How do I say "Spanish" - as in the language in South America? It's not Espanol is it?
I want to say I don't understand Spanish very well. But I have heard that the language isn't referred to as "Espanol" in South America!
8 Answers
Castellano (Castilian in English) is not a dialect, rather it's what most people commonly refer to as Spanish. Technically it's a thorny issue as Spain has five official languages and although Castilian is the official language for the state, spoken by almost the entire population, the constitution recognises all languages as being official Spanish languages in their respective regions.
To answer the initial question saying castellano or español is fine in whatever Spanish-speaking country you visit, although it is more common to say español.
HI, oh yes we do call the language español everywhere, it's like the language spoken in England, USA or Australia, all speak English, even though some don¡t agree with this
jeje
In Argentina, and most of Uraguay and Paraquay, the dialect used is referred to as "castellano".
Like the others said you're probably thinking of castellano.
When I arrived in Chile, the customs official asked me, "Habla castellano?" Yes, that's how everyone there referred to the language.
No comprendo muy bien el español.
Most everyone will understand if you say that.
Don't forget how to pronounce the "n"!
Perhaps you're thinking about South America as one place. It's not. In Brazil, they speak Portuguese. Pretty much in every other country in South America, Spanish is spoken.
si, todo paises dicen "español"
