Soy nuevo usuario.

[ricardo1949]

I’ve been fascinated with languages for at least a half century. In elementary school I learned about ancient Sumer and cuneiform writing. I made up my own code using cuneiform-like symbols. When I was in the 9th grade, my mother made me take Latin. I hated it. Today in my mind I thank her – sometimes several times a day – for her stubborn insistence – not that I had a choice! I’m planning to retire at the end of June, when I look forward to pursuing my passion: languages. Although I’ve studied a number of them over the years, at present I’m concentrating on two: Spanish and Latin (yes, Latin). I actually found a copy of my 9th-grade Latin textbook and have been relearning the language – 50 years after my first encounter with it.

I’m excited about this website where I hope to get to know some people who are likewise passionate about other languages. In the Richmond (Virginia) metro area where I live, there are some 30 thousand Spanish-speaking people (including some of my neighbors). Upon retirement I hope to place myself in a Spanish-speaking environment, where I speak Spanish better than others speak English, so that I’ll be compelled to communicate in Spanish. There’s a local charity that works with immigrants, so maybe I’ll start with them.

I’m looking for some users of this website from Mexico or Central America interested in bilingual dialogue via Skype. I put my Skype username (muyviejo61) in my profile here, so do get in touch.