Spanish - European Vs Latin American

Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.4D

02/26/2009 12:29:06 PM · #1

OK, so I have been learning a new language as one of my new years resolutions, however I have just thought that whilst I am learning European Spanish, is it hugely different to Latin American spanish?

Its just whilst watching Dora The Explorer (with my daughter) she says certain things slightly differently to what I have so far learned.. anyone here know the differences?

Muchas gracias señoras y señores.

:)

Message edited by author 2009-02-26 12:32:09.

rossbilly

Nikon D200

02/26/2009 02:26:10 PM · #2

You are right, there are differences - but mostly colloquial.

We lived in Spain for a couple of years, and saw plenty of examples of this. Lots of times, someone with a Latin American heritage would come over & have plenty of stories to tell. For example, a friend tried to ask some young ladies about the beverage they were drinking... and was SLAPPED! Seems the name for a certain fruit (in his culture) was slang for a certain body part (in HER culture).

For the most part, the difference are minor unless you plan to be an interpreter or doctor. Someone may get a little confused, but most times a little clarification (and several laughs!) will clear things right up.

Manic

DJI Mini 3 Pro

Kamlan 28mm F1.4 MF for APS-C

02/26/2009 02:29:40 PM · #3

From what my (latin american) wife tells me, latin american spanish tends to be more informal and "lazy", whereas spain spanish is much more "proper" and grammatically correct. You'd probably be best off with spain spanish, since it should be understandable to all spanish speakers, even if you end up sounding a bit too formal in latin america :)

Message edited by author 2009-02-26 14:30:47.

smudgeSMJ

Apple iPhone 6

Sony 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 E-mount

02/26/2009 02:57:24 PM · #4

I have a degree in Spanish, work with Spanish-speaking migrant families as my job, and travel as often as I can to Spain. It's quite a mixture of regions when I speak, let me tell you, but people never have trouble noticing that my accent is the one found in the Iberian Peninsula. Biggest differences: the use of vosotros in Spain if you're not used to it can be very difficult to adjust to. It's kind of like saying "y'all" in English. Latin and South American Spanish-speakers do not use this. I suggest learning it though. The accent is pretty easy to mimic, the biggest difference is that ce, ci, ze, and zi combinations get a lisp sound (TH) but sa, se, si, su sounds do not. For example, graTHias but not THandra (Sandra). The rest is mostly regional differences like the flower example above, but not all so "dangerous" and many are understood anyway, like if a Brit were speaking to an American (for example, computadora in LA is ordenador in ESP). If you have any questions, I'm happy to help.

Canon RF 100mm F2.8 L MACRO IS USM

02/26/2009 06:30:30 PM · #5

Thanks for the replies.. Like I said its just little things but maybe the fact I am noticing it is a good sign?

The biggest thing I am having trouble with is shaping some of the sounds - especially the `jer` in mujer. I feel I am going to bring up a load of phlegm with that one.. and that r-r-r-r-r rolling of the tongue as in `corre` but I'll keep practising. any tips would be appreciated.

mindbottling

Canon EOS R6

02/26/2009 06:40:54 PM · #6

European Spanish differs mostly in conjugation of "vos/vosotros" which most Latin American countries don't even use (with the exception of Argentina and I believe, Chile). The pronunciation is different as well as some vocabulary, but each of these vary a lot through Latin America as well. I learned Spanish in the U.S. from an American, spent my first out of country time in Ecuador, spent a semester in Mexico, and then married a Dominican. Now I speak Mexican Spanish for my work. I find myself adjusting my vocabulary depending on whom I'm speaking with. The word "coger," for example, is perfectly fine to use in the Caribbean for "get" or "catch," but if you use it in parts of Mexico or Central America, you may get a few raised eyebrows. If it's your second language though, most people are very forgiving about these regional differences and will just appreciate the fact that you are learning their language.

Tycho

Nikon D70

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 18-70mm f/3.5-4.5G IF-ED

02/26/2009 07:06:55 PM · #7

Originally posted by Simms:

The biggest thing I am having trouble with is shaping some of the sounds - especially the `jer` in mujer. I feel I am going to bring up a load of phlegm with that one..

