LivetoErr

I didn't realize the word was 20 years old. I had never heard it prior to all the news reports of Miley Cyrus doing it at the MTV VMAs. Granted, I don't dance and I wouldn't dance like that, ever. The word has yet to pass my lips and I plan on it staying that way!

I agree with the others, who said alcohol reduces the inhibitions you have regarding your will to speak the language. If I was a drinker, alcohol would most likely help me; I am fully aware that I'm to shy to speak in a regular situation.

There is a reason why they call alcohol 'liquid courage,' you know

The best tip, I have, for learning Spanish is to learn however you learn best. I learn best by writing out lines. For me, writing in repetition helps me retain what I'm learning. Also, using a language program, like Duolingo, allows me to repeat the skills I have trouble with. I re-do the level if I've lost a heart. That way, I train myself to remember as I don't like having to repeat a level more than once.

Well, I would think, if you have any interest in your product selling, in a particular country, you should do your research.

What would be the point of changing the name of your product, to suit a different country, only to find out it's a bad word? Even on a marketing standpoint, the money you would have to spend to have the name changed, wouldn't be worth it.

I think it depends on the person.

Whether, or not, the person has an interest in the language, isn't always the only reason why some have trouble learning it. My parents try hard, every day, to learn Spanish. It just isn't sticking with them. There is a reason why they say you should learn a second language while you are young. When you're young you are a sponge.

It's the same as everything else you learn; you're either good at or you aren't. If everyone was good at learning, we'd all have our Phd's.  However, some people are book smart, others are street smart and a lucky few are both.

Maybe the posters boyfriend didn't learn well by the way they were teaching him in school. Who knows. My parents, however, have realized they'll never fully understand the language. They keep on trying though. 

Those are interesting! I would love to know some popular ones in Spanish.

My favourite one in English would be

Where there's a will, there's a way, meaning if you really want to do something you will find a way to do it.

Native Spanish speakers (and possibly other languages) who haven't grasped the English language pronounce all words that end in -ed wrong. I imagine it must be hard to reverse the idea that you pronounce all letters (well, except the H). When I was teaching, it was hard to explain it's, for example, 'workd' not work-ed. Also, anything with the -th sound. That's a hard one too.

Hey, my name is Mekashikuto too!

Nice to meet you! I usually like to figure out what my name is on these things. More often than not they are something horrible. This one I kind of like.

One thing nobody's mentioned is that "lo siento" is probably not what you're looking for. Nobody really mentions it to beginners, but "lo siento" is, from what I can tell, more along the lines of "I'm so incredibly sorry about X". When somebody dies, you use "lo siento". If it's a casual apology, like bumping into somebody, you use "perdon".

I just wanted to mention you are right.

When we learn Spanish, we are told that 'lo siento' means I am sorry. In English, I'm sorry means just that; when we want to increase our sentiments we expand the sentence. Our friend, who helps us immensely with our language, explained it to us like you said above. 'Lo siento,' is used when someone dies or you are expressing your deepest sympathies. 'Perdon' or 'perdoname,' means 'forgive me,' which is more appropriate when bumping into someone or wishing to express a casual sorry. You can also say ¡Disculpe! which means, 'excuse me'

I use Duolingo a lot.

My only gripe with the program is when you re-do older units to strengthen your memory they insert stuff from the newer units. It's not a huge issue, or anything; it's just sometimes, I would just like to do a quick refresh-er on some of the earlier vocabulary. I know in the end, it will benefit me but, I have enough trouble with past tense verbs; I don't want to be seeing them when I'm reviewing present tense stuff.

I downloaded it for the iPad and, to be honest, I wasn't all that impressed. I much prefer Duolingo. It might be different on higher levels, but I found the beginning levels to be kind of childish. The hand drawn pictures with silly association statements isn't how I learn. I like written explanations and repetition.

I'm going to have a conversation with someone and be proud that I actually understood it!

