If I were learning Spanish

[hola]

how do you say IF I WERE LEARNING SPANISH FROM SOMEONE en la manera correcta en espanol?

[Rusty]

Si (yo) aprendiera español de/con alguien.

[CrOtALiTo]

I think you could to say, Si estoy aprendiendo Español a base otra persona. Then the correct translate would be If I'm learning Spanish with help of other person.

It was my attempt.

[hola]

ok we may have a conflict here. because the lady from Argentina said this is the way to say it:

"SI ESTUVIERA (o estuviese: subjuntivo imperfecto) APRENDIENDO ESPAÑOL DE ALGUIEN"

[CrOtALiTo]

Yes, exactly, but anyhow there is other way to say the same, of course, I just have said my own view point, but you can say the phrase of the way you want, but you can take my hint anyhow.

[Rusty]

There's no conflict. Both of us used the imperfect subjunctive mood. The only difference is that your 'teacher' chose to use a progressive phrase, where I chose not to. The progressive conveys the idea of continuous, or ongoing learning, where my translation just expresses the idea of learning (but doesn't stress the ongoing nature of the action). Both are accurate translations of what you were asking. Context is really the determining factor here.

[hola]

i think i prefer yours better because she went completely to the subjunctive and that is not something one can always remember to do. it is hard to remember to go to the subjunctive (estuviera) rather than just conjugate the indicative (aprendiera) which Rusty has done. it is much easier to just conjugate the indicative verb.

[Rusty]

Both she and I used the subjunctive, as I stated. She added the progressive nuance. I didn't. More context is necessary to know exactly what meaning was intended. Otherwise, both translations are accurate.

estoy aprendiendo (present progressive)
estuviera aprendiendo (imperfect subjunctive, progressive)


aprendo (present indicative)
aprendiera (imperfect subjunctive)

[Planet hopper]

I'm with Rusty, definitely. Best communicative choice, effective.

I would use a simple form instead of a continuous, continuity sounds limey here, just as a user.

Si aprendiera español de otra persona,....

Sounds acceptable for me and the tense is kept within subjunctive. Aprendiera is not indicative, it is past subjunctive, notice that, Hola.

[Tomisimo]

All the options are ok. estuviera aprendiendo/estuviese aprendiendo has a slightly different tone than aprendiera/aprendiese. The former options emphasize the fact that you are (in the process) of learning right now (this very instant), and the latter option is the more general way to say it. You might also think of it like this:

Si aprendiera/aprendiese español = If I were learning Spanish.
Si estuviera/estuviese aprendiendo español = If I were in the act of learning Spanish.