Breaking Out of Beginner's Spanish

by Joseph J. Keenan

Paperback, 1994

Status

Available

Call number

468.2421

Publication

University of Texas Press (1994), Edition: 1, 229 pages

Description

Many language books are boring, this one is not. Written by a native English speaker who learned Spanish the hard way, by trying to talk to Spanish-speaking peopleit offers English speakers with a basic knowledge of Spanish hundreds of tips for using the language more fluently and colloquially, with fewer obvious "gringo" errors. Writing with humor, common sense, and a minimum of jargon, Joseph Keenan covers everything from pronunciation, verb usage, and common grammatical mistakes to the subtleties of addressing other people, "trickster" words that look alike in both languages, inadvertent obscenities, and intentional swearing. He guides readers through the set phrases and idiomatic expressions that pepper the native speaker's conversation and provides a valuable introduction to the most widely used Spanish slang. With this book, both students in school and adult learners who never want to see another classroom can rapidly improve their speaking ability. Breaking Out of Beginner's Spanish will be an essential aid in passing the supreme language test-communicating fluently with native speakers.… (more)

User reviews

LibraryThing member rampaginglibrarian
This is a very helpful book though it has an annoying habbit of assuming you are in some foreign country--hello i need spanish just to work in my library here in the USA. Other than that i found it very helpful in boasting my rusty college spanish, and finding the Right terms.
LibraryThing member briteness
This is a very helpful book for those struggling with conversational Spanish. It covers a lot of common stuff that just doesn't make it into ordinary textbooks, or at least not to the degree that it is covered here. For instance, the word 'pues'. You hear it all the time, but I don't even think I
Show More
knew it from my (limited) formal study. He discusses the word in its various nuances and makes it possible to understand it when you hear it, and even insert it into your own conversations in a way that sounds natural. He also does this for many other words and phrases, of course. The basic strategies and approaches to the language that are offered here are quite valuable. Once you have your basic vocabulary and grammar, I do not know of a more useful book to help one along the path to becoming a truly proficient Spanish speaker. Plus which, he is an entertaining writer, so you can at least enjoy the ride, even if you don't end up getting anywhere.
Show Less
LibraryThing member csoki637
"Beginner's Spanish" is not Spanish 1 or 2, according to the author, but really any level you can reach at school. The author, who has lived in Latin America and is constantly trying to reach the level of a native speaker, is an excellent Spanish teacher because he not only knows Spanish but he
Show More
also understand how English-speakers think. This book is an excellent reference guide for all the aspects of Spanish that might challenge an English-speaker.
Show Less

Language

Pages

229

Original language

Spanish

Original publication date

1994

ISBN

029274322X / 9780292743229

Rating

(27 ratings; 4.5)
Page: 0.1801 seconds