Many people make the decision to learn Spanish because they have plans to vacation, volunteer or work in one of the 20 countries around the world where Spanish is the official language. You can get off to a great start by first familiarizing yourself with the pronunciation of some basic Spanish words and phrases. This will help you understand how the language is actually used in everyday situations by the estimated 437 million Spanish speakers around the world.
All too often, new language learners get caught up in efforts to memorise long lists of Spanish words and phrases. And then they find themselves unable to understand or be understood in everyday, real-world Spanish conversations. That’s why it’s important to learn to pronounce and understand commonly used Spanish words and phrases first—so you can feel comfortable and confident engaging in conversation with locals.
It’s worth noting that Spanish does have some pronunciation distinctions that can make it a bit of a challenge for new learners. As one example, the letter r is pronounced differently and takes some practise for most new learners. This distinct sound is formed by tapping the tip of the tongue on the roof of the mouth, about a third of the way back in the mouth. Some Spanish language experts counsel new Spanish learners to practise making the “tt” sound, as it sounds in the English word butter.
To develop accurate pronunciation, you’ll need immediate feedback on your pronunciation efforts. Rosetta Stone’s TruAccent™ speech-recognition engine helps guide you to the correct pronunciation. Our patented speech engine instantly compares your voice to native and non-native speakers, so you get real-time feedback for the most accurate pronunciation. It’s also adjustable, which allows you to fine-tune your accent. TruAccent is a powerful tool for helping you learn and speak the Spanish language.
After beginners have acquired basic words, short phrases, and their proper pronunciation, it’ll be a natural transition to learn the longer phrases that make up so much of everyday conversation. Rosetta Stone’s brief, 10-minute lessons are built in exactly this way. They focus on the basics first, then move onto longer phrases. This approach helps you acquire the skills to understand and be understood in Spanish with confidence.
