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lmans66 · Joined: 02 Apr 2006 Posts: 7

So....I am in Manta Ecuador and brought with me my vast amount of knowledge of spanish....but wow!...Blown away....

How long does it take to really begin understanding what is said to you? I can spit out my words eventually but listening to someone talk back to me is like a "fog" at times.

I am trying to go out on the streets everyday, listen to the TV etc..but anyone have any suggestions. How long and is this normal?... WIll it just begin to hit me?....Ikes!...

is there anyone here from Manta? lmans66

ls650 · Joined: 10 May 2003 Posts: 3484 Location: British Columbia

Everyone's different. I've been in Mexico two years and things are often still a "fog" to me! Wink

Justin Trullinger · Posted: Wed Jun 28, 2006 12:31 am Post subject:

You've chosen a foggy place to start! Coste�os are famous all over Ecuador for their indistinct pronunciation and high speed speech.

But hang in there. If you keep at it, you'll start to get more and more each day. Try reading in Spanish every day- as you begin to match the sounds you here with the words you know, it will get better. Also, find an intercambio. As somebody sits down, and takes time to be patient and slow for you to understand, you'll get used to the accent. Over time, you'll stay used to it even as they speed back up.

A few tips. Don't expect to here the final "s" in words you know have one. (In Manta, it's "tenemo," not "tenemos," no matter what you were taught in class.)

"ada" endings are pronounced "aa" or "�". ("Huevada" has only two sylables, no matter how it looks.)

Tu, Ud, and Vos are completely interchangeable, and use the same verb form in most cases.

And have fun. Go dancing! You're in a great place for it.

Justin

PS- did you get your internet connection sorted?

TheLongWayHome · Joined: 07 Jun 2006 Posts: 1016 Location: San Luis Piojosi

lmans66 · Joined: 02 Apr 2006 Posts: 7

Well...it is nice to know I am not alone...and yes Justin, I had my internet installed...I pay 55$ a month for a satillite dish ...150 or so to have it installed but I work from it so the price is worth it.

I spend half my time in Manta and the other half in Puerto Lopez for now working with Machililla National Park and english, etc.....

But the time I am in Manta sure gets "lonely".....no english speakers yet I have found but I am near the airport and I think the english speakers are on the opposite side of the city...I am avoiding the military ones though.

My daughter who has traveled in foreign countries states that the first three months are real difficult (when you are a non-speaker or new language learner such as in Korea, Arab etc).... It takes some getting used to as a person needs to adjust to being alone most of the day if not all like I am since I work off the Internet 3-4 days of the week.

I would be glad to meet anyone who is in Manta!....come on down, or is that up or sideways or? jim

Justin Trullinger · Posted: Wed Jun 28, 2006 2:28 pm Post subject:

I'll be in Puerto Lopez in the fall- Drinks?

Justin

MELEE · Posted: Wed Jun 28, 2006 3:18 pm Post subject:

I'm of the opinion that the best places to learn Spanish are where they speak it the fastest/most slurred, then when you go somewhere else it will be a breaze! Just like with our students, the key is meaningful imput! Try to put yourself in situations where the context will help you out listening wise, like take a guided tour of a museum/archealogy site that you have already read up on. If you have an idea of what the person is going to say to you, you will be better able to make out the words. Another option is take some sort of class, fitness? or art at the cultural center? you have an idea what the people are talking about and you can use that to help you with the language.