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Bill_N

Apr 19, 2003, 8:54 AM

Post #1 of 15 (4660 views)

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Help with my Tarea, por favor...

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First of all, I apologize that I do not know how to make my computer put the diacritical markings on the Spanish words. If any one can tell me it would be appreciated. I use a PC, with Windows 98. I installed the Spanish keyboard, I think. At least at the bottom of my window there is a little icon that lets me choose En (English) or Es (Spanish) but even when I choose Spanish nothing that looks like Spanish diacriticals show up on words I type. There must be something else I need to do.

Anyway, the real purpose of my posting. Help with my Tarea, por favor.... I had my first Spanish class last Monday and my homework is due for this coming Monday (Easter Monday). The Tarea was to write and speak a brief narrative introducing myself. I guess the Profesora will go around the room and we will each take a turn. Here is what I am working on... Any suggestions appreciated. And again please excuse there are no diacritical markings which I know are essential to the Spanish writing... Hopefully you will understand despite their absence.

Hola! Buenas tardes! Como estais ustedes?
Mi nombre es Guillermo. Tengo tres hermanas. Un hermano y dos hermanas. Trabajo en "RIT" en Rochester, NY. Yo es un profesor. El nombre mi esposa es Beverly. Tenemos dos hijos. Sus nombres son Eric y Chris. Feliz conocerle todo!

Muchas Gracias por ayuda,

Bill

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esperanza

Apr 19, 2003, 2:01 PM

Post #2 of 15 (4638 views)

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Re: [Bill_N] Help with my Tarea, por favor...

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OK Memo (the usual nickname for Guillermo), your grade is 75%. Here's a correction:

Hola y buenas tardes. Cómo están ustedes?

Mi nombre es Guillermo. Tengo tres hermanos, un hombre y dos mujeres. Trabajo en 'RIT' en Rochester, NY. Soy profesor.

Mi esposa se llama Beverly. Tenemos dos hijos que se llaman Eric y Chris.

Mucho gusto en conocerlos a todos ustedes.

Knock'em dead.

http://www.mexicocooks.typepad.com

Don

Apr 19, 2003, 2:14 PM

Post #3 of 15 (4629 views)

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Re: [Bill_N] Help with my Tarea, por favor...

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Bill:

For accents on letters, try the site below for the answer:

http://www.mexconnected.com/mex_/dtaccents.html

Bill_N

Apr 19, 2003, 3:47 PM

Post #4 of 15 (4625 views)

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Re: [esperanza] Help with my Tarea, por favor...

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Muchas gracias Señor Esperanza,

I am comparing your correction to my original and understand some of the corrections (in part). But I wonder why you used "están" vs. estais. I was trying to say something comparable to How are all of you tonight? to my classmates.

Of course you are right I should have said Tengo tres hermanos (male gender takes precedence). I understand that to mean something similar to "I have three siblings. Is it wrong then to follow with "A brother and two sisters." vs. as you put it "A male and two females". Is it because once "hermanos" is used for "siblings" then the context is set for saying one is a male and two are females? as opposed to "a brother and two sisters". I find that interesting and I know you have given me the prefered construction. I'll try that out in my class on Monday.

"Yo soy" I assume is a redundant construction because "soy" already specifically includes the nominative pronoun, "I". I'll remember that.

I can see the difference in the construction you used: "Mi esposa se llama Beverly. Tenemos dos hijos que se llaman Eric y Chris." vs. the one I used for the same ideas. "My wife is named/called Beverly". We have two sons who are called/named Eric and Chris. I can see that is a better way to say it. My construction is stilted and probably ungrammatical also.

Thanks again for your correction. It helped me to the correct way to say this "introduction". I am still curious why están vs estais. It seems that would mean "How are they/them"?

Muchas gracias.

Mi apodo es Memo en Español.

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esperanza

Apr 19, 2003, 5:11 PM

Post #5 of 15 (4617 views)

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Re: [Bill_N] Help with my Tarea, por favor...

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The second person plural conjugation 'estais' is never used in spoken or written Spanish in Mexico. To say they OR you (plural) one chooses 'están': they are OR you are. Ask your teacher.

It is not incorrect to say 'tengo tres hermanos, un hermano y dos hermanas'. However, Spanish as it is spoken in Mexico nearly always chooses 'tengo tres hermanos, un hombre y dos mujeres'.

You could say either 'Soy' or 'Yo soy'. 'Yo' can be used for emphasis or preference without being redundant, although as you say, the pronoun is impliciit in the verb form.

When you become more accustomed to hearing and speaking Spanish, you'll realize that rhythm and balance play a large part in the language, as does grammatical construction. Your sentence construction regarding your wife and children is neither incorrect grammatically nor stilted. However, just as in English we use different words which mean the same thing but allow for a more musical flow of speech, we do the same in Spanish. Hence 'mi nombre es' and 'me llamo' convey the same thought, but in different ways.

