Monday April 16th .What are you Sinking About?

Today we talked about the importance of pronunciation.  One sound can make a HUGE difference in what your saying and how you are understood (as shown in this short clip).

When to roll an R
In the Spanish alphabet there are 2 separate 'R' sounds. The first r sound is listed in the alphabet as  'rr' (erre fuerte/R strong).  This requires a rolled R sound.  The rules for when to roll an R are as follows.

• When is begins a word
• Whenever you see a 'rr'
• When a single 'r' comes after an L or an N (e.g. alrededor or Enrique)

For those who are currently not able to roll an r the following instruction could be helpful! this is one student's learning process.  This sound requires practice and muscle development so don't get discouraged.  Stick with it and you'll get it! (this is just one video. Feel free to search out other sources that could help you learn to roll)

How to pronounce a single r
A single r which is 'flipped' or 'tapped' producing a 'd' sound. 
Consider the following tricks to flipping your r.

Gracias - 'Thank you'
Can you say the following words in succession?
G' Day Mate (Australian accent optional 😉)
G' Day
G' Doss (doss rhymes with floss)
G' Doss
G' Doss ee us   Now you're saying Gracias with the flipped/tapped r :)  Say the 'r' like an English 'd'

Maestra - Teacher (female)

Say the magician's phrase "TA DA!!"
Now try
                 My ace - TA DA!  This should lead you to the proper pronunciation of Maestra.

Tres - three
I'm giving a present to my friend for his birthday.  His name is Dace.
The tag will say, "To: Dace"  To Dace, To Dace To Dace.  Saying these 2 words together should equal the pronunciation of the Spanish word Tres!

What syllable to stress?

A words stress rules help us speak properly. The follow words have the stress is on the second-to-last syllable. This applies to:

- Words ending in a vowel.

- Words ending in a -n or -s.

The letters are a-e-i-o-u-n-s where the stress is on the second-to-last syllable.

Stress on the first syllable all words ending consonants except those ending in -n or -s have the stress on the last syllable. All the rest of the letters - i.e all vowels and -n and -s follow the first rule...
second syllable stress is extremely common for infinitives because of the last letter being /r/

The accent mark  when you see an accent on a Spanish word it is showing you a word with an exception to the above syllable stress rules.  Always stress the syllable with the accent over it.

Spanish is all around you!   Look for Spanish all around you i.e. location names, restaurants, grocery stores, government offices (DMV), doctor's offices, etc.  look up translations, take pictures of phrases and find out what they mean. This is a great way to memorize meanings since what you learn will be in context.