Gert Scholtz

7 years ago · 2 min. reading time · ~100 ·

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My First Spanish Lesson/Mi Primera Lección en Español

My First Spanish Lesson/Mi Primera Lección en Español

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I know only one word in Spanish:  “ole'”. Well, I also understand “vamos” and “jajaja”, thanks to Mamen Delgado. Shocked, I realize these three words are my Spanish vocabulary. Sin esperanza! I am resolved to learn more of the beautiful Spanish language.

Why? On beBee there are 4,8 million English Bees and 4,2 million Abejas Españolas. By learning at least some Spanish I can engage more on beBee. Spanish is one of the major world languages with about 600 million speakers worldwide. 

There are two ways in which I can start to learn; I call it the Ancient way and the Modern way.

Ancient: Around 75% of Spanish comes from Latin, also a root language of English. There are many words where the meaning and spelling are the same in English and Spanish. A few examples: actor, cordial, ideal, natural, piano, social, and violin. These words are called cognates. There are more than 1000 cognates where the spelling is almost similar. Examples are curious (curiosa), family (familia), much (mucho), and, wait for it Bees... John (Juan).

Modern: Google Translate is a handy feature. I simply type or past in text into Google Translate and eureka, I am instantly bilingual. Of course not. But it’s a start. It takes time to memorize words and learn the grammar structure of a new language. Seguire! In time I may be able to understand more as I compare the English and Spanish versions of texts and beBee posts. I can even give Spanish comments to posts as well, thanks to Mr Google.

Did I mention only two ways to learn?

Actually there is a third and that would be from you dear reader. I welcome any suggestions and comments, even better if they are in Spanish. I look forward to respond to you in, what I hope to be, a growing Spanish vocabulary.

____________________________________________________________________________

Sólo sé una palabra en español: "ole". Bueno, también entiendo "vamos" y "jajaja", gracias a Mamen Delgado. Sorprendido, me doy cuenta de que estas tres palabras son mi vocabulario español. ¡Sin esperanza! Estoy decidido a aprender más de la hermosa lengua española.


¿Por qué? En BeBee hay 4,8 millones de abejas inglesas y 4,2 millones de Abejas Españolas. Al aprender al menos un poco de español puedo participar más en beBee. El español es también uno de los principales idiomas del mundo con cerca de 600 millones de hablantes en todo el mundo.

Hay dos maneras en que puedo comenzar a aprender; Yo lo llamo el camino antiguo y el camino moderno.

Antigüedad: Alrededor del 75% del español proviene del latín, también un idioma raíz del inglés. Hay muchas palabras donde el significado y la ortografía son los mismos en inglés y español. Algunos ejemplos: actor, cordial, ideal, natural, piano, social y violín. Estas palabras se llaman cognados. Hay más de 1000 cognados donde la ortografía es casi similar. Los ejemplos son curious (curiosa), family (familia), much (mucho), y, esperadlo ... Abejas ... John (Juan).

Moderno: Google Translate es una característica práctica. Simplemente escribo o pasado en texto en Google Translate y eureka, soy instantáneamente bilingüe. Por supuesto no. Pero es un comienzo. Se necesita tiempo para memorizar las palabras y aprender la estructura gramatical de un nuevo idioma. Seguire! Con el tiempo puedo ser capaz de entender más a medida que comparo las versiones en inglés y español de los textos y posts beBee. Incluso puedo dar comentarios en español a los puestos, así, gracias al Sr. Google.

¿Mencioné dos maneras de aprender?

En realidad hay un tercero y que sería de usted querido lector. Agradezco cualquier sugerencia y comentario, incluso mejor si están en español. Espero poder responderle, lo que espero ser, un creciente vocabulario en español

"
#Mi Primera Lección #Spanish #First Spanish Lesson #español #Google Translate
Comments

Paul Walters

6 years ago #42

Gert Scholtz ah the gift of tongues. best way to learn is total immersion . Here without the local language one is pretty much confined to speaking with ex pats. Spanish , thats my next one as I KNOW that I am missing out on reading fabulous pieces right here on beBEE

Gert Scholtz

6 years ago #41

Tausif Mundrawala Thanks for sharing Tausif. As to suggestions, if you look at the comment thread there are many that can help you and I. So, when do we see your first Spanish poem? Ole!

