Oaxaca Safety

alpineman · #1 (**permalink**) 07-16-2009, 03:21 PM

I spent one month in Oaxaca this spring working on my Spanish. I walked all over the city alone and never had any sense of danger or discomfort. Lots of gringos and gringas all over.

alpineman · #2 (**permalink**) 07-16-2009, 03:23 PM

I recommend the Cultural Institute in Oaxaca for learning Spanish. However, it is NOT for beginners. The rubber hits the road immediately, with the teacher teaching in fluent Spanish, and it can be really difficult.

alpineman · #3 (**permalink**) 07-16-2009, 03:26 PM

The basic approach at the Oaxaca Cultural Institute is learning by "immersion". This does bot work the best for me. I personally need grammar, i.e., some structure, some organization, and then I add to this foundation by immersing. Immersion is by memory rather than by understanding. I believe Immersion is a good way to start a young child, but even then, they need grammar school.

Sailover · #4 (**permalink**) 07-16-2009, 03:28 PM

By the way? The X is silent. Like the P in swimming.

Ciza29 · #5 (**permalink**) 07-16-2009, 05:21 PM

Oaxaca is both a state and a city, so I am going to assume you mean Oaxaca the city. Both have a large poor population but it has never been that dangerous accept for the occasional anti government uprisings(relatively safe). Beautiful scenery in the state of Oaxaca. Huatulco is a great beach if you just want to relax. Not much of a night life there.

I didn't get SO's joke about the x(I got the part about the pee). It actually has an h sound, like the spanish pronunciation of Texas or Mexico.

Sailover · #6 (**permalink**) 07-16-2009, 05:51 PM

It wasn't a joke. Most people have no idea how to say Oaxaca.
As far as the P, well, urine good company.

Ciza29 · #7 (**permalink**) 07-16-2009, 08:02 PM

What makes pronunciations difficult in Mexico is that the sounds don't always fit the Spanish rules but take on the sounds of the native indian languages. Mexico City had a mixture of Spanish and Nahuatl.

Jim · #8 (**permalink**) 07-16-2009, 08:35 PM

I personally agree that grammar is essential to improving one's Spanish rapidly. Total immersion implied "conversational Spanish" but seeing stuff written down is also helpful. If you are in a total immersion course, it is almost impossible to study on your own.

alpineman · #9 (**permalink**) 07-17-2009, 03:48 AM

Oaxaca is pronounced by the natives as "whu-ha-ku"

LastLion · #10 (**permalink**) 07-17-2009, 10:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alpineman

Oaxaca is pronounced by the natives as "whu-ha-ku"

NOt bad, although I was thinking Whahaaca..

I have a couple of employeess from Oaxaca, they tend too usually be the shortest guys on my team!