Language learning is dangerous . . . truly dangerous!
As I wrote in my story, “I Learned My Spanish in Zumba Class,” sometimes we learn foreign words and expressions out of context. This can lead to some misunderstanding, confusion, and downright embarrassment!
This happened when I was studying in France as a young adult, learning French with Vincent and his “buddies” in the village. I had no idea what level of language I was learning (slang, informal, formal, etc.). All I knew was what the word meant—or so I thought—and then I used it and repeated it.
Oops! That can lead to a lot of language bloopers.
You may remember the story of my future, French mother-in-law and how I used the word “drunk” out of context. I had learned a vulgar, slang word, and I didn’t even know it. When I repeated it to an older woman who deserved my utmost respect . . . well, it was offensive! Oops!
Treading on Dangerous Terrain!
As we are now walking down the fun and challenging road of language learning once again—this time in Spain—we are treading on some dangerous terrain.
We are using an oral language learning method called Growing Participator Approach (GPA). It is a learner-led approach, so Vincent and I plan the lessons ahead of time to work on with our language helper.
We have several different Spanish tutors in order to be exposed to a variety of expressions, vocabulary, and accents.
One day, we went for our language lesson at our tutor’s nail salon. It was great to learn language in a natural working context where she was having live and real interactions with customers.
Learning Orally With Wordless Picture Books
That day, we were learning greetings and how to say “hello” to someone in the morning, afternoon, and evening. We were using “wordless” picture books (like the one pictured below), so the language tutor was free to input her own dialogue—whatever was most natural for her.
The picture we were looking at showed two women meeting on the street.
“Hola, Guapa!” our language helper said as she pointed to the dialogue “bubbles” over the heads of the illustrated women.
In Spanish (Our language tutor didn’t speak English.), we attempted to understand the context of this new word, “guapa.” Our tutor told us that it can be used to greet a woman. She said that Vincent could say it to me, for example, or I could say it to another female friend.
At that moment, a regular client walked through the door.
“Hola, Guapa!” our tutor said, demonstrating the use of this word in a natural context.
“Hola!” the woman replied with a smile.
It seemed simple enough, so we moved on to the next dialogue of greetings and completed our lesson.
Practice Makes Perfect!
On the way home from the nail salon, we decided to stop at a local bakery to pick up a loaf of bread for lunch. It was a bakery that we went to from time to time.
A young man was behind the counter. I inquired as to where his mother was. She was an older, friendly woman who was usually there.
The young man explained that the woman wasn’t his mother, but his aunt.
The kind woman came out from the backroom and greeted us.
Vincent was eager to use his new vocabulary words. It is highly recommended to USE new words and expressions as soon as you learn them in order to cement them into your brain.
“Hola, Guapa!” he said.
We noticed the look of surprise on the faces of the woman and her nephew.
We went on to ask how she was doing, as well as her family. Vincent then chose our favorite type of bread (warm in the wrapped paper), paid, and said “goodbye.”
How Could We Have Known?
Several weeks later, David asked me if I could quiz him for his Spanish test the next day. He handed me his textbook, open to the list of vocabulary words and expressions that he needed to learn.
The title of the word list said, “Appearance.”
“Oh, this might be good for me to learn,” I thought to myself.
My eyes quickly scanned the list of words, and the word “guapo (a)” jumped out at me from the page.
It said, “guapo (a) — good-looking.”
“Oh my goodness!” I screeched and then began laughing hysterically. David didn’t know why, so I explained to him what had happened at the bakery a few weeks before.
I put on my cultural awareness glasses and did some research. Here’s what I found.
“When I first arrived in Spain, I had several men say to me “Guapa.“ At the time, I had no idea what it meant as it’s an adjective only used in Spanish in Spain, so I had to look it up on the Internet.
I soon found out Guapa, (or Guapo, if the word is said to a man), means ‘Beautiful’ or ‘Handsome’ in English. But most Spaniards will tell you, it’s often used not just to mean beautiful or handsome, but also to mean a kind of beauty or handsomeness that is also very sexy.
Guapa or Guapo are also often used as something to call someone — for instance:
“Hola guapa. ¿Cómo estás?” — Hey, Beautiful. How are you?“
https://seriouslyspain.com/what-does-the-spanish-word-guapaguapo-mean-in-english
How Embarrassing!
When Vincent came home that evening, I told him that when he went into the bakery the other day, he said to the older woman, “Hey, Good Looking!”
I showed him David’s Spanish textbook, and he shook his head in disbelief.
Although we love “Guapa’s” fresh bread, I think we will be choosing another bakery from now on!
—THE CULTURAL STORY-WEAVER
LET’S WEAVE CULTURES!
What language blooper have you made in learning a foreign language? Did you learn and use words or expressions “out of context,” not fully understanding the meaning?
What “unknown” or “unseen” messages have your accidentally communicated in foreign languages and cultures? Do you see foreigners around you communicating messages in their cultural and linguistic ignorance?
We invite you to tell us your own cultural stories and global adventures . . . as you engage with the world, breaking down barriers, building bridges, and “weaving cultures!” Write about them in the comment box below.
