Gecko Towers 5th October 2020
You don’t need to be a grade A student of the fine Spanish author, Miguel de Cervantes, famed for his 1605 published “The Ingenious Gentleman Don Quixote of La Mancha”, to realise the clear cultural benefits from learning the basics of the Spanish language.
Yes, there are a large number of fellow expats who operate bars, restaurants and convenience stores so there is perhaps little necessity for you to speak Spanish, but that is only half the story. You will be missing out on many of the culturally, historically or social relevant issues if you limit yourself by your preference not to speak the language.
A quick reminder if you are considering taking an online language course. If you are considering living in the Barcelona region – and these are very sweeping and generalized statements – many people speak Catalonian Spanish while in the Madrid region and down to the Costa Blanca and Costa del Sol, Castilian Spanish is more usual. The Valencia region, the Basque Country and Galicia also have local variants of the language, so please make sure you prepare with your chosen location in mind.
Andalucia, by contrast, has its own special variety. Primarily based on Castilian Spanish but imaging you are at the crossroads between the linguistic colour of Glasgow, Liverpool, Kerry and Cornwall and that will give you hint of what you may hear in the country areas of Andalucia. Please do not be perturbed by a complete inability to understand a single syllable of a word that may appear on the lips of the good country folk of Andalucia.
A Senior Partner at the law firm that I consult to in Marbella, himself a native of Malaga, was recently driving with his wife, also from the region, in the hinterland North of Malaga city. Fearing they were lost and out of range of their satnav they stopped to ask directions. On hearing the reply they glanced at each other and shrugged. Neither had understood a single word. They thanked their guide and drove on!
My wife, who spent most of her teenage and young adult summer holidays speaking Castilian Spanish on the beaches of the western Costa del Sol has been a vital part of our family’s smooth transformation. She is now certainly fluent and can be both firm and nuanced in her Spanish such that her correspondent knows exactly where they stand. She is brilliant at dealing with the authorities and that, I confess, makes a huge difference when seeking to settle.
I have learned the majority of my spoken Spanish from listening to Mrs W and that may mean that I occasionally sound like her, which doesn’t unduly worry me as I am secure enough in my masculinity not be judged for being sensitive or affectionate!
Many of our clients who are seeking to enjoy a life in Spain are dissatisfied with their ability to merely order drinks at a bar, but it is a start. We have a friend who visits regularly and has done so for nearly two decades. In this time his ability to order drinks, preferred meals and to thank the waiting staff has improved no end. At least he tries.
I was not good at the academic learning of language. As a kid in the UK my French Masters, Messrs. Davenport, affectionately known as “Darcy”, and John Hodgson, both tried tirelessly with me as a keen but unable student. They would probably be astonished by my post-School language triumphs.
Post Uni I lived and worked in Paris, had several years where Rome featured large and have been in Southern Europe for many years, so my Latin languages are now actually quite respectable. However, if I am ever asked to write anything down in French, Italian or Spanish, I still resort to the trusty Google Translate App which although not always accurate is probably firing at around 80% – which is enough for me.
There is undoubtedly value in learning some moderate Spanish even if it is just those phrases that can be practiced and adjusted to be of value in a variety of circumstances. I would strongly encourage you to have a go as your life here will be exponentially enriched by being able to communicate more meaningfully with some of the amazingly warm and welcoming local people.
In the current climate some ability in the language is highlighted and perhaps made a little more difficult through the use of masks. The lack of facial expressions and picking up viable clues from the eyes alone is tricky. Muffled speaking via a mask can be troubling and grasping precisely what is being asked or told can be genuinely difficult. Indeed for a friend, who we bumped into recently in Marbella, who is hard of hearing, not being able to see lips move is completely debilitating.
I am very supportive of those who make a determined fists of undertaking some language tuition. Take the time that you may have at your disposal currently to realize that ambition it will pay dividends in the mid-term. There seem to be so many excellent online schools and techniques. I am not an able teacher but I recognize, in addition to classroom learning, practice in real world situations is vital. Trust me you will make mistakes, will forget phrases and will not pronounce words accurately but I assure that the recipients of your language efforts will receive them with appreciation, encouragement and enthusiasm. Above all don’t be scared to practice!
Enjoy learning the language and let’s try to blow the roof off the popularly held belief that English language speakers are simply disinterested in learning a foreign language. It is fundamentally untrue!
Should you be interested in discussing the legal process involved in buying a property in the Marbella region, we would be delighted to assist you. Our team of bi-lingual, highly experienced and wholly independent team of Abogados are ready to help you.
Please call me, Mark FR Wilkins, during usual business hours on +34 600 343 917 or, if you prefer, please e-mail me at mark@roslegal.es
Please note that our posts are for general interest. They are no substitute for proper legal advice tailored to your specific circumstances as provided by a qualified Abogado who is experienced in the application of the Spanish Law.
© Mark FR Wilkins 2020 All rights reserved.