Speaking the language

[horizon200]

I know it goes a long way toward good will and such by at least trying to speak the host language, but how prevalent is English spoken? Being a huge tourist area, I would imagine it's quite a lot. But by the same token, I hate to be the ugly Amercian that assumes everyone should speak English. But, I don't see my tiny mind soaking up a new language by November either. We're probably going to be spending most of our time at ASP lounging, but even there, I'd like to think I'm not coming off 1)ignorant 2)holier than thou.

What say the masses?

[james]

you've already taken yourself out of the 'ugly american' column by asking this question.

you'll likely be suprised how little english is spoken outside of the tourist zone ( where jobs pay more for this skill).

It's probably nice to learn some simple things like:
hello
goodbye
thank you
you're welcome
excuse me
please

Of course learning those is just a bonus. I don't think anyone expects the tourists to learn Spanish for their visit (it's not going to happen), it's mostly about the effort and the mindset.

[Susie Q Roo]

Very nice response, James. I'd also mention that, staying at an AI, your "need" to know Spanish is reduced even further, I would think. Most people who have front line contact with guests are hired because they speak multiple languages, so it's likely you would never be required to speak Spanish. Like James says though, a little please and thank-you goes a long way in any language.

[Bumper]

What James said!!

We've tried to pick up a few phrases, just because it adds to the enjoyment of the trip. You know...eat the local food, deal in pesos, ride the buses, etc. I think the locals appreciate the effort, but a lot of them seem to want to practice their English as much as they can. We've frequently tried to communicate in our "Spanglish", and they're replied in very good English. It can be quite amusing sometimes with us making the attempt to try our Spanish and them coming back in English. It can make for a long conversation. A big smile and basic good manners go a long way to getting by. We've always found the majority of the locals to be extremely patient and polite, and fortunately, most of them have a very well developed sense of humour too. We carry a phrase book too, and use it quite a lot. Try it....I'm sure you'll find it adds significantly to the whole experience.

[knapthyme]

I'm going to assume that you won't be too far off the beaten path knowing Sandy...
At ASP you will notice that the staff will frequently speak a common Spanish phrase followed by the English. Quite useful and before you know it it will be second nature to say "Hola, buenos dias" as you're walking past others in the morning!

[Phil in Ottawa]

Further to what James said, I just thought I'd pitch in with my personal experience.

We started taking trips south to Spanish speaking countries many years ago.

I am fluent in French (born and raised in Québec City). So I figured Spanish might not be that hard to learn, seeing as the two languages are quite similar.

Therefore in 1999, I decided I would learn Spanish so that I could converse with the locals during our vacations. I proceeded to enroll in evening Spanish classes at a local high school.

Over the next six years, I took a total of nine semesters of Spanish.

In addition, during that time and still to this day, I read from the Spanish Reader's Digest Selecciones to improve my vocabulary. And while I read, I have my trusty, well-thumbed Spanish-English dictionary next to me at all times.

It's taken a long time, but I feel that I can now hold up my end of a Spanish conversation pretty well. If I were to immerse myself in a Spanish-speaking community, I think I'd be fluent in about six months.

Personally, I find vocabulary is the key. Once you know the basic grammar (verb conjugation, etc), learning the names of things or what a certain verb is in Spanish is the biggest hurdle to overcome. And the way to learn that is to listen, speak and read Spanish as much as you can and either ask or look words up when you don't know what they are.

One last piece of advice I have is if you are going to learn a few basic Spanish phrases before your trip (and you're absolutely right that it will be appreciated), make sure you also learn what the possible responses might be so you'll have a chance of understanding what you're being told when a local responds in their mile-a-minute Spanish.

I remember being at the Riu Tequila in 2000 after having taken two semesters of Spanish. I thought I was Mr.Spanish and that I would have no problem getting by when talking to locals. So on our first day, walking into the lobby after a few drinks, I went to the desk to ask where the nearest washroom was, in Spanish of course. Well, good thing the guy spoke with his hands and basically pointed in the right direction because he spoke so fast that I was left in the dirt. I didn't understand half of what he said to me and without the hand language I would have been looking for a while. So for the rest of that vacation, I didn't try to pretend I was a Spanish whiz. I asked people to speak slowly and had to have them translate for me most of the time.

Anyway, I hope I have not turned you right off the idea. Have fun if you do decide to take up Spanish. I sure am glad I did Good luck with it.

[suzeq]

I am currently in my third attempt of learning spanish. The first two were at community colleges that didn't go so well. I felt so intimidated by people who enrolled in beginning spanish classes but were fluent in spanish and just wanted to join to review. Yikes. Now, I'm taking a class through my school district called Lingo Lynx and I'm finally learning something. It combines speaking, movement and regular book work. In two weeks I've finally made some progress and can ask someone to stand on the table. I'm sure that will come in handy. But working with lots of little kids who's first language is spanish I've got to do this. Don't give up and try to learn the just a few words at a time. Everytime I go to Playa I try to pick up a few new phrases too.

