Where can you find good lessons about Castillian Spanish?
I live in Spain and many Spanish lessons online or in books contain a general South American Spanish which doesn't pertain to the Spanish spoken here. Things such as some vocabulary and general grammar constructions are not are not the same between South America and Spain.
For example, in some of the early lessons on this site they teach that piso is floor and apartment is apartamento but in Spain they generally say piso is apartment and floor is suelo. Also, some cumbersome words, such as refrigerador or cigarillo, are taught, but generally, to my relief, nivera and pitillo or piti are used.
The grammar I am still getting a grasp of but I know that there is enough difference between American and British usage of grammar constructions that they must exist in Spanish as well. I have been made aware by some people that South Americans use Haber+Past Participle more frequently to talk about the past whereas here it is commonly the Preterite or Imperfect.
I understand that these types of books or sites are not teaching the wrong things and that if I use these words or grammar I'll be understood but I have trouble understanding other people when the words that I studied are not the words they are saying.
The last part of my question, which isn't as important but just as necessary to speaking a language, is slang. This I know is more difficult because of the variety and informality of the language but I am in Madrid and I cannot even begin to understand people when much of the language used is slang. What would be a good book on slang in Spain as opposed to South America. Coger doesn't mean the same in Spain. Just like faggot isn't the equivalent in England.
Thanks
1 Answer
Actually, here. One of the primary administrators here lives in Madrid.
Another of the most popular posters ever lived in Spain. His name is Lazarus, and he was considered an expert in Spanish grammar. Please read what he said about your topic. I think you will find it very insightful.
