ or ‘pencil,’ she described, would have a gender association although in English these words were neutral. Confused, one student raised his hand and asked, “What gender is a computer?”
The French teacher wasn’t sure which gender it was, so she ivided the class into two groups and asked them to decide if a computer should be masculine or feminine. One group was comprised of the women in the class, and the other of men. Both groups were asked to give four reasons for their recommendation.
The group of women concluded that computers should be referred to in masculine gender because:
1. In order to get their attention, you have to turn them on.
2. They have a lot of data but are still clueless.
3. They are supposed to help you solve your problems, but half the time they ARE the problem.
4. As soon as you commit to one, you realize that, if you had waited a little longer, you could have had a better model.
The men, on the other hand, decided that computers should definitely be referred to in the feminine gender because:
1. No one but their creator understands their internal logic.
2. The native language they use to communicate with other computers is incomprehensible to everyone else.
3. Even your smallest mistakes are stored in long-term memory for later retrieval.
4. As soon as you make a commitment to one, you find yourself spending half your pay check on accessories.
Teachers often use jokes in the ESL/EFL classroom to teach culture, grammar and vocabulary.
Here are some examples...
Here are some examples...
The teacher says, "Why are you arguing?"
One boy answers, "We found a ten dollor bill and decided to give it to whoever tells the biggest lie."
"You should be ashamed of yourselves," said the teacher, "When I was your age I didn't even know what a lie was."
The boys gave the ten dollars to the teacher.
A teacher asked a student to write 55.
Student asked: How?
Teacher: Write 5 and beside it another 5!
The student wrote 5 and stopped.
teacher: What are you waiting for?
student: I don't know which side to write the other 5!
Student asked: How?
Teacher: Write 5 and beside it another 5!
The student wrote 5 and stopped.
teacher: What are you waiting for?
student: I don't know which side to write the other 5!
Why Do Language Learners Fail ?
 |
| Listening |
1. Since everyone is speaking English or is goin to speak English why should I learn a foreign language ?
It is true that every non English speaking country is going to teach their people English at school or people are going to take a English course themselves in order to learn the International Language
. But, this doesn't mean that all of them are able to speak the language well enough to communicate or to solve problems even handle negotiations. Non English speaking countries people are learning it in order to have a second language and to take advantage of it. Look from your point of view how fantastic it could be to speak with the person in front of you in his native language though he speaks English. Just consider all the advantages you can have : ease of mind, improved negotiations, comfortable travels
, making friends, be "the person" in your community,...etc..
. But, this doesn't mean that all of them are able to speak the language well enough to communicate or to solve problems even handle negotiations. Non English speaking countries people are learning it in order to have a second language and to take advantage of it. Look from your point of view how fantastic it could be to speak with the person in front of you in his native language though he speaks English. Just consider all the advantages you can have : ease of mind, improved negotiations, comfortable travels, making friends, be "the person" in your community,...etc..2. Language learning is difficult
It is obvious that learning a new language is difficult and it will be difficult since you are going to learn a new language and also a new culture. But don't be afraid that much, here are the hard parts of learning a new language :
a ) Learning grammar rules
b ) Memorizing vocabulary and conjunction
c ) Spelling rules and new alphabets
d ) Pronunciation of unfamiliar sounds
Don't "panic
" none of these are necessary to learn a foreign language and thats why most people FAIL !!!!
" none of these are necessary to learn a foreign language and thats why most people FAIL !!!!Learning a new language depends on how much input you put at the beginning, it is a physical skill that can be learned with lots of input in the beginning stage and lots of output when you are ready to use it.
Think about babies
, all new born babies learn their first language perfectly without ever reading a grammar book or taking a language course : ))))
, all new born babies learn their first language perfectly without ever reading a grammar book or taking a language course : ))))You can do the same, the difficult part is to start to use it. Use it everyday don't worry about doing mistakes the rest comes by itself.
