igenlode: The pirate sloop 'Horizon' from "Treasures of the Indies" (Default)
Igenlode Wordsmith ([personal profile] igenlode) wrote2026-03-19 10:38 am
Entry tags:

Spanish

I had an entertaining episode yesterday when I was helping a lady with her Spanish homework (Level A2) despite never having learnt a word of Spanish; apparently a knowledge of French, English, a smattering of Italian, and an acquaintance with Hornblower and the Peninsular War are enough to get you a long way :-D
What I don't have, of course, is any knowledge of the grammatical structures, but since I know grammar *in theory* it was easy enough to identify what the questions in the course book were designed to test (e.g. masculine/feminine/plural endings)...

Interestingly, the Spanish word for 'oil' looks as if it ought to mean 'vinegar': aceite
watervole: (Default)

[personal profile] watervole 2026-03-19 02:24 pm (UTC)(link)
Sounds like me helping Oswin with her Latin...

"Well 'milites' sounds like what English word?"

"militia"

"Yep, so does it probably mean in this sentence?"

"Soldier!"

I love reading in the Peninsular War period. We have accurate enough records of life at the time, that a good writer can really make you feel you're there.

Plus I love the sheer complexity of ships.