I've been studying Latin American Spanish for over 4 years, and in college I want to study abroad, but I would really like to study in Spain as opposed to Mexico or somewhere in Latin America. Is there enough of a difference in Spain-Spanish and Latin American Spanish to the degree that I should stick to somewhere in Latin America? Are there that many words that are different? Or would I be fine getting around, considering the grammatical differences, if I were to study abroad in Spain?

Thanks!

I've noticed that there seems to be a lot of differences in "proper" Spanish and Latin American Spanish, yet they all seem to be able to understand each other. The problem is, I'm finding it more difficult to learn vocabulary because some of my CD's are Latin American dialect, and some are Spain's, which is causing me a lot of confusion.

My question is, though I love altavista babelfish, it generally only translates from English to Spanish that is common to Spain. To get it to translate common Cuban, Puerto Rican, etc...Spanish, I have to already know the word I'm looking for in Spanish, then have it translate to English (ie. babelfish translates "table" to "tabla"...to get it to bring up "mesa" I have to do a reverse translation).

Anyway, are there any good translation sites that can help me with this issue? I want to learn as many forms as possible, so if I need the spelling help (I have trouble placing accents), I need a site that will translate the proper spelling of the word I'm looking for from my Latin American Spanish CD's...

Hope this isn't confusing.
I apologize if I've offended because when I said "proper", I didn't mean it to sound like I meant the right way...which is why I put it in parenthesis. I couldn't, for the life of me, think of the word 'regional'. That's why I'm looking for better translating methods, because I know that regionally, I would be more likely to hear the more it than the Spanish peninsular form.

So I was at the library yesterday with my friend who's from Paraguay. We saw these Learn Portuguese CDs and we both grabbed them- I have Portuguese heritage and I think she wanted to learn. However she grabbed the Brazilian Portuguese CD and I grabbed the European one xD

I'm learning Spanish, and I want to learn Castilian Spanish. However in the US Latin American Spanish (standard, I know there are a lot of dialects) is more important and Latin American Spanish is more widely spoken.

So I'm wondering, what are the main differences between the European languages and the Latin American counterparts? Like if I learned Castilian Spanish would my friend and I be able to understand each other? Same with Portuguese (I realize Brazilian Portuguese is more useful here but I wanna get in touch with my heritage and stuff...)

So what are the main differences? If I learned European and she knows/learned Latin American, would we be able to understand eachother or are they like completely different..... Even she didn't really know when it came to Portuguese (and she says the it's pretty much just pronunciation with Castilian and Latin American Spanish)
People I'm NOT asking what language I should learn even though I've asked that before.... We weren't seriously going to learn we were just interested. Don't say "Learn This learn that" because that's not what I'm asking. Read the question! It's an "IF" example.

I'm a writer and I have a decent enough grasp of the Spanish language (I'm not fluent, but I can read a lot of it) from study and teaching myself and studying Latin for the past three years, but I want to be fluent in both Latin American and Castilian Spanish, though, no matter how long that I've been studying, I've been unable to find an accurate, simple description of Latin American versus Castilian Spanish. Are they similar, just with different slang, such as British versus American English?

I know that one comes from Spain while the other is from Latin American countries (hence the term, "Latin American" Spanish), but what I really am not getting is the difference between their grammar and vocabulary. Is there any?

And anyone who speaks Latin American Spanish, can you understand what someone from Spain is saying, or vice versa? Some people say that you can and others say that you can't. I personally haven't personally been able to understand all Latin American Spanish, but that's because I'm not quite fluent yet and don't speak it enough, mostly writing.

I speak some Spanish (Castilian) but want to start studying Latin American Spanish because I'm setting more of my stories in a Latin American culture as opposed to Spanish or New Mexican and want to have an idea of what I need to study. Is it universal? Or will I need to get a Latin American Spanish dictionary? And how long does it take for one to learn Latin American Spanish after studying Castilian for a little over two years?

Thanks in advance!

I'm looking into how latin american/spanish religion differs from UK views (broadly, not going into catholic versus christian views or anything).

