Since Spanish is not my original tongue, I do not always get to practice it in the many ways it is supposed to be practiced.
I saw this on You Tube. It is someone writing in Spanish. It's like a miracle, because I never see anyone writing in Spanish, not even the Spanish.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vYWQxP-vEZE&feature=related
Mostly, the signs I see on the shops are in Spanish.
So, I thought I should practice writing in Spanish with mistakes and all.
Even if I make mistakes at first, it will help me figure out where I am.
I think I can predict that most of my mistakes will be in the grammatical portion of the sentences. Remembering the words in the past tense and future tense may be difficult also.
I was great at spelling it and also speaking it in the past. I haven't had much practice there either, except when this blog needs to be written. :)
Listening to it is fun also, when one gets a chance.
The writing, though, that will be the most difficult part, because no one around me currently uses Spanish. Sometimes, you find a person on facebook or twitter, but that, too, is rare.
The Spanish people I know in this neighborhood are always working. I don't think they have time to write Spanish or even read letters for me.
I guess I am lucky there is the internet for everyone.
Assignment for everyone:
Translate what this writer is writing. Then, write a letter to someone in Spanish.
Write the words that you don't know in English or in any other language you know.
Then later when you have time, work with someone else or pick up a dictionary or other grammar text to make additions or corrections.
Save your original document, so you can see the difference between the two letters.
Monday, October 25, 2010
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Words in English & Spanish
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qNvPq7N46zM
This singer is one of my favorites.
I found out about her when I lived in Niles years ago, and the library's Book Mobile
stopped in front of my building.
The librarian aboard let me borrow her CDs.
Since then, I have loved her sound and music.
Find favorite music of today and yester - year today!
It makes for wonderful learning opportunities.
Years ago, there was a "JB Records" near Lawrence and Broadway, I believe.
They used to have everything back then, past and present.
I have to see if it is still open and if there are any more great places like that
store around.
If you don't live around these stores or library services, try to see if the store can ship orders for you, or your local libraries can secure books from other locations.
Books & Music are wonderful ways to keep your ears and eyes open when pursuing a language.
This singer is one of my favorites.
I found out about her when I lived in Niles years ago, and the library's Book Mobile
stopped in front of my building.
The librarian aboard let me borrow her CDs.
Since then, I have loved her sound and music.
Find favorite music of today and yester - year today!
It makes for wonderful learning opportunities.
Years ago, there was a "JB Records" near Lawrence and Broadway, I believe.
They used to have everything back then, past and present.
I have to see if it is still open and if there are any more great places like that
store around.
If you don't live around these stores or library services, try to see if the store can ship orders for you, or your local libraries can secure books from other locations.
Books & Music are wonderful ways to keep your ears and eyes open when pursuing a language.
Friday, July 30, 2010
Assignment
Sign up for this newsletter.
It will come to your inbox.
Practice reading in English and in Spanish.
http://www.donquijote.org
Just click on "monthly newsletters."
It will come to your inbox.
Practice reading in English and in Spanish.
http://www.donquijote.org
Just click on "monthly newsletters."
Friday, July 2, 2010
Words for Foodies
An area of interest for people is the idea of food and its varied themes. Many foodies express their love for food and all it involves by keeping blogs. I tend to watch shows by food experts, and I love to read blogs by foodies.
This is an example how you can take an interest you have and learn from it. I found this site for words for food in Spanish.
http://www.learn-spanish.com.mx/spanish-phrases/words/food/
You can do the same with your interests. Make it a point to stick to the category and learn it well. If you're stuck and can't think of an interest, choose one that a friend likes. There are also many categories and lists on the internet.
If you are a relatively new learner and not just reviewing words here, pay special attention to the articles in front of the Spanish words.
For example, "la" and "el."
This focus will eliminate the need for you to always look up the article in dictionaries later. There are patterns for this, and there are also exceptions as well. So, see how many you can practice early on.
This is an example how you can take an interest you have and learn from it. I found this site for words for food in Spanish.
http://www.learn-spanish.com.mx/spanish-phrases/words/food/
You can do the same with your interests. Make it a point to stick to the category and learn it well. If you're stuck and can't think of an interest, choose one that a friend likes. There are also many categories and lists on the internet.
If you are a relatively new learner and not just reviewing words here, pay special attention to the articles in front of the Spanish words.
For example, "la" and "el."
This focus will eliminate the need for you to always look up the article in dictionaries later. There are patterns for this, and there are also exceptions as well. So, see how many you can practice early on.
Thursday, June 24, 2010
New Site to Connect with Spanish
I have listed a new site that I found on a teacher's site. She is a Spanish teacher from the south. Although I would like to give you her link, I think that for certain reasons, I don't want to otherwise interfere with her privacy. I also think that she is not bilingual in the full meaning of the word. She is still learning English. The site was published in 2009, and I will wait until she and her class is at a more literate pace in English before I present her personal links here. I do, however, acknowledge her in private as this was a link that she referred to readers of her site. This was not created by her.
http://www.ielanguages.com/spanish.html
First of all, briefly look over the site and see what it contains for you as a student of Spanish. It may either be too elementary for you, or it may be at the appropriate level. You may perform the activity with a site of your own choosing.
Ask: Is this too basic or elementary for me?
Is this at my level?
Can I use this site to review or relearn concepts I have forgotten?
A lot of us have been exposed to situations where we are encouraged to learn something at an accelerated pace or are given one area on which to focus. For example, I have a lot of people who want to tutor with me that only want to speak Spanish, or they want to excel in the art of conversation in Spanish. All in all, they may be business professionals who travel from different countries and need to learn Spanish fast.
This site is not for that group. This is going to be one for people who want to learn at a slower pace and want to appreciate a language in ways that they may not be able to, if they were rushed. This is one of the reasons, I have called the series, "Spanish Solitaire."
We do need to look at Spanish on the internet, because that is the way to connect these days. You will most probably need to use Spanish either at work or in your day to day living in years to come. If you do need text books, don't forget bookstores and sites like Amazon. From time to time, I will try to feature some books or software that you can purchase.
For practice, let's look at the first choice on the link: Basic Phrases. This is interesting, because it does give you the more common phrases you hear or see in print if you are in the Spanish - speaking sectors, or are a fan of Spanish media.
Take a look at how the words are spelled. I would advise you to look at it more than once. If time permits, try to write out the phrases or words. There are methods to pronounce to pronounce the words as well. If you do a thorough job with this page, you will find yourself relaxing around Spanish. You won't feel as jumpy or nervous trying to read or write the words.
If you're like me, you will probably not find people to help you or correct you. Thus, the need to go solitaire! If you're really adamant, you make take a class, or you may join a group of Spanish speakers. If that's the case, ask them what type of Spanish are they going to be using? This is important, because you need to know if you are learning Academic Spanish, such as is found in textbooks, or are they going to teach you Spanish that is spoken in the neighborhoods or certain regions. I once requested a brochure from the school, Instituto Cervantes, and I found out that they taught the language as spoken in Spain. This, actually, is the one that many people who want to learn Spanish prefer. I will provide the link for that down below, if you feel led to pursue that at this time.
http://chicago.cervantes.es/en/default.shtm
If you want to learn basic Spanish here, then continue on with me. :)
In my previous posts, I addressed the need for literacy in Spanish also. So, if you want to read why you need to see the language in print as well as hear it, then you may scroll to older posts. Speaking Spanish will be challenging for you, but you may want to turn to other sites for that. I believe that there are programs such as Rosetta Stone that provide photographs, the words, and even sound to practice the sounds of the language you are learning. Since those are contained within CDs, you can rewind, pause, and forward as needed.
I have to tell you that this blog/site will most likely work for people who already know and speak English. We will be using English in order to learn Spanish here. There are other methods that will work for other people. Yesterday, I received an email about a school for native Spanish speakers, but their focus seems to be on people residing in Canada. You have to be on the lookout for the best approach for you personally on the internet.
I think what worked for me was learning basic Spanish literacy, working with material given to me at school, and actively using Spanish, instead of passively using it. There were times I thought I would never get the hang of it, and I was nervous to speak it,thinking people would laugh. Most of the time, people will know you are a non - native speaker, and it's okay. It really is. I know what they are going through, trying to learn English as well, and in some cases, certain other languages.
Learning a language teaches you to have a mutual respect for people who are trying to master a language that is not their own. In fact, I am going to put a theory out there, that people who disrespect others have not either learned their native language(s)well, or do not have the means to learn the language of the lands where they reside. This essentially is the cause of race - discrimination and other cases of people feeling inferior. If you learn a language well the first time, you never have to return to do it a second time. Practice, of course, is necessary, but you will find that people who value literacy make good citizens everywhere, privately and publicly. I advocate literacy most whole - heartedly as a result.
Language learning teaches you patience mostly, but that will be valuable when you learn at a slow and steady pace. In time, you will find that you do not need any formal or informal review pages like the ones I shared on this blog today.
I would like you to practice the phrases on the page for this week. Next month, we can review them and actively use them. I like to ask people to say the words (try to say them... :) ) There's no use in just looking at a page and then not do anything with it. I also will ask you to write out the phrases, so be prepared for that.
You will self - grade yourself and improve as you continue.
I once attended a school that was way scary. They made everyone say things together orally. We were learning English at the time. Saying it together wasn't the frightening part. If you didn't know what was going on, you usually mouthed the words. The frightening part was that we had to go to front of the class and practice the new concepts, words, phrases, and sentences. The nuns had good intentions, but I never got over the fear of making mistakes in front of everyone. You are so lucky to make mistakes at home, all by yourselves. Trust me, Solitaire helps a lot!
Enjoy that freedom! :)
I will most likely blog again next month.
So, come back to this site when you are free.
~ Ms. A.
First of all, briefly look over the site and see what it contains for you as a student of Spanish. It may either be too elementary for you, or it may be at the appropriate level. You may perform the activity with a site of your own choosing.
Ask: Is this too basic or elementary for me?
Is this at my level?
Can I use this site to review or relearn concepts I have forgotten?
A lot of us have been exposed to situations where we are encouraged to learn something at an accelerated pace or are given one area on which to focus. For example, I have a lot of people who want to tutor with me that only want to speak Spanish, or they want to excel in the art of conversation in Spanish. All in all, they may be business professionals who travel from different countries and need to learn Spanish fast.
This site is not for that group. This is going to be one for people who want to learn at a slower pace and want to appreciate a language in ways that they may not be able to, if they were rushed. This is one of the reasons, I have called the series, "Spanish Solitaire."
We do need to look at Spanish on the internet, because that is the way to connect these days. You will most probably need to use Spanish either at work or in your day to day living in years to come. If you do need text books, don't forget bookstores and sites like Amazon. From time to time, I will try to feature some books or software that you can purchase.
For practice, let's look at the first choice on the link: Basic Phrases. This is interesting, because it does give you the more common phrases you hear or see in print if you are in the Spanish - speaking sectors, or are a fan of Spanish media.
Take a look at how the words are spelled. I would advise you to look at it more than once. If time permits, try to write out the phrases or words. There are methods to pronounce to pronounce the words as well. If you do a thorough job with this page, you will find yourself relaxing around Spanish. You won't feel as jumpy or nervous trying to read or write the words.
