But I have succeeded at a few challenges - like NaNoWriMo, Around the World in 80 Books, and the Procrastination Thru Internet Surfing Challenge. {I totally made that last one up, but if it really existed, I'd nail it.}
One of my favorite challenges is Blogging from A to Z. Probably because I managed to pull it off twice. The idea is to write a post every day during April (except Sundays) that relates to each letter of the alphabet. A on April 1st, B on April 2nd, C on April 3rd and so on.
The first time I did the challenge in 2015, I just blogged about a bunch of random stuff. The next year I went with a theme - Nancy Drew Investigates the Case of the Missing Anchor. I decided to go with a theme again this year - "Hablas Español?" Or, "Do you speak Spanish?"
We're hoping to point our sailboat toward the Western Caribbean next year and it sure would come in handy if one of us spoke some Spanish. Somehow, I got nominated for this particular task. I actually got nominated for it a couple of years ago, but have learned "nada" in the meantime.
This year, it's going to be different. I'm going to use this challenge to focus all of my limited attention span on learning Spanish. Each day, I'll feature a different Spanish word and a few random thoughts which pop into my head. Kind of like my Wordless Wednesday posts. Some of the words will be related to boats and sailing, some will be related to living aboard a sailboat, and some will seem utterly random (like "pinguino").
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| Some of my Spanish reference books and dictionaries. |
Check out the other people participating in the Blogging from A to Z Challenge theme reveal here.
Have you studied a foreign language? Are you participating in the Blogging from A to Z Challenge this year?
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I have an upcoming trip to Spain so I need to learn too!
ReplyDeleteOh, fun! I love Spain, especially the jamon serrano. Yum :-)
DeleteFun theme! I took Latin and Spanish in high school, but remember little. I also learned some Italian for a trip to Italy years ago.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with the Challenge!
I took Latin in high school too and remember nada :-)
DeleteI like that theme! I lived in New Mexico four years and only learned one Spanish word. (Which I can't repeat. LOL)
ReplyDeleteThat's funny! I'm glad you didn't repeat that word - we try to keep things rated PG around here :-)
DeleteI've not learned a foreign language. I've enough trouble with English.
ReplyDeleteI've never participated in the A to Z challenge. I'm lazy and this challenge is a lot of work. I've seen a lot of people start it only to fail. I'm too lazy.
Have a fabulous day, Ellen. ♥
I have trouble with English too. Soon I'll be able to butcher two languages :-)
DeleteWhat a fun theme! I've always wanted to go back and relearn French or German, and learn another language. Duolingo is a great app that really helps.
ReplyDeleteI've been using Duolingo - it's like playing a game :-)
DeleteSounds like fun. I live in Spain and speak Spanish, but I'll check out your words!
ReplyDeleteGracias! You can check to make sure I've spelled them right :-)
DeleteI took three years of Spanish in high school, which I soon forgot. The verb tenses really tripped me up. Then, a decade ago, I tried learning Japanese with Rosetta Stone software hoping my bosses would take me along on a business trip. That never happened and then I left their employ. Oh, well. I had fun. And interestingly, the brain activity stimulated my memory of Spanish while in Florida during that period! I would translate random signs to my amused parents and spouse. Best wishes on your language efforts. And Happy Writing!
ReplyDeleteShame about not being able to go to Japan :-( That would have been so interesting!
DeleteI majored in French and had grand plans to get my Masters then PhD while teaching in Las Vegas. But I met David and the rest, as they say, is history. I've lost most of it over the years, which is really sad, but maybe I can learn a little Spanish in a couple of weeks through your blog. Good luck with the challenge!
ReplyDeleteNice to see you Stephanie!
DeleteIt is nice to see Stephanie :-)
DeleteOne of the things I'm a little worried about is confusing Spanish with the bit of French I already know. Is that fact that they're similar helpful or confusing?
Oh, good. I can brush up my español! Thanks and have a great A to Z!
ReplyDeleteIf you've already studied Spanish, I think the words I share are going to be pretty basic. Although, there are some boating terms I'm using which I really didn't even know in English before :-)
DeleteWhat an awesome topic! I look forward to learning Spanish words with you!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Morgan!
DeleteWell my knowledge of Spanish is zero so I hope I pick up some tips from your posts! Good luck. I'm in too and need to get cracking on scheduling more posts.
ReplyDeleteI know - I need to finish writing and scheduling my posts too. April is coming up :-)
DeleteThat's a cool topic. You'll learn something (and maybe we will, too.) Yes, I've learned many languages. I'm working on Russian now.
ReplyDeleteWow - Russian! That's complicated. Doesn't it have cases?
DeleteWhat a good idea! I took some Spanish a couple of years ago hoping to keep my brain cells limber. Most didn't stick...except for cervece. Okay, that could be because I tried to learn it while still back in Germany.
ReplyDeleteLove the last challenge idea and good luck with A-Z!
I've tried to learn Spanish before and nothing stuck except food-related items :-) Hopefully, I have more stickiness this time around.
DeleteI took 2 years of Spanish in high school, I actually remember some of it. Bill is fluent, and is constantly saying things that I have to interpret. I should be more diligent, and really learn it. Maybe next month with you!
ReplyDeleteBill is fluent? Lucky guy!
DeleteGood luck with the Spanish. I have schoolgirl French and Berman and once tried learning Russian (too difficult). John is learning Mandarin - that’s really hard!
ReplyDeleteSomeone else commented above that they're working on Russian. From what I understand it is a hard language, but I think Mandarin might be even more tricky. Good on John for learning it.
