I speak slower Spanish, and Dominicans seem to like it

[Chip]

It my long running effort to improve my Spanish to a functional level of fluidity I have used whatever ideas or methods to attain my goal. For example, I once believed that in order to be understood by the locals one had to speak like them, ie rapidly and with similar idiosyncrasies such as omitting the s's or cutting words short.

However, with advice from a well educated Dominican and South American friend sometime back now I have discarded "pure imitation" and instead have strived to speak slower and alliterate the words correctly. This has actually turned out to be easier for me, especially on days when for whatever reason speaking Spanish isn't so easy. And better yet is I have gotten compliments from locals and the dreaded Dominican "I don't understand you eye squint" when I speak is more and more rare. In fact, by far the majority of the people that do that with me are the ones I knew when I first got married or after I arrived here 5 years ago (for whatever reason).

So lesson learned, in spite of having an accent speaking slower to the locals seems better appreciated that trying to imitate them and it is easier too.

 

[xamaicano]

Speaking slower, articulated Spanish makes you sound smart.

 

[jrhartley]

seems like a good idea - can you imagine penelope cruz trying to talk like Oprah winfrey, dont imitate the locals lol

 

[Ken]

Chip, the mistake you were making was to speak like the people on the street. They are very difficult to understand, even Dominicans sometimes don't understand. Now you are speaking like educated Dominicans. As you indicate, most speak slower than people on the street, don't drop their "s", and enunciate the words. They are much easier to understand.

Speaking good Spanish will never be criticized and will stand you in good stead in most situations. It will also earn you more respect from educated Dominicans.

The downside is that you will find some street speakers don't understand you, in other words, don't understand good Spanish.

 

[william webster]

Would "Castillian" Spanish be the right description for this?
Not dropping the 's', etc

Or is that a different dialect and grammatical structure?

 

[Kipling333]

No William it is not castillian spanish to simply speak spanish well as they do in Peru or in Columbia and Equador and to pronunce the letters as they should be pronounced ,There are many people here in the DR who speak very nice spanish and in the churches you may find a priest from outside the DR who speaks well ...but most do not .They do not use the verbs correctly and seldom the imperfect past simply because mosthave never been taught grammar or even to spell .
I also speak quite slowly and really enjoy both speaking and writing with Dominicans who use all the verbs and words correctly ,,I find the accent from santiago a little difficult and never like the strange yo and ll that the venezuelans and argentians have

 

[gringostudent]

If you are good and speak slow it means you are smart to dominicans. Ive know absolute idiots that people think are "Tipos bien serio" because they speak slowly and wear a suit. If you try and get the local accent but arent good you sound like you have either a speech impediment or downs syndrome, but if you are good and can speak with the local accent it is highly benificial. The best is to be able to sort of switch to the situation you are in. More educated dominicans will look down on you for speaking like a motoconcho and less educated ones might think you are stuck up if you try to talk correctly.

 

[Lobo Tropical]

Slowly

It my long running effort to improve my Spanish to a functional level of fluidity I have used whatever ideas or methods to attain my goal. For example, I once believed that in order to be understood by the locals one had to speak like them, ie rapidly and with similar idiosyncrasies such as omitting the s's or cutting words short.

However, with advice from a well educated Dominican and South American friend sometime back now I have discarded "pure imitation" and instead have strived to speak slower and alliterate the words correctly. This has actually turned out to be easier for me, especially on days when for whatever reason speaking Spanish isn't so easy. And better yet is I have gotten compliments from locals and the dreaded Dominican "I don't understand you eye squint" when I speak is more and more rare. In fact, by far the majority of the people that do that with me are the ones I knew when I first got married or after I arrived here 5 years ago (for whatever reason).

So lesson learned, in spite of having an accent speaking slower to the locals seems better appreciated that trying to imitate them and it is easier too.

Chip,
You mean they don't make that pained facial expression any more when they listen to you?
Man you're missing half the fun! If you speak toooo slooooowwwly they may think you're challenged.

 

[nas]

Most uneducated Dominican communicate using sort of a Spanish slang. A word is shortened to quicken the communication.
As an example, to say "Esto es Para mi" one might say "Esto e Pa' mi".
This form of comunication is understood by all, educated and non-educated.