If you're like me, you will probably not find people to help you or correct you. Thus, the need to go solitaire! If you're really adamant, you make take a class, or you may join a group of Spanish speakers. If that's the case, ask them what type of Spanish are they going to be using? This is important, because you need to know if you are learning Academic Spanish, such as is found in textbooks, or are they going to teach you Spanish that is spoken in the neighborhoods or certain regions. I once requested a brochure from the school, Instituto Cervantes, and I found out that they taught the language as spoken in Spain. This, actually, is the one that many people who want to learn Spanish prefer. I will provide the link for that down below, if you feel led to pursue that at this time.
http://chicago.cervantes.es/en/default.shtm
If you want to learn basic Spanish here, then continue on with me. :)
In my previous posts, I addressed the need for literacy in Spanish also. So, if you want to read why you need to see the language in print as well as hear it, then you may scroll to older posts. Speaking Spanish will be challenging for you, but you may want to turn to other sites for that. I believe that there are programs such as Rosetta Stone that provide photographs, the words, and even sound to practice the sounds of the language you are learning. Since those are contained within CDs, you can rewind, pause, and forward as needed.
I have to tell you that this blog/site will most likely work for people who already know and speak English. We will be using English in order to learn Spanish here. There are other methods that will work for other people. Yesterday, I received an email about a school for native Spanish speakers, but their focus seems to be on people residing in Canada. You have to be on the lookout for the best approach for you personally on the internet.
I think what worked for me was learning basic Spanish literacy, working with material given to me at school, and actively using Spanish, instead of passively using it. There were times I thought I would never get the hang of it, and I was nervous to speak it,thinking people would laugh. Most of the time, people will know you are a non - native speaker, and it's okay. It really is. I know what they are going through, trying to learn English as well, and in some cases, certain other languages.
Learning a language teaches you to have a mutual respect for people who are trying to master a language that is not their own. In fact, I am going to put a theory out there, that people who disrespect others have not either learned their native language(s)well, or do not have the means to learn the language of the lands where they reside. This essentially is the cause of race - discrimination and other cases of people feeling inferior. If you learn a language well the first time, you never have to return to do it a second time. Practice, of course, is necessary, but you will find that people who value literacy make good citizens everywhere, privately and publicly. I advocate literacy most whole - heartedly as a result.
Language learning teaches you patience mostly, but that will be valuable when you learn at a slow and steady pace. In time, you will find that you do not need any formal or informal review pages like the ones I shared on this blog today.
I would like you to practice the phrases on the page for this week. Next month, we can review them and actively use them. I like to ask people to say the words (try to say them... :) ) There's no use in just looking at a page and then not do anything with it. I also will ask you to write out the phrases, so be prepared for that.
You will self - grade yourself and improve as you continue.
I once attended a school that was way scary. They made everyone say things together orally. We were learning English at the time. Saying it together wasn't the frightening part. If you didn't know what was going on, you usually mouthed the words. The frightening part was that we had to go to front of the class and practice the new concepts, words, phrases, and sentences. The nuns had good intentions, but I never got over the fear of making mistakes in front of everyone. You are so lucky to make mistakes at home, all by yourselves. Trust me, Solitaire helps a lot!
Enjoy that freedom! :)
I will most likely blog again next month.
So, come back to this site when you are free.
~ Ms. A.
Monday, June 14, 2010
Telenovelas and Words
A Method to Connect With Words!
Growing up, I wanted to a way to connect to the words of the language I was learning. I thought it was fine to encounter them in texts at high school and college, but I had no real life connection or application to using them or even hearing them outside of school and college. I really wanted to know and even feel how it was to actually use Spanish, hear it spoken, and even read and write in it.
The years in college did pay off a little, because my professors were masters in their expertise. One woman from Colombia even had us dancing to the particular music that was common in various regions and trying foods native to the land. For our culminating activity presentations, we even had a party on the last day. :)
Then I asked myself: Is this it?! This can't be it! I felt a bit forlorn that I would have to give up Spanish eventually.
I did not have the luxury of having any friends or any family members who spoke Spanish. (Well, except for someone in Spain, and at the time, I didn't know they lived there..)I think Spanish radio scared me a little, because they spoke faster in Spanish than even in English.
Anyway, one night I was flipping channels on the television, and I chanced across a beautiful scene of a couple and an accompanying song that went something like this:
"Que porque te quiero?" The male singer's voice entranced me immediately. He sang slowly like most balladic songs go, and it sounded so poetic and appealing, that it made me stop flipping channels. As a result, I learned that telenovelas were my ticket to connecting to this language. Thanks to the creators of *"Topacio"* for creating that show! After a while, my mom would stop by once in a while and ask what was going on. Since she was a nurse, she would ask what was going on in all those hospital scenes. I was only happy to translate, another new - found skill that telenovelas built into me.
(*Note: I believe the program was actually in Venezuelan Spanish, but they did use a lot of words and phrases that were familiar.)
Don't even get me started on "Cristal." That program had the whole world watching!!! :)
I think I was browsing on the net and ran across another relatively new language learner of Spanish, who took it to a even more serious level than me. She got all her neighbors involved in blogging about her favorite telenovela. She would call them and ask what does this mean, and what does that mean? Pretty soon, she had a blog up and running, and readers from all over the world, and they would tune into her daily updates. It took her a long time to transcribe everything, but from what I can tell, but she was very successful in her enterprise. I have her site and link somewhere in my files, and I will give it to you in due time.
So, whatever floats your boat, right?!
Anyway, that's about the gist of it.
If it is interests you and makes you want to learn, then stick with it. If it's a live person you want and not a tube, then I recommend Spanish tutoring or self - study using the internet. These are all fun ways to connect to Spanish. Tapes work to a certain extent also.
At first, the words might be scary and difficult to pronounce. Remember when you were
a kid and you got your first scary word? Today, I hear them say "hard" or "long" word. You didn't really want to try saying it? You hoped the teacher skipped over you and asked the talkative person to try?!
Well, it's kind of like that. You either try it, or you skip it altogether. That means you never really learn it or make it your sound.
Try saying something similar to English.
How about diccionario?
That's pretty much like in the English language.
Dictionary
Sometimes, it's the same sound with a few extra syllables.
If you never try using the words, you will never know where your problem is.
Is it in the sound you are hearing? Is it in the syllable stress? Is it in the
way you are mispronouncing it. These things all affect your language study!
I have to admit I was afraid to start speaking Spanish. Since I had been more or less hearing it or seeing it in writing and print, listening to teachers and telenovela stars, I was too used to other people speaking it for me. I didn't know how I would be trying to say the words myself. I think I tried to listen to the news.
Noticias (no ti ci as)
I tried reading the per io di cos. (newspapers)
I decided to stick to practicing telenovela words in the meantime.
amor,te amo, te quiero, amor...ok, so they were less intimidating words!
Well, not always! There were times I had no idea what was being said. I didn't even
find certain words in the books. When I asked about them, no one knew. Maybe I was pronouncing the words incorrectly? (Years later, I realized some of the words were Italian or French or Venezuelan, so then I knew why no one knew what I asked).
They used words for things I liked:
muneca, joventud, primavera, galan, disfraz (words that made me curious about them)and made me look them up or ask about them.
Sometimes, a particular actriz you liked to follow said something in an interesting way. Each one had his/her own particular accent. Their trademark diction! Gabriela Spanic was very different from Jeannete Rodriguez. Their acting was also distinctive.
I began to recognize them and their trademark styles in other shows. That's how I could first recognize a whole new teeming world in front of me. Otherwise, I was so lost! (Oh, Jeanette's back again in this new show!)
The categories of the words started to surface. The words used in hospital scenes of "Topacio" were radically different from scenes in prison where prisoners would use slang and offensive insults to Gabriela's character. This hardened and personified Gabriela's sketchy character, and made her shine in her resolute manner to escape from life's trauma, and the viewers started to know more about her as the days went on. We began to identify with why the "mean girls" were persecuting her as they too became realistic in our eyes. The words in theme songs (as they are played nightly in a repetitive way)also begin to take shape and form and are not just unrecognizable anymore. Once a word is recognizable, it's like a brand new miracle.
You want to learn it more, then.
When I heard "disfraz" from "La Usurpadora" I, not only, checked for the meaning, but I asked my teacher in school for more shades of meaning. I felt like I was a detective of sorts, trying to ascertain if the dictionary was really telling me every shade of meaning there potentially was for that word. When he told me, (and I always revered him as an ultimate authority and seer of Spanish), I felt so elated and relieved at the same time. I think he started being impressed with us Freshmen so much so that he decided to enter us into a Spanish Recitation/Poetry Contest! I believe it was an annual event, and you won prizes!
My first time was nerve - racking! I had never before articulated Spanish in the public sphere, and needless to say, I had a case of stage - fright and forgot the lines at one point. The judges, though, had mercy upon me, realizing that I was a non - native speaker and gave me another chance to recite it. I did so in a choppy way. Years later, I realized I had mentally memorized it over and over again, possibly tried it out with a friend out loudly in class, but did not say it out loudly enough for me to even digest it mentally. I needed the ability to hear myself say the words and connect to them. So, although I had no memory problems in reality, the mere fact that I was not articulating the words out loudly caused my fright and weakness in the competition. I had practiced certain words out loudly (the ones with the "r" in them) but not the phrases out loudly..
I did manage to attain a prize in spite of my faltering. It was a relief, but even then I didn't connect with the words in that poem. I felt that I cheated myself out of that experience. ("Madre, tu nombre viene lentamente como..")
*See companion blog, "Solitaire" for the actual poem and activity.
( http://spanishsolitaire.blogspot.com )
Poetry is another method that helped me to connect to Spanish. It felt like a fresh way to seeing the words in print and then practice them like one is practicing a song. That took away the terror of having to memorize and present in the future.
Today, if you find yourself not connecting to the words or phrases or the entire content of your work, just focus on the material that you can relate to, and then ask why you are unable to connect to the rest. Each case is different, as each case is unique to your understanding. Once you understand this, you can overcome any stumbling blocks along the way.
I have found most people like teachers, missionaries, and even peace corp volunteers excell in their new languages, because they have that connection or immersion experience that the ordinary student does not have. Not every one is brave enough to travel to a new land or experience first hand, but it is a tempting aspect to language study. Today, I settle for newsletters from Spain or other parts that give me a taste of what is going on in the use of visual print format. There are valuable illustrations, videos, dialogue, translations, and a large quantity of stimulating opinions on the subjects. A travel blog, too, or a hobby blog in the language or cultural setting where your language thrives, are also highly recommended.
If you are somehow trying to connect to Spanish, or are not finding yourself motivated to learn, do not hesitate to make your comments and suggestions here on the comments portion of the blogs. Always check for other like or very different blogs and post there as well. If a blogger has feedback, they know who is reading and what the special challenges are for that given time. A lot of the time, it is very uncommon that someone hasn't been through that problem before and can explain it in a way that is more your speed.
Sometimes, the place where you least expect, makes the most sense to you. So, be on the lookout for new and challenging ways to make yourself find a way to learning your language!
My next venture, watch the World Cup in Spanish and try to see how many new sports terms I can acquire! Lucky me!
!Yikes!
Growing up, I wanted to a way to connect to the words of the language I was learning. I thought it was fine to encounter them in texts at high school and college, but I had no real life connection or application to using them or even hearing them outside of school and college. I really wanted to know and even feel how it was to actually use Spanish, hear it spoken, and even read and write in it.
The years in college did pay off a little, because my professors were masters in their expertise. One woman from Colombia even had us dancing to the particular music that was common in various regions and trying foods native to the land. For our culminating activity presentations, we even had a party on the last day. :)
Then I asked myself: Is this it?! This can't be it! I felt a bit forlorn that I would have to give up Spanish eventually.