DeleteYes, i will A to Z, i have no real theme, and i have been trying to learn Spanish for years. It's an uphill slog for me.
ReplyDeleteSometimes, I think going themeless if more fun. Looking forward to your posts.
DeleteThat is a great theme. My mother told me to take Spanish instead of French in school, but I didn't- I regret it.
ReplyDeleteI wish I had taken Spanish instead of French. It would have been more useful.
DeleteBTW, do you have a blog? When I look at your profile on Google, I can't see if you do. If you do, let me know the URL and I'll pop by for a visit.
Dymunwn i wedi meddwl am hynny. OR Ojalá hubiera pensado en eso. 9If Google Translate works) = Wish I had thought of that. I'm meant to be learning Welsh, but my challenge theme is Adaptaciones.
ReplyDeleteWelsh! What a fun language to learn! I love the spelling of Welsh words. They seem so unpronounceable, but when they're uttered, they sound so lovely.
DeleteLovely people too - and country. Re the Spanish - I speak a bit as I'm part Chilean, but not as much as I should given my mother being fluent.
DeleteMy only exposure to Spanish is whatever I 'read'in movies.. 'Read'because I am too busy reading the subtitles instead of hearing what is being said! Your posts should help me get familiar with a few words at least!
ReplyDeleteI've thought about watching shows with Spanish subtitles. I think that could be a fun way to learn.
DeleteI'm determined to learn Spanish too, as we're headed to Spain among other places this year. So this is very timely! Spanish will be my 5th language. I'll participate in this challenge next year, but it's going to be hard as there are 3 more letters in my own language!
ReplyDeleteOkay, Inka, I'm officially depressed now. Five languages! You Europeans always amaze me with how multi-lingual you are :-)
DeleteI don't know if I ever told you this, but my sister spent an exchange year in Finland. She said Finnish was really hard to learn.
DeleteWow, that's unusual! Yes, I believe Finnish is one of the most difficult languages in the world. So few speakers too, so learning foreign languages is a must for ever Finn if they ever want to venture outside their borders. I spent my exchange year in NZ, by the way!
DeleteAwesome post, I also want to learn different languages.
ReplyDeleteGlad you liked it, thanks for popping by :-)
DeleteOh, how I wish I'd learned Spanish! But noooooo, I chose to take five years of French when I was in school. For a couple years, being fluent in French came in mighty handy, because that's how I conversed with the gal who drove me to and from work every day. But since then? It seems like half the people I run into in the Atlanta area speak Spanish these days, but have I EVER run into a French-speaking immigrant? Again, nooooo.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with the A-Z! It was fun the one time I participated, but since then, I've taken the month of April off from blogging to give me more time to concentrate on writing. Maybe I can get a good head start on book two of my trilogy. (Or maybe I'll paint the house and weed the yard... HA!)
Spanish is definitely the language to learn if you live in the States. French, not so much. I took French in school as well.
DeleteHappy writing to you during next month.
I do not know Spanish. Your theme will help a lot of people. :)
ReplyDeleteHopefully, it helps. Although, the posts are probably more random thoughts than actual useful Spanish lessons :-)
DeleteThis is a great theme - languages fascinate me (not a linguist or anything...) As for learning a foreign language - I have learnt a smattering of Arabic, French at school (immediately lost after leaving) and English is actually a foreign language for me :) though I find it difficult to wrap my head around that!
ReplyDeleteAll the best for the challenge, I'm sure you'll nail both Spanish and the A-Z.
Nilanjana
Madly-in-Verse
Arabic would be fun to learn. I used to know a few words, but I've forgotten most of them.
DeleteSpanish is a beautiful language. I took one semester of it to better communicate with my Colombian boyfriend, who refused to learn English. Thankfully, I didn't need to speak his language to understand he was bad news.
ReplyDeleteI'll never regret what I learned, though.
Thank goodness you got out of that relationship. It does sound so beautiful when spoken. Very romantic sounding.
DeleteI LOVE this idea! And I look forward to learning some Spanish vocabulary :)
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to it. I had a very basic conversation in Spanish with someone the other day. I was proud of myself for not taking the easy way and just speaking English - which lots of people know down here. But I am glad I know as much Spanish as I do which comes in handy for reading signs. And being able to answer questions at military check points (which there are quite a few).
ReplyDeleteWell done on using your Spanish! I would be tempted to speak in English.
DeleteYou picked another great theme, Ellen. Informative and, I’m sure, funny! Plus, it seems like you won’t have to spend too much time on it, if you keep the daily posts WW length! Enjoy the challenge.
ReplyDeleteThat's definitely my thinking - short and sweet.
DeleteI love Spain and I've always wanted to learn Spanish
ReplyDeleteDebbie
Spain is wonderful - such great food and people :-)
DeleteWe used to own a trailer sailor and spent a lot of time on the water with our two children. We often discussed what it would be like to sail around the world (on a bigger boat of course).
ReplyDeleteAs for languages, I spent three years trying to learn Bahasa Indonesia, which is supposed to be relatively easy. I was teaching it to Primary Children and busily cramming the night before the class. That made me decide I didn't have the gift for languages. Hopefully I will pick up some Spanish from your blog. I've been there but don't think I said very much at all. It is different in France where people expect you to speak their language or at least make an effort.
You might like to check out my A to Z on Ancestry DNA - how I found a new family and the incredible life of the man who was probably my biological father.
argonautsite.wordpress.com
Linda
Looking forward to checking out your A to Z blog posts. Sounds like such an interesting theme.
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