Interesting article on level of English amongst Spaniards

[rod]

Very interesting El Pais article on the level of English-speaking amongst Spaniards here (http://www.elpais.com/articulo/sociedad/nos/cuesta/hablar/ingles/elpepisoc/20080323elpepisoc_1/Tes). Lots of interesting discussion points (for example on the historical background and the effect that dubbing in television and film has) and some useful quotes and figures. Also just skimming the 500+ comments, they seem more sensible than you sometimes get with these articles.

And although it isn't part of the main argument of the piece, this quote at the end leapt from the page:

Con estos precedentes haber nacido en un país anglosajón casi garantiza encontrar empleo en España:rolleyes:

[Elvis]

My recurring nightmare is that I live in a country where everyone speaks English!

Gracias a Dios, cuando me despierto, no es la verdad.

Todavia!

[greytop]

Interesting article. At least something we Anglo-saxons have in common with Spaniards then - an unwillingness to learn another language as so many people already speak ours.
I find that many Spaniards who have learnt some English have the same problems I do. Pronounciation and the fear of appearing a complete idiot once you start to speak.
One nice comment from the teacher of English near the end of the piece: "una cosa es estudiar inglés y la otra aprenderlo. No es lo mismo." How true :mad:

[Elvis]

The word is spelled and pronounced, 'pronunciation' Greytop.

[greytop]

That'll teech me to leeve the spellchekker set to Spanihs !;)

[Kendra]

If few Spaniards learn English, why is it that so many store signs and T-shirts are in English and almost everywhere you go (supermarket, hair salon, etc.) the music consists of English-language rock songs? Even thirty years ago in a village near Barcelona a little girl asked me what the song "Hotel California" was about.

[hellothere]

If few Spaniards learn English, why is it that so many store signs and T-shirts are in English and almost everywhere you go (supermarket, hair salon, etc.) the music consists of English-language rock songs?

The store signs must actually be for tourists' benefit.

As for rock songs, they simply sound better in English, which does not mean that people actually understand the lyrics.

Most Spaniards nowadays learn English. In Madrid at least, they even have bilingual kindergartens.

Spaniards can pretty much get by if pushed gently. The thing is, they are extremely self-conscious when it comes to speaking a foreign language.
I remember once "forcing" some Spanish friends of mine to speak English in shops whilst on holiday, by refusing to do it for them. And they did perfectly well. And that was in Glasgow, not exactly the easiest of places accent-wise...

Older generations usually did not usually learn English, but French instead at school.

[DocMolly]

...At least something we Anglo-saxons have in common with Spaniards then - an unwillingness to learn another language as so many people already speak ours...

That was my reaction too. I wonder what percentage of United States citizens speak another language... of course, of those who aren't first or second generation immigrants.

And re: Kendra's comment, wherever I've been in Latin America, people are fascinated with the song Hotel California. They always ask me to sing it for them. Thankfully for them, I don't. But I didn't realize this fascination exists in Spain as well. Doe it exist throughout the world? And anyone know why? ...other than it's a classic.

[Edith]

"Debe de ser muy bueno para los negocios, pero no lo son todo en la vida; de hecho, están en las antípodas de la buena vida", asegura Jordi Llovet, catedrático de literatura comparada.

Some people are just plainly prejudiced against English, and against the Anglosphere in general! :rolleyes:

[richardksa]

re: Kendra's comment, wherever I've been in Latin America, people are fascinated with the song Hotel California. They always ask me to sing it for them. Thankfully for them, I don't. But I didn't realize this fascination exists in Spain as well. Doe it exist throughout the world? And anyone know why? ...other than it's a classic.
I know I am in a minority, but I do not understand how people can like this irritating song. Both tune and words are trite and are far from representing some milestone in pop history. I find it impossible to listen to and will turn off the radio or leave the room if it is playing. What the heck is its facsination?

[eldeano]

What the heck is its facsination?

What the heck is facsination? :rolleyes:

[greytop]

What the heck is facsination? :rolleyes:The product of a very confused finger?

[Pepino]

I´ve yet to find a Spaniard in my company that speaks English. Certainly, there aren´t any in my department. Recently, when a Techie guy came to sort my laptop out, I realised he was Irish and so we spoke in English for a while. When he went away, my colleagues were cooing and saying how sweet it was to hear us both chatting away in English. I said "That´s great, but did you understand us?". "Nope, not a word" was the reply. jajaja :D

[la vieja de la manga]

Thanks to youtube I've just heard the song for the first time - probably the last too :)

I'm hopeful that English movies will always be dubbed into Spanish. Having watched and enjoyed "The Other Boleyn Girl" - costumes, scenery etc. on the big screen, I couldn't help thinking that the English dialogue would be trite. Whereas the Spanish was a joy to listen to.

[Pepino]

English was pretty trite in those days ;D

A lot of my Spanish friends don´t like dubbed films, and prefer to watch in the original version but with subtitles in Castellano. Suits me perfectly, as a film in Spanish audio is too much for me :blush:. I suppose it mainly depends if you mind reading subtitles or not. I know people who immediately turn off if something has subtitles.

[Liam]

[quote=la vieja de la manga;46550]Thanks to youtube I've just heard the song for the first time - probably the last too :)

Well, I am sure that also on YouTube, you can find "The Dude" summing it up perfectly:

"Hey man, would you mind changing the station? I've had a long day, and I hate the f***in' Eagles"

[zuri]

I´ve yet to find a Spaniard in my company that speaks English. Certainly, there aren´t any in my department. Recently, when a Techie guy came to sort my laptop out, I realised he was Irish

My German company transfered me to Southern Spain because of the high amount of English speaking clients and the inability of the Spanish Engineers willing to learn English.

Its the easiest way to get a job in Spain, work for a company that has offices in both countries, be fluent in Castellano and transfer.

Although now the Spanish govt have stated all schools in Spain must now teach 15% of the Curriculum in English by 2009.

So give it 5 yrs and all Spanish graduates and school leavers will have a higher level than now.

[Kendra]

Maybe the reason Spanish-speakers who don't know English are curious about the song "Hotel California" is that they only recognize one word on the song: "California." We all know the magical reputation of California (and Hollywood) around the world.
I read somewhere, maybe Wikipedia, that the lyrics are a metaphor for being in the music business in Calif.

[ValenciaSon]

When I was a kid vacationing in Spain, some Beatle fan in Valencia wanted me to translate the lyrics to Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts' Club Band into castellano:eek: