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Anonymous
Hey /trv/.

I just realized I have never left North America, and that this needs to be addressed as soon as possible. I would like to go to Argentina and possibly Chile this summer. I have enough cash, a passport, frequent flier miles (if they apply).

The only thing I don't have is command of the Spanish language. I can handle basic phrases, etc., but other than that, I'd be speaking from a guidebook. I'm not stupid enough to assume people speak English there.

So my question is: how long does it take to pick up a language, specifically Spanish? If I went this summer, one of the primary goals would be to learn Spanish, as it will be a valuable asset when I graduate.

I'm not stupid, nor will I cower in a corner if nobody can speak my language, so I'm confident I could pick it up eventually. The only question is how long? It's a bit difficult to find information about this unless I'm looking in all the wrong places.
>> Anonymous
>>69772

Fair enough. Is it worth going at all without language background then?

Also, that was a trip I was considering. Valparaiso seems very nice. And affordable.
>> Anonymous
If you study on your own at home, build your vocabulary, look up the words you hear during the day you don't know, you'll be very proficient if not fluent within 3-6 months.

Also, don't burn your frequent flier miles on the trip down there. Save those for when you're down and out and need to GTFO somewhere.
>> anon
http://www.allchile.net/chileforum/post13727.html?hilit=learn%20spanish#p13727
>> Anonymous
>>69784

Thanks
>> Anonymous
I'm Argentinian, and I'd say a good portion of the people in Buenos Aires speak at least some basic english, so I wouldn't worry.
Anyway OP, if you end up coming here and you have any questions, feel free to ask.
>> Anonymous
>>69789

Since I need a distraction from physics (incidentally, my Physics Professor is from Argentina and I have been trying to figure out how to ask him about it without seeming like a suck-up), I may as well ask the basics:

How are things going down there? The global economy is not so hot, but how is your inflation rate? If I understand correctly prices have been skyrocketing. Maybe inflation has been reigned in of late?

I could travel sometime between the months of May and August, so weather (it's winter, right?) probably won't be ideal, but does that mean less tourists?

Also, how do you view tourists? If I made a concerted attempt to blend in and not be a fool, will people open up and show me the ropes?

Do people still listen to Carlos Gardel and Miguel Calo?