Re: learning Spanish
 

True but this is also the Andaluz dialect, to drop the s so in reality it is very difficult in Andaluz to tell the difference. We were told in class that there is a slight difference between "como esta" and como "esta.......h", the latter said to be how to drop the s in Andaluz. (And yes I know there is no S in Andaluz)

Re: learning Spanish
 

I think it is one of the most difficult parts of the country to understand the locals. You have my sympathy..........:thumbsup::thumbup::thumbdown::t humbsup:

Re: learning Spanish
 

Which people?

Re: learning Spanish
 

English people.

Re: learning Spanish
 

I should say non, Italian, Portugese, French and Spanish speakers, I have no idea if "Germanic languages" use the equivalent of Usted.:thumbsup:

Re: learning Spanish
 

In English in extreme formality the identical construction to Usted (third person verb termination and formal title) can be used. English also inherited the French model of formality using the second person plural (you with plural second person termination as opposed to thou with second person singular termination: "Thou shalt not kill", which has now been dropped in most versions of Modern English in favour of the formal version).

Re: learning Spanish
 

In German there most assuredly is.

The third person plural instead of the 2nd person singular.

For example to a stranger you would use 'Wo wohnen Sie', but to a child, ' Wo wohnst'

Japanese also has VERY formal differences between the personal and the polite.

Re: learning Spanish
 

I agree that correct use of a language can be a thing of beauty, but do you want to get on as an expat in Spain, or sit around perfecting the lingo? It’s a personal choice.

This certainly appears to have become a ‘sweat the detail’ thread, and it’s possible that ‘go for it and speak’ isn’t your thing. As regards correct English, ‘different from’ and ‘different than’ are correct – ‘different to’ is only a (typically British) colloquial misuse.

I agree with polishing and improving, but not to the point where you never get out and use it.

Very true, but that also makes it one of the best places to get out, join in and have a good time. IMHO life’s too short to sweat the detail and miss out.

Re: learning Spanish
 

There's no such thing.

Re: learning Spanish
 

We wanted to get formal spanish lessons when we arrived here in October but the town hall are pushing free catalan lessons, you have to pay for spanish. One place has quoted us 30 euros an hour which seems a bit expensive so we are still looking.

In the meantime we got spanish TV installed - Canal + and its brilliant. I have learnt so much watching stupid game shows its been a real help. You can change the language on foreign programmes and movies - usually american but some british so we still get to see quite a lot in English.

As for the 'usted' debate - I've been on the receiving end of it at the dentists and the water company office and when I asked directions from a policeman but our neighbours are all less formal. Everyone has been really helpful everytime I've tried out my elementary spanish and I wouldn't dream of starting off in english first or asking them if they speak english. Just imagine how you would feel if a foreigner did that to you in the UK

Re: learning Spanish
 

thats the way to do it Rambling Rose. Keep on thinking like that and you will soon be jabbering away ten to the dozen.