Re: My Spanish skills (was DO NOT DISTURB SIGN)

[SongBird3411 at aol.com]

David wrote:
> If you have a Windows computer, there is a program (usually to be 
> found in the Accessories menu in the Programs menu of the Start 
> button) called Character Map.  This contains symbols, such as ñ,   
> not on the keyboard. [snip] However, my appreciation of the meaning 
> of 'mañana' to Spanish speakers is really rather limited.  

Ah!  Thanks!  I never fully explored Windows XP when I upgraded.  
Nice to know where that character map is!  (I am still in denial 
about having Windows since I desperately want a Mac.)

Well, my idiomatic Spanish isn't as good as my scholarly Spanish.  
(Sadly.)  But, yes.  Mañana does have that fatalistic quility to it 
when used as a full phrase.  Yes, that will get done mañana.  When, 
or if, it will actually get done is a matter of speculation.  The 
word by itself literally means "tomorrow".  Used as a 
phrase, "tomorrow" becomes some indeterminate point in the future.

At least that is what I think.  As I said, my idiomatic Spanish is 
not nearly as good as my academic Spanish.  So, I could be a little 
off.

Thanks again for the instructions on getting to the character map.  
Greatly appreciated.  Ooh, it is almost like a new toy.  ;)

Mindy