R U Learning Spanish?

Salsa Bear

Salsa Bear

Son
I just wondered how many of you were inspired to study Spanish (or perhaps Portuguese) by Salsa or Latin dance in general.

I studied Spanish in high school in West Dakota but never used it until I spent a few weeks in Mexico, working for a sea turtle biologist.

I was becoming interested in picking it up again even before I discovered Salsa, but Salsa gave me the final push. Now I'm studying it on my own, largely via books and Facebook.

I have lots of new Facebook friends, most with an interest in Salsa or (politics!), and I simply translate their posts or links. I also like to read books side by side. For example, I bought two copies of the best-selling book The Road - one in English, the other in Spanish (La Carretera).

But I didn't realize it's such a depressing book! My next book will probably be Man of La Mancha.

I favor Salsa instructors who speak Spanish, though I haven't really learned much Spanish from them. (By chance, it seems that Seattle's best Salsa teachers do speak Spanish.) My most memorable lesson: Gracias por el privalo, senorita.

Anyway, how many of you have been similarly inspired to tackle a language that's growing in importance (Spanish)?
 
I have renewed motivation to learn Spanish now that I dance Salsa. I grew up in L.A. and learned French in high school (against my mom's advice - I guess mothers do now best!). After college I travelled to Miami often for work and my French did me no good.

In fact, I've never encountered anyone who speaks French who does not also speak English. Speaking French becomes an effort to be congenial, but not a necessity. But I have been in several situations where speaking Spanish was important.

Now that I dance salsa, I have added motivation. I want to be able to understand the beautiful lyrics and I'd like to be able to sing along to salsa songs. Also, so many in the salsa community are Spanish-speaking. I'd like to share an added connection with them.
 
GTO Bruin said:
I have renewed motivation to learn Spanish now that I dance Salsa. I grew up in L.A. and learned French in high school.
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I LOVE French! One of my dreams is to learn all the Romance languages - Spanish, Portuguese, French (and possibly Italian) and Chinese - though I'll be lucky to learn just one of them.

I took just one French course in college and spent a week in Paris years ago. I also had a little contact with French Canadians when I was stationed in Newfoundland while in the Navy. But that's it.

French is very hard for me to pronounce. And, as you said, it's just as useful as Spanish, though it's still an important language.

However, it's intriguing that the Romance languages are so closely related. I recently visited with a Salsa student from Mexico who told me once you understand Spanish, you can learn Portuguese in just a few weeks.

I was also interested to learn that English is based on two languages - Latin and German, which explains why it features roughly twice as many words as Spanish (something I never knew). As I understand it, many English synonyms consist of Latin- and German-derived words. I think one example consisted of the words father (German?) and papa (Latin?).

Speaking of which, isn't it amazing that Latin music doesn't include Italian Opera?

By the way, I believe the West African gorup Africondo sing in French. I love their song Aicha.
 
if you are thinking of learning a language, or many languages, I have one tip for you:

start!

I have been meaning to take proper spanish classes for several years but it never made it up to the top of the list and now I find myself singing salsa songs and having to painstakingly translate the lyrics so that I can deliver them properly...! If only I'd started when I thought about it!

I tend to like the pronunciation part of language learning so I can do a passable French, German, Dutch or Spanish, but only in French can I talk about the past, the future, or other subtle things. The others I am restricted to basic requests and statements.
 
I prefer to read books that were written in the original language. You can get parallel text collections of short stories by good writers, with the English on one page and Spanish on the other.

A good tip I was given by my Spanish teacher is that contemporary Latin American writers are usually easier for learners than writers from Spain because they use less slang. With the aid of a dictionary I enjoyed reading Isabel Allende's 'Casa de los Espiritus'.

I also think detective stories are a good way to learn a language because the stories tend to be interesting but the language isn't too difficult - in French I rate Fred Vargas (a woman, despite the name!). If you're looking for big ideas but relatively easy French try Camus (eg L'étranger).
 
sweavo said:
if you are thinking of learning a language, or many languages, I have one tip for you:

start!
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Too late. I know it's much easier learning languages when you're very young. But I grew up in the Dakotas, far from other languages.

So I know my language skills will never be any better than my Salsa skills. On the other hand, I think I have some aptitude for languages, so I may get by.
 
R U Learning Spanish

i learned by myself too reading books,watching movies..etc..,but i know that isnt enought.i want speak english equaly that spanish...what are you doing for learn english?? sorry if my english is bad .kisses
 
I have been meaning to for such a long time.
Got the books and tapes for both beginner/intermediate and advanced.
Yes, tapes - that long ago that I embarked on this still dormant plan!

The latest thing that has got in the way: learning French.
It would be more useful for work and I am already decent at it.

Still, shall continue to belt out bits of Spanish lyrics on the dance floor.
That's surely a good start.
 
I'm blessed by being born in Peru. I grew up there until age 15 before immigrating to the States. As an immigrant, i got the very bad impression about a social stigma against Spanish Speakers. . . so i tried to hide it - listening only to Top 40, English songs, etc. . . When my mom or dad would play Latin Music - from Salsa to Boleros or Spanish Rock, i would just feel weird against it. What I fool I was! Trying to fit in, I lost soo many years by staying in the dark. I never forgot to speak spanish, but i could have picked up Salsa soo much sooner and not after 10 years. I discover salsa in 2003. So from 1992 (year that I arrived here) to 2003 I was in a whole different world.

Now, even though it is not a 100% requirement, knowing Spanish and understanding the songs - whether they are about love, food, gatherings, people. . . it is just an added touch to doing musicality. Note that i say an "added touch" You don't have to know what they are singing about to perform moves that can boost your love life haha.

Happy New Year Salseros y Salseras. Bailen hasta que las vacas regresen a su casa haha

C-
 
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