I did not have the luxury of having any friends or any family members who spoke Spanish. (Well, except for someone in Spain, and at the time, I didn't know they lived there..)I think Spanish radio scared me a little, because they spoke faster in Spanish than even in English.
Anyway, one night I was flipping channels on the television, and I chanced across a beautiful scene of a couple and an accompanying song that went something like this:
"Que porque te quiero?" The male singer's voice entranced me immediately. He sang slowly like most balladic songs go, and it sounded so poetic and appealing, that it made me stop flipping channels. As a result, I learned that telenovelas were my ticket to connecting to this language. Thanks to the creators of *"Topacio"* for creating that show! After a while, my mom would stop by once in a while and ask what was going on. Since she was a nurse, she would ask what was going on in all those hospital scenes. I was only happy to translate, another new - found skill that telenovelas built into me.
(*Note: I believe the program was actually in Venezuelan Spanish, but they did use a lot of words and phrases that were familiar.)
Don't even get me started on "Cristal." That program had the whole world watching!!! :)
I think I was browsing on the net and ran across another relatively new language learner of Spanish, who took it to a even more serious level than me. She got all her neighbors involved in blogging about her favorite telenovela. She would call them and ask what does this mean, and what does that mean? Pretty soon, she had a blog up and running, and readers from all over the world, and they would tune into her daily updates. It took her a long time to transcribe everything, but from what I can tell, but she was very successful in her enterprise. I have her site and link somewhere in my files, and I will give it to you in due time.
So, whatever floats your boat, right?!
Anyway, that's about the gist of it.
If it is interests you and makes you want to learn, then stick with it. If it's a live person you want and not a tube, then I recommend Spanish tutoring or self - study using the internet. These are all fun ways to connect to Spanish. Tapes work to a certain extent also.
At first, the words might be scary and difficult to pronounce. Remember when you were
a kid and you got your first scary word? Today, I hear them say "hard" or "long" word. You didn't really want to try saying it? You hoped the teacher skipped over you and asked the talkative person to try?!
Well, it's kind of like that. You either try it, or you skip it altogether. That means you never really learn it or make it your sound.
Try saying something similar to English.
How about diccionario?
That's pretty much like in the English language.
Dictionary
Sometimes, it's the same sound with a few extra syllables.
If you never try using the words, you will never know where your problem is.
Is it in the sound you are hearing? Is it in the syllable stress? Is it in the
way you are mispronouncing it. These things all affect your language study!
I have to admit I was afraid to start speaking Spanish. Since I had been more or less hearing it or seeing it in writing and print, listening to teachers and telenovela stars, I was too used to other people speaking it for me. I didn't know how I would be trying to say the words myself. I think I tried to listen to the news.
Noticias (no ti ci as)
I tried reading the per io di cos. (newspapers)
I decided to stick to practicing telenovela words in the meantime.
amor,te amo, te quiero, amor...ok, so they were less intimidating words!
Well, not always! There were times I had no idea what was being said. I didn't even
find certain words in the books. When I asked about them, no one knew. Maybe I was pronouncing the words incorrectly? (Years later, I realized some of the words were Italian or French or Venezuelan, so then I knew why no one knew what I asked).
They used words for things I liked:
muneca, joventud, primavera, galan, disfraz (words that made me curious about them)and made me look them up or ask about them.
Sometimes, a particular actriz you liked to follow said something in an interesting way. Each one had his/her own particular accent. Their trademark diction! Gabriela Spanic was very different from Jeannete Rodriguez. Their acting was also distinctive.
I began to recognize them and their trademark styles in other shows. That's how I could first recognize a whole new teeming world in front of me. Otherwise, I was so lost! (Oh, Jeanette's back again in this new show!)
The categories of the words started to surface. The words used in hospital scenes of "Topacio" were radically different from scenes in prison where prisoners would use slang and offensive insults to Gabriela's character. This hardened and personified Gabriela's sketchy character, and made her shine in her resolute manner to escape from life's trauma, and the viewers started to know more about her as the days went on. We began to identify with why the "mean girls" were persecuting her as they too became realistic in our eyes. The words in theme songs (as they are played nightly in a repetitive way)also begin to take shape and form and are not just unrecognizable anymore. Once a word is recognizable, it's like a brand new miracle.
You want to learn it more, then.
When I heard "disfraz" from "La Usurpadora" I, not only, checked for the meaning, but I asked my teacher in school for more shades of meaning. I felt like I was a detective of sorts, trying to ascertain if the dictionary was really telling me every shade of meaning there potentially was for that word. When he told me, (and I always revered him as an ultimate authority and seer of Spanish), I felt so elated and relieved at the same time. I think he started being impressed with us Freshmen so much so that he decided to enter us into a Spanish Recitation/Poetry Contest! I believe it was an annual event, and you won prizes!
My first time was nerve - racking! I had never before articulated Spanish in the public sphere, and needless to say, I had a case of stage - fright and forgot the lines at one point. The judges, though, had mercy upon me, realizing that I was a non - native speaker and gave me another chance to recite it. I did so in a choppy way. Years later, I realized I had mentally memorized it over and over again, possibly tried it out with a friend out loudly in class, but did not say it out loudly enough for me to even digest it mentally. I needed the ability to hear myself say the words and connect to them. So, although I had no memory problems in reality, the mere fact that I was not articulating the words out loudly caused my fright and weakness in the competition. I had practiced certain words out loudly (the ones with the "r" in them) but not the phrases out loudly..
I did manage to attain a prize in spite of my faltering. It was a relief, but even then I didn't connect with the words in that poem. I felt that I cheated myself out of that experience. ("Madre, tu nombre viene lentamente como..")
*See companion blog, "Solitaire" for the actual poem and activity.
( http://spanishsolitaire.blogspot.com )
Poetry is another method that helped me to connect to Spanish. It felt like a fresh way to seeing the words in print and then practice them like one is practicing a song. That took away the terror of having to memorize and present in the future.
Today, if you find yourself not connecting to the words or phrases or the entire content of your work, just focus on the material that you can relate to, and then ask why you are unable to connect to the rest. Each case is different, as each case is unique to your understanding. Once you understand this, you can overcome any stumbling blocks along the way.
I have found most people like teachers, missionaries, and even peace corp volunteers excell in their new languages, because they have that connection or immersion experience that the ordinary student does not have. Not every one is brave enough to travel to a new land or experience first hand, but it is a tempting aspect to language study. Today, I settle for newsletters from Spain or other parts that give me a taste of what is going on in the use of visual print format. There are valuable illustrations, videos, dialogue, translations, and a large quantity of stimulating opinions on the subjects. A travel blog, too, or a hobby blog in the language or cultural setting where your language thrives, are also highly recommended.
If you are somehow trying to connect to Spanish, or are not finding yourself motivated to learn, do not hesitate to make your comments and suggestions here on the comments portion of the blogs. Always check for other like or very different blogs and post there as well. If a blogger has feedback, they know who is reading and what the special challenges are for that given time. A lot of the time, it is very uncommon that someone hasn't been through that problem before and can explain it in a way that is more your speed.
Sometimes, the place where you least expect, makes the most sense to you. So, be on the lookout for new and challenging ways to make yourself find a way to learning your language!
My next venture, watch the World Cup in Spanish and try to see how many new sports terms I can acquire! Lucky me!
!Yikes!
Sunday, May 16, 2010
Words in the Spanish Language
What would we do without words?
Try to communicate today, using other mediums.
Sign Language
Painting
Drawing
Dancing
punching (?)...well, be careful about that one!!! lol...there are laws
everywhere on that! Try: "May I please have one cookie?" (Sigh...lol!)
whatever you think would communicate your point to the next person...
try it and see how far you get...
Similarily, in learning another language, you need words.
It opens doors to communication. It reveals shades of meaning.
It helps you reach the other person with thought and expression.
I want to recommend trying to build your list of words in the Spanish language
today. If you feel comfortable with categories, choose one: words about food, words about music, words about the house, words about (anything you like)...and the list goes on...
I found a site where you can practice a daily word in the Spanish language.
Try it today! Also, browse the site for other areas of interest for study.
http://www.studyspanish.com/dailyword
Next time, I will share some favorite Spanish words!
Try to communicate today, using other mediums.
Sign Language
Painting
Drawing
Dancing
punching (?)...well, be careful about that one!!! lol...there are laws
everywhere on that! Try: "May I please have one cookie?" (Sigh...lol!)
whatever you think would communicate your point to the next person...
try it and see how far you get...
Similarily, in learning another language, you need words.
It opens doors to communication. It reveals shades of meaning.
It helps you reach the other person with thought and expression.
I want to recommend trying to build your list of words in the Spanish language
today. If you feel comfortable with categories, choose one: words about food, words about music, words about the house, words about (anything you like)...and the list goes on...
I found a site where you can practice a daily word in the Spanish language.
Try it today! Also, browse the site for other areas of interest for study.
http://www.studyspanish.com/dailyword
Next time, I will share some favorite Spanish words!
Monday, May 3, 2010
The Making of A Video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CZZgBdxUAFs&feature=related
Imagine making a music video...actually, any situation will do.
You are not in your country. You are not with your people.
You don't speak the language! (Not everyone is James Blunt...lol)
So, you must make sure your trajectory or stardom is established
in the everywhere...
Being bilingual or even liking to be close to bilingual might work
for you. In the near future, they say being bilingual will open a lot
of doors. Even if you never become a rock star or famous celeb, it
doesn't matter! What matters is that a new frontier is now before you.
Places and people that you never dreamed even existed before now loom
before you...
Even saying hello in a foreign language, and seeing a face light up
in recognition of what you have said.
How often does that happen to you?
Not much?!
Well, you're not alone. Thousands of people feel alone today,
disconnected from the mad and teeming world out there.
If you feel like this, find out why this is going on?
Is the neighborhood where you are living giving you a culture shock?
Are people not speaking "English" and you feel alone?
Is everyone speaking English speaking a foreign language, even?
Are the words or phrases on buildings driving you crazy?
I know the feeling.
Rather than giving up and feeling low, one needs to tackle the
problem, head-on. Don't give up!
These language issues arise periodically.
Muster up enough courage to get that trusty Spanish (or whatever language text out)
or go to a local library and look up words in dictionaries.
Start talking to people who will help.
"What does this mean?" (Don't forget to say hi, how are you first.)
It may sound simple, but you really have to start somewhere.
True, those of us learning Spanish don't have to worry about Italian,
like James Blunt below, but your attempts do matter.
On my other page (www.spanishsolitaire.blogspot.com), there is another chance for you
to see the bi-lingual teaming of Laura Pausini and James Blunt singing in Spanish!
Try to follow that.
Imagine what it would have been like to make that for James Blunt, or even
Laura Pausini. Identify, reflect, and form conclusions...
We are all getting there...slowly and surely!
Our Hypothetical Situation! (Trust me, just one of many!)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CZZgBdxUAFs&feature=related
Imagine making a music video...actually, any situation will do.
You are not in your country. You are not with your people.
You don't speak the language! (Not everyone is James Blunt...lol)
So, you must make sure your trajectory or stardom is established
in the everywhere...
Being bilingual or even liking to be close to bilingual might work
for you. In the near future, they say being bilingual will open a lot
of doors. Even if you never become a rock star or famous celeb, it
doesn't matter! What matters is that a new frontier is now before you.
