Spain vs Latin American Spanish

Question

Hey guys, Just a simple question here.

Are the videos/lessons here are teaching spanish from Spain or from Latin America?

Thanks so much

Hi and welcome to the forum! - Nicole-B, Sep 24, 2010

Answer 1

Like Kevin said, Spanish is pretty much Spanish. I stumbled onto a television station in Madrid, Spain, and I've been amazed at how different it sounds from the Latin American Spanish I'm so used to. I can understand it, it just sounds different. I really love that 'through the teeth' th sound.

It sounds so formal, doesn't it? That and the LL sound. I learned Mexican Spanish in school, then lived in Venezuela. All three are distinct, like English from New York, London, and New Delhi. - KevinB, Sep 24, 2010

Yes it does. I am mesmerized with the sounds. I wonder if I could ever change my accent? - Jack-OBrien, Sep 24, 2010

I've tried for fun. It would be very, very difficult for me. I can say something like cerveza, but take any word with a mix of c's, s's, and z's in it and try to do the theta thing. It leaves me tongue tied. - KevinB, Sep 24, 2010

I love the 'th' too, but once I begin I have the same problem as kevin unless I go very slowly. - galsally, Sep 25, 2010

Answer 2

Una de mis profesores tiene 85 años y es de España. No puedo intender nada!!!!

85 year old people are often difficult to understand in any language. :-) - KevinB, Sep 24, 2010

(entender) - 002262dd, Sep 24, 2010

Answer 3

Spanish from Spain is like the trunk of a large tree, long lived and solid. The many branches of the tree are all slightly different, but still part of the tree. To build the best house go for the trunk wood!

My opinion with respect to all who differ!

Unless you actually want to talk to someone who is not from Spain. :-) We had 32 different countries represented in my international school in Caracas. Everyone was supposed to speak Spanish and English. Talk about your Towers of Babel. We made it work. - KevinB, Sep 24, 2010

The Europeans all spoke British English, plus their native language. Everyone spoke whatever Spanish they learned to start with (everywhere). And those of us who didn't know it already were learning Caraqueño. Can we say, :"Code switching"? - KevinB, Sep 24, 2010

I have had no problem with Salvadorans,Columbians, Puerto Ricans, etc, all differences are resolved with, "what did you mean by that!" - 002262dd, Sep 24, 2010

It's all mutually understandable, once you get used to it. My wife (from Virginia) went to grad school at GA Tech. She had to translate for 2 classmates from Boston and South Carolina. A Dubliner once told me she couldn't understand a word of my English. - KevinB, Sep 24, 2010

As an aside, the most difficulty I ever had in understanding a european was an Irishman speaking English. His accent was unbelievably difficult! - 002262dd, Sep 24, 2010

I thought I was doing pretty good until I got into a cab in Dublin with an elderly driver. I never did understand a word he said. The Scots can be tough for an American, too. - KevinB, Sep 24, 2010

How about Liverpudlians? I have to concentrate very hard to get everything they say. - galsally, Sep 25, 2010

Answer 4

I think Latin American spanish is much softer and smooth. Spain spanish is harsh and they speak very fast. My opinion only.

I'm just happy to learn Spanish no matter.

You live in Miami and think the Spaniards talk fast? I think the Cubans, Puerto Ricans and Venezuelans could burn the ears off a Spaniard. Though the Spanish do talk a lot faster than the Mexicans. - KevinB, Sep 24, 2010

Agreed! - 002262dd, Sep 24, 2010

Love your icon, by the way. I used to own a couple of those. - KevinB, Sep 24, 2010

Answer 5

So baically, the writing is all the same?

Thanks buddy

Yes. There are minor differences. The vosotros form (you plural familiar) is only used in Spain. The vos form (a variation of the singular you) is almost only used in Argentina, but it's like the Amish saying Thee and thou - KevinB, Sep 24, 2010

Answer 6

Welcome. Spanish is pretty much Spanish everywhere. The pronunciation, slang, and some of the vocabulary vary slightly, just like English. The pronunciation here (the lessons and computer voice, anyway) is Latin American.

Answer 7

Keep in mind that even "Spanish from Spain" or "Spanish from latin america" are generalizations (especially the second). In Spain we have just as many variations of accents, colloquialisms etc.. than in say, the UK or the US. A guy from rural Galicia (NW of Spain) would sound very, very different than a guy living in the "barrio de Salamanca" in Madrid, or than a guy living in the southernmost region (especially in Andalucía). In written form those differences are greatly diminished, but in a conversation they would sound just as different as Mexican and Puerto Rican accents.