Remove ads on the forum by becoming a donating member. More here. |
---|
That's what they told the surveyers apparently. I've been in villages where I'd guess the percentage is zero.I’m notoriously dim.
Just to clarify - does the data above say that 38% of ‘people in Spain ’ believe they could have a conversation in English? In uh
Wikipedia says 2.6% read their news in Basque but only one percent speak it at home. Of course, most of those are in País Vasco and Navarra.Although Basque is not listed and I'd be surprised if that isn't comparable to Catalan or at least Galician (Gallego).
That is true AND the pilgrim who cannot hold a conversation on the current state of any politics in Spanish might be able to learn the words for water please, more wine please, bill please, thank you.It may also be worth noting that there is a difference between being able to hold a conversation and conduct a transaction in a defined conversational space. So the waiter who cannot hold a conversation on the current state of Spanish politics in English, may be able to understand your order, or your request for additional water (or wine), and ask for and take payment for your meal all in English.
Oh, absolutely. I probably spend at least an hour a day trying to improve my Spanish. I'm not saying that there isn't a benefit to learning Spanish. Just that the statistics present may not have been that useful for "How much Spanish do you need to learn?".That is true AND the pilgrim who cannot hold a conversation on the current state of any politics in Spanish might be able to learn the words for water please, more wine please, bill please, thank you.
How much Spanish do you need to learn? Opinions here range from "a lot" to "none." To help you decide for yourself:
Percentage of people in Spain who “speak well enough order to be able to have a conversation” in (language):
97% Spanish
38% English
18% Catalan
13% French
4% Italian
4% Galician
1% Romanian
This is from page one of a 2024 survey:
which contains other data on what Spanish folks say/think about languages.
I presume that any not listed are less than one percent.
Although Basque is not listed and I'd be surprised if that isn't comparable to Catalan or at least Galician (Gallego).
Almost none, just the words for coffee and beer and wine and the words to create common phrases, preferably with Spanish-like pronunciation otherwise it is just gibberish to a Spaniard.How much Spanish do you need to learn?
Possibly. I'm fairly certain I was the only person in several villages I visited (off the Camino) who could speak English.I wonder if the survey was conducted mainly in the Cities?
Agreed. Last November I didn't hear a word of English between Valladolid and Sobrado dos Monxes, where the brother hospitaler is English (and as chatty as every Trappist monk I've ever met).I'm fairly certain I was the only person in several villages I visited (off the Camino) who could speak English.
I'm definitely in the 'none' category.How much Spanish do you need to learn?
The spring on the Camino Madrid, I met a total of one English speaker after Segovia. it was good for me, my rudimentary Spanish became less rudimentary!Agreed. Last November I didn't hear a word of English between Valladolid and Sobrado dos Monxes, where the brother hospitaler is English (and as chatty as every Trappist monk I've ever met).
I suspect there's also an age divide, with younger people tending to be more likely to speak English. In rural España profunda, many of the young people have decamped to find work in the cities, so you're even less likely to encounter the language of Shakespeare.
I see now that the 73 pages do not cover the full report, just the fieldwork results. The full report is 181 pages. And although it says "Europeans and their languages" it refers only to those in EU-27 (the UK population was included in the 2012 survey but not in the 2023/2024 survey). I don't know whether they interviewed any EU residents or only EU citizens (nationals of at least one EU country who can vote at EU level). I am sure it is mentioned somewhere.Eurobarometer is a regular survey about many topics of interest in the EU. It is interview based. In this case, they interviewed 1009 people in Spain. The detailed results can be found in the full report of 73 pages.
You don't need to be fluent in spanish. The real question is, do you want to be that guy that doesn't or isn't trying.How much Spanish do you need to learn? Opinions here range from "a lot" to "none." To help you decide for yourself:
Percentage of people in Spain who “speak well enough order to be able to have a conversation” in (language):
97% Spanish
38% English
18% Catalan
13% French
4% Italian
4% Galician
1% Romanian
This is from page one of a 2024 survey:
which contains other data on what Spanish folks say/think about languages.
I presume that any not listed are less than one percent.
Although Basque is not listed and I'd be surprised if that isn't comparable to Catalan or at least Galician (Gallego).