The difficulty of a language is mostly rated by how similar it is to your own native language. For example, Chinese is difficult for German people
but not that much difficult for Japanese people
. If you are going to learn your new language in the traditional way than "yes" similarity between two language will make it less difficult. The important point is to have a) much interest (to be eager) to learn a new language b) comprehensive input as possible.
but not that much difficult for Japanese people. If you are going to learn your new language in the traditional way than "yes" similarity between two language will make it less difficult. The important point is to have a) much interest (to be eager) to learn a new language b) comprehensive input as possible.3. No usage in daily life thats why I can never learn it effectively
Of course it will have many advantages to learn a foreign language where it is spoken, but it is not a condition to do it. According to many linguists, the key point in foreign language learning is "listening" in stead of speaking. This is a big advantage since you can listen to your new foreign language anytime and anywhere. Just imagine how fantastic
it is to put as much input as you can through a media player wherever you are. And you can find very easy high-quality contents from everywhere.
it is to put as much input as you can through a media player wherever you are. And you can find very easy high-quality contents from everywhere.AS YOU SEE, GEOGRAPHY IS NOT A BARRIER TO LEARN A FOREIGN LANGUAGE, GO FOR IT !!!
Funny - German Coast Guard ; )))
A good "Foreign Language" knowledge can be that much important : ))
.
Top 6 Mistakes done in Learning a New Language
 |
Communication |
Learning a new language can take much time if you don't have a system to learn it or haven't set your goals at a satisfying time period. In such a case you are going to steal your time, money and your motivation of learning other additional languages.
Here are 6 mistakes done by new language learners, take these in account in order to avoid them :
1. Choosing a Course with Poor Quality
It is very important to choose the right course in order to get the most of it. Before choosing a course do serious researches and try to get in contact with people who have already done these experiences. It is a wise decision to pay more than to choose a cheap course with poor education quality.
2. Buying unnecessary or forgetting bought Working Materials
At the beginning where everybody is highly motivated to learn a new language is buying working materials that are to much for the beginning as a beginner or the wrong ones. In many cases we are buying that much materials such as flash cards, study kits, teach yourself manuals, dictionaries, softwares, books (mostly advanced levels
) that we do not use at the beginning and due to leave them lying on the shelf.
) that we do not use at the beginning and due to leave them lying on the shelf.3. Not taking in account the difficulties of that particular language
Be always realistic and do not underestimate the time of learning a new foreign language. The fact is that some languages are more difficult to learn the others. For example it will be easy to learn italian for those ones who speak a latin based language as native.
4. Learning Discipline
It is a must for those ones to have a learning discipline who are starting to learn a foreing language. Many people are struggling
with their self-disicpline when they have started to learn a new language. The point is that learning a new language needs time and disicpline in order to learn it properly within a certain time period.5. Learning Speed and Technique
Learning speed is about your talent and skills it has nothing to do with the difficulties of the language you are learning. But the learning technique which you are using is also effecting directly your learning process. Therefore, check how quick you are able to learn specific terms, grammars, new words, vocabulary and than adapt that certain method of learning to your learning.
6. Not to Learn the Language in its Origin
One of the easiest and quickiest way to learn a foreign language is to learn it in the country of origin
where your are surrounded by native speakers. The reason is you will be forced to use the language all the time. You will think, speak, demand, feel and even dream in that particular language. You will save time, you will get that much familiar with the language and learn it in couple of month instead of years by not being there.Language Jokes 4 - The importance of Foreign Language for Companies
Foreign language knowledge is really that much important for international companies that they should have a department which is dealing only with foreign languages, cultures, attidudes, ...etc It becomes a critical stage for them when they have the intention to become a multinational Brand
. All companies have to consider the meanings of their slogans and campaigns or the name of the brand when they are going to launch it. Because sometimes really good slogans
or brand names in their country may cause disasters
abroad which can harm the product or the whole company. Here are some typical examples.... : )))
. All companies have to consider the meanings of their slogans and campaigns or the name of the brand when they are going to launch it. Because sometimes really good slogans or brand names in their country may cause disasters abroad which can harm the product or the whole company. Here are some typical examples.... : )))* Scandinavian vacuum manufacturer Electrolux used the following in an American campaign: Nothing sucks like an Electrolux.
