June 15, 2007, Newsletter Issue #48: Degrees Of Difference

Tip of the Week

There are three important pronunciation differences between Castilian Spanish (castellano) and Latin American Spanish. * The first is the pronunciation of 'z' and 'c' before 'i' and 'e'. In Castilian Spanish, they have a 'th' sound similar to the sound at the start of 'thing'. In Latin American Spanish, they have an 's' sound, similar to the first letter of 'Spanish'. * In Castilian Spanish, the 'll' and 'y' sounds are pronounced like the sound at the start of 'yellow'. In Latin American Spanish, they are pronounced more like the sound at the start of 'jug'. * In Castilian Spanish, the 'x' is pronounced as a 'sh' or 'th' sound, while in Latin American Spanish it is generally pronounced 'ks' as in English. There are also two important grammatical differences between Latin American Spanish and Castilian Spanish. It is important for those who wish to learn to speak Spanish correctly to learn these. * The first is the use of 'vosotros' as the plural form of the informal 'tu' (you) in Spain. In Latin America 'ustedes' is used. * The second is 'leismo'. This means the use of 'le' instead of 'lo' for the direct object. This is common in some parts of Spain, but is unusual in Latin America. Don't worry if you learn to speak Spanish with a Castilian accent but are traveling in South America. Despite these differences speakers of Castilian Spanish and Latin American Spanish can easily be understood by each other.

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