Hello from the UK

[DBMark]

Hi! (or should that be hola - buenas!)

I've only just found this site, and it looks very interesting indeed. Why am I interested in the Spanish language? Well, I've worked for a while in Spain as an English teacher (although I normally work in IT, when there's not a recession) and try to visit Spain as much as I can. I'm also developing my own web site that needs expressions translating into Spanish - I find that using Google translation tools often lead you into bad conversions. Does anyone else find this? I'm very interested to find out which English words cause most problems to native Spanish speakers. Of course there are the false friends such as "compromise" or "assist", but I 'm sure there are others.
Looking forward to hearing from others here.

Regards
Mark

[pjt33]

Google translation is awful.

Phrasal verbs is an area Spanish-speakers often have problems with. So, surprisingly, is gender agreement.

[irmamar]

Welcome DBMark.

I agree, phrasal verbs and false friends (and prepositions - particles).

[poli]

I hear very and too are often misused. They aren't synonomous. Example: I like her too much instead of I like her very much.

[chileno]

Hi DBMark:

Good idea.

However, why do you say that "assist" is a false friend?

http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/assist

[CrOtALiTo]

Hello I bid you welcome, I hope that your stay in the forums will be enjoyable.


If you need help with the Spanish.

[pjt33]

Originally Posted by chileno

However, why do you say that "assist" is a false friend?

http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/assist

I've never come across the second meaning given before, and if I had heard someone using it yesterday I would have assumed they were speaking Spanglish. If you want native English speakers to understand you I would advise using "attend".

[Perikles]

Originally Posted by pjt33

I've never come across the second meaning given before

Neither have I - the Oxford dictionary flags it as French and obsolete.

[Jessica]

bienvenido

[chileno]

Originally Posted by pjt33

I've never come across the second meaning given before, and if I had heard someone using it yesterday I would have assumed they were speaking Spanglish. If you want native English speakers to understand you I would advise using "attend".

Understandable.

However, to me the fact that is isn't used it does not mean it does not exist, and that it is a false friend.

This is exactly the kind of situations that made me shy away from grammar.

I've seen big arguments carried by knowledgeable people over stuff like this.
At the end, nothing that I can say i have gained knowledge from.... well not true. I saw Perikles comment

Neither have I - the Oxford dictionary flags it as French and obsolete.

And at least now I know that, whether is true or not.