Hello, fellow language adventurer! Have you ever noticed that what you hear in Spanish doesn’t always match what you read? For example, someone might say: "¿Pa' dónde vas?" while in a more formal text, you would read: "¿Para dónde vas?" Don’t worry, you’re not alone. The differences between spoken and written Spanish are like riddles: at first, they may be a bit confusing, but once you solve them, everything makes sense.
Join me once again to explore these differences together. I assure you that your Spanish will take a big leap!
What Makes Spoken Spanish Unique?
First of all, if you’ve noticed differences in spoken Spanish compared to its written form, congratulations! It means you’re paying attention to the details.
The first thing we can observe is that spoken Spanish is much more relaxed and natural. In conversations, most of us don’t think about grammar rules or respecting natural pauses. Everything just flows!
Have you noticed that when we speak, some filler words pop up? For example, we start using “este”, “o sea”, or “eh” without even realizing it. And there’s nothing wrong with that! These are natural and authentic features of spoken Spanish.
On the other hand, another major difference between spoken and written Spanish is the use of contractions. Have you noticed it? For example, instead of saying "Ven para acá," we often say "Ven pa’ cá." This makes communication quicker and more fluid, especially in informal contexts.
Written Spanish: Formality and Structure
And now, let’s move on to written Spanish! While spoken Spanish is more natural and flexible, its written version is more structured, and following the rules is important.
For example, if you’re looking for filler words or contractions, you probably won’t find them in formal writing. Instead, you’ll see a more structured form of communication that respects the full structure of words. And that’s perfectly fine!
Similarly, the vocabulary changes a bit. While in spoken Spanish, we use simple words or phrases like “tal vez” (maybe) or “puede ser” (it could be), in written Spanish, these terms might be replaced with more formal versions like “es probable” (it is probable) or “probablemente” (probably). Everything is a bit more formal and structured, but just as important!
Key Differences: Spoken Spanish vs. Written Spanish
Now that we’ve seen that the main differences between spoken and written Spanish are related to structure and formality, let’s look at some specific examples comparing both versions. Let’s go!
Use of Filler Words
- Spoken: Eh, no lo sé, o sea… tal vez no sea mucho problema.
- Written: No estoy seguro; sin embargo, es probable que no sea un problema.
Did you notice how the filler words "eh" and "o sea" help buy time in speech but are unnecessary in writing? Small details make the difference!
Speech Contractions
- Spoken: Ayer fui pal’ parque.
- Written: Ayer fui para el parque.
In this case, the article “el” changes slightly between both versions, but in the end, both convey the same idea.
Word Order Differences
- Spoken: ¿Puedes traerme algo del súper?
- Written: ¿Me puedes traer algo del supermercado?
Among the differences between spoken and written Spanish, this is one of the most common. Notice how the word order changes, and words like “supermercado” can be shortened to “súper” while still being easily understood.
Colloquialisms
- Mexico
- Spoken: No manches, qué loco.
- Written: No puedo creerlo, qué sorprendente.
- Venezuela
- Spoken: Esa vaina está chévere.
- Written: Eso está muy bien/interesante.
Could you notice the difference between the spoken and written expressions? The tone and some words change, but in the end, they express the same idea!
Remember, don’t let these spoken vs. written Spanish differences overwhelm you. Focus on understanding the context, and with a little practice, you’ll master both forms.
Spoken or Written? Master Both with These Practical Tips
Ready to apply both spoken and written Spanish like a pro? Here are some useful tips:
1. Combine Listening and Reading
Start activating subtitles in everything you watch—movies, series, social media videos, etc. This will help you compare what you read with what you hear, allowing you to distinguish possible differences.
2. Change the Language on Your Devices
If you feel like you’ve practiced spoken Spanish more and want to get familiar with written Spanish, switch the language on your electronic devices. Generally, device language is formal and neutral, which will help you better distinguish the differences between both forms.
3. Ask Your Teachers for Help
A good strategy to improve your spoken and written Spanish is to ask your teachers to show you the equivalent of one form in the other.
For example, make a list of written phrases you want to learn how to use in spoken form, and then do the same in reverse. Their guidance will surely help a lot!
Mastering the difference between spoken and written Spanish may take some time, but trust me, it’s worth it!
Remember, if you’re chatting with friends, relax, use filler words, and include all the colloquial expressions you want. However, if you need to write a text in Spanish, formality and structure should take center stage.
Whether you prefer spoken or written Spanish, the most important thing is constant practice and, of course, enjoying every part of the process.
See you next time!
