Help me understand the difference between hablara and hablase

Question

I don't really understand why there are two different forms.. Do they both really mean the same thing? Which should I use? Is one more formal than the other? Please help.

Thanks in advance

Answer 1

Both are equivalent in 99.9% of the sentences. You don't really need to know where the other 0.1% goes to, because you are not likely to come across this exception. Each country has its own preferences, but both can be used both in formal and informal Spanish alike. Check other threads, because I don't feel like explaining the development of both forms from Latin until now again.

I was expecting some etymological expanation... :P - LoaEtayo, Dec 11, 2010

And you will find one (form Lazarus) if you search prior threads. - samdie, Dec 12, 2010