i hear that south america is coming into style...

[selfmademug]

there are big differences between South American' use of Spanish and the Spanish's use of Spanish, so it helps if differentiations are acknowledged-- to learn Spanish for Chile is not necessarily to learn Spanish for Spain, or vice versa for that matter. Ok, how about 'Chilean Spanish' or 'Argentinian Spanish'...

I have no problem with that-- I only objected to you saying it wasn't Spanish.

[Otis Westinghouse]

In Buenos Aires they refer to 'platense', but I think this is specifically for the form spoken in BA itself and wouldn't be used in other parts of the country. (Come back, GOOT, we need your help!) Of course people talk about 'Argentinian Spanish' if they need to differentiate. The funny thing is, and I'm no specialist in Spanish linguistic history, don't the 'vos' and the 'estás' forms go back centuries in Spanish? I have a feeling they are remnants that have been lost elsewhere. (Like those people in Pennsylvania or somewhere who speak an English closer to that of Shakespeare than anything you'd hear over here, right?) That said, a quick consultation of Don Quijote reveals neither. If I hadn't been to the pub after work, I'd look into this, but I did. So, it can wait.

[Who Shot Sam?]

(Like those people in Pennsylvania or somewhere who speak an English closer to that of Shakespeare than anything you'd hear over here, right?)

The Amish? Thee and thine, that sort of thing (when they're not churning butter)?

[Otis Westinghouse]

Like them, but not them. It's in my 'Story of English' book, but that's upstairs, and I've been to the pub

[Who Shot Sam?]

Like them, but not them. It's in my 'Story of English' book, but that's upstairs, and I've been to the pub

Mennonites? My final guess.

[ice nine]

You must be excited about moving to a foreign land. You are very brave to just uproot and move like that. Have fun!!

You can become a Nazi war crimes hunter.

[stormwarning]

Good luck Miss BA, it's a wonderful thing that you do.

And who gives a fuck how you'd describe the language. YOU'RE GOING TO ARGENTINA !!!

[invisible Pole]

Good Luck in South America, MBA !!!
Stay with us on the board, though !

[miss buenos aires]

Thank you everybody for your kind thoughts and linguistic discussions. I am very! excited! But less so about packing all my things and moving them into storage. Anybody want to babysit 400 CDs, a small French library, and an incredible wardrobe? And kitchen gear? Anyone?

[Boy With A Problem]

Aren't parents required to provide storage for all eternity?

Congratulations on Argentina! I will raise a glass in your honor tonight....and eat some beef.

[El Vez]

Anybody want to babysit 400 CDs, a small French library, and an incredible wardrobe? And kitchen gear? Anyone?

I'd volunteer on the wardrobe but my ass is too big.

[verbal gymnastics]

To fit in the clothes or in the wardrobe itself EV?

I would love to babysit but with 400 CDs, incredible wardrobe and kitchen gear I can't guarantee you'd get them back from me and Mrs VG.

It's a good thing I haven't read French since my school days when I had to read Guy De Maupassant for A Level. It is no coincidence that I dropped out after one year.

[El Vez]

To fit in the clothes or in the wardrobe itself EV?

Well, I have been known to hide inside an armoire from time to time....

[bobster]

Aren't parents required to provide storage for all eternity?

This is true, my badly yellowed Silver Age comics collection resides at a retirement community in Camarillo.

[idle hands]

to learn Spanish for Chile is not necessarily to learn Spanish for Spain, or vice versa for that matter. Ok, how about 'Chilean Spanish' or 'Argentinian Spanish'...

Yes, there are differences, but when deciding if it's Chilean, or Argentinian, or whatever, I'd rather trust the RAE dictionary (Real Academia Española) which year after year includes as part of the Spanish language more and more words used on latinamerican countries, which makes the language richer and certainly more fun.

I've recently been working a lot with Spanish consultants, and yes, we have trouble understanding each other sometimes, but it's always fun to learn the localisms (is that a word?), never a annoyance, I don't understand why it bothers you.

Also, the fact that Spanish from Spain is the original one, doesn't mean is the best place to learn it, for that I'd choose Colombia, Perú (not only for the language, but for the food!!) or Bolivia, their accent is so clear, you can understand every word. Even for me is hard to understand some spanish people, specially those coming from Cataluña...

The funny thing is, and I'm no specialist in Spanish linguistic history, don't the 'vos' and the 'estás' forms go back centuries in Spanish? I have a feeling they are remnants that have been lost elsewhere.

I suppose "vos" comes from "vosotros", and "estás" from "estais",still used in Spain, in Chile we use "estái" and don't bother pronuncing the "s", unless you are in a meeting and want to cause a good impression....

[bambooneedle]

but it's always fun to learn the localisms (is that a word?), never a annoyance, I don't understand why it bothers you.

Learning differences is not what bothers me, it's the practical problems that arise when people are too lazy or whatever to acknowledge differentiations. Plus, if you are clear about what you are learning (so important if doing it from the start) then you will be in the position to appreciate the differences all the more (which may be fun, but not everyone has the luxury or desire to chew the fat constantly about the vagaries of language. Most people just want to get on with using it).

[Otis Westinghouse]

I suppose "vos" comes from "vosotros", and "estás" from "estais",still used in Spain, in Chile we use "estái" and don't bother pronuncing the "s", unless you are in a meeting and want to cause a good impression....

Interesting, though, that 'vosotros' is plural only but 'vos', I'm pretty sure is singular and plural. I need a good book on the history of the Spanish language. Actually I may have some stuff of use to check out. Didn't know that about 'estai' and the 's' for impressions! Brilliant. ¡Bárbaro! (Do you say that in Chile? Common in BA. Love it!)

Oh the fun of rolling around in the vagaries of language in a non-utilitarian bunny sort of stylie.

[bambooneedle]

Oh the fun of rolling around in the vagaries of language in a non-utilitarian bunny sort of stylie.

Like some dumb tourist trying to show off?

[Extreme Honey]

I just gave notice at my job and am moving to Argentina in a month and a half. Thought you guys should know that I will finally be living up to my name...

If you come to Bs.As soon you might even spot me on the streets. It-s good to know there's another porteña around here.

[Extreme Honey]

Where will you be staying?

[selfmademug]

It-s good to know there's another porte;a around here.

MBA is a real porte;a's porte;a. If that's a good thing, anyway.

[Otis Westinghouse]

Oh the fun of rolling around in the vagaries of language in a non-utilitarian bunny sort of stylie.

Like some dumb tourist trying to show off?

No, like a contented pig in a satisfyingly varied trough.

[verena]

BINGO

[BlueChair]

If you come to Bs.As soon you might even spot me on the streets. It-s good to know there's another porte;a around here.

Huh?

[Extreme Honey]

If you come to Bs.As soon you might even spot me on the streets. It's good to know there's another porte;a around here.

Huh?

Blue Chair, It might seem a bit confusing, I'll explain:
A) I'm currently on vacation in Buenos Aires (A.K.A Bs. As)
B) Porteña is slang for an Argentine-Born female.