Answers
Apr 13, 2011 - 09:39 AM
I assume this happened in the US? Maybe the person was offended because he/she interpreted your speaking in Spanish as you thinking that he/she didn't speak English.
Jul 27, 2011 - 06:45 PM
¡Hola, Mason!
I understand your disappointment. It takes quite a bit of courage to try to use a language you're still learning with a native speaker, wherever you are (in your home country or in a Spanish-speaking country).
I know, because this is one of my biggest challenges. What has worked for me, after trying various things, is to be careful to choose the right person, in the right circumstance. I can't tell you for sure what will work for you, but I have found that young adult women -- say 25 to 35 years old -- tend to be most compassionate with a learner. :-) Of course, if you're a man of a certain age, this might not work for you, but for me, actually a woman of a certain age, it works. :-)
I try to speak to a friendly-looking hispanohablante when she looks like she has time to deal with a learner, and I tell her right away: Soy estudiante de español. Su idioma es muy bonita. Me gusta mucho. And so on.
All I can say is: keep on trying. One swallow does not a summer make, and one mean person does not represent the whole group. Keep on trying.
I understand your disappointment. It takes quite a bit of courage to try to use a language you're still learning with a native speaker, wherever you are (in your home country or in a Spanish-speaking country).
I know, because this is one of my biggest challenges. What has worked for me, after trying various things, is to be careful to choose the right person, in the right circumstance. I can't tell you for sure what will work for you, but I have found that young adult women -- say 25 to 35 years old -- tend to be most compassionate with a learner. :-) Of course, if you're a man of a certain age, this might not work for you, but for me, actually a woman of a certain age, it works. :-)
I try to speak to a friendly-looking hispanohablante when she looks like she has time to deal with a learner, and I tell her right away: Soy estudiante de español. Su idioma es muy bonita. Me gusta mucho. And so on.
All I can say is: keep on trying. One swallow does not a summer make, and one mean person does not represent the whole group. Keep on trying.