me vs a mi

Question

A mí me gusta comer langosta especialmente.

OR

Me gusta comer langosta especialmente.

Welcome to SpanishDict, Avil. - rac1, Jun 20, 2017

Answer 1

Either is fine. The "A mí" is redundant and adds emphasis only.

Answer 2

If someone says:

-I like bananas,.
Someone answers:
-I like apples.

In the first sentence the intonation goes up in "bananas". In the second sentence the intonation goes up in "I", right?

The " a mí" in Spanish is this same emphasis on the contrast we make in English.
Me gusta comer langosta is the normal way.

A mí me gusta comer langosta could also be similar to "me gusta comer langosta" but it's the only way to emphasize and make a contrast as in the second sentence with apples I spoke above.

Answer 3

I have heard that the "a mi/a ella" etc. add emphasis as polenta1 has said, but I have found my teachers are very averse to redundancy generally (I use to many subject pronouns or repeat names.)

Emphasis is not whenever you want to put it, there are certain situations where it is appropriate and others where not. Contrast is often an appropriate time. :) - bosquederoble, Jun 20, 2017

A Juan le gusta correr, pero a mí me gusta nadar. Juan likes to run, but I (in contrast) like to swim. :) - bosquederoble, Jun 20, 2017