I don't talk much right now because, I am so shy. I know what I need to say and anticipate a certain answer. The person I am talking to never answers the way I expected so, I get thrown off. So right now, unless I'm ordering off a menu, I don't say much.

I want to become more confident and I, don't think that will happen until I have a really good grasp on the language.

I'd venture to say, it's a dialect of Arabic that is spoken.

Arabic has been an official language, if theirs, since 1963.  In 2002, they added Berber as a national language since, apparently, the majority of the population speaks Arabic, Berber or both. French is not listed as an official language; although, many can speak it, only a small percentage can read and/or write French. Therefore, I'd have to say, because it's spoken French, words have slipped into their Arabic; thus making it an Arabic dialect.

When we go down the the little store down the road, the owner always says, "¿que pasa?" to us. Our response is always, "nada." For whatever reason, that is funny to the lady. Everyone else, always says, "buenos días or buenas tardes." 

If I am the one to say hello, it's normally, "hola." I'm too shy to say anything more to someone.

I agree, at some point you have to leave your comfort zone and talk to people.  I am not there yet, either.

I think when I have some extra dollars to spare, I will check out this site. My biggest problem and my greatest fear, is speaking Spanish; I don't understand what I'm hearing so I get confused. I need to hear the language at the normal speed, so I can learn to pick up on the words. Right now, it all sounds like one long word until I hear a word I know well. By the time I've grasped the first part of the sentence, the speaker has already moved on. By that point, I'm lost and resort to the smile and nod.  :shy:

Para la cena, yo pollo asar a la parrilla, camote y frijoles. Yo cocino y mis familia come.

Haha I got that one! Of course, that is because it was an easy one.

I have an easy one too:

¿Que le dijo un borracho a un recien nacido?

Bebe.

:wacky:

Ok, now I get that one.

However, it was lost on me because I'd expect it to be, "una pera" not, "es pera." I couldn't figure out why the pear was waiting its whole life. I do tend to take things literal, while I'm learning; so, it confuses me when someone deviates from what I've learned.

I'll get it one day.

Dialect is a subset of language that is particular to a specific region or social group.

Even though, a dialect is based on the main language, only a specific group of people speak that particular way. Those who speak a dialect, may have to alter their language, if they leave their region or social group, to be understood. So, while dialect is a language, it hasn't deviated enough to be considered it's own language.

Welcome to the board!

What are you studying in college?

I'm sure you will find many interesting topics, to reply to, in whatever language you want.

Once again, welcome.

Welcome to the forum! I hope you find yourself enjoying it as much as I do.

What a wonderful opportunity you had, being able to attend high school in a foreign country. It's, also, amazing that you still keep in touch with your exchange family as these years later. Do you speak Japanese, with them, on the phone?

I understand, how languages get jumbled in your head. I only know English and some Spanish and it happens to me all the time.

Anyways, welcome, once again, and enjoy your stay.

I live in a country that doesn't speak my native language; however, that has not prevented me from speaking in my native tongue.

I still speak my native language at home, as well as, with friends who also speak my language. The local people, who are learning my native language, prefer to practice, their new language, on me as well. Therefore, there are ample opportunities for me to continue using my native language.

However, if, for whatever reason, you find yourself forgetting your native language, practice it too. I believe, you should do whatever, you need to do, to retain your native language; being bilingual, opens a whole world of opportunity monolingual people cannot even imagine.

I think so because you can use them where ever you are or whenever you have free time. You already have your phone on you, so you don't need to take an extra book with you. Always having it on hand might, also, make you more apt to study. Plus, apps tend to add a little interaction to your learning, which makes things more interesting. If something is more interesting, you are more likely to stick with it.

On the ball - you aware of what's going on and can fix it.

Off on the wrong foot - you meet someone and didn't quite hit it off right away.

Opps, I used a sports idiom in my previous explanation - hit it off - didn't get along well with someone you just met.

Mine would have to be, "hit the hay." I probably say that at least three times a week when I'm ready to go to bed. It's pretty much my way of saying goodnight to everyone.

"Well folks, it's about time I hit the hay."