[Aimee'n'Bill]

I agree wholeheartedly with James and Bumper. Each time we are there, we pick up a few more phrases. Even though English is spoken at most places in the tourist area, making an effort to learn the language is appreciated. Among the phrases we learned on the last trip was a toast: "arriba, abajo, al centro, pa dentro". Translates someting like up high, down low, in the center, down the hatch. Unfortunately we learned the phrase the same night we were introduced to Sangritas and we felt the need to practice the phrase quite often. The next morning was a little foggy...

[mastequilapf]

One of the most amazing and inspring parts of our trip last year was when we were seated at a table with a guy whom we had never met who was from Spain and knew about as much English as I know Spanish, which is barely enough to make a handful of phrases. Yet using hand gestures and spanglish, we were able to carry on a conversation and understand eachother (for the most part) for about 90 minutes.

I have never felt like not speaking the same tongue as the person with whom you're conversing is a barrier that completely prevents communication.

[Smudger]

Originally Posted by mastequilapf

One of the most amazing and inspring parts of our trip last year was when we were seated at a table with a guy whom we had never met who was from Spain and knew about as much English as I know Spanish, which is barely enough to make a handful of phrases. Yet using hand gestures and spanglish, we were able to carry on a conversation and understand eachother (for the most part) for about 90 minutes.

I have never felt like not speaking the same tongue as the person with whom you're conversing is a barrier that completely prevents communication.

I agree with you totally! what a lovely language spanish is.....I love it...it is also a very romantic language too...like Italian........I do try to use some spanish words that I have picked up on previous trips.....and it is very much appreciated!....even if you don't get it right they get the gist of what you are trying to say......I have said this before on another thread but we were in Cyprus on holiday a couple of years ago...and it is a very hard language to learn ( greek) but I was crossing the road and there was a policeman directing some traffic ( about 3 cars!) LOL anyway...we were crossing the road when he gestured us to..and I said 'kalimara'..instead of kalemera..and apparently I called him a squid!!! OMG...luckily he smiled phew!

[james]

Originally Posted by Phil in Ottawa

...
One last piece of advice I have is if you are going to learn a few basic Spanish phrases before your trip (and you're absolutely right that it will be appreciated), make sure you also learn what the possible responses might be so you'll have a chance of understanding what you're being told when a local responds in their mile-a-minute Spanish.
...

LOL, reminds me of when I arrived in Mexico City in '93 without a map and nearly zero Spanish skills. I had some questions figured out but was totally unprepared for the answers.

Phrasebooks are almost pointless unless they are just another study tool.

I started to learn sets of words that might be useful for circumstances, and would prepare for encounters beforehand. I might sit on a park bench and study words like lightbulb, socket, plug, cord, shade and switch before going into a lamp store.

[mastequilapf]

I also notice appreication when I at least attempted to properly
pronounce a word I was reading, such as on a menu at a restaurant (ie, saying "fajitas de pollo" instead of "chicken fajitas")

[Susie Q Roo]

Don't be shocked if you're sure you've said something correctly in Spanish and the person you're speaking to still doesn't understand. I've experienced it (BOTH directions), that when one is expecting a foreign language from a person and they surprise the listener by speaking his/her own, it's capable of throwing the listener for a loop and comprehension flies out the window. Just repeat yourself, at a normal speed, and cross your fingers. (Maybe they speak only Mayan?)

And another thing that bears repeating: speaking either English or horrible Spanish very loud does not make it easier to understand! And if you are speaking English to someone who doesn't have a full grasp of it, be courteous enough to speak slowly (but not "down to") the listener.

[boxi]

Originally Posted by Susie Q Roo

Don't be shocked if you're sure you've said something correctly in Spanish and the person you're speaking to still doesn't understand. I've experienced it (BOTH directions), that when one is expecting a foreign language from a person and they surprise the listener by speaking his/her own, it's capable of throwing the listener for a loop and comprehension flies out the window. Just repeat yourself, at a normal speed, and cross your fingers. (Maybe they speak only Mayan?)

And another thing that bears repeating: speaking either English or horrible Spanish very loud does not make it easier to understand! And if you are speaking English to someone who doesn't have a full grasp of it, be courteous enough to speak slowly (but not "down to") the listener.

Very good advise! I'm not a native English speaker, but feel ashamed just being a turist when I hear somebody speaking very loudly and slowly to the locals, like it's their problem if they can't understand. It's just so ignorant and humiliating! And it's usually the people who are able to speak only English and believe they SHOULD be understood everywhere!

[laurab]

When you are in a restaurant, bar or shop, especially on 5th Avenue, you will have no problems with english, as most employees know the basics. But if you stop someone in the street to ask for an information, make sure you ask them if they speak english first. You don't know how many times I've been stopped in the street and just asked "what time is it?", just like that. Many people won't understand and will maybe feel intimidated.
Have fun learning Mexican Spanish! (if you do buy a book make sure it's not spanish from Spain as many things are different. When I got here in '96 I had many problems buying vegetables - different words altogether )