Language

Your experience in Argentina will be completely transformed if you can learn even a little of the language before you arrive. Spanish is the first language, with a few variations and a distinctive pronunciation. In areas popular with tourists, you'll find some people speak English and perhaps French or Italian, but since much of the pleasure of Argentina is in getting off the beaten track, you'll often find yourself in situations where only Spanish is spoken. Argentines are welcoming and curious, and they're very likely to strike up conversation on a bus, shop or in a queue for the cinema. They're also incredibly hospitable and your

attempts to speak Spanish will be enormously

appreciated.

Argentine Spanish sounds like no other. The main difference is that in words with 'II' and 'y', the sound is pronounced like a soft 'j' sound, as in 'beige '. The 'd' sound is usually omitted in words ending in 'd' or '-ado', and 's' sounds are often omitted altogether at the ends of words. And in the north and west of the country, you'll hear the normal rolled 'r' sound replaced by a hybrid 'r j' put together. Grammatically, the big change is that the Spanish '

' is replaced by '

' also used almost universally instead of '

', unless you're speaking to someone much older or higher in status. In the conjunction of verbs, the accent is on the last syllable (eg

). In the north and northwest, though, the Spanish is more akin to that spoken in the rest of Latin America. In Buenos Aires, you might here the odd word of

, Italian-oriented slang.

, www.academiabuenosaires.com. Spanish classes in Buenos Aires and Mendoza.

, www.amerispan.com. North American company offering Spanish immersion

programmes, educational tours, and volunteer

and internship positions in Buenos Aires, Córdoba and Mendoza. Also programmes for younger people.

, www.expanish.com. Buenos Aires-based company which can organize packages including accommodation, excursions and classes in Buenos Aires, and Patagonia in Argentina, as well as in Peru, Ecuador and Chile. Highly recommended.

, www.spanishabroad.com. Spanish classes in Buenos Aires and Córdoba.