Sto Dgo has people from every region of the country. That in itself brings another level of complexity to communicate.
People born and raised in Sto Dgo, at times, have difficulties understanding the way a person from anther region speaks.
It may be due to the emphasis or stress placed on some words. Regions might also have different names for certain things. That complicates communication.

We also have a Hatian - Dominican segment of the population that brings another flavor to the language.

When an educated Dominican comunicates with a non-educated person, there is a minute chance that he will miss a few words here and there. But not to point of not understanding what is being conversed.

On the other hand, just like in any other language, it is easier for a non-educated person to understand someone who speaks the language properly and fluently. It would be easier for them, because words are not broken up or omitted. Everything is being spelled out. Of course, an educated person must make sure they don't use crazy big words (college words) This goes for any language when different groups of people communicate.

 

[Kipling333]

of course , in the DR the formal you is not used very much and the language is more informal ,Whereas I would never use the informal imperative to anyone ,it is used much more here and when playing golf I use saque la bandera por favor most dominicans would say saca la bandera por favor .I have found that the older Dominicans are much easier to chat with ..probably we all get slower as we get older

 

[Chip]

of course , in the DR the formal you is not used very much and the language is more informal ,Whereas I would never use the informal imperative to anyone ,it is used much more here and when playing golf I use saque la bandera por favor most dominicans would say saca la bandera por favor .I have found that the older Dominicans are much easier to chat with ..probably we all get slower as we get older

Well here in Santiago usted is alive and well. Anytime I go to the bank or to a store I am addressed "usted". People I know or see frequently enough will use "tu" with me. It is a sign friendliness to use tu instead of usted.

 

[Chirimoya]

Kipling33, usted is much more common here than in Spain. A lot of people still address their parents in this way.

Vosotros (second person plural) is never used - in common with all Latin America - only ustedes, the formal address is used.

 

[nas]

Well here in Santiago usted is alive and well. Anytime I go to the bank or to a store I am addressed "usted". People I know or see frequently enough will use "tu" with me. It is a sign friendliness to use tu instead of usted.

Right on ...

In DR you will never be wrong if you address anyone as "Usted".
In reality, "Usted" is mostly used for elder people (including parents, granparents, uncles, etc.) It used to be disrespectful to address them as "tu". I don't know if it has changed, due to the disrespect that abounds there.


As stated, "Usted" is also used for grown-ups when one is not so much acquainted with the person.

"Tu" is for everyone else with whom you are comfortable.

 

[kimbjorkland]

Speaking slower, articulated Spanish makes you sound smart.

That's Obama's trick! But in English.

Hope.......... Change.......

 

[jrhartley]

Right on ...

In DR you will never be wrong if you address anyone as "Usted".
In reality, "Usted" is mostly used for elder people (including parents, granparents, uncles, etc.) It used to be disrespectful to address them as "tu". I don't know if it has changed, due to the disrespect that abounds there.


As stated, "Usted" is also used for grown-ups when one is not so much acquainted with the person.

"Tu" is for everyone else with whom you are comfortable.

would anyone really be offended by a gringo using the wrong word

 

[Acira]

would anyone really be offended by a gringo using the wrong word

Get Out Your Dictionaries! - YouTube

 

[nas]

would anyone really be offended by a gringo using the wrong word

Not really. They would know you are a foreigner going through the process of mastering the language.

 

[bob saunders]

I get" el no sabe", all the time.

 

[RacerX]

Right on ...

In DR you will never be wrong if you address anyone as "Usted".
In reality, "Usted" is mostly used for elder people (including parents, granparents, uncles, etc.) It used to be disrespectful to address them as "tu". I don't know if it has changed, due to the disrespect that abounds there.


As stated, "Usted" is also used for grown-ups when one is not so much acquainted with the person.

"Tu" is for everyone else with whom you are comfortable.

I dont think it is a lack of respect but more often that when people come from other places like Europe or North America we wouldnt use such formality because it doesnt exist in English. We could use Mr. and Miss. but calling an old lady Senorita is offensive also isnt it? Dona? Ok great but what is the equivalent in English to that?

 

[william webster]

I dont think it is a lack of respect but more often that when people come from other places like Europe or North America we wouldnt use such formality because it doesnt exist in English. We could use Mr. and Miss. but calling an old lady Senorita is offensive also isnt it? Dona? Ok great but what is the equivalent in English to that?

Maybe Madam? Americans say "M'am"
Anything that indicates respect due to a senior.

Or Mrs. Whomever, if you know her name.