www.CostaRicaTicas.com

I moved away from South Florida several years ago and haven't used my Spanish since. I just now tested out at 35% fluent...not good. Will I be able to survive the gulch? I can use Google translate, but that seems awkward. I have 5 weeks to practice, which is what I'm doing. I just can't keep up with fast talkers. I don't want them to have to speak loud and slow at me as that would draw attention.

Anybody been able to get by with poor Spanish skills?

You are miles ahead of me and I get by just fine in the gulch. I know how to order a beer, count to 10, and ask where the bathroom is and I never had a problem. Most of the chicas that are catering to gringos know enough English to get by. I have only used Google translate a couple times and agree it is awkward, hard to have chemistry with a gal when you cannot communicate. You will be fine and will have a great time

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Mako

Just when you thought it was safe to go back in the water

35% is probably more than many gringos that have lived there for years. You will be fine

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Entertainment purposes only, nothing posted above is true nor reflects reality nor my experience.

+1

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" Omit no happy hour that may give furtherance to our expedition."

Where did you go to test your Spanish fluency? I would like to do the same,


thank you

CostaReeker

No idea how accurate the test is. Duolingo administered the "test out" online. Conjugating verbs is tough...can't remember all the different forms...but I feel better with the comments received. Thanks.

I test at about 45% and have few incidents, although some are funny if the word you think you are saying doesnt translate the same.

I trip over Tenses and feminine / masculine all the time, but if you get the main verb right, its usually understood.

Ok to use a translator like google in diacussion to find that word you want to say, but becomes a nuisance if your whole conversation is based on that

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Entertainment purposes only, nothing posted above is true nor reflects reality nor my experience.

Use hand gestures and you will be fine.

Duolingo maxes out at around 60% I've been told. That's after you've done the whole course and don't make too many mistakes. Some people say they've gotten to 65%...I would think you would have to score 100% straight through to get to that. I finished it...and don't make a lot of mistakes, and maxed at 60%. But I don't really think that if Duo was all you had that 60% would not mean too much. I doubt I am at 60% of true fluency... and I know my vocabulary is probably twice or more times what Duo covered. My verb skills not so much.

Aside from all that... you really only need to know what you need. I'm probably covered in that. Sure, I can't explain some stuff very well, but I can figure out a way with someone willing to work with me. I won't be giving any lectures in philosophy or biochemistry or Spanish literature...but I can get by.

So...if you once knew a lot more Spanish some or most of it will come back. And you probably don't need too much just to vacation. Look out though if you get in a relationship...you can really get screwed up by using too much "certainty" in your statements. You really need conditional and subjunctive tense understanding to communicate in theoretical or uncertain or conditional ways....and relationships between gringos and Latinas are full of that. "I might like to marry you some day if...blah blah blah." becomes "I want to marry you" by merely not knowing your verbs. Causes problems for all concerned. Or more simply...DON'T GO THERE. Then you don't have to worry about your verbs.

I think Duo. will not let you score high even if you have a large vocabulary but not so good verb conjugation
skills and do not use the correct tenses.

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Softbob

There is nothing either good or bad
but thinking makes it so.
HAMLET

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