Friday, November 28, 2014

Let Spanish Song Lyrics Help You Learn The Language

By Ida Dorsey


One of the most widely spoken languages in the world is Spanish. Even an Anglophone country like the United States now has a huge Hispanic population and being able to speak to these people in their own language will not only make communication easier but will also help create mutual respect. If you're embarking on a journey of learning the language, you'll find that Spanish song lyrics can make the process much more fun.

Songs are incredibly useful when you're learning a language. Even if you don't understand the words yet, they'll help you get used to the sounds and rhythms of that language. They're also a fun way to learn new vocabulary or to understand the rules of grammar. In addition, you get to hear different accents.

If you're only starting out, it's a good idea to listen to Mexican songs. These can include the famous traditional ones such as 'Cielito Lindo' or 'La Cucuracha'. Singers whose songs to try as well include Chavela Vargas, Jose Alfredo Jimenez, Lila Downs and Marco Antonio Solis. These numbers are in an easy-to-understand accent and are usually slow enough to follow as well.

The music of Cuba is another great choice for you if you're not very proficient in the language yet. One song you'll simply have to learn, since it's indelibly linked to Cuban identity, is 'Guantanamera' with its easy-to-remember words. Another good choice is to listen to the songs made famous in 'The Buena Vista Social Club'.

In Spain, people speak with a very different accent which at first can be a little hard to follow. If you want to listen to songs from this country, it's best to start with ones that have simply, straight-forward lyrics. The very popular Manu Chao is a good choice and his melodies are extremely catchy too.

If your language skills have started to improve, you may want to try accents that are more challenging. Argentinians and Chileans have distinctive accents that can be difficult even for native speakers from other parts of Latin America. Therefore, it's best to listen to songs from the folk movement known as the Nueva Cancion. Its most famous singer was the brilliant Argentinian singer Mercedes Sosa, whose greatest hit, 'Gracias A La Vida', was written by the Chilean Violeta Parra.

As you become more proficient, it's time to challenge yourself with faster songs. You'll soon be belting out the words while dancing to cumbia, reggae, merengue or rock. Some good rock musicians to try are Ricardo Arjona from Guatemala, Perrozompopo from Nicaragua and Juanes from Colombia. You can also look for the Spanish-language work of Marc Anthony, Shakira, Enrique Iglesias or Ricky Martin.

CDs of Spanish music are available at good record stores, most notably where there is a large Hispanic community. The CD sleeves often contain the lyrics to the songs. Another option is to find songs online and go to a lyrics website for the words. Some sites will also provide translations of the words.




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