How much of a problem is the language barrier in your daily life as an expat?

[ShoeMakerLevy9]

I speak decent Spanish and sometimes get a “de donde sos?” because they can’t quite place my accent.

I could probably make an effort to feign an Argentine accent if I wanted to but can’t be bothered.

Same here. People often think I'm from Germany or Norway. I've never been mistaken for a native English speaker; they can tell right away something's off but they can't place my accent.

 

[ShoeMakerLevy9]

Many years ago I was in Teatro Avenida chatting with my companion waiting for the curtain to come up when the woman sitting next to me on the other side tapped me on the arm and, in perfect RP, asked me if I were English. We had a short conversation and just before the lights went down I asked her where she was from. I expected her to say Oxford, London, Weybridge or some such. Oh, I'm from here, Buenos Aires, came the reply. Such a shame that I didn't realise that earlier because I had assumed we were talking Englishman to Englishwoman and I missed the opportunity to chat with her as a local. I look on that as an example of the downside of speaking a foreign language perfectly.

I have always struggled with foreign languages yet seem cursed to have to speak them to the end of my days. I made an abject failure of French at school; struggled with German when I needed it for business; gave up Russian pretty quickly then, just when I thought I could get away from all that language stuff, I fell in love with an Argentine. Will it ever end, I ask? What's more, my hearing continues to get worse and ironically I comprehend foreigners (Brits, Germans, Dutch, Poles etc) when they speak Spanish better than native Spanish speakers of any origin.

I studied Spanish in the UK up to the Higher College Certificate (whatever that means) and one to one tuition in Argentina but I still don't think I'm any good so here are my rules for survival.

Only master spies who want to infiltrate a foreign government service need a perfect accent and I accept mine is far from perfect but some people find it endearing.

Of course it's helpful to know if people are swearing at you but there's a awful lot of language I would never use at home so why learn it here?

I use the subjunctive mood a lot. It's not very Argentine but it reflects the way I speak in English and I see that as a way my personality comes through. Besides, it means that I don't have to memorise quite so many Spanish irregular verbs!

Are you sure she wasn't born in a bilingual household? It's really difficult/almost impossible to even exchange a few words with a native speaker without him/her realizing you are not a native speaker.

One person that truly mastered the Porteño accent is Dustin Luke, I think most of you guys know him. The other day I was watching one of his videos and fellow Porteños were accusing him of being an Argentine pretending to be American. Quite a compliment, heh.

 

[ShoeMakerLevy9]

I think his accent is even better now. What do you think @nikad

 

[Rich One]

I think his accent is even better now. What do you think @nikad

Dustin is very fluent and has a greater command of lunfardo than most non Argentinian Spanish speakers. But not a native though.

 

[Rich One]

Hello there!

I created this thread to know a bit more about the language skills of expats in the forum and their experiences dealing with Spanish.

I hope you all guys find this interesting. I might create a YouTube channel dedicated to languages in the future, and I would surely love to interview some of you if you like the idea.

Best wishes, Shoemakerlevy9.

Hola Shoe,

Understanding spoken Porteño Spanish is one issue communicating in Spoken Spanish is a different thing. Some expats miss the Phonetics part to be properly understood.

 

[Stephano]

If there is a problem here it is that the locals speak really fast. So understanding is sometimes impossible...sometimes.

They do really speak fast. I have read somewhere that Spanish is the second fasted spoken language after Japanese.
Being a native Italian speaker helps me somewhat, especially with the Argentinian version, as it has a similar musicality and tempo of my mother tongue. I have found that tuning to the peculiar rhythm of a language is a big step towards a good comprehension.

 

[El_fuego]

(28yo yanqui) have lived here over 2 years and began learning spanish 6 month prior to moving here with duolingo, and i'm fluid coming upon a C2 level. however when its late and i'm tired, and i find myself in a conversation about technical complex subjects like last night explaining ideal fuel economy of a small car is lost when doing above 80 kmh on the highway once the RPMs go beyond 2k, and i was thinking its like i can't speak the freaking language. but then i realize i'm being hard on myself. can definitely attribute my progress in the language to marrying an argentina who does not speak english and having out entire relationship be in spanish.

 

[Mizu]

I can relate perfectly! with Nikad. My Wife is Argentine Does not speak English and I dont speak Spanish. What I do know is from Spain and Miami and its not the same. Does me little good. We are both learning . She is learning English now, faster than I m with Spanish.
I have had no problem being out on my own. If I need something I will find it. Everyone is eager to practice their English with me.
I was in and office sitting on a long bench seat with a Family, other family members would stagger in. So they would go down the line and Kiss and great each other, and include me! It was pretty funny, the one member sitting next to me her and I would laugh. So im blending in!

This has been my experiences, I just go with the flow, Im either being laugh at or with, either way its ok. Im learning from the locals.

When all else fail use your Translator.

I have now am learning what my Grandparents experienced coming to the US from Sicily in the 20s.

Be Brave.

 

[jorisw]

I speak enough, badly, to communicate my wishes at restaurants and shops. I hardly understand anything yet because of speed and my limited vocabulary. It hasn't created too many problems for me.

 

[jbeas176]

i once read it takes 18,000 words to command a language. i also use duolingo for new words and la forma correcto for writing and speaking.i am at 900 consecutive days and rated a b2 or bi not sure. my now wife demanded i learn spanish.after 20 years she is now starting to use english, which i am glad to help her with, but refuses to let me teach her. i learned to speak spanish without hesitation ah ah by having a glass of white wine when speaking to her each night. it was a distant relationship with one rule. we speak to each night at 5:30 my time 7:30 her time. i really don’t how fluent i am but i always get what i want by controlling the conversation in spanish when they are speaking too fast