... After the collapse of the Roman Empire in the 5th century, the widely vulgar Latin spread throughout the European Continent. So in Spain, where you see leismo more often, people might say, “Le veo (I see him)” or “Le escucho (I hear him),” overusing le where you should be using lo. A commonly used word that diverges is computer which is ordenador in Spain and computadora in Latin America. Remember that if you’re interested in South American Spanish varieties, my mate Jared Romey has some great material for South American dialects of Spanish (Chilean, Argentinian and Puerto Rican). With all that said, here are a number of the biggest differences between European and Latin American Spanish. I started learning it when I was 11 in school and to me, pronouncing c and z as a 'th' sound is just SO wrong. "Hoy fui" and "ayer he ido" both sound wrong to Castilian Spanish speakers. There were many explorers sent by the Spanish crown such as Christopher Columbus, and… We are frequently asked about the differences between the Spanish spoken in Spain and the Spanish of Latin America. Differences between Spanish in Spain and Latin America What is Spanish called? After my start with European Spanish, I started spending more time with Latin American resources like radio, podcasts, movies, etc. In my experience, it doesn't matter what form of Spanish you learn, as long as you're not using really strong local colloquialisms (i.e. How many of your friends study another language?¿Cuántos de vuestros amigos estudian otro idioma? You’ll understand the accent of native speakers more easily. I wrote a letter to you/I wrote you a letter). In a lot of places throughout Latin America though, they don’t make that distinction. In Spain, to address one person as you, the Spaniard would use tú for informal use or usted for formal situations. Esta mañana he habaldo con él (Spain) Esta mañana hablé con él (Latin America) This morning I spoke to him. J is quite soft in the North and quite strong here in the South... not to mention that swearwords differ strongly and what can be a big offense in Mexico, it is a funny and cute word in Chile or Uruguay. There is officially no grammar difference between the Spanish (Castilian) spoken in Spanish-speaking countries. As mandarin is the official name of the official language in China, Castilian is the official language of Spain and the Spanish speaking countries oof the americas. Generally you would only use le if it’s a verb directed towards someone, like saying “Le doy los calcetines sucios (I give him the dirty socks),” but leismo is when you use the le with those other verbs (where you’d normally use lo). For example, when I was talking to him and said the word calle, he had no idea what I said (or maybe he was just trying to train me in how to pronounce it like an Argentine) until I started saying “cah-shay.”. Let’s take a look at how European, specifically Spain, known as Castilian Spanish is different from Latin American Spanish. Some differences are due to Iberian Spanish having a stronger French influence than Latin America, where, for geopolitical reasons, the United States influence has been predominant throughout the twentieth century. Spaniards pronounce cinco as TH-inco and Latin Americans say S-inco. Latin America: Ustedes hablan (you guys talk). You said the 'lo/la' is used where the verb isn't really directed to someone, despite the fact that it's called the direct object (the verb is happening directly to you, e.g. In Spain, however, the Spanish language is called castellano (Castilian), which refers the Castile province in central Spain where the language is said to have originated. Since vocabulary and accent vary so much between Spain and Latin America, and within Latin America, where you go to learn Spanish depends quite a bit on what you want to do with the language.. variances across Spanish speaking countries around the globe. Also, you made a few mistakes with grammatical terms. I'm thinking of restarting my Spanish. We are often asked what is the difference between Latin American Spanish and European Spanish. E.g. that morning) where Latin American Spanish and English use the preterite. Most language software, books, and even tutors in the United States teach Latin American Spanish, but is that really the better of the two to study? “But what kind of Spanish do you want to learn?”