what can I do?

Question

Im a 11th grade student, taking spanish, a student in my classrom ask me how to say sorry in spanish and I answer to him "perdon" and my teacher argue to me that that word is incorrect that that word do not exist in the dictionary, please I need ti find out if this is true or She is wrong and now I'm afraid to correct her because iFear she take retaliation on me for correcting her, what can I do?

You might make sure that you are saying it correctly....that might be why she didn't recognize it....you can hear the way its supposed to be pronounced on our website... :) - 001a2987, Aug 30, 2011

Hi Ricardo - we don't know what level of any language you have. It is a good idea to update your profile. - ian-hill, Aug 30, 2011

Answer 1

Tell your teacher that she needs to read more Spanish to be able to argue that the word "perdón" does not exist.

Another way to say "I'm sorry" in Spanish is "lo siento"or "disculpe". If this is your Spanish teacher, she needs to go back to school to learn more about our beautiful language, LO SIENTO.

Answer 2

¡Perdón! is most definitely a word.

Print out this page and see what she has to say then .

Answer 3

Ricardo, I can't tell from your profile where you live. If you live in the US, your problem is not surprising. Many foreign language teachers in schools do not understand the language well enough to teach it. They do the best they can do most of the time, but immigrant students in their classes often have to correct them. Some accept the correction, but some do not. Many parents often have to go to school to discuss the problem with the teacher, particularly after they have mis-graded an important paper or assignment.

Here's some advice if you decide to discuss this with your teacher.

First, never correct your teacher in public. Second, be sure you are correct. Carry the documentation with you. Third, approach the situation with some sensitivity, not with the attitude of "na-na-na-na-na" (people in the US know what I'm talking about).

Hope everything works out and, yes, perdón is a word.

Excellent answer. - MLucie, Aug 30, 2011

Answer 4

My eldest niece had a similar problem in Spain, she is bilingual and often had to correct her English teacher. My sister spoke to the teacher and instead of being defensive the teacher got my niece to help the other students.

If you continue to have problems get your parents, or an adult you trust to speak to the teacher.

Answer 5

"Perdóname" = excuse / pardon me

"Lo siento" (literally) "I feel it" - is more common though.