Aprenc català
A short in Valencian text at level B1. The translation sits next to it: reading with a dictionary is still too early at this level, and without support it will not happen at all. For two years I have been learning Catalan, step by step. At first the pronunciation and understanding by ear were hard…
Text
- Fa dos anys que aprenc català i vaig aprenent pas a pas. Al principi em costa la pronúncia i entendre per l'oïda, així que escolto la ràdio cada matí mentre esmorzo. He après moltes paraules amb sèries i cançons, però la gramàtica encara em resisteix. El meu accent es nota: al mercat sovint em responen en castellà. Però cada vegada ho faig millor: fa un any no entenia res i ara ja he vist dues sèries senceres sense subtítols. Em cal més pràctica de parlar, així que m'he apuntat a un curs de conversa pel meu compte.For two years I have been learning Catalan, step by step. At first the pronunciation and understanding by ear were hard for me, so I listen to the radio every morning at breakfast. I have learned many words with series and songs, but the grammar still resists me. My accent is noticeable: at the market they often answer me in Spanish. But it turns out better every time: a year ago I understood nothing, and now I have watched two series whole without subtitles. I need more speaking practice, so I signed myself up for a conversation course.
Comprehension questions
The questions are asked in Russian on purpose: we test your understanding of the text, not your ability to read the question.
- For how many years has the narrator been learning Catalan?
- What does he do every morning at breakfast?
- What is still hard for him?
- Why did he sign up for the conversation course?
Frequently asked
What level do you need to read this text in Valencian?
B1. That means: you know the letters and have a stock of everyday words — about two or three hundred.
How to read a text in an unfamiliar language usefully?
First all the way through without peeking at the translation — just to catch the familiar words. Then with the translation. Then all the way through again: the second pass brings noticeably more, and that feeling matters more than any rule.