Spanish public domain for learning?

Nexutix · 10-09-2012, 06:10 AM

I am starting to learn spanish as a foreign language. I find it especially helpful that there are some public domain books available. And their Librivox recordings also; which I can use to fine tune my pronounciations.

Which of the following books should I listen to? (Since only these 11 are available on Librivox)

1. Angelina by Rafael Delgado
2. La Batalla de Los Aripiles by Benito Pérez Galdós
3. Bailén by Benito Pérez Galdós
4. Don Quijote by Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra
5. El Evangelio Segun San Juan by Reina Valera
6. Historia de la célebre Reina de España Doña Juana, llamada vulgarmente La Loca by Anonymous
7. La Naríz de un Notario by Edmond About
8. Lazarillo de Tormes by Anonymous
9. El Libro de la Vida by Santa Teresa de Jesus
10. Novelas Cortas (Short novels) by Pedro Antonio de Alarcón
11. Trafalgar by Benito Pérez Galdós

Any other recommendations are also welcome!!

purple_fishy · 10-09-2012, 01:52 PM

Don Quijote would be a challenge if you are learning Spanish but it such a well known story that it may be worth a shot just jumping in. I am working on downloading all of the librivox recordings so that I can listen to it on my ipod.

Maybe take it a chapter at a time. If you know the story, find out what chapter one of your favorite parts is in and listen to it while you read along.

fjtorres · 10-09-2012, 02:00 PM

If those are your options, I'd suggest the ones by Benito Pérez Galdós or Pedro de Alarcon. They are closer to contemporary spanish than the rest, some of which are medieval or Renaisance era and, while readily understandable, will have a fair amount of dated usage.

BTW, a good way to pick up spanish is off movie DVDs.
Turn on the Spanish soundtrack and english subtitles. Or, if you're familiar with the movie, both.

purple_fishy · 10-09-2012, 04:04 PM

I agree 100% with the previous poster regarding DVDs. I dated a guy who learned very good conversational English by watching movies in English with Spanish subtitles.

Nexutix · 10-10-2012, 01:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fjtorres

BTW, a good way to pick up spanish is off movie DVDs.
Turn on the Spanish soundtrack and english subtitles. Or, if you're familiar with the movie, both.

Yes, it does have better impact than just reading/listening.

I have already started doing that. First movie I watched is "El secreto de sus ojos". (The secret in their eyes) Now I am moving on with this list.

Nexutix · 10-10-2012, 01:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by purple_fishy

Don Quijote.

Already started on that.

Reached slowly upto "El Rey". It feels like I am in nursery school again.

10-09-2012, 06:10 AM	#1
Nexutix Reading and reading Posts: 582 Karma: 8250144 Join Date: Oct 2010 Device: Infibeam Pi, iPod Touch 4G, iPad Air 2, iPad mini 2, Oneplus One	Spanish public domain for learning? I am starting to learn spanish as a foreign language. I find it especially helpful that there are some public domain books available. And their Librivox recordings also; which I can use to fine tune my pronounciations. Which of the following books should I listen to? (Since only these 11 are available on Librivox) 1. Angelina by Rafael Delgado 2. La Batalla de Los Aripiles by Benito Pérez Galdós 3. Bailén by Benito Pérez Galdós 4. Don Quijote by Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra 5. El Evangelio Segun San Juan by Reina Valera 6. Historia de la célebre Reina de España Doña Juana, llamada vulgarmente La Loca by Anonymous 7. La Naríz de un Notario by Edmond About 8. Lazarillo de Tormes by Anonymous 9. El Libro de la Vida by Santa Teresa de Jesus 10. Novelas Cortas (Short novels) by Pedro Antonio de Alarcón 11. Trafalgar by Benito Pérez Galdós Any other recommendations are also welcome!!

10-09-2012, 02:00 PM	#3
fjtorres Grand Sorcerer Posts: 11,732 Karma: 128354696 Join Date: May 2009 Location: 26 kly from Sgr A* Device: T100TA,PW2,PRS-T1,KT,FireHD 8.9,K2, PB360,BeBook One,Axim51v,TC1000	If those are your options, I'd suggest the ones by Benito Pérez Galdós or Pedro de Alarcon. They are closer to contemporary spanish than the rest, some of which are medieval or Renaisance era and, while readily understandable, will have a fair amount of dated usage. BTW, a good way to pick up spanish is off movie DVDs. Turn on the Spanish soundtrack and english subtitles. Or, if you're familiar with the movie, both. Last edited by fjtorres; 10-09-2012 at 02:04 PM.

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10-09-2012, 01:52 PM	#2
purple_fishy Zealot Posts: 124 Karma: 33812 Join Date: May 2011 Location: The land of sand and sun Device: Kindle Paperwhite, Nook STR, iPad Air 2	Don Quijote would be a challenge if you are learning Spanish but it such a well known story that it may be worth a shot just jumping in. I am working on downloading all of the librivox recordings so that I can listen to it on my ipod. Maybe take it a chapter at a time. If you know the story, find out what chapter one of your favorite parts is in and listen to it while you read along.

10-09-2012, 04:04 PM	#4
purple_fishy Zealot Posts: 124 Karma: 33812 Join Date: May 2011 Location: The land of sand and sun Device: Kindle Paperwhite, Nook STR, iPad Air 2	I agree 100% with the previous poster regarding DVDs. I dated a guy who learned very good conversational English by watching movies in English with Spanish subtitles.