Learning Spanish: Spain, or Latin American?

[Atls]

Hola! I'm going to be learning Spanish with Rosetta Stone very soon, because it's a very popular and nice language, and I'll need it for my studies too. Anyways, I had one major concern:

Should I go with Spanish (Spain), or Spanish (Latin America)? Now, I researched a bit and found out there's not too many differences, aside from pronounciations and what not. I only want to ask and see what is more practical .
I live in Canada, and I can already speak three languages (English, Hindi, Punjabi) and Spanish will become my fourth, if that helps.

I will be spending a lot of time in Spain, as well as in USA, where there are a lot of Latin American Spanish speakers. Just wanted some input.

Rosetta Stone is very costly ($200+), but it's efficient. It supplements me learning the language by being in a Spanish environment, which helps a ton. Which would be "more useful"? Thanks a lot!

 

[El Guaraguao]

Honestly, I would advise you to take the Spain (Spanish) courses. Its pretty much the basis of the Spanish language, for obvious reasons.

Good luck.

 

[RapidSnail]

Just torrent RS if it's too much for you.

 

[sdifox]

It's mostly a pronounciation and local idiom issues. Doesn't really matter which you learn.

Latin American population >>>>>>>>> Spanish Population

 

[KMc]

Latin American Spanish is far more prevalent in the Western Hemisphere. The more you learn, the more you will realize that the two can be quite different. I've really only run into Castilian Spanish in Europe. But since you say you will be spending quite a bit of time there, maybe that is what you want.

 

[zanejohnson]

there's really not that much of a diff, just more vocab/slang... run through both on rosetta stone.. go to spain channels in jtv...lol..

 

[dwell]

Spain. Latin Americans don't speak Spanish, they speak Mexican.

 

[zanejohnson]

Spain. Latin Americans don't speak Spanish, they speak Mexican.

your an idiot.

My Grandparents are Spanish, from Spain.. they speak the same spanish as mexicans..PRETTY MUCH....

 

[Atls]

Thanks for all the help, I guess I'll choose the origianl Spain, then!

And Mexicans speak Spanish, too.

 

[polarmystery]

your an idiot.

My Grandparents are Spanish, from Spain.. they speak the same spanish as mexicans..PRETTY MUCH....

If your grandparents were really Spanish, they would speak castilliano, and not mexian spanish. My grandparents (also Spaniards) live in Barcelona and they absolutely abhor the mexian dialect. Spaniards are a very proud bunch, language included.

You are correct in that it is very similar, but to say that to them is blasphemy which is kind of funny/weird.

 

[gorcorps]

Either one can understand the other... there's just some different pronunciations and such. Similar to compare American English to European English... same language but some differences.

 

[NetWareHead]

Learn to speak the "King's Spanish". You will sound classier and more educated even when you go to Latin American nations.

 

[zanejohnson]

If your grandparents were really Spanish, they would speak castilliano, and not mexian spanish. My grandparents (also Spaniards) live in Barcelona and they absolutely abhor the mexian dialect. Spaniards are a very proud bunch, language included.

You are correct in that it is very similar, but to say that to them is blasphemy which is kind of funny/weird.

they speak castille as well, i overheard my mom and grandmother once talking about it, and i guess where they were from however spanish was the main language..

 

[sdifox]

If your grandparents were really Spanish, they would speak castilliano, and not mexian spanish. My grandparents (also Spaniards) live in Barcelona and they absolutely abhor the mexian dialect. Spaniards are a very proud bunch, language included.

You are correct in that it is very similar, but to say that to them is blasphemy which is kind of funny/weird.

In Argentina they teach Castellano in the school system.

 

[NetWareHead]

In Argentina they teach Castellano in the school system.

Makes sense. Visit Argentina and then visit Guatamala or other heavily native american country. Argentina doesn't really have the influential indian element like other countries, and the country remains very European today. Also, the widespread Italian immigration helps as well.

 

[dwell]

And Mexicans speak Spanish, too.

Yeah, like Americans speak English they do!

 

[JulesMaximus]

If you're going to be spending time in Spain then I would get that version. Spaniards know the difference and they generally detest people from Latin America.

 

[JHoNNy1OoO]

If you want to learn how to speak with a lisp, learn the Spaniard version. If you want to speak without a lisp go with the Latin American. The only difference really is the pronunciation and a word here or there. I have some extended family members who are Spaniards and I die a little inside every time I hear them speak. Just something about the lisp that rubs me the wrong way.

 

[dr150]

You'll want to learn Castillian Spanish like how it's pronounced correctly, such as in Chile or Argentina.

On the streets of Spain, they speak a slanged-out super fast dialect like some super coked out addict. As a university level/native level speaker, even I have trouble following!! It's definitely not the best place to learn the language!.....Plus, they have the Catalan influence which totally messes with the purity of the "high" Spanish. As the poster above said, the "lisp" way of talking is indeed annoying....i.e., pronouncing Barcelona as "Barthelona".....no Spanish speaker anywhere in the world talks this way--except Spain.

The correct Castillian spanish is also spoken in all of South America but best in Chile, Argentina, and Uruguay (where there's little slang or Native American influence to the Castillian--contrasted with Mexico/Central America). The language is spoken correctly, sloooow and deliberate. You will be able to pick it up well as a student and easily able to grow your base.

You don't want to try out Spain first. That would be a total nightmare! You'll get lost!

 

[lord_emperor]

I will be spending a lot of time in Spain, as well as in USA, where there are a lot of Latin American Spanish speakers. Just wanted some input.

Pretty obvious then, right? I doubt you'll find a situation in the USA where you can't communicate with either English or Spanish (Spain).