It is always helpful when studying a foreign language to have plenty of examples of the language you are trying to learn along with a translation in a language you already know well. It's especially helpful if these examples are in the form of sentences or phrases, rather than just isolated words, such as in a dictionary. That is why, when studying Chinese (a language I am trying to learn), I purchased (in addition to such thing as audio media, dictionaries and flash cards) a Chinese/English dual translation of the Holy Bible, and both a Chinese version and an English version of a well known author's self-help book (see my July 25, 2014 Blog for specific resources I used).
While these resources were excellent for me, you may not feel you are ready for such a high reading level in the target language, or, you may just not be ready to spend the money it takes to buy these books. Well, you're in luck! There is a resource readily available that will come with no extra cost to you, and is easy to use at any level. Look in your kitchen cabinets or your pantry... go to your local grocery store and peruse the shelves... you will find a wealth of resources for learning Spanish! Translations for English to Spanish are common on American goods these days. Sometimes one side is fully English and the other is fully Spanish. These packages can be very useful in helping you to improve your language skills.
Within this post, as well as within the next several weeks, I will give you some tips and exercises that you can do to utilize this "free" resource. You need to buy groceries anyway, don't you? You may already have within your house numerous versions of these great learning tools! If you find your grocery store does not carry as many truly bilingually packaged items as you'd wish, try visiting a grocery store that caters to a Spanish-speaking community or to a diverse population that contains both English and Spanish-speaking families, such as the grocery store I work at part-time:
Of the Buy For Less stores, 3 cater especially to a mixed Spanish speaking/English-speaking population. This company is only found in Oklahoma, but whatever state you live in, there will likely be stores that at least partially cater to our country's growing Spanish-speaking population. Some of these stores will even provide you with opportunities to try using some of the Spanish you already know with true native speakers (in the form of store employees).
Even packaging on foods that do not translate everything will often translate part of what is written - take this Campbell's chicken noodle soup can, from my friend's pantry, for instance...
English Directions: Mix soup + 1 Can water. Microwave: Heat covered, in microwavable bowl on high: 2 1/2 to 3 minutes. Careful, leave in microwave one minute, then stir.
Stove: Heat, stirring occasionally.
Caution: Metal edges are sharp. Recommend use by date on can end. Promptly refrigerate unused soup in separate container.
Spanish Instrucciones: Mezle la sopa + 1 lata de agua. Microondas: Caliente, tapada en un tazón apto para microondas en posición alta durante 2 1/2 a 3 minutos. Con cuidado, deje en el microondas durante un minute, luego revuelva.
Cocina: Caliente, revolviendo ocasionalmente.
Precaución: Los bordes metálicos son filosos. Se recomienda usar antes de la fecha indicada en la base de la lata. Refrigere inmediatamente en un recipient separado la sopa que no ha consumido.
As you can see, that includes quite a lot of vocabulary, just in the cooking instructions! Often, the translator a company hires to translate information on products is better at speaking one language than they are the other. Be careful - translators do make mistakes and if, while reading product packaging, something seems fishy to you.. it might be mistake. Look it up in a dictionary, or verb guide, if you wish. Still, gaining and practicing Spanish vocab and grammar from product packaging can be a great free opportunity! Also -sometimes Spanish native speakers even make mistakes in their own language - especially spelling mistakes. This is especially observable on signs in public places (including grocery stores!). I recommend you use these types of resources for vocabulary learning and practice, not as an authoritative source for learning spelling. To practice spelling specifically, use a dictionary when the spelling is not obvious by the pronunciation.
Speaking of Spanish language stores, if you are going to be in the Oklahoma City area on the 15th and/or the 22nd of February, 2015, I'm going to be performing at 2 separate Buy For Less locations that do cater to a mixed Spanish and English-speaking population. I will be there providing some musical entertainment in both English and Spanish. The shows will be at:
2/15/2015: 1 PM - 3 PM
3701 N MacArthur Blvd, Oklahoma City, OK 73122
3701 N MacArthur Blvd, Oklahoma City, OK 73122
2/22/2015: 1PM - 3 PM
415 SW 59th St, Oklahoma City, OK 73109
I'll be there both dates until 4PM, but the final hour of the show will be a special Randy Newman tribute performance, which will not contain any Spanish - but will be quite entertaining!
So, come on by and say "hi", get yourself some groceries/"Free" Spanish-learning materials (The back of the packages!), and enjoy some Valentine's Day love songs in two different languages with a little dose of Latin culture!
Before I go, one more of example of a bi-lingual can from my friend's pantry:
Green Gian Whole Kernal Sweet Corn: The name of the product inside is translated as "Maiz Dulce de Granos Enteros". Some can advertising and weight watchers information is not translated, but all of the "Nutrition Facts" are. Also, the ingredient list is translated:
Ingredients: Golden Whole Kernal Corn, Water, Salt.
Ingredientes: Granos Enteros de Maiz Dorado, Agua, Sal.
And, as with the previous Chicken Soup can, the preparation instructions are given in both languages:
Stove-Top: Heat just to boiling; drain if desired.
En Estufa: Caliente hasta hervir; escurra si lo desea.
Microwave: Heat in covered microwavable dish on high 2 1/2 to 3 1/2 minutes. Drain if desired.
Microondas: Caliente en un plato cubierto apto para microondas a temperature alta por 2 1/2 a 3 1/2 minutos. Escurra se lo desea.
Refrigerate leftovers.
Refrigere el product sobrante.
You can compare the words written on cans to each other, since similar ideas will often be repeated. You will repeatedly experience the same and similar concepts. This is very helpful to learning them. Of course, these are especially helpful in learning the command form of verbs, as well as general vocabulary. Eventually, you will want to move on to more complex and varied learning materials, but for a while, you can learn much form these items which you already have in your house.
Later on, you can even find more complicated (yet free) material in the forms of instruction pamphlets and manuals that com with a variety of products you've already purchased for your home or yard, or even your car!
. At first, I didn't actually use it while driving (I lived in Korea and didn't have a car), but just at home - and it helped a lot with its constant repetition, clear pronunciation, and gradual introduction of new words and phrases.
, which is much more affordable.Click on the above links to read more about this product from Amazon.... I used these CD's for the first year I was learning, in addition to watching lots of Spanish movies, reading easy books (with the English version as well in case I was completely stuck and could not figure out what something meant), and talking to people whenever I could. I also attended the 