Guess what is actually being said # 1

Question

Spanish speakers learning English have problems understanding spoken English because of all the idiosyncrasies of our spelling and pronunciation.

But it is not all “one way”

This is an idea that I got from reading Annie4’s “guess what this is” series.

This is “guess what is actually said”

This is the first one.

The “Phrase” is buenocota” - this is how I heard it.

Clue 1. It was / is said to me by the doorman every evening when I return home in the evening.

So you have to guess what he is actually saying. It took me a while to realise.

There will be another clue if no one can guess it.

......

Hablantes de español que aprenden Inglés tienen problemas para comprender el Inglés hablado por todas las idiosincrasias de nuestra ortografía y la pronunciación.

Pero nosotros, los que están aprendiendo español puede tener tambien.

Esta es una idea que tengo de la lectura de Annie4 de "guess what this is" serie.

Tienes que tratar adivinar lo que realmente se dice.

Esta es la primera.

La “frase es "buenocota"

Pista 1.

Fue / es que me dijo por el portero todas las tardes cuando vuelvo a casa por la noche.

Así que tienes que adivinar lo que está diciendo realmente.

Me tomó un tiempo darme cuenta.

Please correct my Spanish and English

Clue 2 is below

Mountaingirl got it!!

It is "buenas noches,´cómo estás?

What happens is that here in Bolivia many people don´t pronounce the last S on words so we get "Buena noche, cómo está?

Then because the s has been dropped the preceding vowel is "weak" so you get "Buen noch, cóm esta" Then they decide to talk fast and drop the other Ss and you get "buen noch cóm eta"

Then the ch sort of gets lost (it is not pronounced as sharply as in English anyway)

Then you hear "buen no, cóm ta. Then the 2 Ns are run together.

Finally it all runs together and you wind up with Bueno cóm ta and I heard "buenocota"

Buen hilo, Ian! Me encanta... - mountaingirl123, Oct 7, 2010

I hope there will be more like this Ian. :) I wasn't online at the right time to get the next clue but it's good trying and seeing the outcome. :) - galsally, Oct 8, 2010

Answer 1

How about "Buenas noches, cómo está?"

You got it - great. - ian-hill, Oct 7, 2010

Wild! We don't reach that level of contraction where I've been. Or maybe my ear does not perceive it as something quite so drastic! I would have never guessed it! - Gekkosan, Oct 7, 2010

It could be my ears had something to do with it Gekko :) - ian-hill, Oct 7, 2010

I can picture a similar exchange from my cultural experience sounding something like: "buens-comesta?" - Gekkosan, Oct 7, 2010

Answer 2

I don't know what buenocota is, but I'm looking forward to the answer.

However, I'm impressed that you have a doorman where you live!

Well Amy he does not wear a uniform. - ian-hill, Oct 7, 2010

Aww, too bad! ;-) - amykay, Oct 7, 2010

haha - 00b6f46c, Oct 7, 2010

Answer 3

Me tomó un tiempo darme cuenta.

Me costó tiempo para entenderlo (para darme cuenta de lo que decía).

Answer 4

Clue 2 it is actaully 4 words Bue - no - co - ta

Answer 5

Ian

What could it be? Maybe:

"Buenas noche a te" all run together strangely.

But, somehow, I think not,

Close Moe. - ian-hill, Oct 7, 2010

Answer 6

I don't know yet either.

Something I have noticed is that whereas in England, when we abbreviate 'Good morning', we say only 'morning', it seems that in Spain (Madrid at least, taken from 'Amar') 'Buenos días' is abbreviated to just 'Buenos'. I like these little curious differences, and to me the Spanish way is more pleasing and optimistic-sounding.

Could this have any connection perhaps?

yes it could :) New clue comming soon. - ian-hill, Oct 7, 2010

Answer 7

Esto es sólo una conjetura - Son bien o sólo tan tan

This is just a guess - Are you well or just so so

Answer 8

I'm clueless about this one, Ian.... Can you provide a hint, maybe?

Another clue a bit later Gekko. - ian-hill, Oct 7, 2010