Frustrations

[cassen_grrrl]

Every time I seriously think I'm getting somewhere with my Spanish and becoming more fluent, something happens that really discourages me. Last night I went to see the movie "Dispicable Me" aka "Mi Villano Favorito" and being animated, it was only offered in Spanish. (I don't know why they refuse to show English versions of animated movies.)

Comments

[kris_schnee]

Years ago, I was humiliated when a German-speaking young lady showed up at a picnic. I tried to speak with her, but a classmate moved in and showed he was much more skilled with the language despite my years of study. I was completely shut out of the conversation! So there's a big difference between just studying a language and living in it. Presumably your Spanish is much better than my German, but you're running into the same problem (maybe). By living in Mexico you're doing the right thing though, if your goals include really mastering the language.

[cassen_grrrl]

Yeah, mastering Spanish is one of my goals, and my skills have improved tremendously since I moved here. It is true that if you want to master a foreign language you have to be immersed in it. Keep practicing your German! :)

[mexwerewolf]

Well.. maybe now that you are watching "Despicable Me" in English you will be able to get the story. It's quite funny!!!

[cassen_grrrl]

Yes, it is quite funny and a great movie now that I can understand it and follow the story.

[anonymous]

Mumsy says: Don't be too hard on yourself. I have had friends from other countries who are quite fluent in English but who cannot understand if it is heavily accented (foreign) or if the speaker is using dialect such as ebonics or very heavy slang. Fortunately, most times those with whom you converse will be speaking their own language properly:-)

[cassen_grrrl]

I have noticed that the more educated the person, the better I can understand them. The exception here is Ricardo because he doesn't enunciate at all or speak clearly, so he is often hard for me to understand.