czarina84

What makes "que hubo" "not nice"? I don't fully understand what you mean by "well-educated people don't use this expression". Does that mean that it's slang?

I think "sick as a dog" makes a nice companion piece to this.

I'm sorry you were put in that position. Did you tell them how difficult it is to translate while watching? Are they doing it because they don't know English or are they trying to see how well you know English?

I don't know how I feel about this. I didn't see the interview with him. In fact, this is the first I'm hearing of him at all. I find it difficult to believe he can learn 58 languages. However, the brain is an amazing thing. It also depends on his circumstances. If he's never had to work, is single and never had children, then it's possible, though not probable. I'm going to need proof either way before I can make a decision. His age is also a factor. And any mental talents he has, like eidetic memory. Some people are gifted when it comes to language. If he has that talent and eidetic memory, then he might be able to do it.

I just put all of these into my Favorites list. I can't wait to check them all out.

"In the doghouse" refers to someone who is in trouble. "If you mess with the bull, you get the horns" is relatively self-explanatory. "Stirred up a hornet's nest" is to bring up a subject which causes a lot of anger and commotion amongst people.

I'm going to try this method. I hope it works. I have been trying to learn Spanish for a very long time.

I have never experienced this. Like you, I continue to try to learn as much as possible in a new language. I even do this is my native tongue. I constantly look at my English Grammar book and the English Language Learning section to make sure I know everything I can about my native language.

One day, technology may reach that point. Hopefully, it will be in our lifetime.

So, is balada Spanish for ballad or do you just use it for slower songs because of the way it sounds? Are balada and cancion synonyms? Sorry I didn't put the accent over the o. I can't figure out how to do that.

That's because the South has had a separate culture since the Civil War. Everyone talks about slavery as being the reason for the war, but that's only part of it. It was the main catalyst, but around that time period, the South was already starting to form a different culture than the rest of the US at the time.

I'd probably try to power through, if there was no alternative. I love learning languages. I would just probably end up taking the class again because I'd be so lost the first time around. Or I would go to a different class, if there was one available.

His voice IS annoying. But, similar to that, yes. How he sounds very nasal, but I don't quite mean to that degree. This is a good exaggeration of my point, though.

That is very interesting. Thank you for this bit of knowledge.

That's terrible. I'm so sorry you are forgetting your native language. I'm happy that you were able to learn English so well, but it's important to stay connected to your heritage. Most of the native Spanish-speakers that I know have stayed connected by talking with other native Spanish speakers or even just other people who speak Spanish fluently. That's my advice. Find a Spanish speaking community, whether in the flesh or online, and just try to stay connected. Good luck.

I took it. I didn't do very well because I'm dyslexic. When I took the practice tests, I did very well, but the real tests are timed. That killed me because I didn't have enough time to "translate" what I was seeing into real words.

I agree. I see the reasoning behind the direct approach, but I think it's flawed. A lot of people say things like, "this is how toddlers learn their native language". I think the difference is that adults learn differently than children. Also, children are exposed to the language constantly. Most adults who are doing the direct approach only take a class that lasts an hour or two, so that's not much exposure to it.

From what I have seen you shouldn't use any search engine translators. They are terrible. Sometimes they get it right, but more often than not, they don't. Have you looking in the Language Study Apps or Online Language Learning sections of this forum?

I "talk through my nose". It's hard to describe, but I'll try. The French accent to me sounds very nasal. This is not meant as a dig and I'm not referring to satirical accents. I just listen to genuine French accents and try to mimic them when I use French words.

I can't recall any specific ones but quite a few phrases were different in real-life Spanish versus the textbook. It's probably because it's regional. I have no idea what region of Spanish my school was teaching; they never told us. Another reason is because just like English, Spanish is formal and informal. They mostly teach formal at school.

I don't misspell much, but the word "vacuum" almost always seems to get to me. I either don't put enough "u"s or too many "c"s.

It's amazing to me how many German words are similar to English words (Kollision). Or maybe I should say how many English words are similar to German words. I think it's neat how Kollision, Mann, Fahrrad and Auto are capitalized. Why is that? Are they proper nouns in German? I haven't gotten to German yet.

This is the first I've heard of the Swadesh List. I didn't get to this particular post until today. This is something I definitely have to research further. Thank you for posting this.

I don't have any experiences in this area. I have never been out of my home country. It sounds like an amazing way to learn. You get to teach them while they are teaching you.

"In a pickle" means to be in a bad situation with seemingly no solution. "Rolling in the dough" means to be very wealthy. "Sit and stew" means to sit and be angry about something. "Bean counter" is a not-so-nice phrase for a thorough accountant.