To be or not to be – in Spanish?
November 15, 2009
The dreaded ser vs. estar: a struggle all adolescents and adults encounter when they study Spanish as a second language. One verb typically refers to essential characteristics (ser), while the other, to conditions (estar).
I assumed (hoped) that by exposing Henry to Spanish from birth, he’d learn these two verbs in context and have no issue with using them appropriately. The bad news? He does confuse them (“Yo estoy un príncipe” = I am a prince). The good news? He’s using SO much more Spanish these days! He’s just under 3 1/2. His English narrative skills are exploding, and while his Spanish skills don’t hold a candle to his English skills, it’s been incredible to hear how much he can say these days. We were reading a book about a principe, and he commented in Spanish, unsolicited, that he was a prince. I asked about princesas (princesses), and he said something to the effect of “No estoy una princesa. Soy un niño.”
When I prompt him now to ask for things in Spanish, like grapes, he says “Yo quiero las uvas por favor”. He’s a bit more tolerant of me speaking Spanish to him – and of course I’m more encouraged to do so, given his increased output. The best thing so far? Telling him “Te quiero mucho” (I love you a lot) and hearing him say “Yo también te quiero mucho” (I love you a lot too). It’s música to my ears.