Places and people that you never dreamed even existed before now loom
before you...
Even saying hello in a foreign language, and seeing a face light up
in recognition of what you have said.
How often does that happen to you?
Not much?!
Well, you're not alone. Thousands of people feel alone today,
disconnected from the mad and teeming world out there.
If you feel like this, find out why this is going on?
Is the neighborhood where you are living giving you a culture shock?
Are people not speaking "English" and you feel alone?
Is everyone speaking English speaking a foreign language, even?
Are the words or phrases on buildings driving you crazy?
I know the feeling.
Rather than giving up and feeling low, one needs to tackle the
problem, head-on. Don't give up!
These language issues arise periodically.
Muster up enough courage to get that trusty Spanish (or whatever language text out)
or go to a local library and look up words in dictionaries.
Start talking to people who will help.
"What does this mean?" (Don't forget to say hi, how are you first.)
It may sound simple, but you really have to start somewhere.
True, those of us learning Spanish don't have to worry about Italian,
like James Blunt below, but your attempts do matter.
On my other page (www.spanishsolitaire.blogspot.com), there is another chance for you
to see the bi-lingual teaming of Laura Pausini and James Blunt singing in Spanish!
Try to follow that.
Imagine what it would have been like to make that for James Blunt, or even
Laura Pausini. Identify, reflect, and form conclusions...
We are all getting there...slowly and surely!
Our Hypothetical Situation! (Trust me, just one of many!)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CZZgBdxUAFs&feature=related
Monday, April 19, 2010
Monday: The Good-byes Within
The Frame:
The program "America" is on. The setting is a beautiful house on a tree - lined
street in Chicago, Illinois. Coffee is brewing.
I am trying to get settled in one room where I want to view the show.
The cat is battling me for the chair.
I am going up and down the hallways and rooms to check on the coffee
and watch the program in many rooms of the house.
I almost feel as if I am in a mansion.
Today, all the minor characters are given the limelight. The protagonists all
seem to have minor story - lines today.
I did watch the next to last episode, because I ventured out!
Yes, just once, for now! I ended up in strange towns that day (Friday), but it
was nice to connect to those places again. Sometimes, traveling through other
places assures the continuity to life, or to the pace of life.
Okay, so now the main characters have just entered the scene.
Her child is now walking, so that shows the passage of time.
He is with the daddy. I think they are going to coerce her to return to Brazil.
The baby is to stay with the dad, possibly. This is tough, because of the
bond she has to the baby and to the dad. She is illegal, so that's why.
If she stays in jail, then she can still visit. If she is forced to return
to South America, then she can only stay in touch through letters or (how about?)
skype. That would be the new alternate ways to keep families together.
If only, she had married someone who was a citizen, but then again, she couldn't have had the child and all. Well, more on this as the show ends...
It ends today. If they leave us all hanging, that would be weird. Unless of course, there is the chance that there will be a sequel out someday. Maybe even on Fan - Fiction or other such addendum - oriented page?
"!Loco por ti America, Loco por tus amores!" That's how the theme plays between commercials. I wonder if they will play a fuller length at the end or even another song entirely.
The cat is following me everywhere. Up,down, all the way around, around, and around.
He still wants the chair.
(SPOILER: I do know from somewhere on the internet that the main characters are going to meet at the end, but only as friends. I guess this show had previously, and so is a re - run.)
That is an unreal ending in most other telenovelas, because it is almost always a fairy-tale ending. In this case,...wait, it looks like the new guy & the father of the child is leaving for Brazil is going too...so that resolves that matter.
At least, I know what the ending is...whew! Now I know that I won't have to find an obscure telenovela board to see what the ending was.
Like that one time when I was watching the Mujer en el espejo and I missed two weeks of it, including the ending...and I asked...
Wait! Tiao and Sol are talking now...they met..but they are only saying goodbye, see you later..."buena suerte" and all that....
...and so I asked like every "Grandma" and kid in town and everyone I met....and no one had ever heard about "La Mujer en el Espejo." It feels like you have part of the story in your memory, but not all of it....
Credits and ending rolling now...well, a little bit more of the song...
I blame the town of Chicago (certain people) for not being able to follow the story as a result of lies about me. I do see recap boards once in a while, but I still haven't seen any written entries on L.M.E.E.E.
At least, I got to watch one ending...just one...although I have missed many endings due to work and family viewing habits.
It's like someone takes away a library book from you right as you are supposed to find out about an ending...how rude, right?!
After a while, it does traumatize you!!!
Bye "America"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Today, I created a new page for Dr. Who fans. This is to compensate for having to say good - bye to previous doctors from the past.
The cat is now on my lap...a happy compromise to the fight over the chair. I think that he thinks that he doesn't stay with me, I will disappear.
The program "America" is on. The setting is a beautiful house on a tree - lined
street in Chicago, Illinois. Coffee is brewing.
I am trying to get settled in one room where I want to view the show.
The cat is battling me for the chair.
I am going up and down the hallways and rooms to check on the coffee
and watch the program in many rooms of the house.
I almost feel as if I am in a mansion.
Today, all the minor characters are given the limelight. The protagonists all
seem to have minor story - lines today.
I did watch the next to last episode, because I ventured out!
Yes, just once, for now! I ended up in strange towns that day (Friday), but it
was nice to connect to those places again. Sometimes, traveling through other
places assures the continuity to life, or to the pace of life.
Okay, so now the main characters have just entered the scene.
Her child is now walking, so that shows the passage of time.
He is with the daddy. I think they are going to coerce her to return to Brazil.
The baby is to stay with the dad, possibly. This is tough, because of the
bond she has to the baby and to the dad. She is illegal, so that's why.
If she stays in jail, then she can still visit. If she is forced to return
to South America, then she can only stay in touch through letters or (how about?)
skype. That would be the new alternate ways to keep families together.
If only, she had married someone who was a citizen, but then again, she couldn't have had the child and all. Well, more on this as the show ends...
It ends today. If they leave us all hanging, that would be weird. Unless of course, there is the chance that there will be a sequel out someday. Maybe even on Fan - Fiction or other such addendum - oriented page?
"!Loco por ti America, Loco por tus amores!" That's how the theme plays between commercials. I wonder if they will play a fuller length at the end or even another song entirely.
The cat is following me everywhere. Up,down, all the way around, around, and around.
He still wants the chair.
(SPOILER: I do know from somewhere on the internet that the main characters are going to meet at the end, but only as friends. I guess this show had previously, and so is a re - run.)
That is an unreal ending in most other telenovelas, because it is almost always a fairy-tale ending. In this case,...wait, it looks like the new guy & the father of the child is leaving for Brazil is going too...so that resolves that matter.
At least, I know what the ending is...whew! Now I know that I won't have to find an obscure telenovela board to see what the ending was.
Like that one time when I was watching the Mujer en el espejo and I missed two weeks of it, including the ending...and I asked...
Wait! Tiao and Sol are talking now...they met..but they are only saying goodbye, see you later..."buena suerte" and all that....
...and so I asked like every "Grandma" and kid in town and everyone I met....and no one had ever heard about "La Mujer en el Espejo." It feels like you have part of the story in your memory, but not all of it....
Credits and ending rolling now...well, a little bit more of the song...
I blame the town of Chicago (certain people) for not being able to follow the story as a result of lies about me. I do see recap boards once in a while, but I still haven't seen any written entries on L.M.E.E.E.
At least, I got to watch one ending...just one...although I have missed many endings due to work and family viewing habits.
It's like someone takes away a library book from you right as you are supposed to find out about an ending...how rude, right?!
After a while, it does traumatize you!!!
Bye "America"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Today, I created a new page for Dr. Who fans. This is to compensate for having to say good - bye to previous doctors from the past.
The cat is now on my lap...a happy compromise to the fight over the chair. I think that he thinks that he doesn't stay with me, I will disappear.
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Sound Immersion Practice
Fans of Miley Cyrus will love this!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vSXHcj85VuA&feature=related
Listen to the interview once. If you followed this, then you
have a good memory of Spanish and a good understanding. I was
able to follow it, but that is because I have acquainted myself with
the sounds.
If it is difficult for you to follow the Spanish, then you need
more sound immersion in Spanish.
Listen to the interview a couple of times.
If you don't speak Spanish, this is not going to enable you to speak
it, but the video will equip you with the speed, more or less, that
Spanish is spoken. The first time, you may feel at a loss. Listening to
it several times will enable you to feel more comfortable the next time
you hear it.
It will take time, but you can get yourself to a point where Spanish
is at a pace that you can follow.
Try finding Spanish on You Tube or other sites where Spanish is spoken.
Do this according to your convenience. Don't rush yourself, or force yourself
to go too fast that you give up trying.
You can also try listening to music, if you like, once in a while.
Eventually, your ears will start to discriminate the individual words and phrases.
Next, you may even want to practice saying some of the words.
Activity:
Listen to the interviewer's pronunciation of Miley Cyrus' name.
Say it like the interviewer is pronouncing it.
Say it how we would say it in American English.
Note the difference in pronunciation.
Listen to the speed in which the interviewer says the name.
You can do the same activity with other words as well.
Listen and repeat until you get it right.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vSXHcj85VuA&feature=related
Listen to the interview once. If you followed this, then you
have a good memory of Spanish and a good understanding. I was
able to follow it, but that is because I have acquainted myself with
the sounds.
If it is difficult for you to follow the Spanish, then you need
more sound immersion in Spanish.
Listen to the interview a couple of times.
If you don't speak Spanish, this is not going to enable you to speak
it, but the video will equip you with the speed, more or less, that
Spanish is spoken. The first time, you may feel at a loss. Listening to
it several times will enable you to feel more comfortable the next time
you hear it.
It will take time, but you can get yourself to a point where Spanish
is at a pace that you can follow.
Try finding Spanish on You Tube or other sites where Spanish is spoken.
Do this according to your convenience. Don't rush yourself, or force yourself
to go too fast that you give up trying.
You can also try listening to music, if you like, once in a while.
Eventually, your ears will start to discriminate the individual words and phrases.
Next, you may even want to practice saying some of the words.
Activity:
Listen to the interviewer's pronunciation of Miley Cyrus' name.
Say it like the interviewer is pronouncing it.
Say it how we would say it in American English.
Note the difference in pronunciation.
Listen to the speed in which the interviewer says the name.
You can do the same activity with other words as well.
Listen and repeat until you get it right.
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Spanish Retention
Watching telenovelas is always a good way to retain Spanish.
Most are in Spanish, so that is beneficial to me. Since I do like
reading and writing fiction as well, the frame of a telenovela is
a creative way to keep it up. This time around, instead of a Venezuelan
novela, I chose a Brazilian one. As a result, I became acquainted with Portuguese
as used in the language, culture, setting, and the program was dubbed
in Spanish.
The story lines and plots are presented differently based
on where it is from, so they are always unique. Some plots seem
to be universal themes that have to do with love,tragedy,survival,and having
strength to carry on. It is good that it is a story for television, so I can
watch it as that, and it has no bearing on any real people or situations
that I know.
Sometimes, the real world inspires the telling of the story, so
you walk away with a portrayal of trials that humans suffer universally. So, I view
it that way, and I can't worry about people telling me that it is too dramatic or melodramatic or whatever they have against the genre. Mostly, the immersion that you find in it is crucial for retention. When a novela ends, you have mixed feelings, because you had a regular time slot to follow it, or you got into the story of it,
but the channels always have something new to add for their viewers.