Gustaría not generally used by Spaniards. Quisiera is preferredYep, it’s all fairly easy: Hola. Buenas tardes. ¿Qué hay para comer? Gracias. Me gustaría el menú del día. Las lentejas y el pescado, por favor, y un poco de cerveza. No hay postres, pero un café estaría bien
Any translation app will get you lunch. So will a little effort and some atrocious Castilian delivered with a sincere smile
Gustaría not generally used by Spaniards. Quisiera is preferred
@RRat I agree 100%!You don't need to be fluent in spanish. The real question is, do you want to be that guy that doesn't or isn't trying.
I'm Spanish and I don't think I've ever said "quisiera". I don't hear other Spaniards around me say it either. "Quería" is more common.Gustaría not generally used by Spaniards. Quisiera is preferred
Yes, "me pones" is what people use the most."Me pones" is even more commonly used in Spain.
Me pones? “You put me / you put [for] me”?I'm Spanish and I don't think I've ever said "quisiera". I don't hear other Spaniards around me say it either. "Quería" is more common.
L
Yes, "me pones" is what people use the most.
"¿Me pones dos cervezas?" would be the equivalent of "Can I get 2 beers?" I know the literal translation sounds very weird in English, but that's how people say it, and it's perfectly polite.Me pones? “You put me / you put [for] me”?
I guess that this is the cultural shift. I state what I would like - gustaria or require - requerir or Quería? But common practice is that I instruct? You, put me two beers?
I think I’ll just revert to pointing and smiling to avoid confusion
My favourite phrase in several Romance languages is "Slowly, please."The above discussion suggests that, at least for me, "me gustaría" would be the way to go... Not only does it still manage to get the request across, there's the added benefit of communicating "I'm doing the best I can, please speak slowly and clearly."
For example, if I stop someone in the street and, in my best Texas accent: "OH-LA Me-go Estoy Buscando Por..." they're likely to take pity and instead of giving directions, decide to just walk me over there.
I had a high school summer course with several instructors. One spoke extremely fast. When we asked her to speak slowly she complied by speaking each word, even the easiest, E_X_T_R_E_M_E_L_Y slowly with each followed by "Entiendas?"My favourite phrase in several Romance languages is "Slowly, please."
I had a high school summer course with several instructors. One spoke extremely fast. When we asked her to speak slowly she complied by speaking each word, even the easiest, E_X_T_R_E_M_E_L_Y slowly with each followed by "Entiendas?"
Me pones? “You put me / you put [for] me”?
I guess that this is the cultural shift. I state what I would like - gustaria or require - requerir or Quería? But common practice is that I instruct? You, put me two beers?
I think I’ll just revert to pointing and smiling to avoid confusion
Smashing bloke Rick Steves, hope his cancer treatment works out OK. He has a genuine love of travelling in Europe and puts out some great videos on his YouTube channel.Here's the words of expert traveler:
-Paul
I think that the order in Sobrado dos Monxes is Cistercian, they are quite liberal and certainly not silent!Agreed. Last November I didn't hear a word of English between Valladolid and Sobrado dos Monxes, where the brother hospitaler is English (and as chatty as every Trappist monk I've ever met).
I suspect there's also an age divide, with younger people tending to be more likely to speak English. In rural España profunda, many of the young people have decamped to find work in the cities, so you're even less likely to encounter the language of Shakespeare.
I had watched Rick Steves on television nearly twenty years ago before I ever set foot in Europe. I recall a special background episode where he was being interviewed and it mentioned that he researches and memorizes every detail he speaks about in each episode. I was impressed and quite surprised. I actually think I first fell in love with Europe through his shows.Smashing bloke Rick Steves, hope his cancer treatment works out OK. He has a genuine love of travelling in Europe and puts out some great videos on his YouTube channel.
@MariaSP thanks for your helpful comments on my poor Spanish.
Perhaps you could help me out with this one before I get the T-shirts printed: "I'm sorry. I won't do this again!"
"Lo lamento. ¡No volveré a hacer esto!" or "Lo siento. ¡No volveré a hacer esto!"
I'm also looking for an image of the "shell" with a big red cross through it but I'm hoping @Jeff Crawley will help me out with that one
Lo siento. No lo volveré a hacer@MariaSP thanks for your helpful comments on my poor Spanish.
Perhaps you could help me out with this one before I get the T-shirts printed: "I'm sorry. I won't do this again!"
"Lo lamento. ¡No volveré a hacer esto!" or "Lo siento. ¡No volveré a hacer esto!"