* Information on how to use a hotel air conditioner: Cooles and Heates: If you want just condition of warm in your room, please control yourself.
Proverbs about Languages 2
 |
| Proverbs about Languages |
* Nelson Mandela
The limits of my language are the limits of my universe.
Die Grenzen meiner Sprache bedeuten die Grenzen meiner Welt.
* Ludwing Wittgenstein
When you go to a country, you must learn how to say two things: how to ask for food, and to tell a woman that you love her. Of these the second is more important, for if you tell a woman you love her she will certainly feed you.
* Louis L'Amour
No man should travel until he has learned the language of the country he visits. Otherwise he voluntarily makes himself a great baby, - so helpless and so ridiculous.
* Ralph Waldo Emerson
A man who speaks three language is trilingual.
A man who speaks two languages is bilingual.
A man who speaks only one language is English.
Un homme qui parle trois langues est trilingue.
Un homme qui parle deux langues est bilingue.
Un homme qui ne parle qu'une langue est anglais.
* Claude Gagnière
Italian for Tourists - part 2
Italian for Tourists 2
What´s your name ? Come ti chiami ?
Come si chiama ? (formal)
My Name is ...... Mi chiamo .......
Do you speak Italian ? Parli italiano ?
Parla italiano ? (formal)
Yes, I speak italian. Si, io parlo italiano.
Non parlo italiano.
How old are you ? Quanti anni hai ?
Quanti anni ha ? (formal)
Where are you from ? Di dove sei ?
Di dove´e ? (formal)
I am from ......... Sono di ...... ( New York, Parigi (paris), Milano (milan), Prato)
Week La settimana
Month Il mese
Day Il giorno
Today Oggi
Tomorrow Domani
Yesterday Ieri
Year L´anno
Monday Lunedi
Tuesday Martedi
Wednesday Mercoledi
Thursday Giovedi
Friday Venerdi
Saturday Sabato
Sunday Domenica
.
The Relationship between Age and Language Learning
There are many prejudices, myths, misunderstandings and misconceptions about the abilities or inabilities of the language learners of different ages. There are many question about this where nobody has an exact answer for it.
- Do children learn language quicker than adults ?
- Is it impossible for adults to achieve fluency in any additional language ?
In one sipmle word - " No "
These and other kind of beliefs are no right. Children do not learn quicker than adults, even adult people may learn more efficiently. Since age is not a determining factor of learning language there will be no loss of language learning abilities over a certain of time. In addition, learning additional languages (second, third, etc) keeps the human brain active and this is an benefit for older learners. This means that people of any ages can take advantages from learning additional languages.
There are two reports (click below read more ) which were sponsored by the US Department of Education. The reports show the effect of age and language learning from two different point of view. The Older Language Learner shows some of the myths surrounding adult language learners, and Myths and Misconceptions about Second Language Learning shows the same from the perspective of working with children.
These reports were produced mainly for teachers and educators, but they clearly show that people of any age can be accomplished language learners, particularly self-motivated adults. In addition, they show how learning style and different learning methods can have a powerful impact on our success rate as language learners.
Pronounciation in Spanish
Pronounciation in Spanish
Vowels in Spanish
The pronunciation of Spanish vowels is easy for all native English speakers and for those ones which English is the second language. This is because there are similar vowel sounds in English and all the Spanish vowels are generally pronounced in the same way. In some cases Spanish vowels are pronounced slightly differently depending on the letters before or after them.
In Spanish,
- A is pronounced like the A in "awesome", never like the A in "apple".
- E is pronounced like the A in "hay".
