Afraid to speak spanish?

Question

I moved to Puerto Rico over a year ago. When I got here, I knew NO spanish. Now, I hear people speaking and I can pick up on what's going on. I know a little spanish but I don't speak spanish to anyone (not even my husband) I am terrified of sounding ridiculous, so I make everyone speak english to me. When I go to the bank or the store and need something, I will wait on someone to get someone that speaks english. I can't even bring myself to say Gracias. Does anyone know why this is? Will I ever get over it? How do I speak spanish without making a fool of myself? PLEASE HELP.

Answer 1

Practice...and You'll get better. The only way to do that is to speak it out loud. Just explain to a Spanish speaking friend that you're learning and I'm sure they will be able to help you. Most people like to help teach their language.

Answer 2

This is perfectly natural. I am an American with no Latina blood at all. I have studied Spanish since 1984. I am still not as fluent as I would like to be, but I do speak Spanish at home now, having married a non-English-proficient Hispanic husband. I am an interpreter, and I meet people all the time both American and Hispanic, who will not speak their second language for fear of rejection from the listener, especially the native speaker. I am that person, too. I get so nervous in front of native speakers, scared I am going to say something incorrectly. If I feel this nervous, and Spanish is my second language, how much more normal would it be for you to be nervous if you feel that you should have known that language better than any other. I think that it is perfectly natural, and I think that you are not alone, and that their are many other young people growing up in the same situation. My neice and nephew decided early that they didn't like Spanish. They only wanted to speak English. Now they are in the same situation as you are, so don't feel alone. Try to take comfort in the fact that this is a very common situation, and that it is becoming more and more common everyday as more second-generation and third-generation Hispanics are growing up in the United States.

Answer 3

Study spanish in puerto rico and yes the only way that you can get good at speaking spanish is by speaking it and practicing. You are lucky that you live in a spanish-speaking place where you can practice and pick up, take advantage of that. Dont be scared to sound rediculous cause you wont. People will probably laugh but only in a good way.

Answer 4

The best way to get over this is to start by saying small things. Since you said that even saying gracias scares you have to change your way of thinking. Think about it, half the people that you come into contact with (banks,streets,etc.) will never see you again. So what if you make a mistake. And the fact that you are in a Spanish speaking country should give you PLENTY of oppurtunities to practice.
Buenas suertes : )

Answer 5

Don't worry. This happens to everyone who is learning a foreign language. Spanish speakers are afraid of English as well (when they're beginners or they're not used to speaking in English).

So, my advice is you should speak Spanish as much as you can. People won't make fun of you, specially because it's not your native language. Practicing and making mistakes are the best ways to learn.

Plus, once you do it a couple of time, you'll beging to get over your fear. Good luck!

For more Spanish topics, check:
http://spanishexperts.blogspot.com

Answer 6

I am like you, I can't learn or speak a language by hearing only. The best thing is to study it. If you know how the word is written you will feel comfortable saying it. Especially Spanish is pronounced the same way it is written.

Answer 7

Don't be afraid. Remember you are in a country where it is expected you speak Spanish, I suppose. I was in Panama for three weeks a bunch of years ago and wasn't that great at Spanish but I chatted with the locals and they were patient with me and appreciated my effort. I learned a lot from them. I was very nervous at first but after a few good laughs at my mess ups we had a lot of fun.
Dive in, speak what you know and learn what you don't.

Answer 8

i know exactly how you feel....i am from baltimore and i moved to pr with my husband for 3 years and it is hard especialy when you dont know it when you get there...this is what i did...i watched alot of spanish tv...you know what im talking about all of the novelas and all that and watched what was happeneing in the show...its hard to catch on at first but eventually it will start to come to you...it is natural to feel afraid to speak t because you are afraid of saying something the wrong way...just practise practise practise and you'll start to feel more comfortable after awhile...what part of pr are you living in?

Answer 9

You're probably thinking that they will judge you or perhaps even mock you. Don't worry about this! You will show them respect if you even try to speak what little of their language that you know...and to show them respect like this will yield you so much more respect from them you'll probably find them helping you to learn their language better! You live in THEIR country now...they are proud of their people, their languange and their heritage. They appreciate any effort that is made! Go ahead and try to bridge that gap...you'll find surprising results!!

Answer 10

If that is your picture then I guess you're white and people will know you are an American and they will understand that you are not a native Spanish speaker.