[R. Scott]

A student of Spanish, I tried to order, but the language of Cervantes got me nowhere at Betty's.

No, Castilian Spanish is not the Spanish of Central America. From the above statement alone I would have to conclude that Froma Harrop is well sheltered from some of life’s realities.

[spintreebob]

"Harrop is well sheltered "

Yes, the author seems totally ignorant of reality and writes a vapid article of no significance.

[Calpernia]

bttt

[longtermmemmory]

I think we have a tale fo two spanishes.

One a gutter form the other a proper form taught in schools.

[Kenny Bunk]

A student of Spanish, I tried to order, but the language of Cervantes got me nowhere at Betty's. That is because this woman is an idiot who thinks she speaks "Spanish," and Cervantes would not understand her either. It has been my experience that no matter how "un-Castilian" the local argot is, the locals understand it perfectly well. Just as an American can understand the "Queen's English."

And like those of us who appreciate well-spoken English, even though the speaker is not from Maine, the natives of all Spanish-speaking countries, by and large, understand good Spanish.

I drop into the local schools to substitute for Spanish teachers and I assure you that many pubric scrool sSpanish teachers would die of thirst before they could get a glass of water in a Spanish speaking country. Unfortunately, ditto their students.

[ut1992]

You are absolutely correct. A few years ago I attended work-related meetings in Madrid. I can only speak "spring break" Spanish, but I can tell the huge difference between Castilian Spanish and the Spanish from our neighbors to the south. One of the guys from our Madrid office told me that it makes his "toes curl" when he speaks Spanish with his counterparts in our Mexico City; he says they spoke "gutter" Spanish.