Chile Forum

Where can I find someone in the Las Condes area of Santiago who can teach Chilensis. The spanish language can allow you to read some, but it does not lend itself to having a conversation of any substance. Any suggestions are appreciated.
Diane Lynch

I might be able to help you since I am in a transition period, where in las condes do you live?

I currently live in New Jersey. My son, his wife who is Chilean and my granddaughter live 10 minutes from Apumanque Shopping Center, Manquehue Sur 31, Las Condes, Santiago – Chile ... I have been to Santiago 3 times in the last 3 years and 3 mos does not really give me much time - I have tried spanish (my son et al are fluent - even my grandaughter is better than I am) but it does not enable conversation with her family - I can usually get through the grocery store, a tienda, a restaurant with the basics, but none of her siblings speak English at all - and we can't carry a computer arround all the time to translate back and forth.

I am arriving on December 9 and would like to try to get a few words under my belt before Christmas = Are you going to be in Chile for a while? Do you live there? Are you Chilean? Please let me know if you would be available. Thanks, Diane Lynch

Diane, my Spanish teacher, Isabel Gonzalez, lives walking distance from Apumanque (I think she's around Rotunda Capitan or maybe on Del Inca? I'm not sure exactly where, but I know it's somewhere around there. She usually comes to my house though). She is fantastic and everyone I've recommended her to loves her. She is a mature person (I guess mid 50's?) who is used to teaching adults, so you don't feel like a child learning abc's!

Her website is http://www.learnspanish.cl/index.htm

I think I might be still around in December.
I'll send you PM

It is good idea to follow Tombi' suggestion since she found a professional. In my case, I can offer help but free of charge just for the heck of it, since I have some spare time
R.

Ahh, and I heard of a book written by a gringo, I think it was something like 'how to survive in the chilean jungle' that can help you with chilean slang (check amazon)

I looked up the book you mentioned on Amazon - The prices were for used anywhere from $24 to $180 - will go to Barns and Nobel and take a look before I buy - will let you know,

Diane

Diane wrote:I looked up the book you mentioned on Amazon - The prices were for used anywhere from $24 to $180 - will go to Barns and Nobel and take a look before I buy - will let you know,

Diane

No need to buy the book. There are many free websites with chilenismos. I can prepare a list if you need one or you can google the keywords such as "chilenismos."

Here is some. They don't seem to indicate the degree of vulgarity, however. A large number of chilenismos are indeed vulgar or reflect double entrendre. Come to think of it, Chilean Spanish contains a high degree of vulgarity.

http://knol.google.com/k/chilean-slang-made-easy#
http://www.mainframe.cl/diccionario/diccionario.php
http://mejoratucoa.blogspot.com/2009_03_01_archive.html
http://www.<banned word>/tips/chilean-slang
the wikipedia page on the topic mentions some of the indigenous language groups that have loaned words to chilensis
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chilean_Spanish
http://kiwidepia.com/kiwi/ZS9zL3AvRXNwY ... hpbGVubw==

There is some discussion of that vulgarity component here on the forum, on this thread
topic658.html ("CHILENISMOS, MYTHS AND LEGENDS")

Sorry to bring that vulgarity issue up. It's just the way common Chilean Spanish is.

Don't forget Tomas Bradanovic:
http://knol.google.com/k/chilean-slang-made-easy#
http://www.espanolparagringos.blogspot.com/

Hi Diane--I found the book "How to Survive in the Chilean Jungle" on Amazon or somewhere on the internet at an astronomical price. So I didn't buy it. Instead, I bought a book at Barnes & Noble called "Chilenismos." It's sort of helpful, but nothing beats practice.

I live in NYC. For classes that include practice in speaking, the best school I've found here is El Taller on Broadway at 103. I just returned from Santiago where I took group classes. That experience was helpful and overwhelming at the same time!

I will be moving to Santiago next March. You and I have communicated before. If you'd like to contact me again, PM me. Good luck!

Sally

Thank you ALL for taking the time to reply - and for the valuable info. I just love this site and the wonderful "family" I have here. Thanks again (sure I will be back with other questions and If I can provide any assistance to anyone, I will reply -- I check the forum at least once a week!! Diane

good links Patagoniax.