Tenerife forum

[Vision River]

In Germany for about a year, I tried to learn the German language through books, CDs, online resources and personal instruction. None were useful. I am moving to a Spanish-speaking land in October and have a different idea. Maybe it will be helpful to others also.

My plan is to come to Tenerife with a few key phrases under my belt, such as asking the people I am talking with to correct my Spanish as I am communicating with them, so I can learn in real-life practice.

I made a list of English phrases this morning and translated them with an on-line translator into Spanish. I would appreciate help in 'cleaning up' the Spanish translations and making them more street-wise.

How does the idea feel to you? Suggestions for other phrases? Some of the following are specific to me and what I do, but many could be used by anyone trying to learn. This list is in alphabetical order of the English phrases.

Can you tell me where the information center is, please?
¿Puede usted decirme dónde el centro de información es, por favor?

Could you say it again, more slowly?
¿Podría usted decirlo otra vez, más despacio?

Do you have a moment?
¿Tiene usted un momento?

I am a healer.
Soy un curador.

I am a photographer.
Soy un fotógrafo.

I am from America.
Soy de América.

I am learning Spanish. Can you help me?
Aprendo el español. ¿Puede usted ayudarme?

I give foot reflexology.
Doy el pie reflexology.

I give slide presentations.
Doy presentaciones de diapositiva.

I have difficulty understanding. But I want to learn Spanish.
Tengo la dificultad entendiendo. Pero quiero aprender el español.

I teach English.
Enseño el inglés.

I write poetry.
Escribo la poesía.

Is that the correct way to say it in Spanish?
¿Es el modo correcto de decirlo en español?

We moved here from Germany.
Nos movimos aquí de Alemania.

What are your interests?
¿Cuáles son sus intereses?

What is your name?
¿Cómo se llama usted?

Where are the restrooms please?
¿Dónde están los servicios por favor?

Would you correct my Spanish, please?
Por favor dígame como decirlo correctamente en español.

[jenny]

[Vision River]

What a great response. I will copy, print and digest it offline! Thank you!

Just to tell a little story, when I lived in Andalusia (contact was mostly with northern Europeans who spoke English) I at least could order two cups of coffee in tall glasses with milk:

Dos cafe con leche en vaso grande, por favor.

(probably I am mutilating the spelling, but for the story, forgive)

I went into a bar on a cold winter day and spoke my usual.

The bartender misheard my grande and brought me a cup of coffee and a glass of brandy!

[Vision River]

My story above reminds me to ask about another phrase:

"Am I pronouncing it correctly?"

I just saw another Spanish language forum here - perhaps that will be more appropriate for my future posts.

Gracias.

[jenny]

You're welcome.

For "Am I pronouncing it correctly?", you could say:

"¿ Lo estoy pronunciando bien?" or "¿Se pronuncia así?

Regarding asking more questions like this, the dictionary website I told you about is the best place as that is what it is there for and there are lots more people who speak fluent Spanish (many natives who will do it a lot better than I do!) and you will get various opinions within a few minutes.

Hope you like brandy btw
_________________
Who am I? Find out more here: http://www.myspacetenerife.com/index.php?page=view_profile&id=17

I will make this day a happy one for I alone can determine what kind of day it will be.

[Vision River]

Thanks. I will check the dictionary.

It was a cold winter day and I was riding a motorscooter with my wife behind.

We were headed to a meditation meeting.

I drank the brandy, and Kati said she had not seen me so relaxed in a group before!

[jamafrind]

An interesting collection of posts here. I have been learning Spanish for about a year now, self-taught, utilising a mixture of CD's, online materials and (spanish only) internet chat forums. The one part that I am extremely keen to develop is competency in is the spoken word.

I hope that, one day, my work takes me to a Spanish-speaking country, for a year, or so. That should afford a good opportunity through which to develop a more rounded capability in the language.

We'll see what "destiny" has for me.......

[Vision River]

El destino da los hilos. Los tejemos juntos.

[jamafrind]

Hmm, Vision River, me pareces que nos das una filosofía interesante de la vida. Me haces pensar un poco...

[funky]

[jamafrind]

Exactly" My sister...