The radio is great, also, but there is not that "regular" routine you find as to a program that I want to follow, and so I forget to tune in, or I just listen randomly on any given station. I like the stations that play Spanish pop music or contemporary music. There are two I hear advertised a lot.
The Calle and The Ley
So I will give you the call letters on those soon, if you like music more
than drama. Acquainting your ears to the language you are learning is of
utmost importance.
SOUND IMMERSION ACTIVITY: Try to listen to words on television or the radio
and see how many you can understand. Jot them
down and look up later all at once. Pick a few.
Tonight, I will try to watch "Corazon Salvaje" again. They are already at the
scene where Juan's brother marries Aimee. So, it is a suspensful part. The
wedding scene was beautiful. The wedding garb was exiquisite, for those of you
who love following period fashion. Even the minor characters are dressed to the
tee.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Note: For followers of the Brazilian telenovela: "America"
This is the last full week for the program. Monday is the last day.
So, make sure you see the end.
I found this link (paper) on the Brazilian genre for your research.
http://lass.calumet.purdue.edu/cca/gmj/sp03/gmj-sp03-rego.htm
I found another site where there is comparison and contrast of stories from
all over the world. So, if you want to study the research on novelas, this is a
great topic in which to immerse yourself.
Contact me on the comments page below, if you want to see that link.
Most are in Spanish, so that is beneficial to me. Since I do like
reading and writing fiction as well, the frame of a telenovela is
a creative way to keep it up. This time around, instead of a Venezuelan
novela, I chose a Brazilian one. As a result, I became acquainted with Portuguese
as used in the language, culture, setting, and the program was dubbed
in Spanish.
The story lines and plots are presented differently based
on where it is from, so they are always unique. Some plots seem
to be universal themes that have to do with love,tragedy,survival,and having
strength to carry on. It is good that it is a story for television, so I can
watch it as that, and it has no bearing on any real people or situations
that I know.
Sometimes, the real world inspires the telling of the story, so
you walk away with a portrayal of trials that humans suffer universally. So, I view
it that way, and I can't worry about people telling me that it is too dramatic or melodramatic or whatever they have against the genre. Mostly, the immersion that you find in it is crucial for retention. When a novela ends, you have mixed feelings, because you had a regular time slot to follow it, or you got into the story of it,
but the channels always have something new to add for their viewers.
The radio is great, also, but there is not that "regular" routine you find as to a program that I want to follow, and so I forget to tune in, or I just listen randomly on any given station. I like the stations that play Spanish pop music or contemporary music. There are two I hear advertised a lot.
The Calle and The Ley
So I will give you the call letters on those soon, if you like music more
than drama. Acquainting your ears to the language you are learning is of
utmost importance.
SOUND IMMERSION ACTIVITY: Try to listen to words on television or the radio
and see how many you can understand. Jot them
down and look up later all at once. Pick a few.
Tonight, I will try to watch "Corazon Salvaje" again. They are already at the
scene where Juan's brother marries Aimee. So, it is a suspensful part. The
wedding scene was beautiful. The wedding garb was exiquisite, for those of you
who love following period fashion. Even the minor characters are dressed to the
tee.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Note: For followers of the Brazilian telenovela: "America"
This is the last full week for the program. Monday is the last day.
So, make sure you see the end.
I found this link (paper) on the Brazilian genre for your research.
http://lass.calumet.purdue.edu/cca/gmj/sp03/gmj-sp03-rego.htm
I found another site where there is comparison and contrast of stories from
all over the world. So, if you want to study the research on novelas, this is a
great topic in which to immerse yourself.
Contact me on the comments page below, if you want to see that link.
Friday, April 9, 2010
Listening to Spanish!
Today, I accomplished the goal of continuing to listen to Spanish.
I watched "America." Then later tonight, I want to watch "Corazon Salvaje."
My ears will thank me someday for the exposure.
Yesterday, I almost did a back flip when I saw the word, "chevre."
It was here at this link.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HsBgDO4ivpA
What a beautiful song! I believe it is called a balada.
Well, under the video box, I saw the word.
That certainly brought back memories! So, each time, I get another clue.
I also like that, in the link above to the video, they translate the song!
It must have been from a telenovela, but I am not sure. It reminds me
of the book, GREEN MANSIONS, because the characters dress like lost people.
Or maybe it reminds me of "Lost." (ABC)
I had an inkling to search for "espejo azul" yesterday, and then
I found this cancion. (stress/accent mark over the o)
The song is also sung by a teenager, or someone who used to be a teenager, I suppose.
I'll have to do some research on this, because the song is beautiful.
Then I did a search for "miro" and "pasar" and came up with a lot of songs that are popular right now. An old song by Nydia Caro once had that line. So I was curious about that phrase. Any way, she was featured on You Tube under the word,
"trajectory." So I was impressed. She sang the theme song for "Tanairi," if my memory serves me correctly.
I seem to be learning Spanish through music currently.
I want to motivate myself to speaking it soon.
I think I have to sing first.
!Hasta luego, blog!
Have a super weekend!
I watched "America." Then later tonight, I want to watch "Corazon Salvaje."
My ears will thank me someday for the exposure.
Yesterday, I almost did a back flip when I saw the word, "chevre."
It was here at this link.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HsBgDO4ivpA
What a beautiful song! I believe it is called a balada.
Well, under the video box, I saw the word.
That certainly brought back memories! So, each time, I get another clue.
I also like that, in the link above to the video, they translate the song!
It must have been from a telenovela, but I am not sure. It reminds me
of the book, GREEN MANSIONS, because the characters dress like lost people.
Or maybe it reminds me of "Lost." (ABC)
I had an inkling to search for "espejo azul" yesterday, and then
I found this cancion. (stress/accent mark over the o)
The song is also sung by a teenager, or someone who used to be a teenager, I suppose.
I'll have to do some research on this, because the song is beautiful.
Then I did a search for "miro" and "pasar" and came up with a lot of songs that are popular right now. An old song by Nydia Caro once had that line. So I was curious about that phrase. Any way, she was featured on You Tube under the word,
"trajectory." So I was impressed. She sang the theme song for "Tanairi," if my memory serves me correctly.
I seem to be learning Spanish through music currently.
I want to motivate myself to speaking it soon.
I think I have to sing first.
!Hasta luego, blog!
Have a super weekend!
Monday, April 5, 2010
Spanish Over the Weekend!
Well, my wish came true about hearing more Spanish on tape.
It was actually online. I had been reading an online newspaper online
from Europe, and something flashed on the page:
Learn Spanish!
That was easy enough.
So I took a chance and tried it out. Basic Level first...
It was extraordinary. I actually felt that I was learning.
I had had a previous experience with learning through CDs
and although, I liked hearing the voices speaking, I wanted
a book in that language in front of me. I was unable to repeat
and pronounce the sounds, because it was the very first experience
hearing them. In my mind, I could not see what the words looked
like or even visualize how they were spelled. So, for that language, I
would try audiotapes with a text.
Spanish, however, seemed familiar to me. We had enough exposure to it
in the schools with classes or by having classmates who spoke Spanish.
I also associated the sounds and words in Spanish to other languages I knew (English)
or had known (Hindi). I was not afraid to try its vowels and consonant sounds.
At first, Spanish, had been difficult, because I had previously not had any
experience or exposure to it. My high school teacher acclimated us to the language by speaking to us in Spanish often. On the first day of school, he started speaking in Spanish very, very rapidly, and although we were a small group, everyone looked at each other,frightened. We had to inquire whether he knew we were basic learners and not at the advanced level. He told us that he just wanted us to know what it sounded like for a reason. Whew! We were so relieved.
That was always a problem to me. I could not follow anyone who spoke in Spanish.
Even when I first turned on the television to improve listening to Spanish, I found that I could not follow the speed or rapidity with which the speakers spoke.
Over time, it became easier. So now, I can follow Spanish, because I gave my ears
a chance to discriminate the sounds over time. I also realized at the time that my Spanish vocabulary needed more work. Telenovelas were great in that they would use
casual or informal language,and you would learn a new word or two.
Phrases were fun to practice. Depending on where the telenovela was from, I would try all sorts of colloquial phrases. Most of the time, words like "love" and phrases
expressing love are the same everywhere. It was when they used words for "money" or words for names, settings, places, or words that expressed "cool!" things started to vary.
The first year, I learned a lot of phrases that I thought were common in basic Spanish. I still remember going to my teacher at school to ask what sounded to me like *"que chevre" meant. He said that I must have been watching a program that was coming from Venezuela. I had asked kids at school, and even Spanish people around my neighborhood. No one knew! I figured I must be saying it or spelling it wrong.
*(used in the program, "Cristal" almost every day)
I still remember Zoraida(sounded like "Soraya" to me) saying "chevre" every day. I gave up and thought it must have been recently coined. (New Spanish)
I guess my first Spanish via television was Venezuelan. The Spanish I learned from books was from Mexico, or some standard version. We had to practice basic conversation in class. Our teacher wasn't too critical. When we first practiced our Spanish with our history teacher, she smiled weakly. She had lived abroad in Peru before as a Peace Corps volunteer and had more exposure to Spanish elsewhere.
She said,"I know you guys are just learning Spanish, but try speaking it a little faster. Instead of making it sound so choppy like, Co + mo + es + ta + Us+ ted,try saying it faster and make the sounds flow together a little more."
More like:
"Comosta"
"Comostas"
What a difference that tip made to us! We all sing-songed "Como esta" for at least 10 minutes after that. We didn't sound like robots speaking "chopped-up" syllables anymore.
Nowadays, I love it when I hear Spanish that is not within a telenovela. Finding it in different settings or contexts is how I can learn more of it. This past weekend, there was a Saturday Night Live skit that used a fusion of English/Spanish. JLo was on!
**************************
Other news: I tried to sing the theme song of Corazon Salvaje now that I was more familiar with the words. Then I stopped to listen. Chayanne's voice
shouldn't be drowned out by mine, I decided.
I think I will write the words out and then follow the song that way!
Ciao! (learned that on the UK site...casual Spanish)
It was actually online. I had been reading an online newspaper online
from Europe, and something flashed on the page:
Learn Spanish!
That was easy enough.
So I took a chance and tried it out. Basic Level first...
It was extraordinary. I actually felt that I was learning.
I had had a previous experience with learning through CDs
and although, I liked hearing the voices speaking, I wanted
a book in that language in front of me. I was unable to repeat
and pronounce the sounds, because it was the very first experience
hearing them. In my mind, I could not see what the words looked
like or even visualize how they were spelled. So, for that language, I
would try audiotapes with a text.
Spanish, however, seemed familiar to me. We had enough exposure to it
in the schools with classes or by having classmates who spoke Spanish.
I also associated the sounds and words in Spanish to other languages I knew (English)
or had known (Hindi). I was not afraid to try its vowels and consonant sounds.
At first, Spanish, had been difficult, because I had previously not had any
experience or exposure to it. My high school teacher acclimated us to the language by speaking to us in Spanish often. On the first day of school, he started speaking in Spanish very, very rapidly, and although we were a small group, everyone looked at each other,frightened. We had to inquire whether he knew we were basic learners and not at the advanced level. He told us that he just wanted us to know what it sounded like for a reason. Whew! We were so relieved.
That was always a problem to me. I could not follow anyone who spoke in Spanish.
