A simple qusetion on pronunciation.

How does "I speak" (hablo) sound different from "He will speak" (hablo, with an accent over the o)?

Thanks. ... wdc

Hi wdc202!

HABLO (=I speak) - stress the first syllable
HABLÓ (=he/she spoke) - stress the letter O

The accent is needed in the word HABLÓ to show that it´s an exception grammatically. Usually you stress the last syllable but one, when the words last letter is a vowel.

(He will speak = HABLARÁ or VA A HABLAR)

Saludos, Tia

[ 08-05-2001: Message edited by: tiajohanna ]

I have long time ago forgotten the rules to place accents, altgough I can use them by sheer costume. I will not talk about that.

But "habló" is not future, it is past.

Ignacio, Tiajohanna: Thank you both. ..wdc

That´s correct, Ignacio, HABLÓ is "pretérito".

Si, "pretérito indefinido".

Ignacio: Just for conversation's sake, here are the rules of accentuation:

If the word ends in "n", "s" or a vowel, the word is naturally stressed on the penultimate syllable.

If the word ends in any other consonant, the word is naturally stressed on the last syllable.

Exceptions to these two rules are marked with an orthographic accent.

That's about the simplest explanation you can give/get. Keep in mind, (as I'm sure you're aware) there are volumes upon volumes written about this somewhat simple subject...

Isn't grammar exciting?

For information on spanish grammar: Gramática para extranjeros

For accents: Gramática para extranjeros - Acentos

Athough it is a personal page, I think it is well documented.

Thank you all so much. ... wdc

¡Parece una página súperbuena, Ignacio!