Forums > Specific Focus > Learning Spanish

sergiogomez / Moderator

Mar 18, 2009, 5:42 PM

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This thread is specifically meant to give everyone a place to gripe, vent about frustrations with the forum or shortcomings, rave about something you think is being done well, and suggest improvements. In few words, what do you like, what don't you like, and what do you think could be done better?

In OTHER words. I didn't mean to say that comments should be "in a few words," I just meant to restate what I said.

(This post was edited by sergiogomez on Mar 18, 2009, 5:44 PM)

Carron

Mar 18, 2009, 6:10 PM

Post #2 of 8 (3187 views)

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Frankly, I think the forum is great. (As is obvious because I use it so often.) However, I hope us "subsistence level" speakers have not run off the more sophisticated linguists.

sergiogomez / Moderator

Mar 18, 2009, 7:52 PM

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Subsistence level. I like that. And frankly, I find it enjoyable to be less-than-perfect at something. There are times when it's either cry or laugh with yourself. Like trying to get my Mexican fiance a work permit and green card. But that is a whole other bag of beans.

raferguson

Mar 19, 2009, 10:17 AM

Post #4 of 8 (3141 views)

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For me, the forum is working. Occasionally I have a question of usage or grammar, and I reliably get an answer. Sometimes I only get one answer, but that is OK. I know that if the first answer was not a good one, somebody would chime in with their own views, or a correction.

As far as I can tell, there is no discrimination against beginners, even though many of us are fluent, more or less. But the beginners could of course judge that better than I. A lot is always in your own head. That is why beginners are reluctant to talk, because they are afraid of making mistakes. I am sure that the same applies here.

Richard

http://www.fergusonsculpture.com

tashby

Mar 19, 2009, 10:36 AM

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I just think it's great that our moderator sergiogomez and others here who are fluent (I'm looking at you esperanza) take the time to answer our questions. It's tremendously generous of you and I appreciate it very much.

Signed,
A Beginner Who Isn't Afraid to Embarrass Himself by Asking Questions

esperanza

Mar 19, 2009, 11:18 AM

Post #6 of 8 (3130 views)

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I'm looking back at you, tashby. LOL... 8^)

http://www.mexicocooks.typepad.com

mazbook1

Apr 3, 2009, 1:08 PM

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I'm new here, so I don't know who is a native Spanish (Mexican Spanish!) speaker and who isn't, but I doubt that any of us SSL (Spanish as a second language - <grin>) students are what could be called "fluent" although I'm certain that many of us that have lived in México for more than a couple of years can say, as I do, >>¡me defiendo!<<

It would be interesting to me and maybe others to know just which posters are native Spanish speakers and which aren't. I've been active on another Spanish - English forum, WordReference, where everyone identifies their native language (and country) and it sure helps in judging the validity of the answers for me, as folks who speak castellano Spanish, English or other languages rarely have answers to questions about Mexican Spanish.

(This post was edited by mazbook1 on Apr 3, 2009, 1:10 PM)

sergiogomez / Moderator

Apr 4, 2009, 3:45 PM

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Spanish to me will always be Mexican Spanish. I was born in the US and grew up speaking both Spanish and English. Even though I'm partial to Mexican Spanish, I actively try to learn other versions of Spanish. I've familiarized myself with Spanish, Argentinian, Colombian, Venezuelan, Central American and Caribbean dialects. There's so much to learn about any language, including your native one, that you can always discover something new even when you're completely fluent.