Even when I first turned on the television to improve listening to Spanish, I found that I could not follow the speed or rapidity with which the speakers spoke.
Over time, it became easier. So now, I can follow Spanish, because I gave my ears
a chance to discriminate the sounds over time. I also realized at the time that my Spanish vocabulary needed more work. Telenovelas were great in that they would use
casual or informal language,and you would learn a new word or two.
Phrases were fun to practice. Depending on where the telenovela was from, I would try all sorts of colloquial phrases. Most of the time, words like "love" and phrases
expressing love are the same everywhere. It was when they used words for "money" or words for names, settings, places, or words that expressed "cool!" things started to vary.
The first year, I learned a lot of phrases that I thought were common in basic Spanish. I still remember going to my teacher at school to ask what sounded to me like *"que chevre" meant. He said that I must have been watching a program that was coming from Venezuela. I had asked kids at school, and even Spanish people around my neighborhood. No one knew! I figured I must be saying it or spelling it wrong.
*(used in the program, "Cristal" almost every day)
I still remember Zoraida(sounded like "Soraya" to me) saying "chevre" every day. I gave up and thought it must have been recently coined. (New Spanish)
I guess my first Spanish via television was Venezuelan. The Spanish I learned from books was from Mexico, or some standard version. We had to practice basic conversation in class. Our teacher wasn't too critical. When we first practiced our Spanish with our history teacher, she smiled weakly. She had lived abroad in Peru before as a Peace Corps volunteer and had more exposure to Spanish elsewhere.
She said,"I know you guys are just learning Spanish, but try speaking it a little faster. Instead of making it sound so choppy like, Co + mo + es + ta + Us+ ted,try saying it faster and make the sounds flow together a little more."
More like:
"Comosta"
"Comostas"
What a difference that tip made to us! We all sing-songed "Como esta" for at least 10 minutes after that. We didn't sound like robots speaking "chopped-up" syllables anymore.
Nowadays, I love it when I hear Spanish that is not within a telenovela. Finding it in different settings or contexts is how I can learn more of it. This past weekend, there was a Saturday Night Live skit that used a fusion of English/Spanish. JLo was on!
**************************
Other news: I tried to sing the theme song of Corazon Salvaje now that I was more familiar with the words. Then I stopped to listen. Chayanne's voice
shouldn't be drowned out by mine, I decided.
I think I will write the words out and then follow the song that way!
Ciao! (learned that on the UK site...casual Spanish)
Thursday, April 1, 2010
Translation!
My Method: (as a former tri-lingual child), if you count ("British English), then it was quadrilingual.
***Immersion through a parallel-learning exposure:
I remember when I first started to really thoroughly learn the (American) English language here in the states. Places where I had resided in the past had been speaking and writing in English, so I developed an appreciation for it early on. Since English was not my first language initially, I think I was very curious to learn it and accepted it more readily than the mother tongue of the regions to which I moved. Unlike learning English and Spanish,which are dominant in the areas due to colonization, I had to try to learn a language in each new state where I traveled. I was only a child, so no one forced me to learn more than two languages at a time. Although there was an international crowd as well, and for that reason, we had to turn to the two major ("official") languages that were used for communication. There was no way to speak each and every dialect or tongue at that time. I rememember people speaking Hindi, English, Marathi, Malayalam,Urdu, Punjabi, and vague dialects to me. If I didn't understand them, I would tell them that. They didn't always connect that I was a new immigrant to their region, and they would say, "Shame! You don't speak Marathi...etc.!" They just assumed that I knew it. A lot of them would ask my parents if I had a speech impediment, because my accent was always off initially as I began to learn a particular language. They always wondered why I was quiet also.
So I call my first experience not a bilingual one, but more of a parallel language learning experience. I was generally being taught two languages at once that were not my own language. This was true in school also. My own language was only spoken in regions below the equator and minimally within the United States. When I came to the USA, I gravitated toward English, because it was the only thing I recognized and related to, and it did make me feel as I fit in somehow. I lost the other "official" tongue(s) that I was starting to learn, because there was no one with which to practice. I had only a seven-year-old's knowledge of it, so I am not surprised. I basically recognize a few words here and there, but I never heard it spoken or even written out. Besides, my parents never did what other new immigrants do, live within their own communities when they first arrive. I think they live like missionaries do, always parallel to other communities. So I never gained ground in any one language. At the time, that was a huge loss for me, because in India, I would only hear or use Hindi outside of school. It was my (first) primary language of fluency.
The day before yesterday, I watched a film in the mother tongue of India and found that I only recognized words and not phrases. It helped that it had subtitles in English. I recognized words such as greetings and informal constructs such as "you" and "your." A recent film in a Southern dialect also pointed out satirically:
"An Indian that doesn't speak Hindi! Why, that's so totally unheard of!" ("The Notebook" with the actress,"Roma") I guess I don't fit in with that particular colonization schema.
I think I feel discriminated against, because people here want me to be a "tiger" and know Tamil. For me, tamil is way too foreign!!!
No exposure to it whatsoever! I AM in AMERICA!!!!!!!
WHAT DO YOU EXPECT???!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
("Stop the world! I want to get off! This is too weird for me! I just want to find a planet that is interested in sanity!") An old contemporary Christian song!
So this is what I meant when I said that you can lose Spanish if you don't practice it, or are around people who do not speak it. I don't have pen pals to practice Spanish with, either, so I have to retain it in the ways that are currently available to me. I have to investigate chat boards to write in Spanish. So that is yet another project.
I like an interactional approach to learning Spanish. I like to hear it on television or on the radio, especially meaningful dialogue. I love to see it in print, and to try to practice reading it. I have not really been practicing to write in the language, because this area has a majority of English speakers, and there is never an opportunity to write it. So ,that's why this blog is necessary to me. Right now, I feel a discrimination around me toward Spanish, so it is not being readily accepted here.
I have followed the English Only debates, and have tried to understand both perspectives, but I find that it is only normal for people to use their original (or first) language(s). I am an exception in that I had to choose the language of colonization, because we had to move so much when I was a child, and it was the most common medium found wherever I went, even in print media.
I have to take small steps to begin to write in Spanish again. I miss trying to write essays in Spanish. We had a foreign-language requirement to satisfy in the states during high school and college, so I was happy to choose Spanish and work with it. My friends all told me to take French, because they wanted to, but I knew myself. I would never have been ready to learn French at fourteen years of age. For some reason, I felt that Spanish would be around as a language of exposure, and I would run into it more in the USA. I needed that immersion experience that I craved, and I feared losing my French, because I would never use it. (The irony is that my people had lived in French-colonized areas, so French and (some Irish) is already within our language ,and I do have an affection or predilection for French and Irish.) I think my people might have been that of an ancient Celtic background.
Our language is not so fused with Indo-European words, except when we borrow from Hindi or Sanskrit. That is normal, because when groups live side by side, they pick up words from other languages, and borrow constantly.
I also like that the consonant/vowel sounds in Spanish are very similar to the ones I used to hear in Hindi. That's why I can pronounce the "r" a little better than most others.
English is more or less a conglomerate of foreign languages from all around the world. Just go to a cafe sometime. You'll see what I mean. We owe a great deal to Romance languages as well. So I am surprised when people resist Spanish
(a Romance language) when they hear it.
So at this time, my Spanish is all heard or seen. I hope to change this soon through writing practice and posting on blogs. I found a Peruan Telenovela board recently, and I asked for pen pals. I was so nervous to write in Spanish, because I am so out of practice, so I chickened out and wrote in English.
The internet does blend all of these elements,the seeing, the reading, and even the listening, and so I want to work with this medium more so than I do.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
TRANSLATION
The theme song to the telenovela, "Corazon Salvaje":
In the past, I would have looked up every single word in the dictionary.
There's nothing wrong with that, and I would recommend using one and keeping it handy. Since I am a little advanced in the comprehension of Spanish than a beginner or someone at the basic literacy levels, I wanted to test my comprehension of the lyrics.
I am also a person that does not shy away from poetry in language.
My quandary was to decide if I should paraphrase it in a general sense or translate it literally out on paper, line by line. I decided to choose the former option.
For a new beginner, I would suggest reading it over until the words seem familiar. For each person, it will vary as to how many times he or she will need to review.
I got the basic gist of the song in one reading and actually listening to the words as they played on television. (Look at previous posts for a You Tube link of the song.)
So, obviously, one would have to acknowledge that the theme has to do with love and romance. The words are suggestive of poetry and the euphoria that one experiences in a total love of a person. The passion the singer feels is evidenced almost as if he is breathing in his beloved and cannot live without her.
The problem, however, was that since I did not have the words in front of me, and because I did not write the words out, I couldn't recall the words. I wanted to sing along to the words.
So I found a weakness in that I haven't exposed it to my ears as many times as I needed and not looked at the words often enough to learn them. Since memory is necessary, I suffered from a lack of hearing and reading. That clued me into my nervousness of speaking the language, too.
The frustration, however, does not deter me. I like the project enough to continue. I am interested in translating it nonetheless. Here's my take on the first stanza.
I Fell in Love With You (paraphrased version)
When I think of you, when I am with you, my hope grows
My soul is nourished by your(this) love
and unawares, time stole this love from me
What am I going to do without you?
If we're not together, I can't live,
I have nothing
I can only breathe if I am in your arms or by your side
There is nothing to do and nothing to say (there's no need to even explain)
Without you, I would have nothing, feel cold and frozen (feel alone and empty)
If I can't be with you, I would lose my mind (lose my senses)
There's so much to say, there's nothing to lose
I fell in love with you
So this has the connotations of songs we have grown up with.
You are the air that I breathe. I am all out of love...etc.(Air Supply - esque)
Or if you like Spanish, "Mi vida eres tu, y solamente tu" (Rudy la Scala)from the telenovela (CRISTAL)--- a huge hit!
"I Surrender All" (church hymn), and it reminds me of symbiosis also.
So, the basic gist and any other associations or connections I can make aids
me in the comprehension of the song. I was thinking about the time it took
to get the words out. I do know song writers, so I reserve the right to appreciate
the artistry.
I don't want to stop there, however.
I would actually like to go within the song,
translate it word for word and literally as well.
That way, I feel I actually own the words, and understand them at a deeper level
and not just at the surface level.
This feels like double the work, but I am going to do it anyway.
Anyway, this is not for a class, so there is no rush.
I don't have a printer right now, so I can't print the words out to carry around.
I can always save it on the computer, I suppose.
MORE TRANSLATION!
SECOND STANZA:
You're what I always wanted, what I've always wanted
You're my (ray of) sunshine.
And unawares, love was stolen from me (time stole it)
what's going to become of me?
if I can't be with you?
The last three stanzas are all a repetition of the refrain, and song writers
repeat refrains for effect. So that part is not going to be difficult to translate.
The refrain is the part that states:
"Si no estas conmigo..."
and it ends with
"me enamore de ti."
THE SONG!
Overall, it is not a new concept in terms of songs or even themes, but the romantic way that Chayanne sings does it justice. It is so different from Miyares' strong delivery of the previous "Corazon Salvaje" serial, but this softness expresses the love the writer is trying to convey. The only thing is that the volume is a bit muted on the station I view the program, (CANAL 6),so Chayanne's voice is not projected. On You Tube, however, I can hear him better.
