Guide To The Spanish Language
An introduction to Spanish without the grammar - A new and fresh perspective with some interesting items on
language and the similarities between Spanish and English
In addition to new words being created we are also continually changing the way we pronounce words. Pronunciation is a critical aspect of learning a
language. We can see examples of this phenomenon by travelling quite short distances in England. It is quite easy for the British born English speaker to
detect someone from London as opposed to someone from Liverpool simply because of the different regional accent.
This feature of regional accent can be found in all other countries including Spain.
Received Pronunciation or Standard English is a form of pronunciation of the English language which has long been considered as prestigious among
British accents. Sometimes referred to as the Queens English or BBC English, Standard English is the usual accent taught to foreign language
students learning English. It is quite a shock for many overseas English students, who in many cases have studied English to a very high level at
University, to finally arrive in England for the first time to encounter a strong
regional accent from Glasgow, Newcastle, Birmingham or Cornwall.
In addition to regional accents we have to contend with dialects which involve different structures of sentences, different phrasing and different use of words
and very little consideration for correct grammar. Dialects and accents are a real nightmare for any language student. It does not end there, I’m afraid it
gets worse, because users of language do not normally speak in a standard form. Most conversations are littered with clichés and metaphors. This
combination of regional accents, dialects, clichés and metaphors makes learning any new language a real challenge.
As English speakers we do not really appreciate how difficult it is for the average foreign student of the English language to learn English with all the
accents, dialects, clichés and metaphors they have to contend with. As we get involved in learning a second language we suddenly become aware that language is not some standard format set in stone with rigid rules but rather a
dynamic and complex mixture of regional characteristics and constantly evolving idiosyncrasies. Aspects, that as a single
language nation, we do not normally consider.
Pronunciation is a key element when conversing in any language and to speak Spanish there are many different sounds we need to be able to make
and which will have to be learnt, but for the English speaker they are not too difficult. The biggest difficulty for me is learning to roll my letter Rs. The
Spanish have a wonderful ability to roll their Rs. Those from the South of England seem to have the most trouble rolling their Rs whilst those from the
North of England and Scotland seem to manage quite well.