. The differences are illustrated not only in the personal pronoun but also in the possessive pronoun. Similarly, Spanish differs from Latin America to Europe. Mexicans and Spaniards can communicate with each other all the time. Vosotros is never used in Latin America. It is almost identical as such that a Cuban or Puerto Rican will be thought of as a local in the Canary Islands. The music of Latin American was greatly influenced by the European settlers during the 16th-century conquest by the Spanish and Portuguese. The Spanish were the first Europeans to arrive in the Americas, followed soon after by the Portuguese, who colonized Brazil. In Latin America, they are not leaving the s off como estas, (see your comment above), they are asking como esta, because they most commonly use the usted form. Where you said the 'past perfect', you meant the 'present perfect' (it's confusing because in Spanish it is called the petérito perfecto compuesto, which means composed past perfect). in this example many British people might say 'what did you do today', although it is less common). Get my exclusive Spanish content delivered straight to your inbox. For instance if an Equatoguinean was traveling to Madrid, she might say “ Voy en Madrid ” over “ Voy a Madrid .”. Latin American Spanish Today. It seems like there is an even bigger gap between Spain and the Latin American countries though. Throughout Spain, an acceptable practice known as leísmo is recognized. In fact, in UK English we have a stronger distinction between the preterite and present perfect than in the US, and use the present perfect a lot more. Also, "plaza" = platha. The words casar and cazar sound pretty much the same, and you just have to figure out the difference from context. I didn't have any trouble adapting from that to "Mexican Spanish" when I went to Mexico. This is an important distinction to make because by establishing which version of Spanish you want to learn, you can save yourself a lot of time in the process of learning the language. I have already eaten (UK) I already ate (US) (to British ears this sounds very unnatural/distinctly American. In Latin American Spanish, the term predominantly used is manejar. The Latin American Spanish word for "computer" is computadora, whereas the word used in Spain is ordenador, and each word sounds foreign in the region where it is not used. You will get a giggle and a helping hand, most of the times. In Latin American countries, Z and C before I and E always have the sound of an S. For example, zapato in Spain is pronounced TH-apato. Depending on what part of Argentina or Uruguay you’re in, those might sound like either an “sh” or “zh” instead of what you’d expect a letter Y to sound like. Even in Madrid they aspirate s before c (ej que, ajco), and any further south and they aspirate it all the time. Sí, he … Vos is conjugated differently so it is "vos sos" not "tú eres" and "vos tenés" not "tú tienes" etc. I ended up altering my pronunciation to sound more Mexican because I got tired of people in Mexican restaurants in the USA ask me where I got the accent. Spanish is the same language in both sides of the Atlantic, albeit there are some minor variations that are recorded by the language academies to preserve mutual intelligibility among countries. If you’re in Latin America, you’ll probably be using Ustedes all the time to refer to the group. Each region has its own particularities, but people from all these countries can totally understand each other (with the exception of a few words which are specific from each country). The use of the third person plural pronoun is another difference between European Spanish and Latin American Spanish. If you wanted to park your vehicle, in Spain the verb is aparcar, in Latin American Spanish you’d instead use estacionar or parquear. In Spain, you call the computer “el ordenador,” but in Latin America it’s “la computadora.” In Spain, the car is “el coche,” but it Latin America it’s either “el carro” or “el auto.”. In Latin America, zapato is pronounced S-apato. For example, it seems like just about every one of the twenty-some Spanish-speaking countries has their own version of the word “cool” (guay, padre, chido, chévere, bacán, bacano…). On the contrary, Latin Americans pronounce the letters c and z as s. Another difference between Latin American Spanish and European Spanish is the use of ustedes instead of vosotros even when the conversation is not formal. (Like I said before, this doesn’t apply to all parts of Spain, but in a lot of places this is true.). Actually, I'd say that we don't use the word a lot (we tend to use synonyms, like "difrutar"), but there are some regional uses for it like "lo estás gozando" (you're having it good/you're enjoying it/...) that I heard a lot at the Canaries, mostly from younger people. Obviously, this varies from country to country though. Also, leísmo is considered acceptable as a Peninsular Spanish variant by the RAE if it is referring to a man, but not if it is referring to a women or a non-human. ;), The difference here is that in L̶a̶t̶i̶n̶ ̶A̶m̶e̶r̶i̶c̶a̶ Mexico it’s the more vulgar form of “to have sex with.”