Chayanne has the softness of voice like Carlos Mata, and the tenderness of Rudy La Scala in "Cristal," and Michael Jackson's poignant lilt. He can probably write or sing songs for children like Rafi, too, someday, if he chooses to do so. I did purchase the record for the last series, so I may go to buy the new soundtrack also.
(Maybe JB RECORDS in Chicago?) They used to carry EVERYTHING!!!!!!
If you are so inclined to follow this series on television, tune in.
I am also following the costume work and fashion of that time period. I tend to be a secretive socialite of the fashion scene on the net right now. And the Spanish indulge in fashion!
Translation is fun, but it can be tedious and pain-staking work.
My eyes are smarting against the computer screen and feeling bugged out in front of the lights. I would recommend taking a break if this happens.
Doing work at leisure does not hurt, trust me! I know of people who lost their eyesight and gained migraine headaches as a result of overdoing it on the computer.
I feel as if I am vicariously watching someone write a poem instead of translating, so that part, I like! (LOL!)
LYRICS BELOW!
http://www.fulltono.org/videos-1/chayanne/53T3yStovu0?chayanne-me-enamore-de-ti-with-lyrics
You Tube Video with lyrics!
***Immersion through a parallel-learning exposure:
I remember when I first started to really thoroughly learn the (American) English language here in the states. Places where I had resided in the past had been speaking and writing in English, so I developed an appreciation for it early on. Since English was not my first language initially, I think I was very curious to learn it and accepted it more readily than the mother tongue of the regions to which I moved. Unlike learning English and Spanish,which are dominant in the areas due to colonization, I had to try to learn a language in each new state where I traveled. I was only a child, so no one forced me to learn more than two languages at a time. Although there was an international crowd as well, and for that reason, we had to turn to the two major ("official") languages that were used for communication. There was no way to speak each and every dialect or tongue at that time. I rememember people speaking Hindi, English, Marathi, Malayalam,Urdu, Punjabi, and vague dialects to me. If I didn't understand them, I would tell them that. They didn't always connect that I was a new immigrant to their region, and they would say, "Shame! You don't speak Marathi...etc.!" They just assumed that I knew it. A lot of them would ask my parents if I had a speech impediment, because my accent was always off initially as I began to learn a particular language. They always wondered why I was quiet also.
So I call my first experience not a bilingual one, but more of a parallel language learning experience. I was generally being taught two languages at once that were not my own language. This was true in school also. My own language was only spoken in regions below the equator and minimally within the United States. When I came to the USA, I gravitated toward English, because it was the only thing I recognized and related to, and it did make me feel as I fit in somehow. I lost the other "official" tongue(s) that I was starting to learn, because there was no one with which to practice. I had only a seven-year-old's knowledge of it, so I am not surprised. I basically recognize a few words here and there, but I never heard it spoken or even written out. Besides, my parents never did what other new immigrants do, live within their own communities when they first arrive. I think they live like missionaries do, always parallel to other communities. So I never gained ground in any one language. At the time, that was a huge loss for me, because in India, I would only hear or use Hindi outside of school. It was my (first) primary language of fluency.
The day before yesterday, I watched a film in the mother tongue of India and found that I only recognized words and not phrases. It helped that it had subtitles in English. I recognized words such as greetings and informal constructs such as "you" and "your." A recent film in a Southern dialect also pointed out satirically:
"An Indian that doesn't speak Hindi! Why, that's so totally unheard of!" ("The Notebook" with the actress,"Roma") I guess I don't fit in with that particular colonization schema.
I think I feel discriminated against, because people here want me to be a "tiger" and know Tamil. For me, tamil is way too foreign!!!
No exposure to it whatsoever! I AM in AMERICA!!!!!!!
WHAT DO YOU EXPECT???!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
("Stop the world! I want to get off! This is too weird for me! I just want to find a planet that is interested in sanity!") An old contemporary Christian song!
So this is what I meant when I said that you can lose Spanish if you don't practice it, or are around people who do not speak it. I don't have pen pals to practice Spanish with, either, so I have to retain it in the ways that are currently available to me. I have to investigate chat boards to write in Spanish. So that is yet another project.
I like an interactional approach to learning Spanish. I like to hear it on television or on the radio, especially meaningful dialogue. I love to see it in print, and to try to practice reading it. I have not really been practicing to write in the language, because this area has a majority of English speakers, and there is never an opportunity to write it. So ,that's why this blog is necessary to me. Right now, I feel a discrimination around me toward Spanish, so it is not being readily accepted here.
I have followed the English Only debates, and have tried to understand both perspectives, but I find that it is only normal for people to use their original (or first) language(s). I am an exception in that I had to choose the language of colonization, because we had to move so much when I was a child, and it was the most common medium found wherever I went, even in print media.
I have to take small steps to begin to write in Spanish again. I miss trying to write essays in Spanish. We had a foreign-language requirement to satisfy in the states during high school and college, so I was happy to choose Spanish and work with it. My friends all told me to take French, because they wanted to, but I knew myself. I would never have been ready to learn French at fourteen years of age. For some reason, I felt that Spanish would be around as a language of exposure, and I would run into it more in the USA. I needed that immersion experience that I craved, and I feared losing my French, because I would never use it. (The irony is that my people had lived in French-colonized areas, so French and (some Irish) is already within our language ,and I do have an affection or predilection for French and Irish.) I think my people might have been that of an ancient Celtic background.
Our language is not so fused with Indo-European words, except when we borrow from Hindi or Sanskrit. That is normal, because when groups live side by side, they pick up words from other languages, and borrow constantly.
I also like that the consonant/vowel sounds in Spanish are very similar to the ones I used to hear in Hindi. That's why I can pronounce the "r" a little better than most others.
English is more or less a conglomerate of foreign languages from all around the world. Just go to a cafe sometime. You'll see what I mean. We owe a great deal to Romance languages as well. So I am surprised when people resist Spanish
(a Romance language) when they hear it.
So at this time, my Spanish is all heard or seen. I hope to change this soon through writing practice and posting on blogs. I found a Peruan Telenovela board recently, and I asked for pen pals. I was so nervous to write in Spanish, because I am so out of practice, so I chickened out and wrote in English.
The internet does blend all of these elements,the seeing, the reading, and even the listening, and so I want to work with this medium more so than I do.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
TRANSLATION
The theme song to the telenovela, "Corazon Salvaje":
In the past, I would have looked up every single word in the dictionary.
There's nothing wrong with that, and I would recommend using one and keeping it handy. Since I am a little advanced in the comprehension of Spanish than a beginner or someone at the basic literacy levels, I wanted to test my comprehension of the lyrics.
I am also a person that does not shy away from poetry in language.
My quandary was to decide if I should paraphrase it in a general sense or translate it literally out on paper, line by line. I decided to choose the former option.
For a new beginner, I would suggest reading it over until the words seem familiar. For each person, it will vary as to how many times he or she will need to review.
I got the basic gist of the song in one reading and actually listening to the words as they played on television. (Look at previous posts for a You Tube link of the song.)
So, obviously, one would have to acknowledge that the theme has to do with love and romance. The words are suggestive of poetry and the euphoria that one experiences in a total love of a person. The passion the singer feels is evidenced almost as if he is breathing in his beloved and cannot live without her.
The problem, however, was that since I did not have the words in front of me, and because I did not write the words out, I couldn't recall the words. I wanted to sing along to the words.
So I found a weakness in that I haven't exposed it to my ears as many times as I needed and not looked at the words often enough to learn them. Since memory is necessary, I suffered from a lack of hearing and reading. That clued me into my nervousness of speaking the language, too.
The frustration, however, does not deter me. I like the project enough to continue. I am interested in translating it nonetheless. Here's my take on the first stanza.
I Fell in Love With You (paraphrased version)
When I think of you, when I am with you, my hope grows
My soul is nourished by your(this) love
and unawares, time stole this love from me
What am I going to do without you?
If we're not together, I can't live,
I have nothing
I can only breathe if I am in your arms or by your side
There is nothing to do and nothing to say (there's no need to even explain)
Without you, I would have nothing, feel cold and frozen (feel alone and empty)
If I can't be with you, I would lose my mind (lose my senses)
There's so much to say, there's nothing to lose
I fell in love with you
So this has the connotations of songs we have grown up with.
You are the air that I breathe. I am all out of love...etc.(Air Supply - esque)
Or if you like Spanish, "Mi vida eres tu, y solamente tu" (Rudy la Scala)from the telenovela (CRISTAL)--- a huge hit!
"I Surrender All" (church hymn), and it reminds me of symbiosis also.
So, the basic gist and any other associations or connections I can make aids
me in the comprehension of the song. I was thinking about the time it took
to get the words out. I do know song writers, so I reserve the right to appreciate
the artistry.
I don't want to stop there, however.
I would actually like to go within the song,
translate it word for word and literally as well.
That way, I feel I actually own the words, and understand them at a deeper level
and not just at the surface level.
This feels like double the work, but I am going to do it anyway.
Anyway, this is not for a class, so there is no rush.
I don't have a printer right now, so I can't print the words out to carry around.
I can always save it on the computer, I suppose.
MORE TRANSLATION!
SECOND STANZA:
You're what I always wanted, what I've always wanted
You're my (ray of) sunshine.
And unawares, love was stolen from me (time stole it)
what's going to become of me?
if I can't be with you?
The last three stanzas are all a repetition of the refrain, and song writers
repeat refrains for effect. So that part is not going to be difficult to translate.
The refrain is the part that states:
"Si no estas conmigo..."
and it ends with
"me enamore de ti."
THE SONG!
Overall, it is not a new concept in terms of songs or even themes, but the romantic way that Chayanne sings does it justice. It is so different from Miyares' strong delivery of the previous "Corazon Salvaje" serial, but this softness expresses the love the writer is trying to convey. The only thing is that the volume is a bit muted on the station I view the program, (CANAL 6),so Chayanne's voice is not projected. On You Tube, however, I can hear him better.
Chayanne has the softness of voice like Carlos Mata, and the tenderness of Rudy La Scala in "Cristal," and Michael Jackson's poignant lilt. He can probably write or sing songs for children like Rafi, too, someday, if he chooses to do so. I did purchase the record for the last series, so I may go to buy the new soundtrack also.
(Maybe JB RECORDS in Chicago?) They used to carry EVERYTHING!!!!!!
If you are so inclined to follow this series on television, tune in.
I am also following the costume work and fashion of that time period. I tend to be a secretive socialite of the fashion scene on the net right now. And the Spanish indulge in fashion!
Translation is fun, but it can be tedious and pain-staking work.
My eyes are smarting against the computer screen and feeling bugged out in front of the lights. I would recommend taking a break if this happens.
Doing work at leisure does not hurt, trust me! I know of people who lost their eyesight and gained migraine headaches as a result of overdoing it on the computer.
I feel as if I am vicariously watching someone write a poem instead of translating, so that part, I like! (LOL!)
LYRICS BELOW!
http://www.fulltono.org/videos-1/chayanne/53T3yStovu0?chayanne-me-enamore-de-ti-with-lyrics
You Tube Video with lyrics!
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Lyrics to Translate!
So, here goes.
I found the words at this site.
Now I will have to use my silent skills, disappear, and do my work privately.
The site where I obtained the words:
http://lyricstranslate.com/en/Chayanne-Me-Enamore-de-Ti-lyrics.html
(Hint: Apparently, you can request translations, but I feel like
doing my own work. Then I will compare it to the others.)
