WHAT TYPE OF ENGLISH / SPANISH TO STUDY
Spanish and English are spoken in many different countries and have many varieties, so the question often arises: Which variety is the best to study?
The point is very tenable because most people are confused, and rightly so when confronted with a difficult choice in the case of English: American English or British English? Most Europeans believe that, of course, real English is the one spoken in the British Isles and that American English is a bastard tongue. I believe the British think so too - I do not. The case of Spanish is even more complicated. In the US, the language has been neatly divided into two distinct varieties: South American Spanish and Peninsular Spanish. However, the question cannot be dismissed so easily and neatly. Each country has its peculiarities: the Spanish spoken in Mexico is not the same as the Spanish spoken in Argentina or Paraguay, all of which are Latin American nations. The Cuban accent is not the same as the Colombian accent.
Let me make it clear to you.
The Spanish and English languages, no matter where they are spoken, have the same grammatical foundation, wiring, and scaffolding, which makes Spanish and English adjectives, verbs, conjunctions, nouns, and pronouns act the same everywhere. Despite some differences, grammar remains largely the same and provides a solid foundation for the many varieties of both languages.
The basic vocabulary—tener (to have), silla (chair), nube (cloud), y (and), loco (crazy), saber (to know), ir (to go)—forms the building blocks common to all, holdThe basic vocabulary: tener, to have; silla, chair; nube, cloud; y, and¸ loco, crazy, saber, to know; ir, to go… are the bricks, common to all, that keep up the edifice of the language. Each country, each region within each country, will have different words at times, peculiar idiomatic expressions, and even sounds.
What is the answer then to the question above?
The best English and Spanish, regardless of origin, are the ones that can be best understood by most people. Educated English and educated Spanish will stand you and your children in good stead anywhere, in any country, or region, of the English and Spanish-speaking worlds. It is that simple.
Make sure your child’s teacher—regardless of where she comes from—speaks distinctly and clearly. Most teachers do, of course, whether they come from Peru, Argentina, Spain, Mexico, or Guatemala. A good instructor will use educated speech, easy to understand.
Well-spoken, distinct Spanish, is a joy to the ear, whether the accent is Chilean or Colombian. Well-spoken, clear English—whether Southern American, Oxonian, or Scottish—is a joy to the ear and always intelligible, which is, after all, the purpose of language: communication.
The point is very tenable because most people are confused, and rightly so when confronted with a difficult choice in the case of English: American English or British English? Most Europeans believe that, of course, real English is the one spoken in the British Isles and that American English is a bastard tongue. I believe the British think so too - I do not. The case of Spanish is even more complicated. In the US, the language has been neatly divided into two distinct varieties: South American Spanish and Peninsular Spanish. However, the question cannot be dismissed so easily and neatly. Each country has its peculiarities: the Spanish spoken in Mexico is not the same as the Spanish spoken in Argentina or Paraguay, all of which are Latin American nations. The Cuban accent is not the same as the Colombian accent.
Let me make it clear to you.
The Spanish and English languages, no matter where they are spoken, have the same grammatical foundation, wiring, and scaffolding, which makes Spanish and English adjectives, verbs, conjunctions, nouns, and pronouns act the same everywhere. Despite some differences, grammar remains largely the same and provides a solid foundation for the many varieties of both languages.
The basic vocabulary—tener (to have), silla (chair), nube (cloud), y (and), loco (crazy), saber (to know), ir (to go)—forms the building blocks common to all, holdThe basic vocabulary: tener, to have; silla, chair; nube, cloud; y, and¸ loco, crazy, saber, to know; ir, to go… are the bricks, common to all, that keep up the edifice of the language. Each country, each region within each country, will have different words at times, peculiar idiomatic expressions, and even sounds.
What is the answer then to the question above?
The best English and Spanish, regardless of origin, are the ones that can be best understood by most people. Educated English and educated Spanish will stand you and your children in good stead anywhere, in any country, or region, of the English and Spanish-speaking worlds. It is that simple.
Make sure your child’s teacher—regardless of where she comes from—speaks distinctly and clearly. Most teachers do, of course, whether they come from Peru, Argentina, Spain, Mexico, or Guatemala. A good instructor will use educated speech, easy to understand.
Well-spoken, distinct Spanish, is a joy to the ear, whether the accent is Chilean or Colombian. Well-spoken, clear English—whether Southern American, Oxonian, or Scottish—is a joy to the ear and always intelligible, which is, after all, the purpose of language: communication.
Comentarios
Publicar un comentario