In this phrase - "…aprender a hablar en un nuevo…,’ is the Spanish preposition ‘a’ redundant? Wouldn’t a native Spanish speaker say, “…aprender hablar en un nuevo…?” ‘To speak’ is implied in the verb “hablar.” One would not say, “learn to to speak…” I’m wondering if this is a typographical error?
Oh, I asked a question on the forum a while back, it was a grammar question. At the risk of repeating myself; yes, I get that grammar is not a big focus, but people responded with asinine remarks which was of no use and almost had me stop this course. If grammar isn’t your thing, then don’t respond. I happen to like this course, and I am going to ask a question from time to time, and it might happen to pertain to grammar, funny that, being it is a language course an’ all. Does anyone get the irony?
This is not a typo. “Aprender” is one of those Spanish verbs that takes an “a” between it and another verb. It doesn’t translate to anything in English.
Jingle has given you the explanation and I am going to add a bit of levity:
If you were to translate “I am going to learn to speak …”, you would use yet another “Spanish a” : voy a aprender a hablar …" Aren’t languages wonderful?
“Aren’t languages wonderful?” Yes SanneT, they are! Unfortunately, I’m not that good with my native (English) language :-/ If it were not for spell check you wouldn’t be able to understand one written word of mine
I just finished reading the link you provided mate, thanks. I try not to bog myself down with too much grammar, not as yet anyways. If I did, my Spanish learning would almost grind to a halt
I have found that I really enjoy learning what most people detest in language learning; i.e, grammar. In response to that, I do see how focusing solely on the structure of language/s can make for a great grammarian at the risk of speaking a language with any real fluency.
