Source
The Spanish language (and the fact that I don't know it) has limited me in social situations. I am normally the girl who strikes up a conversation with the woman at the checkout counter. I have no problem pleasantly questioning the cute guy on the bus about his equally cute dog. If you have ears, I will speak to them.
In Spain, this has been almost impossible for me. There are times that just as I think of what I want to say in a conversation, the beat goes on, and the topic changes to something else.
I make at least one mistake everyday. I sound like an idiot, almost everyday. Today was no exception. And tomorrow won't be either. When I am tired, or sick, or in the mornings before my coffee, I am a Spanish desastre.
Committing to living in Spanglish was something I was prepared to do. But some days, it feels like I have commit to a vow of silence. I am funny, I am witty, I am intelligent, and obviously, very modest. But it is difficult to express myself in those ways in a second language.
That being said, I came to Spain with absolutamente no español. And now, I can find a way to say almost anything I want to. But my timing is off, my grammar is off, and I can't be the true Spaniard I want to be without the right words.
When will the Spanglish stop?
One of the most significant phrases a person can utter is "I love you."
In Spain, there are two ways to express your love.
After discussing with many a Spaniard the meaning of these phrases, I am still confused.
This is my own opinion on the matter:
"Te quiero" literally translates to "I want you." This is a kind of love you can have for your boyfriend, your chihuahua, or your favorite
tapa. For me, it is a less serious, friendly, beginning of a relationship love.
"Te amo" is the more
oficial, old-fashioned, in love with you, never let you go type of love.
Spanish countryside, te quiero.
Chocolate con churros, te quiero.
Beautiful architecture, te quiero.
Authentic Spanish Vino, te quiero.
La Cuidad Dorada, te quiero.
With February and El dia de San Valentin coming up soon, I am filled with love!
Love for life, love for adventure, and love for speaking a language that gives me two different ways to express that love!
¡Te quiero, España! Or is it te amo?