Hehehe...You don't really have to do it that hard. A slightly guttural "h" will suffice.

Originally posted by Simms:

and that r-r-r-r-r rolling of the tongue as in `corre`

I've been living in Spain for 10 years and still can't roll the "r".

As pointed out before, in Argentina they use "vos" and "ustedes" instead of "tu" and "vosotros" used in Castellano ("Ustedes" exists in Castellano too and is the formal/polite form of "vosotros"). I see that the verb "coger" has also been mentioned. Pronunciation of certain sounds may vary from one region to another within Spain as well. For example, Madrileños pronounce the "d" at the end of a word like "th" (Madrith instead of Madrid). My teacher, who was from Valencia, considered that a perversion. I wouldn't worry about these things, though. What probably will make you pull your hair out, while learning the Spanish language, is the "subjuntivo". Well, at least it made (and sometimes still makes) me pull my hair out. Your mileage may vary. Good luck.

Message edited by author 2009-02-26 19:11:45.

Blue Moon

Canon EOS-40D

Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 USM

02/26/2009 07:28:00 PM · #8

the biggest difference is the "THeta" or the th for the c sound (also vosotros in vez de nosotros). The accents are also very different and I've had trouble understanding certain things. It's kinda like English English vs. American English. I think Spaniards also speak a bit slower which makes it a little easier to follow along Mexican Spanish (what I'm used to).

tanguera

Nikon D750

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 17-35mm f/2.8D IF-ED

02/26/2009 08:04:05 PM · #9

Your decision about which "Spanish" to learn depends on where you live and for what you want to use it. As others have pointed out, there are differences in pronunciations, as well as colloquialisms. In Castillian, the "lisping" sound is applied to c and z, but not to s. It is more pronounced in Madrid than it is in other areas of Spain. And accents, just as with English, vary from region to region.

I was raised in Mexico and an completely bilingual. However, having just performed in a Spanish Zarzuela, and being surrounded by Spaniards, I can verify that it is easy to learn the "lisp", and fun learning how some words are different (and occasionally naughty) in one or the other country.

tamatama

Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II

Olympus 12-100mm f/4.0 M.Zuiko ED IS PRO

02/26/2009 08:28:52 PM · #10

Ok there are differences ... I'd compare it with English - British and US. Some different sounds and some vocabulary but it's still all English.
I've learned Spanish in Madrid and lived there many years. Communicating with people of Central and South America we notice each others different accents, sentence melody and some words but so what ...
A foreign language can be adapted to your needs - even learning Castellano, if you find yourself talking mainly to South Americans, you'll adjust quickly.

02/27/2009 03:14:57 AM · #11

Originally posted by tanguera:

The Spanish I have been learning is the European flavour. All I really wondered was if there was HUGE differences further along the line - but from what you guys are saying it seems not, and the differences can be ignored for most of the time.. suits me!

03/01/2009 06:12:53 PM · #12

OK, Dora the Explorer is messing with me again..

I have learnt thus far that "I speak Spanish" is "Hablo español", however, Dora today definitely said something along the lines of "Hablo casta yano"... why does she torment me so.. is this one of those weird Latin American terms? anyone help me out here?

Message edited by author 2009-03-01 18:13:42.

03/01/2009 06:16:42 PM · #13

Ignore, good old Wikipedia to the rescue..

"Spaniards tend to call this language español (Spanish) when contrasting it with languages, such as French and English, but call it castellano (Castilian), that is, the language of the Castile region, when contrasting it with other languages spoken in Spain such as Galician, Basque, and Catalan. This reasoning also holds true for the language's preferred name in some Hispanic American countries. In this manner, the Spanish Constitution of 1978 uses the term castellano to define the official language of the whole Spanish State, as opposed to las demás lenguas españolas (lit. the other Spanish languages). Article III reads as follows:"

Message edited by author 2009-03-01 18:16:52.