ME ENAMORE DE TI (CHAYANNE)
Cuando estoy contigo
crece mi esperanza
has alimentando el amor de mi alma
y sin pensarlo el tiempo
me robó el aliento,
qué será de mí si no te tengo?
Si no estás conmigo se me escapa el aire,
corazón vacío.
Estando en tus brazos sólo a tu lado
siento que respiro…
No hay nada que cambiar,
no hay nada que decir.
Si no estás conmigo quedo entre la nada,
me muero de frío.
Ay! cuanto te amo,
si no es a tu lado pierdo los sentidos…
Hay tanto que inventar,
no hay nada que fingir…
“me enamoré de tí”
me enamoré de tí…
Eres lo que yo más quiero,
lo que yo he soñado amar…
eres mi rayo de luz a cada mañana…
y sin pensarlo
el tiempo me robó el aliento,
qué será de mí
si no te tengo?
Si no estás conmigo
se me escapa el aire,
corazón vacío.
Estando en tus brazos
sólo a tu lado siento q respiro…
No hay nada que cambiar,
no hay nada que decir…
Si no estás conmigo
quedo entre la nada,
me muero de frío.
Ay! cuanto te amo,
si no es a tu lado
pierdo los sentidos…
Hay tanto que inventar,
no hay nada que fingir…
“me enamoré de tí”…
Si no estás conmigo
se me escapa el aire,
corazón vacío.
Estando en tus brazos
sólo a tu lado siento q respiro…
No hay nada que cambiar,
no hay nada que decir…
Si no estás conmigo quedo entre la nada,
me muero de frío.
Ay! cuanto te amo,
“corazón salvaje”
pierdo los sentidos…
Hay tanto que inventar,
no hay nada que fingir…
Si no estás conmigo…
me muero de frío!!
No hay nada que cambiar,
no hay nada que fingir…
me enamoré de tí…
me enamoré de tí…
I found the words at this site.
Now I will have to use my silent skills, disappear, and do my work privately.
The site where I obtained the words:
http://lyricstranslate.com/en/Chayanne-Me-Enamore-de-Ti-lyrics.html
(Hint: Apparently, you can request translations, but I feel like
doing my own work. Then I will compare it to the others.)
ME ENAMORE DE TI (CHAYANNE)
Cuando estoy contigo
crece mi esperanza
has alimentando el amor de mi alma
y sin pensarlo el tiempo
me robó el aliento,
qué será de mí si no te tengo?
Si no estás conmigo se me escapa el aire,
corazón vacío.
Estando en tus brazos sólo a tu lado
siento que respiro…
No hay nada que cambiar,
no hay nada que decir.
Si no estás conmigo quedo entre la nada,
me muero de frío.
Ay! cuanto te amo,
si no es a tu lado pierdo los sentidos…
Hay tanto que inventar,
no hay nada que fingir…
“me enamoré de tí”
me enamoré de tí…
Eres lo que yo más quiero,
lo que yo he soñado amar…
eres mi rayo de luz a cada mañana…
y sin pensarlo
el tiempo me robó el aliento,
qué será de mí
si no te tengo?
Si no estás conmigo
se me escapa el aire,
corazón vacío.
Estando en tus brazos
sólo a tu lado siento q respiro…
No hay nada que cambiar,
no hay nada que decir…
Si no estás conmigo
quedo entre la nada,
me muero de frío.
Ay! cuanto te amo,
si no es a tu lado
pierdo los sentidos…
Hay tanto que inventar,
no hay nada que fingir…
“me enamoré de tí”…
Si no estás conmigo
se me escapa el aire,
corazón vacío.
Estando en tus brazos
sólo a tu lado siento q respiro…
No hay nada que cambiar,
no hay nada que decir…
Si no estás conmigo quedo entre la nada,
me muero de frío.
Ay! cuanto te amo,
“corazón salvaje”
pierdo los sentidos…
Hay tanto que inventar,
no hay nada que fingir…
Si no estás conmigo…
me muero de frío!!
No hay nada que cambiar,
no hay nada que fingir…
me enamoré de tí…
me enamoré de tí…
Monday, March 29, 2010
Lucia Mendez Fans
Please take time out today and send your prayer and condolences to
Lucia Mendez. May she and her family find courage during this tough time.
(Note: Please view site only if you are over age 18 or with parental permission.)
http://www.celestrellas.com/2010/03/27/lucia-mendez-muere-mama
Reading this in Spanish tests my reading of Spanish as well as connects me to those
in the Spanish - speaking world in a meaningful way. I believe language is meant to unite, not to divide.
So I reserve this page for all her fans and friends to connect with her.
Lucia appeared in this video.
Can you find her?
This is one of my favorite songs in Spanish.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SOsRUGdegdc (Cantare, Cantaras)
My prayers go out to her and her family.
Although miles apart, we gather together during trials,
and that makes us strong.
Lucia Mendez. May she and her family find courage during this tough time.
(Note: Please view site only if you are over age 18 or with parental permission.)
http://www.celestrellas.com/2010/03/27/lucia-mendez-muere-mama
Reading this in Spanish tests my reading of Spanish as well as connects me to those
in the Spanish - speaking world in a meaningful way. I believe language is meant to unite, not to divide.
So I reserve this page for all her fans and friends to connect with her.
Lucia appeared in this video.
Can you find her?
This is one of my favorite songs in Spanish.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SOsRUGdegdc (Cantare, Cantaras)
My prayers go out to her and her family.
Although miles apart, we gather together during trials,
and that makes us strong.
Sunday, March 28, 2010
A Wish Granted!
Yesterday, when I finished blogging, I wished I could hear Chayanne's song on the radio.
This morning, I heard it while tuning in on stations.
It sounds melodic and poetic on the radio as well. A lady air personality
briefly introduced it.
Music in another language is also beneficial to the study of a new language.
I suppose total immersion is the best way to learn. I have met people who traveled to Spain, Mexico, and even Costa Rica to interact with locals. I think I would be afraid to afford that luxury, but it sounds nice.
I need to immerse myself in Spanish print, but I have yet to order newspapers. I think the "HOY" paper is an alternative. Once I saw a box for "El Pais" floating around somewhere on Broadway ,but I don't usually travel that way much anymore. So I have to remember where exactly I saw it. Since it is "gratis," I want to refind the box.
I subscribed to a newsletter from Spain, and it gives you the choice of English or Spanish for bilingual understanding. I forwarded it to a friend I made on Craigslist about two years ago. He, in turn, told me he likes Meetups, where interested parties gather and practice Spanish. (www.meetup.com)
I am keeping a low profile and need to stay at home, however, so in the meantime, I will be searching for newsgroups to join and blogs in Spanish. Tomorrow, I will try to translate the theme song for "Corazon Salvaje."
!Sin un diccionario! (first)
entonces con un diccinario (segundo)
This morning, I heard it while tuning in on stations.
It sounds melodic and poetic on the radio as well. A lady air personality
briefly introduced it.
Music in another language is also beneficial to the study of a new language.
I suppose total immersion is the best way to learn. I have met people who traveled to Spain, Mexico, and even Costa Rica to interact with locals. I think I would be afraid to afford that luxury, but it sounds nice.
I need to immerse myself in Spanish print, but I have yet to order newspapers. I think the "HOY" paper is an alternative. Once I saw a box for "El Pais" floating around somewhere on Broadway ,but I don't usually travel that way much anymore. So I have to remember where exactly I saw it. Since it is "gratis," I want to refind the box.
I subscribed to a newsletter from Spain, and it gives you the choice of English or Spanish for bilingual understanding. I forwarded it to a friend I made on Craigslist about two years ago. He, in turn, told me he likes Meetups, where interested parties gather and practice Spanish. (www.meetup.com)
I am keeping a low profile and need to stay at home, however, so in the meantime, I will be searching for newsgroups to join and blogs in Spanish. Tomorrow, I will try to translate the theme song for "Corazon Salvaje."
!Sin un diccionario! (first)
entonces con un diccinario (segundo)
Saturday, March 27, 2010
Solo Spanish
Bienvenidos a todos.
Disclaimer: This blog, at times, is not for minors.
(Please be over 18 yrs of age. I can explain in an email. Check with your parents if it is content-related to your experiences, culture, and psyche.) Example: You Tube videos from the public domain/links...etc.
SOLO
Esto es una oportunidad para aprender espanol conmigo.
Hacer los erores conmigo tambien y tratar de aprender lentamente.
Si no usa el espanol, puede perderlo.
Solo Spanish Project 1:
I am re-watching the telenovela, "Corazon Salvaje" (2010) to practice my Spanish.
As a non-native speaker, I need to find creative ways to retain the Spanish I know and teach myself new material as time progresses. Today, I visited some You Tube pages to see if I could find "letras" as well as the music. There's a stage version of Chayanne singing the song that is awesome.
http://es.truveo.com/chayanne-me-enamore-de-t%C3%AD-coraz%C3%B3n-salvaje/id/4052271214
http://es.truveo.com/chayanne-me-enamore-de-t%C3%AD-coraz%C3%B3n-salvaje/id/4052271214
(In the video above, he looks like MJ a little. Lol!)
I had watched this program back in the 90s also, but the actors were all different. I think it will be nice to compare the two. So far, the fashion and costume work is amazing. I hope that I will get into the story line more when the two main characters actually get together. (People used to watch this show in the 70s also.)
Someone told me there are Spanish Language meetups, so that is an alternative way to keep my Spanish up, too.
I saw an ad in the papers that described a conversational club that meets as a class in a restaurant. I didn't sign up, but that sounded interesting, because they describe the culture and food as well besides the language.
The lyrics are on this video:
http://www.fulltono.org/videos-1/chayanne/53T3yStovu0?chayanne-me-enamore-de-ti-with-lyrics
Next Project: Translate the words of the song to English
Disclaimer: This blog, at times, is not for minors.
(Please be over 18 yrs of age. I can explain in an email. Check with your parents if it is content-related to your experiences, culture, and psyche.) Example: You Tube videos from the public domain/links...etc.
SOLO
Esto es una oportunidad para aprender espanol conmigo.
Hacer los erores conmigo tambien y tratar de aprender lentamente.
Si no usa el espanol, puede perderlo.
Solo Spanish Project 1:
I am re-watching the telenovela, "Corazon Salvaje" (2010) to practice my Spanish.
As a non-native speaker, I need to find creative ways to retain the Spanish I know and teach myself new material as time progresses. Today, I visited some You Tube pages to see if I could find "letras" as well as the music. There's a stage version of Chayanne singing the song that is awesome.
http://es.truveo.com/chayanne-me-enamore-de-t%C3%AD-coraz%C3%B3n-salvaje/id/4052271214
http://es.truveo.com/chayanne-me-enamore-de-t%C3%AD-coraz%C3%B3n-salvaje/id/4052271214
(In the video above, he looks like MJ a little. Lol!)
I had watched this program back in the 90s also, but the actors were all different. I think it will be nice to compare the two. So far, the fashion and costume work is amazing. I hope that I will get into the story line more when the two main characters actually get together. (People used to watch this show in the 70s also.)
Someone told me there are Spanish Language meetups, so that is an alternative way to keep my Spanish up, too.
I saw an ad in the papers that described a conversational club that meets as a class in a restaurant. I didn't sign up, but that sounded interesting, because they describe the culture and food as well besides the language.
The lyrics are on this video:
http://www.fulltono.org/videos-1/chayanne/53T3yStovu0?chayanne-me-enamore-de-ti-with-lyrics
Next Project: Translate the words of the song to English
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