Thread: This is a problem, this is a big problem.

I learned that esto, eso, and aquello were neuter demonstrative pronouns used to refer to situations or ideas that don't have gender. Este and esta are used (with accents) for specific nouns that do have gender.

?Que libro prefieres? Prefiero este. (Sorry, I don't know how to type letters with accents)
Esta camisa es mas bonita que esa.
Marta fuma y nunca hace ejercicios. Eso puede hacerle dano.

This is what I learned, but take advice from a native speaker before you listen to me. I just thought the explanation might help clarify.

mariaklec, you can probably make accents easily. If you are on a version of Windows, see http://support.microsoft.com/kb/306560 . But here, instead of the default they suggest, I just choose English US except on my work computer where I’m the only user. It will really irritate another user. It is better if it wakes up in normal mode. After you get the little keyboard icon near the bottom right, you can click it and choose international to make the accents. It does take a little getting used to. Especially the single quote. Click it, and nothing happens until you click a vowel. Then the vowel pops up accented.

Another way is to use a word processor that understands Spanish such as Microsoft Word. It will supply a lot of accents automatically. But you have to install the language. It isn't hard.

Thanks. I'll be interested to see how it works on a Mac. But if the default is set to standard keyboard, your husband will never notice the difference unless you walk away from it and leave it in international mode. And even then, he can learn to switch it back with two clicks.

US keyboards are usually referred to as QWERTY keyboards. In Europe, they use AZERTY keyboards that have all the accents ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AZERTY ). Trying to switch to AZERTY is enough to put anyone over the edge. But I know a Belgian who worked for IBM that had to switch three times when changing offices.