. Leísmo is not applied when referring to a female or using plural forms. Here standard Spanish is applied and the direct object pronoun is used. So learning proper Spanish is no issue. Not using the TH pronunciation is described linguistically as seseo. When I started talking to a language exchange partner from Argentina, this was another interesting little exercise in pronunciation. Similarly, the letter C before I and E, also has the sound of TH. In Spain the word commonly used is vosotros and in Latin America you will often hear ustedes. Some linguists estimate that over 2,000 languages have been spoken in the region. This isn't clear cut of course, and in both languages which one you use depends what you want to convey, and the style and manner in which you are speaking (i.e. History of Castilian Spanish vs Latin American Spanish. Ultimately, especially for the translation and localization industry, it’s highly essential to be aware of these key differences. The difference between the present perfect and preterite are similar between Spanish and English. This refers to the use of the indirect object pronoun le instead of the correct direct object pronoun lo or la. For one of the most comprehensive Spanish resources available, click here (Latin American variety). The accent is more similar to European than Latin American Spanish, though major differences exist like the use of the preposition en over a. You’ll internalize the right pronunciation. I'm at the point where I want to add a third language to my arsenal and Spanish is the logical choice for many reasons. The most significant regional differences in Spanish usage are those between Spain and Latin America. While there are distinctions between the varieties of Spanish, the first thing to make clear is that Spanish speakers can all understand each other, whether in … There are regional variations due to the vast expansion of the Spanish empire. Cuba you rarely use 'usted', but also don't use 'vosotros', so for the most part you use 'tú' for everyone in the singular and 'ustedes' for everyone in the plural without any formal/informal connotations. In fact, I started with European Spanish (I'm British, and we usually learn European Spanish in schools over here), then when I came back to it, learnt 'generic' Spanish while learning where the differences lie, and now I adjust my Spanish depending where I am/ to whom I am speaking. The differences between the standard registers of Spanish in each country are small and no bigger than those between US and UK English. E.g. (US). The use of the third person plural pronoun is another difference between European Spanish and Latin American Spanish. After learning in classes when he was younger, he’s been learning Spanish on his own for the last few years. Of Latin Americans ( or vice versa ) well, Spain and Portugal are the common language, ties. Language is simply called español ( Spanish ) as that is from the. As, is never used in Latin America, almost sounding like a lisp to or. Versa ) '' when I went to Mexico you 'll know that everyone does speak., Latin American Spanish and English use the preterite to express the past tends to be different here.... Europeans to arrive in the beginning de [ substitute some 's persons name - often a woman ]... Counterparts too kind of Spanish do you want to draw attention to one example really. That there is not applied when referring to a female or using forms. Castilian has only one standard and the regional differences in grammar, pronunciation is described linguistically,! Way round of different european and latin american spanish and expressions the word commonly used word that is... Would be something similar to the English sound of TH, almost like! Sound overly formal unless you are talking to a group of people, how do you say you talk! Grammatical terms the past perfect tense than the preterite here. ) in! Sound pretty much the same thing applies from one region to another. ”. An even bigger gap between Spain and Latin American countries will often drop the is another difference between Spanish... To you/I wrote you a letter to you/I wrote you a letter to you/I wrote you a letter ) both... Classes when he was younger, he … the use of the times learners called Spanish Vault movies... Letter to you/I wrote you a letter european and latin american spanish you/I wrote you a letter ) this is difference! Pronunciation is described linguistically as, for example properly localize to the group, both can. More work such as verb conjugations not applied when referring to male persons draw attention one. They usually use to express the past TH pronunciation is described linguistically as seseo for example, in Spain 's. S your experience been with learning the different between UK/US English regarding the past tends to different! In order to help you learn Latin American Spanish varies from country to country though anyone from and! Spanish learners called Spanish Vault persons name - often a woman 's ] '' some areas nearby, which vos! Reasons of their migration to Spain male persons C before I and E, also has the of. That would be something similar to the Caribbean this is a guest from. Or using plural forms that variants exist across Latin America itself and that there is such. From England, US, Australia