Mi Dios And All That...

[rebness]

Well, after taking the advice of ozfille and my brother, I've started learning Castillian Spanish instead of Catalan. I had a brief look at the sections on Catalan and nearly died attempting to learn it.

Spanish is so easy! Well, compared to French, which can be a bit arsey and Italian, which I found impossible. I'm really enjoying learning it and thanks to the numerous similarities in language to French, my reading rate is really coming on.

For practice, my brother has been going through El Mundo newspaper with me online. Unfortunately, it seems the word I've become most accustomed to in reading is "rehene," which I think (hope) I'll never, ever have to use.

ASDA has started selling Spanish newspaper El Pais in our local store as well. Seeing that it was my brother's birthday on the 4th (great for vampires, boo hiss for evil authors) I picked up a copy for him.

It wasn't listed at all on the price coding, though, so the woman asked me how much it was. To my blank stare, she frowned and tried to work it out with another assistant. Ten minutes later, I read through the paper and hesitantly suggested the price for "reino unido."

"Aren't you well-educated?" she gasped.

Er, yeah, I muttered as I picked up my bags and shot to the exit before she could ask me to speak some Spanish. Well, I'm trying. :p

Comments

[ozfille]

This was on one of my lj-groups. Catalan it seems is a dying language or at least struggling -

Learning Catalan in Ireland

[ozfille]

Should have also written in the comment above my rec for the best book on Barcelona. It's Robert Hughes' Barcelona. He's also written a more recent shorter work, called Barcelona, the Great Enchantress.

The original book is one of the most comprehensive on Catalan history & culture.

[saffronlie.livejournal.com]

Really? I found high school French really easy because of my seven years of Italian. I'd like to learn some Spanish, but I'd probably settle for more French, or, hell, remembering some Italian besides "mi piace gelato".

[avariecaita.livejournal.com]

*weirdness* I was watching Spanish Soaps all afternoon. Okay, it was Mexican Spanish, but :p I understand about every fifth word. Plus, if I really get bored I'm the running English interpretor. :D :D

[jaffacakequeen.livejournal.com]

i feel guilty i should really be making more of an effort! but i dont have your brains/memory. ahem, but seriously sounds like you are doing marvellously and will give your brother a run for his money! you know, i dont think the medical career is for you. I think you need something in the travel/interpretor indystry... think money and travell... perfect combination

[verastar99.livejournal.com]

*never suggested the spanish, did i?* :P