Duolingo primarily uses South American Spanish in its language courses. However, it's important to note that there are some differences between South American Spanish and the Spanish spoken in Europe. While the core grammar and vocabulary are largely the same, there are variations in pronunciation, vocabulary, and regional expressions.
For students learning Spanish in Europe, it's important to be aware of these differences. While Duolingo can still be a valuable tool for learning the language, it's worth supplementing your studies with additional resources that focus specifically on European Spanish. This will help you become more familiar with the regional variations and nuances of the language that may not be covered by Duolingo.
One aspect where South American Spanish differs from European Spanish is the vocabulary. Some words have different meanings or may be used less frequently in one region compared to the other. For example, the word for “car” in South American Spanish is “coche,” while in European Spanish it is “carro.” Similarly, the word for “computer” in South American Spanish is “computadora,” whereas in European Spanish it is “ordenador.” These variations may seem minor, but they can cause confusion or miscommunication if not understood.
Another difference lies in pronunciation. While the basic sounds of the Spanish language remain the same, there are slight variations in how certain letters or sounds are pronounced. For instance, the pronunciation of the “s” and “z” sounds can differ between regions. In South America, these sounds are often pronounced as a soft “s” or even like the “sh” sound in English. In contrast, European Spanish tends to have a crisper “s” sound. These variations in pronunciation can take some time to get used to, but exposure to different accents through resources like the Duolingo podcasts can be beneficial in developing a well-rounded understanding of the language.
Speaking of the Duolingo podcasts, it's worth noting that the Spanish accents featured on the podcasts come from a variety of South American native speakers. This provides learners with exposure to different regional accents and dialects within the South American context. While this can be helpful in expanding your listening comprehension skills, it's important to supplement this with exposure to European Spanish accents as well.
Duolingo primarily uses South American Spanish in its language courses. However, for students learning Spanish in Europe, it's important to acknowledge the differences between South American Spanish and European Spanish. These differences can be found in vocabulary, pronunciation, and regional expressions. To gain a well-rounded understanding of the language, it's beneficial to supplement Duolingo with resources that specifically focus on European Spanish. Additionally, exposure to different accents and dialects, both from South America and Europe, can further enhance your language learning journey.