I love my major! It's awesome, challenging and unique! Not only do I love that I am learning a new language (obviously), but I love that this major also opens up your worldview by letting you see other people's ideas and cultures. Here are some common things I think everyone in this major shares.
1. You spend about 50 percent of your life translating things.
Between reading a LOT of books for your literature classes and giving numerous presentations, it sometimes seems like all you do is translate. And after all of that translating, you still can't seem to remember what some phrases mean. And then when you don't actually need to translate something, you still find that your brain tries to translate everything you read.
2. You repeat a lot of things in Spanish.
If you know the words for something, either you or someone else just said, you will be translating it and repeating it in your mind. Sometimes, instead of just thinking it, you say it out loud. Oops!
3. Your spy skills turn on whenever you hear anyone speaking Spanish.
Your ears turn into super spy devices whenever you hear anyone speaking Spanish. Can you understand them? What are they saying? How would you respond if, in some way, they involved you in the conversation?
4. A lot of people ask what you are planning on doing with your major.
I mean sure, Spanish is not always the most useful major all by itself, but most of us in this delightful major have a plan as to what we are going to do with our lives. Whether it's teaching, translating, or anything involving working with Spanish-speaking families, we have a plan. So please, do not doubt us!
5. After you say what your major is you get one of two questions: "Are you fluent?" or "Say something in Spanish!"
"Oh cool! So are you fluent?"
Um...maybe? I mean I wish I could answer with complete confidence that I am "fluent" but I don't really know the exact definition of that, so I don't think I'm there quite yet. But can probably carry on a conversation? Hopefully!
"Can you say something in Spanish right now?"
Well, what would you want me to say? Surprisingly, I don't have a sentence stashed away just for times like these. So I'll usually just answer with an awkward question about what you want me to say.
6. You sometimes forget other people around you don't speak Spanish.
You sometimes get through a whole sentence before you realize the people around you probably have no clue what you are saying. Or you just said a phrase in Spanish and are wondering why everyone is just staring at you confused.
