List Of Proununciations

here is my list of similarities in the pronounciation of Spanish vowels.

a is a very open vowel and the closest sound would be the English one in the word father, or the Northern English a in hat (but this may confuse you….) Anyway, try that sound with a soft, mute h at the end
Example: ala (wing) ahlah

e is similar to the first e in the word element with a mute h at the end
Example: bebe (drink) behbeh. Make the b sound very soft. The Spanish consonant is something between b and v

i is like the first i in million…. always longer as with a mute h at the end
Example: mi (my) mih (or meeh if you wish)

o: is very rounded like the English o in hot with a mute h
Example: mono (monkey) mohnoh

u: is like the u in pudding or even the double o in moon with the mute h at the end
Example: un (a) uhn

Now try this vocalization exercise in front of a mirror. Exaggerate a bit the pronounciation. Later on, as you become more fluent and confidentthe sounds will be shortened naturally. But this is a bit of facial gymnastics. By the way, you may also get rid of some wrinkles around the mouth. Posted Image

VOCALIZATION EXERCISE

ah
eh
ih
oh
uh

Repeat this exercise as frequently as possible. Remember that each vowel is a single sound, not a dipthong. In front of a mirror, observe the movement of your lips. Concentrate on what you are doing.

GAZPACHO ANDALUZ (Andalusian cold tomato and vegetables soup)

GAZPACHO ANDALUZ (Andalusian cold tomato and vegetables soup)

This is possibly one of the most popular Spanish recipes. Nothing could be more refreshing, in the middle of the hot Spanish summer, than a bowl of gazpacho with some ice cubes in it.

It is said that the recipe goes back to the times of the Romans and the Arabs; however, this is not possible, as both tomatoes and capsicums – two of the most important ingredients in this soup were unknown before the discovery of America.

On the other hand, it is possible that the present gazpacho originated from another cold soup from the Andalusian region, called ajo blanco, or literally “white garlic”,which is a delicious blend of almonds, grapes, garlic, bread, oil and vinegar and eaten mainly in Málaga and Seville.

The traditional gazpacho was made with a mortar and pestle and it was hard work to make it; however, modern blenders have made this task much lighter. Granted that the blended product does not have the same texture as the original one, but you can add some texture through the garnishes…. and anyway, you would need a very large mortar and pestle which would be difficult to find nowadays.

Now, here comes the GAZPACHO basic recipe:

Ingredients:

* 1 and 1/4 kilos of ripe tomatoes, peeled and seeded
* 1/2 a medium onion, cut into pieces
* 1 medium cucumber (pepino), peeled and cut into chunks
* 1 green capsicum (pimiento verde), seeds removed and cut into pieces
* 250 g day old bread, soaked in water
* salt and pepper to taste
* 1 cup extra virgin olive oil
* 2 tablespoons wine o sherry vinegar (vinagre de vino o de jerez)
* cold water
* ice cubes
* To garnish: some small bowls with finely chopped tomatoes, peppers, cucumber and bread cubes , preferably fried in some olive oil

Preparation:

* Place the tomatoes, cucumber, capsicum, bread, oil and vinegar in batches in a blender. If the mixture is too thick add some cold water.
* Using a soup tureen or a large bowl, put together the blended mixture.
* Adjust seasonings
* Take the bowl to the fridge and keep it there for a few hours
* Just before serving, add some ice cubes and perhaps a little bit of extra icy cold water if it is too thick.
* Serve together with the garnishes

There are several regional variations according to the garnishes served with the dish.

In Córdoba, it is called salmorejo and they add some hard boiled eggs, chopped and some serrano ham.

In Extremadura, they call it gazpacho extremeño and it is served with pieces of ham.

In modern cuisine, there are some different versions of this cold soup, replacing tomatoes by avocados, cucumbers, grapes and melons. Instead of water, some sparkling wine such as cava is added.

The traditional recipe is delicious, but use your imagination!

The Spanish preposition “a” (Continued)

It is also used when you are stating a price or evaluation and can translate English prepositions such as at, to, in, by, a and per. Examples:

Tomates a dos euros el kilo. (Tomatoes at two euros a kilo)
A docenas (by the dozen, in dozens)
A millares (in thousands, by the thousand)
Conduce a cien kilómetros por hora (He/she drives at a hundred kilometres an hour)
Gana mil euros al mes (He/She earns a thousand euros a month)
De cinco a diez años (From five to ten years)

It can also express manner or way, translating English prepositions such as by, in, with and on. Examples:

Hecho a mano (Made by hand)
Escribe a lápiz (Write in pencil)
Lo mató a sangre fría. (He/She killed him in cold blood)
Llegué a duras penas (I arrived with great difficulty)
Iremos a pie (We shall go on foot)
Lo haré a petición suya (I will do it on his/her/your request)
María le acompañará al piano (María will accompany you on the piano)
El documento estaba escrito a máquina (The document was typewritten)
El testamento está escrito a mano (The last will and testament is handwritten)
Este producto está hecho a máquina (This product is machine-made)

Estoy griposa y me siento fatal.

