A word of caution to our Spanglish for Gringos speakers in America.

While most Spanish speakers will be pleased to have you try to learn Spanish many Spanish speakers you are likely to encounter in the normal course of your day will not be expecting to hear you try to speak to them in Spanish. In certain circumstances your attempt to do so may produce a less than friendly response. So don't be surprised if you roll out a positively brilliant Spanish sentence and get a confused stare in return or you are flat out ignored.

Please keep the following in mind:

1. Time. You probably aren't the first gringo they've heard taking a half-assed stab at speaking Spanish. Maybe not even the first Gringo in the last fifteen minutes. It can get old - fast. Some people, particularly those within the service industries, are busy. They may not have the time to play, "Let's guess what the stupid gringo is trying to say."

2. Ability. Others may not want or may not be able to switch easily back and forth between English and Spanish. To do so is a real talent! After all, can you do it?

3. Racism. I know, I know - you didn't mean anything by it! Know this, just because somebody "looks Hispanic" to you doesn't mean they are. You may be trying your Spanglish out, for instance, on a, say, Lebanese. Another pitfall is the fact that not all Hispanic Americans speak, or want to speak, Spanish. It is possible that a person may take offense thinking you are mistaking him - a 4th or 5th generation U.S. Citizen - for an immigrant. So watch your assumptions carefully. Be sensitive to the fact that there are many difficult divisions between our cultures.

Remember also that racism works both ways. You may meet somebody who just doesn't like Gringos!

4. The Law. Someone with, unknown to you, questionable immigration status may be very uncomfortable with the fact that you, by trying to speak to them in Spanish, are - however unintentionally - drawing attention to them in public.

5. Shyness. Some people just don't like being put on the spot in public. Keep in mind that some of the Mexican and Central American people who come to work in North America are rural people, small town sorts and farmers. They wonderful people but often defferential to those they see as being in authority. Additionally, since proper Spanish has formal and informal ways of saying things, a particular "Old World" sort may even take offense at the assumption of familiarity which dropping into their family language in the wrong way implies.

For all of the above reasons, if you want to practice your Spanglish on some unsuspecting test subject in public, and I strongly suggest that you do try, it might be a good idea to ask politely first.

In English, "Do you speak Spanish? Could you help me with my Spanish please?"
In Spanglish: ¿Usted habla Esañol? ¿Puede usted ayudar mi con mi Esañol Por Favor?
Phonetically: Oo-sthead ah-blah Espahnyole? Poo-weh-deh oo-sthead ah-you-dahr me cone me Espahn-yole poor fah-vore?
How they'll hear it: Speak Spanish you? Can you to help my with my Spanish please?

It's horrible Spanish but it'll get 'er done. Your victim will most likely respond, "¡Claro!" meaning: "Of course." Then go for it. Of course "no" means "no" in Spanish, English and Spanglish.

All in all, it is a worldwide fact that just about anybody appreciates the effort of another to learn his language. It shows respect and humanity. I guarantee you that the effort extended will always generate it's own great reward.

Buena suerte amigos!