Apr. 14, 2008
Accents Can Give You Fits
Many times while learning a language it's hard to get the accent right while speaking. My question is how can you show the accent(s) when typing that particular language?
Diacritical marks - (1.) A mark, such as an accent, that is used in conjunction with a character to indicate phonetic value. (2.) Marks added to letters or symbols to distinguish it in some way, often indicating pronunciation. (3.) A diacritical mark or diacritic, also called an accent mark, is a small sign added to a letter to alter pronunciation or to distinguish between similar words. The term derives from Greek διακριτικός (diakritikos, "distinguishing").
Microsoft Windows® and Macintosh® have codes that you can type to have your accents inserted. Or like in the Word® program if you go under "Insert" then choose "Symbol" you can choose whatever language you are typing. A list of symbols will show up, click the one you want.
I personally like to do things on the fly and don't like to take the time to do all those steps. Plus I'm a numbers person so it is easy for me to memorize the keystrokes. The following list will give you the codes to use with Microsoft® products.
All Spanish questions start with an upside down question mark then ends with a right side up one. The code for the upside down question mark is 0191. So type holding down the (Alt) key the number 0191 and then hit (Enter). ¿ See even in HTML you can create anything you want.
Here are the rest:
(Alt)0161(Enter) = ¡ The exclamation mark is used like the question mark. Always upside down at the beginning of the sentence then right side up at the end.
(Alt)0209(Enter) = Ñ
(Alt)0241(Enter) = ñ
(Alt)0193(Enter) = Á
(Alt)0225(Enter) = á
(Alt)0201(Enter) = É
(Alt)0233(Enter) = é
(Alt)0205(Enter) = Í
(Alt)0237(Enter) = í
(Alt)0211(Enter) = Ó
(Alt)0243(Enter) = ó
(Alt)0218(Enter) = Ú
(Alt)0250(Enter) = ú
¡Aye carumba! That was a lot of work but in the end you will all be better off for it. If you have any questions, please feel free to post them here.
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Apr. 12, 2008
Un-Tie Your Tongue: Spanish Pronunciation Made Easy
People get tongue tied when they are learning a new language. They might even wear out their tongues because of the new muscles they are using.
We can help you un-tie your tongue so you can have better Spanish pronunciation. Please keep in mind that pronunciations can be different from country to country as well as from city to city. Most of the pronunciations you will see Dora & Diego Homeschool Spanish working with are what we call border Spanish.
Here's an easy pronunciation guide:
A as in the word STAR
E as in the word TEST
If there is more than one E in a word the first one sounds like test the second
one sounds like hey.
I as in the word MACHINE
O as in the word OBEY
U as in the word SPOOL
B as in the word BEST
But a letter B between vowels is pronounced very softly.
C as in the word CAKE Before A, O, U is pronounced K.
C Before E, I is pronounced S.
CC as in the word ACCENT is pronounced X.
CH as in the word CHIN
D as in the word DOT
However, when the D is the last letter of a word or when it appears between vowels it is pronounced as a soft TH.
G as in the word GO Before A, O, U.
G as in the word HAT Before E, I.
H is always silent.
J as in the word HAT
L as in the word LIGHT
LL as in the word YEAR
N as in the word CANYON is pronounced NY.
R trilled like you're playing with a toy car and making the noise for it.
RR strongly trilled.
T as in the word ATTEND
Y as in the word YEAR
But when the Y stands alone it is pronounced EE as in NEED.
Z as in the word SO
SPECIAL GROUPS
GUE as in the word GUESS
GUI as in the word GEESE
QUE as in the word KETTLE
QUI as in the word KEEL
These pronunciations will get you on the right track for speaking like a native.
To keep these lessons going, visit Dora & Diego Homeschool Spanish before the classes fill up.
Hasta luego (See you later),
Michelle
