Spanish speakers: Did I ask this in a rude way?

Question

I asked this question on Yahoo! España Respuestas: http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AmwDIWoFPbv6npYX.qleRXfsy6IX?qid=20060806075622AAUNo7h

I think some people took offense to the way I asked the question, though I'm not sure if it was that, or if it was because of some other thing. I just want to know if they were offended by the way I asked the question, so I can learn from my mistakes. (Also, I know my grammar wasn't great in that question, and I possibly used "todavía" instead of "ya" because that one always confuses me...).

I really, honestly didn't mean to offend anyone with the question, I was just curious if Spanish accents of English speakers do seem funny/bad/weird/etc to native speakers.

(Also, what does "usaca" mean, I can't find it in a dictionary, and I don't really get that answer.)

Gracias a todos.

Also, it's difficult for me to tell when somene's being rude/not incredibly friendly/honest/etc in Spanish, but I know some of the people are just being honest, which is great--exactly what I was hoping for. It just seems like at least one or two of the answers took offense to the question, and I wanted to make sure I didn't offend them; and if I did, I just wanted to know how to not do that again.

Thanks.

Answer 1

You weren't rude at all. Just a couple of people who hate USA 'cause its political issues picked on you. Usaca is referred to someone born in US in a derogatory way. I actually guessed it as I've never heard it before in Spain. We always refer to people from US as "americanos" or "estadounidenses". We don't use "gringo" either. (Note there are a lot of soutamericans in the Yahoo respuestas Spain). Don't be disappointed because some people are mean. Most people answered your question nicely.


And now I answer your question:

Sinceramente, no puedo notar la diferencia entre un inglés on un estadounidense hablando español. Lo que pasa es que los estadounidenses tienden a aprender el español que se habla en México y entonces si se puede distinguir, pero si aprendes el español que se habla en España, para mi es imposible distinguir a un estadounidense de un inglés.

Siempre es gracioso oir a alguien extranjero tratar de hablar tu lengua.

Answer 2

Cynthia, I read your original question(s) in Castilian and found nothing offensive about the way you posed your question. It was articulated very well and your Castilian is excellent.

The only reason I can imagine that anyone was offended is because that person did not speak Castilian. People who speak 'Spanish,' which is a regional California or Texas dialect (sometimes called 'Tex-Mex,' or 'Cali-Mex'), would find proper Castilian 'odd.'

Take heart! I applaud you for learning and mastering a second language.

To answer your original question, I find the accent of English-as-a-first-language people speaking Spanish (or Castilian) very, very charming. I love it when non-Spanish speakers take the time and interest to learn my first language.

I have never heard a Brit speak Spanish, but I am sure it is delightful.

Finally, you did good by learning Castilian first. The dialects and sub-dialects will just be that much easier to master.

Your second question: "Usaca" must be some slang I am not familiar with. It is not Spanish nor Castilian. Sorry.

Oh, wait! You mean Antonio's reply?

Antonio is trying to coin an acronym. It would have helped if he had typed it out in all caps: USA-co (masculine), or USA-ca (feminine).

It is masculine or feminine for a person from the USA. A USA-lander. Cute, but too vague particularly for someone who is just learning the language. Shame on you, Antonio!

H

Answer 3

Hi!
You were very polite actually.
It was a nice way to ask the question.

They people that answered in an impolite kind of way, seem to be part of those Spanish speakers that resent americans (there are a lot of those around, believe me). I can't really tell you why this happens. I think they are kind of envious they don't speak English as well as you speak Spanish!

What I can tell you is that you used a very Spanish kind of Spanish. You used the second person of thep plural as vosotros (which happens I think, only in Spain these days). Most of the Spanish speaking community uses the "Ustedes" version, which is probably more informal (this happens in both Latinamerica ans USA).

Congratulations on your Spanish actually... and if you ever have any questions don't hesitate and conatct me if you want for a chat :) This way I could actually practice my English as well!

About "usaca"... The word does not exist. That's how your answered refered to americans: USAco, USAca. I think he did this in a bit of a nasty way. Don't pay attention. Again, they're probably jealous you speak spanish better than them. (A thing that usually happens with foreign lerners... they might not get the pronunciation, but they know the rules!)

Goodluck!

Answer 4

I was one of the ones who responded your question and no, I wasn't offended. I reminded you of the little patience people in the US have regarding those who speak with an accent. This doesn't happen in the English speaking country where I live. I hold a senior management position and people don't fuss about my accent.
"Usaca" in racist Spain is a pejorative word for someone from the United States. It's a variation of Sudaca, which they use to express their rejection to South Americans. But anti-US sentiments in Spain are not that as high as their contempt towards Sudacas.

Answer 5

There was no offense in the way you asked the question, I don't know what the big deal was. To answer your question, I love the British accent (Scottish, Irish, Australian, and Sout African, as well) I'm a sucker for accents, and I appreciate them more because I'm American and am not used to hearing them on a daily basis. Yes you can distinguish the English and American accents, it's just obvious because they are not alike. A lot of Americans, though, might have trouble distinguishing from the accents that I listed above.

Answer 6

No, your original question was not rude at all. Many people (at least in Mexico) have a problem when learning English. They feel it is another way of imperialism that we are forced to learn it. I think the "rude" answers were because of that feeling. But that is not your fault.

What I find WEIRD is that Mr. H is saying that Spanish is dialect spoken in Texas and California. Of course I strongly disagree with that. Castilian is a less used word to refer to Spanish. So.. why all the distinction? It'd be as willing to call a NY dialect, a Seattle dialect, a Texas dialect, etc. all them are English.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Castillian

Answer 7

The question is not offensive at all. I think you speak Spanish very well. Usaca and usaco are not words, this person used this word instead of saying Estadounidiense or Norteamericano which mean Americans.

Answer 8

You did very well in what you posted in Spanish. I'm pretty good in it myself, having met only two or three other English speakers better. There were a couple of minor errors but your vocabulary is wonderful. Usaco/as and usacia are terms this individual uses for people from the U.S.A. and, the latter, for the country itself. He's employing the abbreviation for the nationality as well as the country.

Hang in there. From what I've seen of your Spanish, you're well on your way to mastery.

Answer 9

I consider Nona. I additionally feel that mostly men and women cover their lack of know-how via being impolite, so might be, you did not ask informed men and women and, except, such a lot Spanish audio system aren't impolite via nature, however particularly useful, certainly. What's extra, the idea or the wording of politeness alterations in step with tradition, so it would even be that you just notion they had been being impolite, however they didn't intend to. If you've any questions, please, do put up them right here. There's a well quantity of pleasant translators right here who'll be inclined to supply you a serving to hand.

Answer 10

if you speak they way it is supposed to sound, no one Will get offended. In fact Spanish speakers wont get offended if you try to speak their language and mess up, only if you are mean and add an "o" on every American word.
You didn't ask it in a rude way, although the grammar is not correct.