www.CostaRicaTicas.com

I too think if you live here, you should at least try to learn the language. I did two months of Spanish school to get a good start then learned the rest through practice, watching TV and trial/error. Seven years later, I wouldn't say I was fluent but I'm pretty good.

On residency and health insurance, you MUST enroll in the CAJA (social medicine) if you get residency. The amount you pay is based on your (stated) income and number of dependents. Single people who make a lot get SCREWED. On residency and paperwork, it will depend on which residency category you are applying for. If you doing a pension based residency then yes, there will be a ton of paperwork.

Sorry for the late reply. I guess I missed this thread over the July 4th weekend...was enjoying Jaco too much with my crew

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The only thing that matters is happiness in all it forms...

I have been to Costa Rica many times in the last four years. I knew how to count in Spanish.
That about all the Spanish I knew. At the present time I am wifed up with my lawyer Novia in Managua. She does not speak
English. My Spanish at this time is getting better. I know most of the nouns , but verb usage has been difficult.
I have no trouble getting my point across and actually can carry on a broken conversation with every Spanish speaking
Person. They like that I am learning Spanish and really most will help you to learn. I can now pick up chicas at almost any place.
The bus trip to San Jose last week I started a conversation with good looking Chica that is a manager of a chain restaurant.
Long story short. I have a date with her when we return to Managua. If you get a date that means sex. These chicas
demand it. I have in the past 6 months have had several dates with different chicas. It just expands the field
of play. In Managua I have only met one english speaking person. It is great to actually learn a language .Like i say the chicas love it. That's enough reason to learn. Maybe that why my negotiating skills are improving.

Bro BD is correct about English but in fact it's a hybrid or bastardized language, open to absorbing words and phrases from everywhere instead of inventing its own (including Malay and Filipino--[kapok, typhoon, etc.])--that is its strength but also its puzzlement. The US does not have and should not have an official language--who'd be the gatekeeper as to what's official English?
About the 2 Gilligan's women--how about cien fifty and a 3-some? Works for me.

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"A man accustomed to hear only the echo of his own sentiments, soon bars all the common avenues of delight, and has no part in the general gratification of mankind"--Dr. Johnson
"Amen, brother"-ED

Talk about living in the past:

Gilligan's Island-a TV show from 1964

Only two of the 7 cast members are still alive! And they just happen to be the two "girls" you are talking about! BUT would you really want to do a 3some with them today???

Tina Louise (Ginger is now 79 years old
Dawn Wells (Mary Ann) is now 75. By the way she was busted for "possession" of weed about 5 years ago!!

As hot as I thought they were back in '64', I'll pass and go for a 3some with two hot YOUNG Latinas

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Old and retired but still bang, and bang, and bang!!!

No, Bro BB57, neither of them today--aging Gringas abound where I live. Purely fantasy from back in the day. Considering Dawn Well's legal problem--Mary Ann it is--it's always good to have shared interests...

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"A man accustomed to hear only the echo of his own sentiments, soon bars all the common avenues of delight, and has no part in the general gratification of mankind"--Dr. Johnson
"Amen, brother"-ED

Why should they?

Miami has a majority of Spanish speakers in the population, either as their primary language or as their second language.

You can shop, work, entertain, even go to school in Spanish. Because of this immigrants have little incentive to learn English. Not saying this is proper, just stating a fact.

However, the situation in Costa Rica is very different. If you want to live fulltime down there, you have to be able to communicate with the locals in their language.

mh

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mh

10 pronoun classes!!!
Subject pronouns
verbal object pronouns (direct and indirect)
possessive pronouns
reflexive pronouns
prepositional object pronouns
prepositional reflexive pronouns
demonstrative pronouns
indefinite pronouns
relative pronouns
interrogative pronouns

sheesh!

and then, V.O.P.'s can attach themselves to the end of the infinitive form of the verb, BUT only in a certain order. Get the order wrong and the word means gobbletygook.

Adjectives can proceed or follow the noun, but change the meanings based upon location.

But my favorite so far is Ser vs Estar. Which one you use with Present Participles can mean wildly different things. I am looking forward to many outrageous mistakes.

When you really get into the meat of a language, it's daunting, but a lot of fun.

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bypassin' kinky, and usin' the whole chicken!!!

A common language for an entire country is very important for the cohesiveness (and strength) of a country.

And I still would have done Lauren Bacall (recently passed at 89). She was so sexy in "To Have and Have Not" with Bogey.

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

Having four national languages doesn't seem to have hurt Switzerland much.

Or Miami for that matter.

mh

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mh

German, French, Italian, that's three. I have never done a Swiss girl, maybe some day.

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

Romansh is # 4.

mh

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mh

This is true, but to be fair, Switzerland (ignoring finance) isn't much of anything on the world stage. Now, it is up to Zunbake to show a correlation between this apathy and the multi-language situation. But I think a case can be made. Though I have not been there, I am told that there are different 'regions' where the local language is dominant. This could be a potential issue in preserving unity in some situations.

As for Miami, the Miami of old has been destroyed. Torn down and replaced by the equivalent of an invasion force. In all of the migrant 'invasions' into New York, none were able to overwhelm the local populace as has been seen in Miami (with exception of the native Americans).

However, as with the immigrants into New York, they bring with them a culture much older than the locals possess, and in fact add to and expand the local sense of culture, which is more of a blessing than a curse.

As a lifetime member of the South Florida area, I am glad of the cultural changes. I just wish the immigrants had more respect for what they are losing.

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bypassin' kinky, and usin' the whole chicken!!!

Well, if being "something on the world stage" is the measuring stick, then agreed. The correlation between one common language and economic/sociopolitical dominance is certainly present in empires of the past. But one wonders if it was a consequence of dominance rather than a cause.


Canada is a case in point. You have two dominant cultures + languages, regional differences, and the locals are at each others throats... er wait, they're Canadians! Much more civilized behavior up there.
Was there ever such a thing as "Miami of old"? I would argue Miami became relevant on the international stage precisely because of the changes brought by the invasion force.

When it comes to the pros and cons of multilingualism, I'm solidly in the "pros" camp. But of course I'm biased. If I only spoke one language, then I might think differently.

mh

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mh

I am confident that my statement is firmly back by simple logic and historical precedent.