Gert Scholtz

6 years ago #40

#58
Tausif Mundrawala Thanks for sharing the post Tausif. As to suggestions, if you look at the comment thread there are many that can help you and I. So when can we see your first poem in Spanish? Ole!

Gert Scholtz

7 years ago #39

#54
That is a great method you are showing me Seth. Thank you for the tips - I appreciate your extensive reply. / Ese es un gran método que me estás mostrando a Seth. Gracias por los consejos - Aprecio su extensa respuesta.

Gert Scholtz

7 years ago #38

#53
Thank you Cristina, I appreciate your offer. My English is actually not that great but I will try my best. / Gracias Cristina, agradezco su oferta. Mi inglés no es realmente grande pero intentaré mi mejor.

CityVP Manjit

7 years ago #37

PART 1 of 2 I will only use Google Translate to communicate if it shows me a particular line that I want to highlight but then only highlighted from the original copy. If I copy anything from Google Translated form it will be for the most basic of sayings, so personally I don't think I will ever learn Spanish if I simply rely on Google Translate. Until one talks in Spanish that utilizes a different part of the brain, and most language speaking classes today begin with vocal rather than written language. Now Gert Scholtz you do have an opportunity to practice spoken Spanish through the InterNations group in Johannesburg Spaniards in Johannesburg https://www.internations.org/johannesburg-expats/spanish The only way I will learn Spanish is if I fell madly in love with a Spanish speaker, but that is not something I am contemplating and nor does my wife who has remain steadfast with me for nearly 32 years - so without romantic interest I find it difficult to get my own brain to entertain learning a third language - especially since my brain is not so welcoming of my current near but far from perfect bilingual status.

CityVP Manjit

7 years ago #36

PART 2 of 2 These Spanish people who have moved and now live in Johannesburg. Furthermore when or if you make contact with this group, it is a great way of spreading the beBee message at the local level and then it is up to people at beBee in Madrid if partnering with this group has global opportunities. This expat network has communities in 390 cities and a membership of 2.6 million. Interesting also is their guiding principles https://www.internations.org/team/guiding-principles/ and when I read principles that tells me at level the organizations thinking rests and with InterNations guiding principles it is clear to me that great thought has been applied. Finally, learning a language is totally different from thinking a language. I find language learning very difficult, and am not even that proficient with my mother tongue and that is because even when I speak Punjabi, I think in English. The challenge is to speak Spanish and think in Spanish too. I wish you well on this adventure - best of all it, your quest brings beBee back to it's roots - and that is usually where the power exists, so kudos to you Gert for wanting to embark on this learning journey

Devesh 🐝 Bhatt

7 years ago #35

#49
its a great app have been using it for a while for Esperanto :)

Gert Scholtz

7 years ago #34

Thank you to all that have commented and given valuable advice. I have commenced my Spanish learning: ¡Olé! / Gracias a todos los que han comentado y dado consejos valiosos. He comenzado mi aprendizaje de español: ¡Olé!

Gert Scholtz

7 years ago #33

#45
Helena Jansen van Vuuren As you would know, in South Africa there is virtually no Spanish heard. On video's and podcasts it does have is a rich and expressive sounding language. Thanks for your comments. / Como ustedes saben, en Sudáfrica prácticamente no se escucha ningún español. En videos y podcasts tiene un lenguaje de sonidos rico y expresivo. Gracias por tus comentarios

Helena Jansen van Vuuren

7 years ago #32

Spanish is great - love that you can get your whole mouth round the words - Spain was part of my sales territory so did Spanish business course - although can't remember much - that is an age thing and nothing to do with my tutor - but quite a few differences to how the Columbians speak but my customers in Spain were great and sommer spoke Engels.....

Gert Scholtz

7 years ago #31

#34
Thank you madam Ludovino. I shall listen to more Spanish podcasts as you recommend. I can't help but wonder how Spanish sounds spoken with a Dutch accent :) / Gracias señora Ludovino. Voy a escuchar más podcasts españoles como usted recomienda. No puedo dejar de preguntarme cómo sonidos españoles se habla con un acento holandés :)

Gert Scholtz

7 years ago #30

Ken Boddie Thank you senor Boddie. Perhaps soon we shall see google translate Spanish becoming a beBee dialect! / Gracias señor Boddie. Tal vez pronto vamos a ver google transalte español convertirse en un dialecto beBee!

