Like
the British, the Spanish are not good learners of foreign
tongues, relying on the fact they also speak a global language. In addition, they're hampered by a belief
that they're somehow genetically disadvantaged when it comes to this
challenge. This bit of nonsense is probably enhanced by a
traditional emphasis on grammar rather than oral communication. Which leaves Spaniards nervous about trying to talk in a foreign language. But,
anyway, the reality is that the statistics are not good as regards
the learning and speaking of English specifically. As you can see here.
Where would we be without The Local's endless lists? Here's another one, plus a specific example:-
The TV
series set in fictitious 11th. century Galicia – El Final
del Camino - begins tonight on Spain's TV. At 10.40, which is
peak viewing time in Spain, of course.
The
fascinating thing about the latest Trump allegations – about
his Trumpy-rumpy-pumpy in Moscow – is that - true or not - they're totally
plausible. Everyone but everyone is going to be tempted to believe
they really are true. This, of course, might not matter much to those who see
him – despite everything we know and will know about him – as the
saviour of the USA. How future generations will laugh at all this! Which might compensate for the current weeping.
Sad to see
that Spain's second large lottery, El Niño - like its
big brother, El Gordo - left only crumbs in Galicia. A
very small percentage of what our hopeless optimists wagered.
Almost
every year sees a new Camino de Santiago. We now have 3
passing through Pontevedra city – the main Camino Portugués
plus 2 variantes of it. And then there's the one that goes from La
Guardia, at the estuary of the river Miño, along the coast to Vigo
and then either further up the coast via Villagarcia or inland to
Pontevedra and said Camino Portugués. Not much to do with
pilgrimage, of course, as opposed to wealth creation. Not that that's
a bad thing. Anyway, here's an article – in Spanish – on what
might be the coastal route from La Guardia(A Guarda/A Garda in Galician) or
possibly a new one which runs parallel but involves more walking on earth rather than tarmac. I will investigate further!
Meanwhile,
it's good to know that the kind folk who subscribed me to Asian
Date have now signed me up for African Date. And 'Virgin
Media' are still trying to get me to click on one of their several
links. As if.
Finally
. . . Today's cartoon:-
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