Superior, Task 12

Simplified and native speakers:

• Simplified example
• Joel C.
• Claudia V.
• Analucía M.
• Irene V.
• Jorge C.

Click red links to download .m4v files for use in iPod:

• Simplified example
• Joel C.
• Claudia V.
• Analucía M.
• Irene V.
• Jorge C.

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Key vocabulary for this task

Example phrases for this task

Grammar points for this task



		Simplified Example "Aquí tenía el boleto..."



		Joel C. Méxioc, D.F. "Este señorita, lo siento pero en realidad la tenía en este momento..."

		Claudia V. Perú, Lima "Señorita, acá tenía el pasaje..."

		Analucía M. Colombia, Bogotá "Así que cuando viajé a España,..."

		Irene V. Bolivia, Santa Cruz "Esto me pasó cuando estaba de venida a la universidad..."

		Jorge C. México, Nuevo León, Monterrey "Hola, señorita es que tengo un problema..."

Spanish Proficiency Exercises coerll@austin.utexas.edu COERLL, Liberal Arts ITS, The University of Texas at Austin

agencia de viajes (f)		travel agency
automóvil de renta (m)		rental car
azafata (f) / sobrecargo (f)		flight attendant
cacahuates (m) / maní (m)		peanuts
estacionamiento (m)		parking lot
ida y vuelta (adj)		roundtrip
importe del boleto (m)		ticket price
jurar		to swear
maleta (f)		suitcase
maletín (m)		briefcase

mi palabra		my word
parada (f)		stop, travel stop
pasaje (m)		ticket
pase de abordar (m)		boarding pass
pasillo (m)		aisle
plaza (f)		seat, occupancy
puerta (f)		gate
refrigerio (m)		snack
seguro de viaje (m)		travel insurance
tener prisa		to be in a hurry

Spanish Proficiency Exercises coerll@austin.utexas.edu COERLL, Liberal Arts ITS, The University of Texas at Austin

Extravié mi pase de abordar.	I misplaced my boarding pass.
No lo encuentro por más que lo busco. Tal vez lo dejé en mi maleta.	I can't find it however hard I look. Maybe I left it in my suitcase.
¿Sería posible que me dieran un nuevo boleto?	Would it be possible for you to give me a new ticket?
Tal vez lo tiré sin darme cuenta.	I might've thrown it away without realizing it.
Debo viajar hoy mismo. No puedo esperar. ¿Me podría ayudar por favor?	I must travel today. I can't wait. Could you please help me?
Quiero un asiento junto a la ventana, no junto al pasillo.	I want a seat next to the window, not next to the aisle.
Espero que la azafata nos traiga algo de tomar.	I hope the stewardess brings us something to drink.
¿Tú sabes dónde está el baño?	Do you know where the bathroom is?
Yo voy a viajar a un lugar remoto, muy lejos de aquí.	I'm going to travel to a remote place, very far from here.
El costo del pasaje incluye un seguro de viaje.	The cost of the ticket includes travel insurance.

Spanish Proficiency Exercises coerll@austin.utexas.edu COERLL, Liberal Arts ITS, The University of Texas at Austin

Making a Request

Handling difficult situations is tough enough in one's native language, but dealing with complications in a foreign language truly requires patience and skill. In order to get through such situations smoothly you need to know how to make a request without sounding blunt. You will also need to be aware of ways in which you can make a complaint without sounding impolite. You will find that Spanish speakers, just like English speakers, will be much more willing to help you if you soften your language by using certain verb tenses and expressions. First of all, it is best to use the conditional tense or the imperfect subjunctive when dealing with sticky situations. Compare the impolite (the left hand column) and the polite (right hand column) ways of saying the following sentences:

Quiero un vaso de agua. Quisiera un vaso de agua.

Tráeme un tenedor. ¿Me podría traer un tenedor.

Dame un asiento de ventana. ¿Me pudiera dar un asiento de ventana, por favor?

Oye, ¿Dónde está el baño? ¿Ud. no sabría donde está el baño?

Necesito una pluma. ¿Me prestaría una pluma.

It will also be helpful to be familiar with certain expressions that are useful in difficult situations.

Es que..., Lo que pasa... These two expressions are useful for explaining or justifying one's actions.

Perdón pero..., Lo siento pero... These two expressions are used to apologize for one's behavior.

Mire... Oiga... These formal commands are a good way to begin a sentence explaining your point of view. Using the usted form shows respect to the person with whom you are speaking.

Spanish Proficiency Exercises
coerll@austin.utexas.edu
COERLL, Liberal Arts ITS, The University of Texas at Austin