Language – Do I need to speak Spanish?
The official language of Mexico is Spanish, although Mayan, Nahuatl and other regional languages are still spoken by some people.

You may be a little surprised however at the number of Mexican people who speak English (it is now taught in the school system), especially in the major cities and the tourist areas.

Though you can “get by” without learning to speak Spanish in the tourist areas and the larger foreign settlement areas, it is a lot more fun and interesting if you learn some Spanish. You do not need to be fluent but it helps if you can speak at a conversational level and the Mexican people really appreciate it if you try to use their language; even if you do get some words wrong (usually elicits a nice smile). Try it, its fun!

Having said that, I can tell you story after story about the trouble I have got into with my Spanish, or rather – lack of it. A number of years ago we were just moving into a rental property. We had just sold our condo and were building a new house which wasn’t going to be ready for some months. I decided I needed to have all the dishes in the kitchen cupboards washed, even though they were obviously already clean. I didn’t know how long the house had been vacant and I can be a little finicky.

So I was in the kitchen trying to tell the maid what I wanted. When she thought she understood what I was “trying” to say, she got very excited. I thought she must be happy at washing clean dishes – no trouble at all. Fortunately, Ray listening in the other room came into the kitchen and asked me what I thought I was telling her. When I told him “in Spanish” what I had said to Olivia he laughed and said, “no wonder she sounds happy, you just told her to take all the dishes in the cupboards and throw them away”. Olivia wasn’t quite as happy when Ray properly translated what I wanted.

I can also tell you, from experience, that it really helps to use charades (body language) to reinforce what you are saying in Spanish. I have had a lot of good laughs with the maids and gardeners trying to get my point across. They do really appreciate my trying.

Unfortunately, here in Lake Chapala it is all too easy to get by with English; so many of the waiters and clerks speak Spanish. You will have to make your own commitment to learn it to get the full experience of another culture and language. Read "Shooting the Breeze"

There are many opportunities to learn either in group settings or through private lessons at very reasonable costs. And if you want to get real serious you can go to Guadalajara for more intensive training and live with a Mexican family during your training. Focus has lots of contacts we can recommend to you, at whatever level you are considering.

One way to bump start the process and also is great for continued learning is to buy some Spanish tapes or CD’s. As long as you are listening you are learning, and although some are better than others – at the beginning, all of them are good. You will be amazed at how quickly you can get the basics and ask simple questions and even understand some of the answers. Learning to listen is harder than learning to speak. The more you listen, the better you will speak and before you know it you’ll be carrying on actual conversations.

Travel guides and phrase books are helpful and allow you to practice asking questions. They do not, however, prepare you for the response when a Mexican speaking person fires Spanish words at you at a very rapid pace, especially as you get better with your speaking than your listening.

One observation I have made is it seems to be easier and faster for musical people (people with an ear for music) to learn to speak Spanish. And of course if you speak other languages it is easier to learn a new one. Children are like spounges and can also pick it up very quickly. They aren't as inhibited as we are and therefore aren't afraid to try.

Just to give you a little head start, here are some simple greetings that are easy to learn and you will find you will use often.
Greetings
Good morning/Good Day
Good afternoon
Good evening/Good Night
Good-bye
Hello
Happy to meet you
My name is
How are you?
Very well, thank you
See you later		 =
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=		 Buenos dίas
Buenas tardes
Buenas noches
Adios
Hola
Mucho gusto
Mi nombre es/Me llamo
¿Como estά?
Muy bien, gracias
Hasta luego
 
Have fun (mis) using the Spanish Language.