Question for Spanish speakers

[Chirimoya]

If you are Dominican, or learned your Spanish in the DR, what do you do when you go to another Spanish speaking country? If you learned your Spanish elsewhere or are a native of another Spanish speaking country, what do you do? To what extent do you modify grammar and vocabulary (pronunciation even) in order to fit in?

I have always tended to follow the chamaleonic model and try to adapt, Zelig-like, to the local Spanish in most places. My husband, OTOH, stuck to Dominican Spanish when he lived in Central America, and never adopted the local grammatical quirks like 'vos' (as mentioned by MaineGirl in a separate thread). He did assimilate some regional slang though.

Chiri

[Forbeca]

Originally Posted by Chirimoya

If you are Dominican, or learned your Spanish in the DR, what do you do when you go to another Spanish speaking country? If you learned your Spanish elsewhere or are a native of another Spanish speaking country, what do you do? To what extent do you modify grammar and vocabulary (pronunciation even) in order to fit in?

I have always tended to follow the chamaleonic model and try to adapt, Zelig-like, to the local Spanish in most places. My husband, OTOH, stuck to Dominican Spanish when he lived in Central America, and never adopted the local grammatical quirks like 'vos' (as mentioned by MaineGirl in a separate thread). He did assimilate some regional slang though.

Chiri

if more than two weeks, I definitely incorporate the local slang when addressing the locals. I can go up or down with my Spanish, it drives my husband nuts. What fun!

[Chirimoya]

Forbeca, when I do that, it has the exact same effect on my mother!
But how far would you take it? Would you adopt the Argentinian 'zh' sound in Argentina?

Chiri

[Forbeca]

Originally Posted by Chirimoya

Forbeca, when I do that, it has the exact same effect on my mother!
But how far would you take it? Would you adopt the Argentinian 'zh' sound in Argentina?

Chiri

yes, I take it all the way. The instant I get the gist of a new phrase, and the right accent, I'm a transformed tourist.

[Narcosis]

If you speak slowly and clearly as possible everyone understands each other.

I have have picked-up some slang or local habits and tend to incorporate some of them into daily life.. it is funny to do.

I say checa or to checar s they do in Mexico. instead of the Dominican chequear.

I say "upa" before entering a home as in Nicargua..lol

Call people "mae" (CR) or "guey" (Mex) or my house "choza"

Swear words are the best though.."chucha" (Panama), "despiche" (C.R.) and a million others are a colorful way to enhance your vocabulary...lol

[miguel]

Originally Posted by Chirimoya

If you are Dominican, or learned your Spanish in the DR, what do you do when you go to another Spanish speaking country? If you learned your Spanish elsewhere or are a native of another Spanish speaking country, what do you do? To what extent do you modify grammar and vocabulary (pronunciation even) in order to fit in?

I have always tended to follow the chamaleonic model and try to adapt, Zelig-like, to the local Spanish in most places. My husband, OTOH, stuck to Dominican Spanish when he lived in Central America, and never adopted the local grammatical quirks like 'vos' (as mentioned by MaineGirl in a separate thread). He did assimilate some regional slang though.

Chiri

Chiri, first of all, hi. Second of all, do you mean to visit ( as in vacation ) or to live in another country?.

[Talldrink]

Chiri, this is cool if the people listening to you are not from your native country. Example, If I came home with a Puerto Rican or Argentinan saying, my family and friends would have a fit.

When I first came to the US I was in ESL classes, it was like a mini-United Nations there. MY best best friend was Uruguayan, the first day I said vos at home, I almost caught a beating!!

On another note, now what I do is that I dont speak as fast to my International friends and omit many of the Dominican-only phrases I use with other Doms.

[MaineGirl]

I tend to fall into the local accent. I do that anyway. Even in English.

I learned Spanish in Venezuela and many people thought I was a native since I used slang and local pronunciation...what else do you do when you learn something by ear?

The worst is when I am talking to someone who is not a native speaker of the language...then my own language goes all to hell. Mimicry has its pitfalls.

Most American people who meet me say, "You don't have a Maine accent." Then I put it on for them. I once put an English announcement on a message service as a joke at my old job. Everyone was asking who the person was! They liked it so much they left it for months. I guess it sounded sophisticated. In the South I fell easy into the drawl...In the DR, I could mimic the maid or the preacher. The key is exposure.

My guess is those of us who are language-oriented can switch easily.

Another note: we had International Day at school once and did readings in different languages. No one could read Swedish. I volunteered and did a very hokey accent. People still rave about my ability to speak Swedish!

One thing I have noticed.....I have yet to meet a Swiss German-speaker who does not sound like he is speaking with marbles in his mouth when attempting Spanish. And I have met a few.

[mkohn]

I learned Spanish in the DR. In the DR, folks guessed I might be from Venezuela, but really, I am a language mutt, because I have learned vocabulary and accents from all over the place.
I also have a very hard time NOT picking up on another accent - no matter if it's an English speaking country, southern US, or Puerto Rico. I just hope that when I do it, the listener understands that I'm matching their vibration, not making fun of it. It's just as easy to stay with proper Spanish when appropriate.
Fitting in is in some ways respecting the people around you. Having fair hair and skin already makes me stand out. I know how my ears hurt sometimes when people say things incorrectly. Speaking like everybody else, to me, kind of puts the listener at ease.
Dominican Spanish, like Dominicans, is very colorful, and full of life.
mk

[miguel]

Originally Posted by Chirimoya

If you are Dominican, or learned your Spanish in the DR, what do you do when you go to another Spanish speaking country? If you learned your Spanish elsewhere or are a native of another Spanish speaking country, what do you do? To what extent do you modify grammar and vocabulary (pronunciation even) in order to fit in?

I have always tended to follow the chamaleonic model and try to adapt, Zelig-like, to the local Spanish in most places. My husband, OTOH, stuck to Dominican Spanish when he lived in Central America, and never adopted the local grammatical quirks like 'vos' (as mentioned by MaineGirl in a separate thread). He did assimilate some regional slang though.

Chiri

I am a true believer that if one is going to live in a country that it not your country of origin, one must try learn the host country's language and culture. Sometime the host country's language will rub on you after you hang around with the locals (as in Madonna that now has a British accent because she lives in England and her husband is English, gimme a break). I guess that it has to do with the person's age. It would be easier for a youngster to start talking like the locals, than it is for a older person.
My ex was from Nicaragua and used "vos" all the time and I never used "vos" in the 8 years that we were together. I have been to Mexico at least 15 times and I have many Mexican friends over there and I never talk the way they talk. Some old friends of mine are from Haiti and I never use " masisi " in my vocabulary. In the other hand, by brother lives in Puerto Rico and when he talks, you think that you are talking to a pure Puerto Rican. If I ever go to live in Spain, I think that I am way too old to start speaking Spaniard spanish, I guess. Then again, I can start speaking Spain's spanish ( as Angela Carrasco and Julio Savala do because the lived in Spain).
Maybe when I move to the DR I will start speaking like a Dominican.