- I is pronounced like the EE in "jeep".
- O is pronounced like the OA in "goat".
- U is pronounced like the U in "duty".
Consonants in Spanish
In Spanish
- B and V sound identical in Spanish in most cases, like the "b" in baby.
- G is pronounced like the g in good, except when it comes before an E or an I, when it is pronounced like the hard H in English (the Spanish J). Gimenez (himenez), Girona (hirona), Genial (henial)
- H is always silent "hola" is pronounced "ola". Hernandez (ernandez), Hermano (ermano)
- J is pronounced like the hard H of "hello", perhaps a little harder than one would say it in English. Javier (havier), juego (huego)
- L is pronounced like the L in "like", never like the "le" in ankle.
- LL is pronounced like the Y in "yawn", Lleno (yeno),
- Ñ is pronounced like the NY in "canyon". Nunez (nunyez)
- RR is the infamous rolling R, which stumps beginning speakers. You can try making to brum-brum sound imitating a car motor or imitate a cat purring.
- X is pronounced either like the S or the Spanish J, "experto", is pronounced as esperto, "México" is pronounced as meh-hee-co and not meks-ih-co.
- Z is pronounced identically to S, like "single". This pronunciation is standard in all of Latin American. In Spain, Z is pronounced as TH, as in the TH of 'math'.
Favorite Foreign Languages to Learn
one ? First of all we have to set the definition of the "foreign language". A foreign language is a language which is not spoken by the people of a particular place or in the native country of the person. For example, a Spanish/English speaker living in China
can say that Chinese is a foreign language to him/her. As we have mentioned in the previous articles how to decide for the right foreign language we will go on in this article to show you the favorite ones.Top 10 Languages Learned in the U.S
Based on Fall 2006 Enrollment in the U.S. Institutions of Higher Education
Language % of Enrollment
1. Spanish 52,2 %
2. French 13,1 %
3. German 6 %
4. American Sign Language 5 %
5. Italian 5 %
6. Japanese 4,2 %
7. Chinese 3,3 %
8. Latin 2 %
9. Russian 1,6 %
10.Arabic 1,5 %
Top 5 additional spoken/interested Languages in Europe
Survey, Europeans and their Languages Feb,2006
1. English 38 %
2. French 14 %
3. German 14 %
4. Spanish 6 %
5. Russian 6 %
.
Language Jokes 3
 |
| Language Jokes |
A Swiss
guy visiting Sydney, Australia, pulls up at a bus stop where two locals are waiting. "Entschuldigung, koennen Sie Deutsch sprechen?" he asks.The two Aussies just stare at him.
"Excusez-moi, parlez vous Francais?" he tries.
The two continue to stare.
"Parlare Italiano?"
No response.
"Hablan ustedes Espanol?"
Still nothing.
The Swiss guy drives off, extremely
disgusted. The first Aussie turns to the second and says, "Y'know, maybe we should learn a foreign language.""Why?" says the other. "That guy knew four languages, and it didn't do him any good."
Be Careful following the Crowd
A missionary recruit goes to Venezuela
for the first time, struggling with the language. He visits one of the local churches and sits in the front row.So as not to make a fool of himself, he decides to pick someone out of the crowd to imitate. He decides to follow the man sitting next to him in the front pew. As they sing, the man claps his hands, so the missionary recruit claps, too. When the man stands up to pray, the missionary recruit stands up, too. When the man sits down, the missionary sits down.
Later in the service
, the man next to him stands up again, so the missionary stands up, too.Suddenly a hush falls over the entire congregation. A few people gasp. The missionary looks around and sees that no one else is standing. So he sits down.
After the service ends, the missionary recruit greets the preacher. "I take it you don't speak Spanish," the preacher says.
The missionary replies, "No, I don't. It's that obvious?"
"Well yes," the preacher says. "I announced that the Acosta family had a new-born
baby boy, and I asked the proud father to please stand up.".
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