h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

I'm seriously into pedantic mode here, but Santiago is Galician for Saint James. What we call Spanish (Castillian) would call him San Jaime.

Not at all picky - just accurate and an important distinction for speakers of both castellano and gallego. Well spotted. Are you a Spanish speaker then? I am a mere student but keen !!

Abrazos,

Gaia

Gallego may be based on Old Spanish and Santiago is after all the name of the Capital of Chile. And also exists in Panama, Dominican Republic, Guatamala, West Indian Island, Ecuador, Cuba, Jamaica etc. Also if you look in a Spanish (Castillian) bible the book of Saint James is Santiago not Jaime. It may be just a change in Language like we no longer in English use fs for S's etc. However if the entire Spanish speaking world seems to refer to Saint James as Santiago there must be some credence for it coming from Spanish and not Gallego.

Santiago de Compostella is the end of the main 'Spanish' pilgrimage route, admittedly since before the kingdoms were united and did their exploration of the New World, so maybe Santiago has remained in Theological language as the name for James, but not in everyday language. Hope this sets the record straight.

I am an English 'hispanohablante'! I have studied Spanish for years, I was lucky enough to be able to start at school. Beautiful language

I could do with using you for practice . I find reading, writing and listening no problem at all and speaking is fine if I've got time to think but spontaneous speech eludes me. There are times when I despair! I'm studying with the OU and, funnily enough, have to be in Santiago de Compostela mid August for 10 days for an entirely Spanish speaking summer school

Any tips? Incidentally where are you based?

Abrazos

Gaia

I did Viento en Popa last year, which is what you're doing, I guess?
I started A Buen Puerto this year, but gave it up. I'm also planning a wedding, and it was just too much. I might start it again next autumn after the wedding is well and truly over!

I'm in Oxford.

Everyone in Santiago on the summer school is really really nice, so don't worry about it. You work in mixed ability classes, so there will almost certainly be someone worse off than you!
Teachers are great.

Tip: take a plastic mac and an umbrella and some waterproof shoes. When they say it rains in Galicia, they mean it. And don't bother taking a book to read, you won't have time!

Oh, and when you get a taxi from the airport, if the driver is OK ask him for his telephone number, and take the number of the taxi. That way you can ring him and arrange the taxi back. He'll remember who you are and will be sympathetic to your attempts at Spanish.

And take the time out to eat in Santiago one evening at least. The uni food is exactly that.



Y puedes practicar conmigo si quieres. Puedo darte mi dirección de email.

(translation for the moderators: You can practice with me if you want to. I can give you my email address).

Hi,

Sorry for the late reply. Up to my eyes as usual! Yes you're right - I'm doing Viento en Popa and have signed up for A Buen Puerto next year. So if you decide to re-do it then we'll be studying at the same time.

Whereabouts in Oxford? I've spent many a happy hour there. My husband works for a university and as part of his job he used to have to visit various Oxford colleges regularly. He fell in love with the place so we spent a couple of really good holidays there.

Thanks for the info and the great tips on Santiago. You've managed to set my mind at rest at least for the time being.

I had already packed my mack! The climate of Murcia being infamous! I'll let you know how it goes. I'm flying out on 16th August and get back 25th. The schedule sounds horrendous so I've booked a couple of extra nights accomodation so that I get at least one day free before school to explore the town.

Stay well

No, I won't be studying this autumn, I will be starting again autumn 2002 if I start again at all. My wedding is next Spring, you see, and I don't want to start again until all that is over

We don't live in Oxford itself, we live in Abingdon, about 8 miles outside. Its a bit quiet, but a nice place to live.

Yes, the schedule in Santiago is completely manic. I seem to remember having Wednesday afternoon free, but I spent it asleep! I think I stayed an extra night at the end, and spent a morning wandering around Santiago.

Oh, another tip. If they haven't changed the course, you will have two 'excursions' - one into Santiago to see the cathedral and one to a bodega. The trip to the cathedral is accompanied by a long taped 'guide' and you get a question sheet. Ditch the tape when you get bored- it's very tedious. And they don't expect you to answer all the questions on the sheet. So find a bar and have a sit down!

Hope you have fun.

With reference to the original query. Santo Iago is the old Spanish for Saint James, this is cut to Santiago in the terms of Compostella and other Spanish cities which take their name from the patron saint.

Santiago is however still used in modern trnaslations of the Spanish Bible as a sign of respect for their Patron Saint as well. Hope this sorts out any confusion.

PS Hope you have a great time in Santiago, and do pack that waterproof, much needed in Galicia, trust me.