Comments on: I'm mostly mexican, and do not speak spanish, am I learning for myself or for others? http://www.spanishlatinamerican.com/im-mostly-mexican-and-do-not-speak-spanish-am-i-learning-for-myself-or-for-others.html Spanish in Latin America and Spanish in Spain - learn it all Thu, 02 Feb 2012 18:23:43 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Jailene http://www.spanishlatinamerican.com/im-mostly-mexican-and-do-not-speak-spanish-am-i-learning-for-myself-or-for-others.html/comment-page-1#comment-6378 Jailene Thu, 26 Aug 2010 20:54:02 +0000 http://www.spanishlatinamerican.com/im-mostly-mexican-and-do-not-speak-spanish-am-i-learning-for-myself-or-for-others.html#comment-6378 Language is really good thing to be familiar with, but don't be ashamed if you don't speak Spanish. If you are interested, there are many books, classes, online lessons..etc that will help you learn. As for following culture, it's only up to the individual to choose. I know a few who speak their native language fluently and yet lose their culture, that they stop speaking eventually. Plus language is not the only thing to help you learn your culture..so I disagree with Michael on that part..you can start eating Spanish foods, celebrate festivals..learn about history, watch movies..etc..those too will help you learn about Hispanic culture..and you don't need to learn Spanish to know your heritage. Again, there are many classes, tutorials..etc to help you learn Spanish if you are interested. Adios, hasta la vista, y te quiero el bueno. (wish you the best ;) Language is really good thing to be familiar with, but don’t be ashamed if you don’t speak Spanish. If you are interested, there are many books, classes, online lessons..etc that will help you learn. As for following culture, it’s only up to the individual to choose. I know a few who speak their native language fluently and yet lose their culture, that they stop speaking eventually. Plus language is not the only thing to help you learn your culture..so I disagree with Michael on that part..you can start eating Spanish foods, celebrate festivals..learn about history, watch movies..etc..those too will help you learn about Hispanic culture..and you don’t need to learn Spanish to know your heritage. Again, there are many classes, tutorials..etc to help you learn Spanish if you are interested. Adios, hasta la vista, y te quiero el bueno. (wish you the best ;)

]]> By: Michael B http://www.spanishlatinamerican.com/im-mostly-mexican-and-do-not-speak-spanish-am-i-learning-for-myself-or-for-others.html/comment-page-1#comment-4396 Michael B Sun, 04 Jul 2010 17:35:39 +0000 http://www.spanishlatinamerican.com/im-mostly-mexican-and-do-not-speak-spanish-am-i-learning-for-myself-or-for-others.html#comment-4396 One thing I have learned about language over the years: Knowing someone's language is the key to understanding them. More than culture, the language defines a people. If you want to understand your culture, learn the language first. I was not raised learning Spanish. I learned it as a missionary for the LDS Church. I live in NY City where there are a LOT of Spanish speaking people. I have a friend from Brazil, whose first language is Portuguese. He looks Mexican (he has a lot of indian blood). He takes crap from the Spanish speakers in this area because they think he should speak Spanish I have noticed that many of the immigrants wish they could learn English, but either they don't want to spend the time, or they don't think they can. Many of them are bitter about it. Their lack of English skills holds them back. They are poorer because of it. Yet they respect those that have taken the time to learn their language, and conversely do not have respect for those that share the same ethnicity that do not. Take some time to learn Spanish. It will help you to understand your heritage better. One thing I have learned about language over the years: Knowing someone’s language is the key to understanding them. More than culture, the language defines a people.

If you want to understand your culture, learn the language first.

I was not raised learning Spanish. I learned it as a missionary for the LDS Church. I live in NY City where there are a LOT of Spanish speaking people.

I have a friend from Brazil, whose first language is Portuguese. He looks Mexican (he has a lot of indian blood). He takes crap from the Spanish speakers in this area because they think he should speak Spanish

I have noticed that many of the immigrants wish they could learn English, but either they don’t want to spend the time, or they don’t think they can. Many of them are bitter about it. Their lack of English skills holds them back. They are poorer because of it.

Yet they respect those that have taken the time to learn their language, and conversely do not have respect for those that share the same ethnicity that do not.

Take some time to learn Spanish. It will help you to understand your heritage better.

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