Gert Scholtz

7 years ago #29

#39
Ken Boddie Thank you senor Boddie. Perhaps soon we shall see google transalte spanish becoming a beBee dialect! / Gracias señor Boddie. Tal vez pronto vamos a ver google transalte español convertirse en un dialecto beBee!

Ken Boddie

7 years ago #28

#27
Reminds me also, Dean Owen, of Latin under duress, and of the Roman ristorante, where ..... Caesar adsum jam forte Brutus aderat Caesar sic in omnibus Brutus sic in at. 😂

Ken Boddie

7 years ago #27

Hola Señor Scholtz Good luck with your new objective and remember ..... mi Google Translate es su Google Translate! 🤓

Gert Scholtz

7 years ago #26

Javier \ud83d\udc1d beBee The diversity on beBee is what I love most! Thank you for sending me the language tree. Now I understand more even about the origins of my own language Afrikaans. One day I will visit beBee in Spain and speak Spanish to everyone. / ¡La diversidad en beBee es lo que amo más! Gracias por enviarme el árbol del lenguaje. Ahora entiendo más aún sobre los orígenes de mi propio idioma afrikaans. Un día visitaré Bebe en España y hablaré español a todos.

Gert Scholtz

7 years ago #25

#11
Mamen \ud83d\udc1d Delgado That is amazing Mamen - you have mastered five languages! I love the idea of getting used to the musicality of a language because all languages have their own tone and rythm. Thank you for the help - with better understanding I can now say Vamosss! / Eso es increíble Mamen - usted ha dominado cinco idiomas! Me encanta la idea de acostumbrarse a la musicalidad de una lengua porque todos los idiomas tienen su propio tono y ritmo. Gracias por la ayuda - con mejor comprensión ahora puedo decir Vamosss!

Gert Scholtz

7 years ago #24

#17
Thank you Pedro. That book sounds like just the right place to start - with parrots doing strange things! / Gracias Pedro. Ese libro suena como el lugar correcto para comenzar - con loros haciendo cosas extrañas!

Gert Scholtz

7 years ago #23

#13
Interesting is that English and Spanish speakers in the world number about 600 million each. Compared to Afrikaans with 20 million. Maybe I can teach you some Afrikaans! Thanks for your comments Jose / Interesante es que los hablantes de inglés y español en el mundo son unos 600 millones cada uno. En comparación con Afrikaans con 20 millones. ¡Tal vez pueda enseñarte algunos Afrikaans! Gracias por tus comentarios Jose.

Devesh 🐝 Bhatt

7 years ago #22

I dont have anyone to talk to in Spanish. It has become rusty. Reading doesnt cut it. Maybe we have a chat someday :)

Dean Owen

7 years ago #21

I never learnt Spanish, but this takes me back to my Latin lessons! Amo Amas Amat, Amamus, Amatis, Amant!

Julio Angel 🐝Lopez Lopez

7 years ago #20

As a client of the translator of google, I tell you what I do, from Spanish to English I copy and from English to Spanish, I verify and if it does not give the correct sense I change words so that more or less is understood. All original TV series with subtitles. I encourage and here we are Como cliente del traductor de google, te digo lo que hago, del español al inglés copio y del inglés al español, verifico y si no da el sentido correcto cambio palabras para que se entienda más o menos. Todas las series de televisión originales con subtítulos. Animo y aquí estamos

Javier Cámara-Rica 🐝🇪🇸

7 years ago #19

#22
jajajaja Pedro Casanova, hablando en plata, cuando intenten traducir ésto en el traductor de Google, literalmente van a flipar y van a pesar que el español es un idioma realmente complejo. Buenas noches :-)

Pedro 🐝 Casanova

7 years ago #18

@javierbebee ...Speaking in silver .... With the new entrances on the RAE ( R-oyal A-cademy E- Spanish ) where we find more and more spanglish words accepted . I think is good to learn our beautiful language in a actualized way.

Javier Cámara-Rica 🐝🇪🇸

7 years ago #17

#17
jajajaja Pedro Casanova me he reído un buen ratito. Creo que el traductor de Google no tiene esa inteligencia.

