I’m nervous!
This is because a couple of my friends and I are planning on recording a podcast in Spanish. What if people who listen to the podcast think I’m not very advanced? I have frequently said that I have a high level. What if I make a whole bunch of silly mistakes and people question my credibility as an instructor?
You see, I feel out of practice.
Nowadays, I speak Spanish primarily with my students. I haven’t spent time in a Spanish-speaking country since 2014 (except for a very short stint in Mexico this year) nor have I had a latino friend circle since 2018 or 2019.
Speaking with my students and native speakers is not the same.
My accent in Spanish is also not associated to any particular country anymore.
I used to speak a lot like a Peruvian. I spent 2 months Peru and spent a few years practicing Spanish with a Peruvian friend in Calgary. However, I lost contact with my Peruvian friend almost 9 years ago and have not been to Peru since 2011.
Nowadays, I’m told that I sound:
Mexican. Weirdly, Mexicans tell me I sound Colombian or, oddly, Spanish from Spain
Colombian. Again, weirdly, Colombians don’t tell me I sound Colombian and instead say I sound Mexican
Like a native speaker with a neutral accent, but they can’t place exactly from what country
For some reason, I would feel more comfortable if I spoke Spanish like a native speaker from a specific country.
Lastly, my confidence is a little shook because of a comment someone made to me in the spring.
I met a lady from Colombia who told me that she could I wasn’t a native speaker. It hurt my ego because for years all anyone has ever told me is that I sound exactly, or very close, to a native speaker. Or, at least, that is the first impression they’d get from me.
To prepare for the podcast, I’ve been listening to Peruvians on YouTube and Spotify to get my head back into “Peruvian mode.”
It has reminded me of a lot of the Peruvian Spanish I’ve long since forgotten. I’m filled with nostalgia.
I’ve also been reminded of how important it is for me to have external accountability. Without it, I don’t practice my target languages as much.
Wish me luck.
Provided nobody flakes, we should be able to get the podcast recorded later this month. I’m committed and excited to record it :)
Check out the latest podcast I made with friends by clicking either of the buttons below.
Vivo en el sur de México y pensé que mi español era horrible... Pero he aprendido que la razón que no entiendo bien es que aprendí el español del noroeste, y es muy diferente aca. Así que si alguien no te entiende creerán que simplemente eres de otro lugar. 😆
I wish you good luck but you already know a wisdom and life experience come to you by allowing yourself to make mistake and learning from it.