I'm also looking for an image of the "shell" with a big red cross through it but I'm hoping @Jeff Crawley will help me out with that one
I can't help but notice that this seems to use the informal "tú" form. If the person I'm asking is significantly older than me should I be saying "Me pone..." or has the usted more or less fallen out of use in shops and bars when asking for things?"¿Me pones dos cervezas?" would be the equivalent of "Can I get 2 beers?" I know the literal translation sounds very weird in English, but that's how people say it, and it's perfectly polite.
Literal translations are a recipe for disaster...
you are quite right, it is Cistercian. Specifically, the Order of Cistercians of the Strict Observance. Usually known as Trappists, after Armand de Rancé, the 17th century Abbot of La Trappe, who established the order.I think that the order in Sobrado dos Monxes is Cistercian, they are quite liberal and certainly not silent!
Yes, more often than not.has the usted more or less fallen out of use in shops and bars when asking for things?
"¿Me pones dos cervezas?" would be the equivalent of "Can I get 2 beers?
Too complicated? If you say so, just don't do what I saw a couple of English people do in Tarragona once: the man leant across the counter, stuck two fingers up in front of the barman's face and said (loudly) "TWO beers! OK? TWO beers!" - in English, of course - honestly makes me feel ashamed to be British at timesThat is way too complicated for non-native speaking traveler! There is no need for complete sentences, and you probably won't get the grammar correct. Keep it extremely simple with just "Dos cervezas". Maybe add a "por favor" in there. That's all you need.
-Paul
It's just 2 words, "me pones", in front of your order. I don't see how that's more complicated than adding 2 other words ("por favor") at the end. And you sound much nicer with "me pones" than with "por favor".That is way too complicated for non-native speaking traveler! There is no need for complete sentences, and you probably won't get the grammar correct. Keep it extremely simple with just "Dos cervezas". Maybe add a "por favor" in there. That's all you need.
-Paul
I was discussing “to do” (hacer) vs. “to make” (hacer) with my students. The exchange student from Ecuador asked, “Why do you use two words for the same thing?” I pointed to the “ser” vs. "estar” poster that was already on the wall.As the English language amply proves, literal translations of expressions can be wildly different from their intent. "Me pones" is widely used in Spain and perfectly normal and polite. It's also a nice way of sounding more like a local as the language guide books will never use it.
Of course. Obviously the native speaker can hold a conversation in the language. Since the point was “do you need Spanish?” both groups would allow you to say “no” if big enough. As for the reliability of the statistics, I also pointed out my reason for skepticism.I guess that the OP simply added up the percentage of those who replied to the question D48a Thinking about the languages that you speak, which language is your mother tongue? with "Spanish" (83% of respondents) and the percentage of those who replied to question D48.otherlang And which other language, if any, do you speak well enough in order to be able to have a conversation? with "Spanish" (14%)
Third person formality is far less of a thing in Argentina and Spain than in all the other “new world” countries.I can't help but notice that this seems to use the informal "tú" form. If the person I'm asking is significantly older than me should I be saying "Me pone..." or has the usted more or less fallen out of use in shops and bars when asking for things?
It's just 2 words, "me pones", in front of your order. I don't see how that's more complicated than adding 2 other words ("por favor") at the end. And you sound much nicer with "me pones" than with "por favor".
Hello, goodbye, thankyou, beer, wine, food, toilet, which way?How much Spanish do you need to learn? Opinions here range from "a lot" to "none." To help you decide for yourself:
Percentage of people in Spain who “speak well enough order to be able to have a conversation” in (language):
97% Spanish
38% English
18% Catalan
13% French
4% Italian
4% Galician
1% Romanian
This is from page one of a 2024 survey:
which contains other data on what Spanish folks say/think about languages.
I presume that any not listed are less than one percent.
Although Basque is not listed and I'd be surprised if that isn't comparable to Catalan or at least Galician (Gallego).
I was discussing “to do” (hacer) vs. “to make” (hacer) with my students. The exchange student from Ecuador asked, “Why do you use two words for the same thing?”
I've noticed that Japanese and Korean travellers get by very easily with just a smile, a head bob and aI have met people walking the camino with no Spanish and no English or any other European language. It is possible. But it is also very difficult. The more Spanish you know, the easier and pleasanter it will be, especially if you pay attention to the non-verbal aspects of communication, e.g. smile, eye contact, waiting and intonation, not to mention the importance of greeting before asking.
We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:
Do you accept cookies and these technologies?
We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:
Do you accept cookies and these technologies?