New Perspectives on the Study of Ser and Estar


Book Description

This is the first book entirely and exclusively devoted to the grammar of the two copular verbs ser and estar, certainly one of the most intriguing features of Spanish grammar. Although the topic has long attracted the interest of scholars, it had never given rise to a collection of papers that covers both theoretical issues in syntax and semantics and topics in the acquisition domain. This volume provides a comprehensive overview of the central research questions concerning the ser / estar alternation: the syntactic or semantic nature of the distinction, its link with aspect and with the Individual-Level / Stage-Level distinction, and its connection with interface phenomena. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in Hispanic linguistics, but can be equally attractive for researchers working on Romance linguistics, theoretical linguistics (syntax, semantics, pragmatics), acquisition theory, and historical linguistics.




The L2 Acquisition of Tense–Aspect Morphology


Book Description

The present volume provides a cross-linguistic perspective on the development of tense-aspect in L2 acquisition. Data-based studies included in this volume deal with the analysis of a wide range of target languages: Chinese, English, Italian, French, Japanese, and Spanish. Theoretical frameworks used to evaluate the nature of the empirical evidence range from generative grammar to functional-typological linguistics. Several studies focus on the development of past tense markers, but other issues such as the acquisition of a future marker are also addressed. An introductory chapter outlines some theoretical and methodological issues that serves as relevant preliminary reading for most of the chapters included in this volume. Additionally, a preliminary chapter offers a substantive review of first language acquisition of tense-aspect morphology. The analysis of the various languages included in this volume significantly advances our understanding of this phenomenon, and will serve as an important basis for future research.




Spanish For Dummies


Book Description

Learn Latin American Spanish quickly and painlessly The job market for those who are bilingual is expanding rapidly. Businesses and government agencies are hiring translators; retailers and advertisers are concentrating more energy in targeting the Spanish-speaking ; and hospitals and agencies are seeking to overcome language barriers. Whether you’re a student studying Spanish, a traveler gearing up for a trip to a Spanish-speaking country and need to learn the basics, or a upwardly mobile looking to get ahead of the pack in your career by learning a second language, Spanish For Dummies, 2nd edition is your hands-on guide to quickly and painlessly learn Latin American Spanish that includes: Expanded coverage of grammar, verb conjugations, and pronunciations A refreshed and expanded mini-dictionary complete with even more essential vocabulary, exercises, and more A revamped and expanded bonus CD-ROM that includes real-life dialogue to aid in your learning Whether you’re looking to learn Spanish for use in the home, class, at the office, or on the go, Spanish For Dummies, 2nd edition has you covered!




Spanish Conversation-grammar


Book Description




A Grammar Guide


Book Description

ACERCA DEL LIBRO: "A Grammar Guide" es una serie para hispanoparlantes que han enfrentado dificultades con la comprensión de la lengua inglesa. Esta obra es para personas de cualquier edad y escolaridad que necesitan comprender el idioma escrito, o escribir sus ideas en el mismo. Por medio de presentaciones sencillas entenderás cómo se organiza la lengua escrita básica, sus elementos fundamentales y el orden de palabras. Así mismo, aprenderás la función de diferentes tiempos gramaticales con ejemplos bilingües funcionales para las diferentes personas gramaticales, que cubren una amplia gama de posibilidades. El dominio de una lengua es una habilidad física, a mayor práctica obtendrás mayor destreza y por lo tanto mayor eficiencia. Lo único que necesitarás es paciencia y constancia para alcanzar tus objetivos. Necesitarás un auxiliar importantísimo, un diccionario, que te proporcionará el vocabulario que TÚ necesitas, no el que alguien más piense que quieres. Te aseguro que con éstos dos elementos combinados con tu trabajo cambiarán tu concepción sobre el idioma inglés y tus posibilidades futuras. Francisco Zamarrón ABOUT THE BOOK: "A Grammar Guide" is a book that can be used by English speaking persons to learn basic Spanish to understand it in its written form. You will be able to find grammar equivalences from one language to another through clear examples and practices. All you need is patience and practice to reach your goals. You will need a bilingual dictionary that provides you with the vocabulary you really need. If you combine these two powerful tools you will enlarge your future possibilities. Francisco Zamarrón




Spanish Made High School Simple


Book Description

This book was written by an experienced high school Spanish teacher who believes that the best way to teach a foreign language is in a simple, well-organized fashion. He believes that this approach works as well for adults as it does for teenagers, and thus the book you have before you now! This book is suitable for beginners as well as students at the intermediate to advanced levels. It contains basic to advanced grammar and basic vocabulary as well as useful conversational phrases. It also presents verb forms in more than one visual format which makes it more accomodating to different learning styles, especially to visual learners. All of the grammar is explained in English and there are English definitions and equivalents for all the Spanish words and phrases.




Cuban Studies 36


Book Description

Cuban Studies has been published annually by the University of Pittsburgh Press since 1985. Founded in 1970, it is the preeminent journal for scholarly work on Cuba. Each volume includes articles in both English and Spanish, a large book review section, and an exhaustive compilation of recent works in the field. This volume contains articles on economics, politics, racial and gender issues, and the exodus of Cuban Jewry in the early 1960s, among others.




The Pragmatic Basis of Aphasia


Book Description

This language study's primary purpose is to use aphasic performance to understand language, rather than to use linguistic analysis to understand aphasia. Examining the detailed nature of linguistic performance of bilingual aphasics in a variety of "natural" and metalinguistic tasks, the book reports the results of a study of morphology and syntax among Spanish-English bilingual and monolingual hispanophones in Puerto Rico.




Spanish in 3 Months with Free Audio App


Book Description

Classic Spanish language course, now revised and updated with a new audio app Learn to speak Spanish in just three months with this practical and comprehensive self-study language course. Whether you're a complete beginner or want to refresh your knowledge, DK's Hugo Spanish in 3 Months will have you speaking Spanish fluently in just 13 weeks. With a fresh new look and an accompanying audio app, the latest edition of this classic self-study course provides all the resources needed to speak, read, and write in Spanish. The 13 weekly chapters contain lessons on the key grammatical structures and present a range of useful vocabulary, along with exercises to reinforce your learning. The essentials of Spanish grammar are clearly explained and tested in conversational exercises, giving you the authentic feel of the language. In addition to a written "imitated pronunciation" guide, which replaces Spanish sounds with English syllables you're already familiar with, the new audio app also allows you to perfect your pronunciation - at home or on the go. Whether you're learning Spanish for work or a future vacation, or because you're interested in languages, this course is the perfect place to start. Learning Spanish has never been so easy!




From Grammar to Meaning


Book Description

In recent years, the study of formal semantics and formal pragmatics has grown tremendously, showing that core aspects of language meaning can be explained by a few principles. These principles are grounded in the logic that is behind - and tightly intertwined with - the grammar of human language. In this book, some of the most prominent figures in linguistics, including Noam Chomsky and Barbara H. Partee, offer new insights into the nature of linguistic meaning and pave the way for the further development of formal semantics and formal pragmatics. Each chapter investigates various dimensions in which the logical nature of human language manifests itself within a language and/or across languages. Phenomena like bare plurals, free choice items, scalar implicatures, intervention effects, and logical operators are investigated in depth and at times cross-linguistically and/or experimentally. This volume will be of interest to scholars working within the fields of semantics, pragmatics, language acquisition and psycholinguistics.