Learn to speak Spanish in puerto Rico?

6 Comments

1. Darth Eugene Vader says:

   October 16, 2009 at 11:09 am

   I think that Puerto Rico Insider gave a great answer, and deserve the best answer.

   Just to clarify that spanish speaking countries do not have different spanish-dialects. Spanish is just one language. What we have are "regionalismos" sub-set of words that are used in a region or country that are not used in others; or that have a different meaning in another country/region.

   For examples:
   * Kite is "chiringa" in Puerto Rico but in other LatinAmerican countries, like Mexico, it is called "papalote".
   * A drinking straw is called "sorbeto" in PR but in other countries is a "pajilla" or a "popote".

   Having "regionalismos" does not make our manner of speak a "puertorrican dialect". This is similar to USA english vs UK english; the english spoken at USA is not a dialect from the original english from UK..
2. Ozzie says:

   October 16, 2009 at 11:09 am

   you will learn it from the day to day interaction. Like we do when we come over to the states.
3. El pond says:

   October 16, 2009 at 11:09 am

   Many but I don’t know about the FREE part. Ask a friend for someone who has the time to teach at least for a discount.
4. Puerto Rico Insider says:

   October 16, 2009 at 11:09 am

   Be proactive about it. Unless you have a background in learning Spanish in grade school, I am doubtful that you will learn as quickly as a Puerto Rican learning English on the main land. Their schools teach English throughout all grades, and they are exposed to American television and movies that forces their exposure to it, whereas an American or English speaker not living in Puerto Rico is rarely forced to be exposed to Spanish.

   You can find many online resources that are free, and can pick up used books at Amazon at discount prices.

   Learn "No entiendo" which means "I don’t understand". You need to be able to let your Spanish friends know that you are going to need help and to either slow it down or to use a little bit of their English skills to help you out.

   The problem with learning by speaking with Puerto Ricans is that they speak fast and their pronunciation may be quite different than what you might expect based on reading Spanish books or taking courses that are based on Spanish from Spain. Every Spanish culture has its own distinct dialects which may differ enough that they either may have a little trouble quickly understanding each other, or may accuse each other of dirty or too proper Spanish.

   You should try contacting some of the listed schools in Puerto Rico. If they do not offer free programs, they may be able to direct you to someone else who may.

   You might also consider contacting the grade schools as teachers are are often paid very little, and would welcome the opportunity to do some private tutoring for extremely reasonable rates ($10/hour possible).
5. see_ya says:

   October 16, 2009 at 11:09 am

   go to college and take basic spanish courses, they are not expensive.
6. Lalabbyy□ says:

   October 16, 2009 at 11:09 am

   If you know a bit of spanish or have previous knowledqe, it will help. But i mean here in Puerto Rico, we have our own slanq, and different words for us may mean somethinq else if you qo to another Latin American country. Take it in school first.