2005 Sp Ult Year 1.book Page 47 Thursday, January 5, 2006 12:25 PM
Ditties
INSTRUCTIONS
Read the “Magic of Ditties and Jingles” and then listen to some.
The Magic of Ditties and Jingles
You likely know these (and countless other) ditties and jingles shared by speakers
of American English.
In this activity you
will:
➜ Learn vocabulary
through rhythm and
cadence.
(A)
One potato, two potato, three potato, four,
Five potato, six potato, seven potato more.
(B)
One for the money, two for the show,
Three to get ready, and four to go.
Hispanic Concepts of Time
The Spanish concept of time is that
people are more important than schedules, and it is not a problem to start a
meeting or an appointment late. They
are, however, aware of the United
States’ dedication to punctuality and
expect their North American friends to
be on time.
Conversation is an important part of
the Hispanic culture, and they love to
talk to other people.
The wonderful thing about such pieces is that they are easily learned and
retained without much effort. You don’t remember when or how you learned
these. You picked them up as a child, on first or second hearing, and even if you
haven’t heard or spoken them in decades, you still know them by heart. You can
use the magic of ditties and jingles to multiply your speed in learning Spanish. A
small investment of time in learning a few of them can yield significant dividends.
One caution: being able to sing or say a ditty by heart is not the same as putting
the words to real use. It is by using the phrases communicatively that they
become functional. After learning each ditty, take its phrases and use them first
to role-play in your imagination. Then apply them to real communication.
2005 Sp Ult Year 1.book Page 48 Thursday, January 5, 2006 12:25 PM
Some Ditties to the Tune of “Good Night Ladies”
I’ll demonstrate the first one completely, then only the first and last lines of the
rest.
Spanish
English
Hola, joven.
Hi, young man.
Hola, joven.
Hi, young man.
Hola, joven.
Hi, young man.
¿Qué tal está usted?
How are you?
Muy bien, gracias.
Very well, thanks.
Muy bien, gracias.
Very well, thanks.
Muy bien, gracias.
Very well, thanks.
Estoy bastante bien.
I’m quite well.
Spanish
English
Buenos días.
Good morning.
Buenos días.
Good morning.
Buenos días.
Good morning.
Me alegro verles hoy.
I’m glad to see you today.
¿Cómo anda?
How’s it going?
¿Cómo anda?
How’s it going?
¿Cómo anda?
How’s it going?
Pues todo anda bien.
Well, everything’s going fine.
Spanish
English
Buenas tardes.
Good afternoon.
Buenas tardes.
Good afternoon.
Buenas tardes.
Good afternoon.
Más tarde volveré.
Later I’ll return.
Buenas noches.
Good night.
Buenas noches.
Good night.
Buenas noches.
Good night.
¡Que duerma bien, bien, bien!
May you sleep very well.
2005 Sp Ult Year 1.book Page 49 Thursday, January 5, 2006 12:25 PM
Spanish
English
¿Qué tal, viejo?
How is it, old man?
¿Qué tal, viejo?
How is it, old man?
¿Qué tal, viejo?
How is it, old man?
Me siento muy bien.
I feel very well.
Hasta luego.
Till later.
Hasta luego.
Till later.
Hasta luego.
Till later.
Y que le vaya bien.
And may it go well with you.
Spanish
English
Chao, pues, Carlos.
‘Bye, then, Carlos.
Chao, pues, Carlos.
‘Bye, then, Carlos.
Chao, pues, Carlos.
‘Bye, then, Carlos.
Mañana volveré.
Tomorrow I’ll return.
Ven conmigo,
Come with me.
Ven conmigo,
Come with me.
Ven conmigo,
Come with me.
O gracias, sí, okey.
Oh thanks, yes, okay.
Using ditties is a quick and memorable way to master new vocabulary,
but it isn’t the same as using the new words and phrases in real situations.
Try to find some real life situations in which you can use these words.