Lost in Translation? Why Speaking Spanish Doesn't Mean Understanding Spaniards

A Colombian expatriate residing in Madrid has shared her surprising linguistic challenges in Spain, despite being a native Spanish speaker. In a recent video, the woman, who identifies as Colombian and has lived in Madrid for four years, explained that she still finds it difficult to fully comprehend Spanish spoken by locals. She noted that even when watching Spanish films on Netflix, she often resorts to using Spanish subtitles to keep up with the rapid speech and distinct expressions. "You think that because you speak Spanish, you're going to understand Spaniards," she remarked, highlighting her initial misconception. The content creator drew a comparison between the fast speech of Andalusians and coastal Colombians, acknowledging similarities in pace but emphasizing a fundamental difference in comprehension. She humorously recounted an instance where she was told "chapó" and still did not understand its meaning. The video concludes with her inviting other foreigners to share their experiences and asking Spaniards for advice on better understanding their dialect.

Diario ABC

one month ago

Una colombiana que vive en Madrid opina sobre la forma de hablar de los español…

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