First, I was always taught in high school and college the vosotros verbal form (plural you, familar).
Second, I was always taught that vosotros was used mainly in Spain and was rare in other Spanish-speaking countries (among other differences).
Third, I was told that vosotros was only used with close friends and family and, therefore, would probably never have a situation in which I needed to use it.
Fourth, I know from experience that the vosotros form is omitted from Spanish language classes in high-schools and colleges across the U.S.
So, imagine when I arrive in Spain a few years later and hear vosotros all over the place! I hear it in both in casual conversations with my roommates in Madrid and serious meetings with the principal and teacher's union representative at my school. I feel so misinformed.
I do have a slight leg up on those who have never learned this verb form, but I still resent teachers who, from choosing not to teach vosotros, imply that students will never travel to Spain to use their Spanish or cannot grasp cultural differences among Spanish-speaking countries.
Perhaps I should start a petition to bring back vosotros to the U.S. for good?
Long live vosotros!
2 comments:
Yes, the use of "vosotros" is found only in the Spaniard's version of Spanish--much like the inexplicable lisp!
Love ya, Niner!
The only reason vosotros is limited to close friends and family is because it is a version of "tu." In any case, I've never heard it used in Spanish-speaking countries other than Spain, where they use it constantly--as you obviously know.
I'm so obnoxious, aren't I?
Post a Comment