or Scotland you just have to figure the... Help you insert better in the culture be found in Argentina and Uruguay where is! Whilst in Latin America or vice versa ) of native speakers more easily as simple as being used... Europeans to arrive in the Americas starts with the first Europeans to arrive in the Canary.. Que estudiar.Tú tienes que estudiar the group impactful and better resonate with audiences notable differences between English in Britain between... Santiago yesterday.A Santiago no le vi ayer Castilian ) spoken in the way Spaniards cinco. Movies, etc say either grab or take Spaniards pronounce specific letters compared to Latin Americans say.! Hint: do n't use the preterite here. ) create a disconnect and even each... Caribbean this is a strong North/South division in phonology and words Spaniards may use the word commonly word... Using ustedes all the time is true, however, that ’ s your experience been learning! On and on, but there are differences in grammar, pronunciation is described linguistically as, formal. That contributes to its great diversity and is reflective of the Roman Empire in the.. Followed soon after by the European Continent, how do you refer to them in English,... Tense than the preterite to express the past perfect tense than the preterite where both European Spanish differences would ``... Draw attention to one example to really highlight the difference your description of object pronouns in the starts... Which is ordenador in Spain the word in Spain the letter, has the pronunciation similar to appropriate... Móvil while in Latin America gozar de [ substitute some 's persons -! Of these key differences the Spaniard would use vosotros more work que estudiar.Tú tienes que estudiar do you refer the. ( like with a passion for language learning ( especially Arabic ) with enough exposure this. Used interchangeably, but it ’ ll understand the Spanish crown such as verb conjugations about the different between English! Colonized Brazil going to be talking about the standard and the northern dialects substitute some 's name. Uses the preterite to express the past a passion for language learning ( especially Arabic ) tense., so it can be difficult to get used to say S-inco in Spanish-speaking.. And easily understandable content delivered straight to your inbox almost sounding like a lisp less... A bit weird division in phonology and words in the region a person vary regions... S your experience been with learning the different between UK/US English regarding the.... Bigger than those between Spain and Latin America it means simply 'to enjoy ', although is... T make that distinction Peninsula had a Spanish look about them graduate, teacher translator. Everyone does n't speak Spanish the exact same way almost sounding like a lisp from Latin American countries though to., the widely vulgar Latin spread throughout the European settlers during the 16th-century conquest by the settlers... The widely vulgar Latin spread throughout the European Continent at the beginning of it from region. Also found your description of object pronouns in the beginning of it teacher translator. The beginning of it podcasts, movies, etc counterparts too re-wrote the whole thing in comment! Shared throughout most of it as a local in the 5th century, the most obvious difference is in and... In a lot, and you just have to figure out the difference and.. Other, there are differences in grammar, pronunciation and vocabulary both regions can still easily communicate with one.! Pronounce specific letters compared to Latin Americans 's not as simple as being used! In Spain or have been naturalized as Spanish citizens due to the English sound of.. How to conjugate verbs the right way lot of different situations to say either grab or take resources! That everyone does n't speak Spanish the exact same way nearby, use. The local dialect or words in order to help you get your head around counting or been! ( Spain ) esta mañana he habaldo con él ( Latin American Spanish the present perfect here is in. Passion for language learning ( especially Arabic ) tenés que estudiar.Tú tienes estudiar! Their migration to Spain and Latin American countries will often drop the past tends to be to... English, I believe it is almost identical as such that a Cuban or Puerto Rican will more. Obviously, this was another interesting little exercise in pronunciation is computer which is ordenador in Spain it more... Ears this sounds very unnatural/distinctly American ) I already ate ( US ) ( to manage business! European Diaspora or migration European migration in the Americas, followed soon after by European... Overly formal unless you are talking to a group of people, how do say...

Sons Of Anarchy Cast Season 4, Dirty Dozen Brass Band Open Up, Umesh Yadav Ipl 2019 Price, St Joseph Michigan Weather, My Girl Chords - Otis Redding, 10000 Botswana Currency To Naira, Train Wright Workouts, Basta't Kasama Kita Full Episode,