Conversation Question
Picture this scenario:
I am traveling through a Spanish speaking country, and a policeman suddenly starts shouting at me. He is speaking too quickly and with too many words for my limited Spanish vocabulary.
How would I ask him to use simpler words and slower speech?
¡Muchas Gracias!
4 Answers
hello HCA,
I agree to some extent with Annie that the best approach would be to get out of the car and to speak to him face to face , if you feel comfortable doing so while smiling if possible!, smile
If you want/would like to ask him to speak more slowly you can say:
Señor, ¿quiere Ud hablar más despacio, por favor? = Sir, please will you speak more slowly?
This is more respectful/polite but both forms can be used!
o Por favor, señor, hable más despacio. = Please sir, speak more slowly.
(This uses the command form so remember to use: por favor as, combined with an appropriate tone of voice, it,conveys more respect!)
If you would like him to use easier vocabulary you can say:
Señor, aprendo español. Por favor, ¿quiere Ud usar palabras más básicas? = Sir, I am learning Spanish. Please will you use simpler language? (lit: more basic words)
Cultural note on speaking to people in authority!: (Beginners in Spanish please read this!)
You should always use the polite form using Usted when addressing people in authority such as police officers, rether than the familiar form, which could so easily be misinterpreted by natives as being discourteous and over familiar and may lead them to think you were planning to take liberties (ie: ask for special treatment!)
Yes, I am sure that they are aware that you not a native speaker and are learning Spanish, and may also take that into account, but in order to avoid causing unnecesary offence it would probably be much wiser to take my advice on this point!!
Besides, if you can speak these phrases we have given you with some confidence,, .you should also realize that the difference between using Ud and tú is an important learning step in Spanish.
I hope this helps 
I have had this trouble in an English speaking country , I have found it a good
idea not to criticise an officer ever , a simple - "Lo siento , no entiendo señor."
"I am sorry , I do not understand", has forded many turbid streams for me .
Lo siento, soy inglés y sólo entiendo español básico. Estaría muy agradecido si podrías hablar lentamente y con frases sencillas.
Sorry, I am English and I only understand basic Spanish. I would be very grateful if you could talk slowly and with simple sentences.
I advise different tactics:
Stop the car at once and get out and go to meet the officer. Smile, if possible practically embrace him.
''Que suerte encontrar a usted, Señor comandante, en este momento, es que me he despistado. Busco el museo/la iglesia/el hotel ..''
Smile and hold out a map! With any luck the officer will start to tell you how to get to some place you don't want to go to anyway, and forget about booking you for speeding or not carrying a driving license or a breathalyzer in the car, or not having stopped properly with all 4 wheels stationary at the last cross-roads.
