Formal or informal first
I was just wondering what all of you think. Should I learn formal spanish before informal or learn them at the same time?
2 Answers
I'd go with the same time. Particularly if you're referring primarily to verb conjugations in the usted (formal for you) and tú (informal for you) issue. The conjugations for usted are the same as you use for he, she and it...so it seems to be a no-brainer to learn 3rd person since you get so much bang for your buck
And I would definitely recommend learning the 2nd person as well because, in most places it seems to be in much more common use unless you are talking to someone in a significantly higher rank or social status...which is rare for most people.
I always urge people to learn "proper" Spanish. Get the basics first, then whatever country you visit you can always pick up the local jargon.
As far as "formal" goes, you only have to deal with the two forms of address (how to say "you") There is "Tú" which is the informal and "Usted" which is the formal, and of course the corresponding verb endings. In Latin America the word for "you plural" or you-all is "Ustedes" for both formal and informal.