Javier Cámara-Rica 🐝🇪🇸

7 years ago #16

#18
bien sûr Pascal ;-)

Mamen 🐝 Delgado

7 years ago #15

#17
😂😂😂😂

Pascal Derrien

7 years ago #14

#15
si un poquito :-)

Pedro 🐝 Casanova

7 years ago #13

Sir..you are doing just fine. Or in spanish....Señor ole!!! tus cojo....nes... (Sorry.) Well ...if you want a deep knowledge of spanish lines translated to english you can always check the book " From lost to the river " Where you can read the english translations to popular spanish sentences used by most of the spanish people in a coloquial or even slang use. Sentences very popular here as: Cagate lorito...(Shit yourself little parrot) A toda leche....(At full milk... ) ( Of course all these is just messing around ) Now ...am proud of you ..if you need any translation.. just ask Mamen \ud83d\udc1d Delgado...jajajaja vamooooooss

Javier Cámara-Rica 🐝🇪🇸

7 years ago #12

Gert Scholtz this tree is great :-) https://www.bebee.com/content/1310555/1182278

Javier Cámara-Rica 🐝🇪🇸

7 years ago #11

#4
Pascal Derrien for you..... Spanish is easier ;--)

Javier Cámara-Rica 🐝🇪🇸

7 years ago #10

Gert Scholtz English is a Germanic Root Language, and Spanish is a Romance Root Language (LATIN). https://www.bebee.com/content/1310541/1182269 Despite of having some similar latin words, English is Germanic, and Spanish is Latin. Very NICE buzz Gert !!! I love beBee Community. DIVERSITY DIVERSITY DIVERSITY !!!

Mamen 🐝 Delgado

7 years ago #9

#10
Gracias por compartirlo mi querida Deb \ud83d\udc1d Helfrich!!! Me encantaría tener una charla contigo en español sobre tus vivencias en España. 😉

Mamen 🐝 Delgado

7 years ago #8

Eyyy Gert Scholtz, este Producer es una joya!! Enhorabuena por tu primer artículo bilingüe, la versión española está bastante bien. 👏 Lo más difícil del español, con respecto al inglés, son los tiempos verbales y las conjugaciones. A mí me encantan los idiomas, he estudiado inglés, francés, alemán y ruso, aunque a día de hoy solo me defiendo bien en inglés. Sin duda de todos ellos es el idioma más sencillo y directo. Una buena idea es ver películas o vídeos en español, con subtítulos en inglés, para que te acostumbres a la musicalidad del idioma. Y para cualquier duda, aquí nos tienes!! Vamos!!! Jajajaja... 😂😂

Gert Scholtz

7 years ago #7

#5
Deb \ud83d\udc1d Helfrich "I walk all around things to get multiple perspectives" - that says it perfectly. Thanks for the elaborate advice Deb - I will use the reverse translation technique. / "Camino todo alrededor de las cosas para obtener múltiples perspectivas" - que lo dice perfectamente. Gracias por el consejo elaborado Deb - voy a usar la traducción inversa techinique.

Gert Scholtz

7 years ago #6

#4
Pascal Derrien I am mindful that google translate is far from perfect. But at this point my Spanish is even less! I hope to pick up at least a broader basic understanding of the language. Thanks Pascal.

Gert Scholtz

7 years ago #5

#2
Laurent Boscherini Thank you for the advice Laurent. Here in South Africa we hear no Spanish at all - many other languages though. Your idea of listening to podcasts is most welcome.

Gert Scholtz

7 years ago #4

Mamen \ud83d\udc1d Delgado I mention you in the post and would be grateful for any suggestions you may have - gracias.

Pascal Derrien

7 years ago #3

Pretty good but I would not trust the translating apps they are pretty basic and pretty awful , I get by in Spanish I used to be fluent but English has taken over my brain !!! good job caballero :-) Gert Scholtz

Gert Scholtz

7 years ago #2

#1
Deb \ud83d\udc1d Helfrich ¡Cinco idiomas! Muy sorprendente Deb. Estoy técnicamente un poco desafiado y sólo recientemente descubrió las ventajas de google translate. Gracias por comentar.

Laurent Boscherini

7 years ago #1

Thank you Gert Scholtz for sharing your insightful and educational feedback. My tip is listening podcasts of short radio programs, which remains one of the best supports to get acquainted with the various pronunciations from a language to the other one. ¡Enhorabuena!,

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