I bump into more Spanish-speaking people in Arizona than I did in Alaska or Alabama. Texas was a totally different story. Not learning the language is something I always regret.
Oh, I tried in 5th grade, but never could master anything beyond simple greetings, such as “Buenos días” and “Gracias”. For some strange reason, I always remembered, “En la bibliotheca.” That means, “In the library.”
My teacher had a meeting with Mom to try to figure out how to help me improve. That consisted of using a tape recorder at home and listening to Spanish drills before going to bed. All that constant talking put me fast to sleep, and ultimately I flunked the course.
My grandchildren have attended Spanish immersion classes in Minnesota, and they’re doing quite well. Each winter, while school is in session, I’ve appeared on a live telecast from one of their classrooms, where I read a favorite book of theirs, then they ask questions. I try to add a few Spanish words to my presentation, but my vocabulary is limited. Olá is a recent addition, meaning ‘hello’.
The children seem to enjoy my reading, but are more thrilled when Jess the parrot makes an appearance. Decker, Reece, and Mykah’s Spanish instructor says that the kids talk more about Jess and his ability to mimic words than anything else. They believe he’s actually chatting with them.
“Aloha” is one of the words he especially likes, along with pretty bird, tired bird, bad bird, want to go nighty night, want some, what, okay, and several others. If there’s one Spanish word I’d like him to pick up, it’s olá, although he now says hello with perfection.
I’m trying to learn more words to help me in the podcast, if you can call it that. I’d especially like to understand Spanish conversations going on in my presence, wanting to eavesdrop. The two words I especially listen for, as young people look at me while talking, are Viejo chocho, meaning old fart.
If parrots are able to easily mimic words and sounds, why didn’t the tape recorder trick work for me so many years ago? Perhaps it would now, as long as I turn up the volume.
Evelyn Woodhead offers a speed-reading class, or at least Cheech & Chong claims they do. I learned that listening to one of their 8-track tapes back in the 70s. There must be a similar course in Spanish.
My goal here is not so much to speak fluent Spanish as I’m way too far down life’s trail for that. If I can just stumble my way through simple conversations with the grandkids, I’d be thrilled. If they see I’m trying, I’m sure they’ll empathize with grandpa’s attempt.
Should they not, as long as I don’t hear Viejo chocho jokingly whispered behind my back as I walk away, I’ll be just fine.
I like to write junk... 