Watch your language! Part 3 A caution to non-native Spanish users.

Question

Note: this in not directed to any recent occurrence on the forum. I was asked to post this as part of my "Watch Your Language" series. This is the last posting in that series.

To those learners of Spanish at any level:

You can recognize native Spanish speakers on this site if in their profile they have designated themselves as “fluent” in Spanish and give a Spanish speaking country as their location. Those whose first language is Spanish are to be considered “golden” on this site. Regardless of our ability in Spanish, if it is not our first language we need these people to advise us on the proper way to express ourselves in Spanish. Please do not doubt, correct or criticize their corrections. Of course you can certainly ask why a certain expression is used. If you think one is in error, use his or her profile to send a personal message and discuss your concern. Do not use the comment function for this purpose. You can also message a moderator about your concerns. The moderators are ray76, ian-hill, and rac1. They are the first three people in the Users section of the site.

Users list

Es mi intento de escribir esto en español. Hablante nativo, favor de darme correcciones.

Un cuidado a los hablantes de español sin fluidez:

Pueden reconocer a los hispanohablantes nativos en este sitio si en su perfil se llaman “fluent” en español y hay como lugar un país donde se habla español. Esos de quien el primer idioma es español, deben ser considerados como “de oro” en este sitio. No importa nuestra habilidad en español, si no es nuestro primer idioma necesitamos a estas personas para aconsejarnos del método apropriado de expresarnos en español. Por favor no las duden, corrigan o critiquen sus correcciones. Claro que pueden preguntar por qué se usa una frase. Si piensan que se equivocan, usen su perfil de él o ella para discutir el problema en un mensaje privado. No la discutan en un commentario. Pueden también enviar un mensaje a un moderador de su preocupación. Los moderadores son ray76, ian-hill, y rac1. Son los primeros tres en la lista de Usuarios en este sitio. enlace arriba

Gracias amigo. - ian-hill, Oct 12, 2015

I agree. The native speakers here are invaluable. They help us so much and I truly appreciate that help. But not all native speakers live in a Spanish speaking country. - gringojrf, Oct 13, 2015

Just giving a possibility. Actually if someone whose first language is not Spanish lists themselves as fluent that does not convey the same level as a native speaker. It's a matter of nuance, I think. - Jubilado, Oct 13, 2015

An invaluable post mate , thank you . - ray76, Oct 16, 2015

I totally agree Sir.. we need natives .. - Joydeep_Singh, Oct 16, 2015

Unas correcciones: "un paíS" , "método" "Claro que pueden--" "Si piensan que se equivocan," " No la discutan" (I thought you might appreciate this.)♥ - Daniela2041, Oct 19, 2015

Answer 1

Hmmm, for those that have talked to me on Skype, which it's totally different from listening to something that I've recorded:

Despite that I have an accent in English, am I to be considered fluent or not?

Curious about that. Not that it is really important to me, but I'd like to have an opinion. Willing to meet on Skype and chat a bit.

I think it's because you've been in the states a long time. - rac1, Oct 14, 2015

In my opinion you are golden, amigo! - Jubilado, Oct 14, 2015

Thank you, but neither of you have talked to me on Skype. :) - chileno, Oct 15, 2015

Do you mean you have a Spanish accent when speaking English, or an English accent when speaking Spanish? - Winkfish, Nov 12, 2015

Wink, My guess is that Chileno means that he has a Spanish accent while speaking English. ;) - FELIZ77, Dec 21, 2015

Yes, you can still be fluent in English Chileno. You would just be fluent, non native just like any of us English speakers might be if we attained fluency in your mother tongue ;) :):) - FELIZ77, Dec 21, 2015

I have a Spanish accent when I speak English. I didn't want to work on getting rid of it and I still don't want to. :) - chileno, Dec 21, 2015

I am very lucky here the only one without an accent . - ray76, Dec 29, 2015

Yes, Ray, very rucky.... :) - chileno, Dec 29, 2015

I have no problem understanding you, Chileno. I hardly notice your accent. :) - sanlee, Dec 30, 2015

i have had other people tell me the same, few for sure, but everytime I hear myself on a video etc, i can detect my own accent quite easily, so I don't know what to think... :) - chileno, Dec 30, 2015

I would love to practice speaking English and Spanish over Skype! Me encanta el acento chileno po jajaja :) - Zein-, Apr 23, 2016

No problem...contact me on Skype (chileno74) (Lost Wages) :) - chileno, Apr 23, 2016

Answer 2

Last night upon the stair

something went bump

and I was not there

If theres another bump

I'l get such a fright

for I'l be there again tonight.

:) - rac1, Oct 16, 2015

Answer 3

This needs to be bumped up.

Answer 4

Porque he encontrado muchos amigos en los paisas del américas centro y sur! He hencho muchos viajes allí desde el año 2001! Ellos me han enseñado mucho y ampliado la mente mucho! Sincero David

Thank you for profile , that is worthy of a vote from me , I envy your trips to South America , it is a great place. - ray76, Jan 9, 2016

Ok, thank you. :) - chileno, Jan 9, 2016

Answer 5

Bump-ity, bump, bump.

Answer 6

The native speakers are priceless to me. No substute.

Thank you as far as I am concerned, but would you care to explain a bit more of why we are priceless to you? - chileno, Jan 2, 2016

In that case mate maybe you would take the time to fill out your profile. - ray76, Jan 8, 2016