I heard that the spanish / latin american people view the virgin mary as a saint, and in some ways revere her more then jesus christ. Any info on this? What do they think of her specifically? Do they still view jesus the same way, or is the Virgin Mary the main focus? Is it right they call her "Santa Maria"?

Anything else note worthy in the spanish/latin american beliefs?

Thank you so much for the effort.

which country used Latin American Spanish ?
and which country used Castillian Spanish ?

I want to learn Spanish, but I like the Spanish from Spain (Castellano) because it sounds wonderful to me (not that Latin American Spanish sounds bad or anything). I just want to know if Latin Americans can understand so I know if the language is useful or not.

if you are only just looking at this question please please look back at my first two questions which start of with the same wording Latin American/Spanish translators as you may be able to help me with those two - I am so desperate to know what he is saying I can work most of it out but his spanish is terrible - THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR HELP AND RESPONSES - I AM SOOOOOOOOOO GRATEFUL!!

No sabes como ando yo con todo lo que ha sucedido no puedo decirte que estoy llorando por que mis lagrimas son estas pequeñas letras que contienen el dolor de un hombre y una mujer que se quieren.Te quiero mucho mi monina ...Nesecito que me des respuesta de esto en el celular .TE QUIERE MUCHO

I've never studied Spanish officially, but I think if I did that I would like European Spanish better. If I learned to speak Spanish like it's spoken in Spain, would I have any trouble being understood by Spanish speakers in the Americas?

What's the main difference bw latin american spanish and european spanish?

- (I'm czech)

I would like to learn Spanish Spanish not Latin American Spanish. I know that Rosetta Stone has it and it’s widely advertised everywhere but is it really that good? And of course if I Google Spanish learning software, search results are in the order of what software company paid to be on the top of the Google search. Same thing with reviews – Can’t tell if they are real or fake. . Also, if anybody can suggest good free websites for Spanish language, grammar & tips and any good books for Spanish grammar.

Thank You! ☺

Hey so I'm learning Spanish right now and obviously it's Latin American Spanish, but I really love the accent from Spain. Can someone tell me the major differences between the two and some phrases/words that are used in Spain but not in Latin America? Gracias.

I am working under a latin american (spanish) speaking supervisor. Instead of calling me by name, I am now being refered to the whetto?
Although I could care less what anyone chooses to call me, I'd still like to know what it means.

Well, actually I'm already near fluent is Spanish, and I have been taught Latin American Spanish. I want to speak peninsular Spanish though because I plan to study a semester in Barcelona or Madrid. The only problem is that I am American, and if I decide to get a job in which I work with Spanish-speaking people, I want to speak more their language (though I realize that both dialects are mutually intelligible).

The 2 great audio methods I might buy, only teach LATIN AMERICAN Spanish... and I'm from europe.
Will I be able to talk to people in Spain and understand each other ok?

Right now I am learning German which will take me about 1.5 years to understand a lot.

I want to learn Real Latin American Spanish and not that spain shit. I live in NYC and would love to be able to converse in Spanish that most latinos understand.

Don't say Pimsleur as I have taken a few lessons of Pimsleur Spanish and was not impressed, unlike my Pimsleur German which I was impressed with.

My family has just moved to Panama where they speak Latin American Spanish. I'm trying to find a free, online course that teaches this, but all I can seem to find is straight Spanish courses. I have Rosetta Stone and it's ok, it's just not as helpful for me as what I'm needing. Does anyone know of any free, online Latin American Spanish courses that I can take?

I want to learn spanish and thought about using the rosetta stone. For spanish, they have two different choices, latin american spanish or spain spanish. I just wanted to know if there was a major difference and which is the best bet to buy.

I cant buy both either cz it would be wayyy to much!!

I am traveling to the Andalucia region of Spain this summer. I speak a decent amount of Latin American Spanish but I was wondering how many people in that region would actually understand it.

My girlfriend is from Spain so she only knows the Spain version. But my Spanish class is Latin American Spanish and I already noticed some differences.
I mean it's pronounced differently