Estoy griposa y me siento fatal. (I have the flu and I feel awful)

THE SPANISH PREPOSITION “A”

The use and meanings of certain prepositions can be difficult as they do not literally translate your mother tongue. One preposition can have several translations and there are plenty of idiomatic expression which contain the preposition which are difficult to translate.
Let’s start with the preposition a which may mean to, by, at, after, in…. and a few more and sometimes it does not translate at all.
The preposition a directly preceding the article el is contracted to al.

I will go slowly, as I did with the pronounciation tips.

* “A” introducing and indirect object.

* It can translate “to as a destination” Examples: Escribo una postal a mi familia (I write a postcard to my family). La dí el mensaje a Juan (I gave the message to John).
* It can also mean “from as the origin. Example: ¿El coche? Se lo he comprado a María. ( The car? I bought it from Mary.) ¿El pan? Se lo he comprado al panadero de la esquina. The bread? I bought it from the baker at the corner.

* The preposition “a” can also introduce the direct ofject of transitive verbs when the object is a person or, in certain cases, an animal, a town, a country or a personified non. It is also used to make the statement clear avoiding possible ambiguity. In this case, it has no translation in English. Examples: Oigo a mi hijo que me llama. (I hear my son, calling me) El libro describe a España. (This book describes Spain) ¿Llama salón a este armario? (You call this closet a living room? You are trying to emphasize that the room is very small)
* The preposition “a” must also introduce the emphatic pronoun in Spanish. This is a rather aggressive statement. Examples: ” A ésta se la conoce bien” (She is well known, meaning that she has quite a reputation and not a particularly good one). Este libro te lo he dado a tí. (I gave you this book)

Spanish Cheeses

Spanish cheeses in general follow into three categories:

* tierno (very mild and soft)
* semi-curado (moderatly aged and flavoured)
* curado (full flavour)

Most regions produce excellent cheeses, such as Idiazábal, Manchego, Cabrales and many more

The Spanish Preposition “en” (Continued)

It is also used in different expressions, such as:

Convertir en = To turn into – Example: El sapo se convirtió en un príncipe (The toad turned into a prince)
De casa en casa = From house to house
De pueblo en pueblo = From village to village
De uno en uno = One by one
Doctor en medicina = Doctor of medicine
En cambio = On the other hand
En cuanto a… = Regarding…../As regards to…./With respect to….
¿En qué quedamos? = What is it to be?/What shall we do?
Pensar en… = To think of/about – Example: Pienso mucho en tí (I think a lot about you)

¡Salga el sol por Antequera!

¡Salga el sol por Antequera! (Come what may!)

The Spanish Preposition “en” (Continued)

It is also used to express manner and in this case it may translate the English prepositions in, by, at, on and sometimes it does not translate at all.

Some examples:

En voz alta/En voz baja = In a loud voice/ In a soft voice
En pijama = In pyjamas
En mangas de camisa = In shirt sleeves
En paños menores = In his/her underwear/undies
Niño en pañales = Baby in nappies
Juan habla en verso = Juan speaks in verse
Escribir en inglés = To write in English
Ir en avión/en tren/en bicicleta = To go by plain/by train/by bicycle
El policía lo reconoció en el andar = The policeman recognized him by his gait
Incrementar la producción en un veinte por ciento = To increase production by twenty per cent
Lo digo en broma = I say it as a joke/jokingly
Lo digo en serio = I say it seriously
En paz y en guerra = At peace and at war/In peace and at war
El escritor es hábil en manejar la pluma = The writer is skillful at handling the pen
Lento/lenta en reaccionar = Slow in reacting
Ponerse en fila = To form a line
La bolsa de patatas se vende en cinco euros = The potato bag sells for five euros
El desempleo está en aumento = Unemployment is on the increase
Estar en baja = To be dropping, or falling, or going down in value

Continuará…..

The Spanish Preposition “en” (Continued)

It is also used to express manner and in this case it may translate the English prepositions in, by, at, on and sometimes it does not translate at all.

Some examples:

En voz alta/En voz baja = In a loud voice/ In a soft voice
En pijama = In pyjamas
En mangas de camisa = In shirt sleeves
En paños menores = In his/her underwear/undies
Niño en pañales = Baby in nappies
Juan habla en verso = Juan speaks in verse
Escribir en inglés = To write in English
Ir en avión/en tren/en bicicleta = To go by plain/by train/by bicycle
El policía lo reconoció en el andar = The policeman recognized him by his gait
Incrementar la producción en un veinte por ciento = To increase production by twenty per cent
Lo digo en broma = I say it as a joke/jokingly
Lo digo en serio = I say it seriously
En paz y en guerra = At peace and at war/In peace and at war
El escritor es hábil en manejar la pluma = The writer is skillful at handling the pen
Lento/lenta en reaccionar = Slow in reacting
Ponerse en fila = To form a line
La bolsa de patatas se vende en cinco euros = The potato bag sells for five euros
El desempleo está en aumento = Unemployment is on the increase
Estar en baja = To be dropping, or falling, or going down in value

Continuará….. Can´t wait? Then join www.costablancaforums.com and view all my lessons in the Spanish Forum.

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