PS...Esperanza is either Señorita or Señora, but never Señor!

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(This post was edited by esperanza on Apr 19, 2003, 6:28 PM)

Bill_N

Apr 20, 2003, 1:22 AM

Post #6 of 15 (4603 views)

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Re: [esperanza] Help with my Tarea, por favor...

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Muchas gracias. Sorry I don't know why I thought you were un hombré. That was a mistake in my assumption not my Spanish. :-)

Appreciate your explanations they show me the subtleties that distinquish between native or very fluent speakers and beginners like myself.

Mucho gusto Señorita Esperanza.

Gracias,

Memo

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DavidMcL

Apr 20, 2003, 10:44 AM

Post #7 of 15 (4592 views)

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Re: [Don] Help with my Tarea, por favor...

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Good link!
In addition, when you open up a new post or reply screen there is the phrase "Get Markup Help." Clicking in this opens up a new window with all sorts of code help including these accents.

Take a peek here: Get Markup Help

David
David McL
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quevedo

Apr 20, 2003, 8:01 PM

Post #8 of 15 (4591 views)

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Re: [esperanza] Ayuda con su tarea

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In Reply To

The second person plural conjugation 'estais' is never used in spoken or written Spanish in Mexico.

Estáis se usa mucho en España, pero muy poco en México.

Felices Pascuas,

Quevedo

quevedo

Apr 20, 2003, 8:04 PM

Post #9 of 15 (4585 views)

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Re: [esperanza] Los símbolos de interrogación en español

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Hola y buenas tardes. ¿Cómo están ustedes?

(Felicidades, Esperanza, y gracias por la ayuda.)

Felices Pascuas,

Quevedo

esperanza

Apr 20, 2003, 8:20 PM

Post #10 of 15 (4584 views)

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Re: [quevedo] Los símbolos de interrogación en español

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Estimadísimo Quevedo: tengo el sistema Windows XP y por más que hago el intento, no encuentro la manera de hacer el "?" invertido. Tú sí sabes? El programa que se menciona antes no sirve con Windows XP.

Y Felices Pascuas también a ti.

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quevedo

Apr 21, 2003, 1:20 AM

Post #11 of 15 (4581 views)

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Re: [esperanza] ¿No funciona en su máquina el sistema [Alt][Código]? (No mensaje)

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esperanza

Apr 21, 2003, 4:54 AM

Post #12 of 15 (4578 views)

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Re: [quevedo] ¿No funciona en su máquina el sistema [Alt][Código]? (No mensaje)

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En el mundo de Windows XP, no funciona lo de [Alt][Código]. Todo se encuentra en el teclado~menos el ! invertido y el ? invertido.

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DavidMcL

Apr 21, 2003, 5:53 AM

Post #13 of 15 (4577 views)

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Re: [esperanza] ¿No funciona en su máquina el sistema [Alt][Código]? (No mensaje)

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http://www.mexconnected.com/....cgi?do=markup_help;
David McL
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"El Gringo Jalapeño"

Apr 24, 2003, 9:30 PM

Post #14 of 15 (4561 views)

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Re: [esperanza] Help with my Tarea, por favor...

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Esperanza...

I really enjoy how many mexicanos, especially the younger generation, use "Seño" or "Señito"(señor, señora, señorita, señorito, etc.) which pretty much covers all the territory.

"Oiga, Seño, ¿a cómo el mamey?" is a phrase you can hear at the "tianguis"(market place).

Has anyone else heard "Seño" used and in what circumstances?
Roy B. Dudley "El Gringo Jalapeño" See more about Xalapa at www.xalaparoy.com

esperanza

Apr 25, 2003, 5:19 AM

Post #15 of 15 (4570 views)

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Re: ["El Gringo Jalapeño"] Help with my Tarea, por favor...

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Woe to the person who inadvertently calls a señorita 'señora', or who calls a señora 'señorita'. But how in the world to know, and how to avoid embarrassment? Even the woman with four children trailing behind her may be the nanny, and muy señorita. My 60-ish cross-the-street neighbor offends easily when called señora..."Por favor, soy señorita!"

AHA!

That's why we have seño. It covers all the bases, much as 'Ms' is used in the States. Just be certain to pronounce it correctly, otherwise you will have compounded your embarrassment AND your offense.

I think that seño is not the exclusive province of the young...most folks use it when it's appropriate.

If you're not comfortable with seño, give 'Doña' a try. It's an honorific much used and appreciated among the older-lady set. "Doña, que va a llevar? Mire la manzana tan rica."

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(This post was edited by esperanza on Apr 25, 2003, 5:22 AM)