What do you say to show you are listening

In Scotland when you are listening to someone telling a story or giving an instruction you show you are listening by saying "aye" or "yes" or "aha" or similar. What is the cultural norm in spanish speaking countries Is it "si" "pues" "ah" I realise it may vary from mainland Spain and Latin America countries. Saludos desde Escocia

Not that I am a great coversationalist (yet), but I tend to go with "si." Interestingly, awhile back I was listening to some Spanish podcasts by a native Spanish speaker and a Brit who moved to Spain and learned Spanish as a second language. I noticed that when he was speaking Spanish she would often interject, "Mmm hmmm," just like we do in English.

Hola Dan, Wondering if the podcasts you mentioned might be Light Speed or Notes in Spanish, both of which are helpful and enjoyable, or is it something else? Saludos, Rich

Ricardo: Estuve escuchar "Notas en Español," pero es difícil comprender el acento de España. Dan

Hola Dan, You might also enjoy "Light Speed Spanish" which also happens to be a British guy and a woman from Spain. Not sure what you were trying to say with "estuve escuchar". He estado escuchando Notas en español is: I have been listening to Notes in Spanish or escuché Notas en español, I listened to Notes in Spanish. And then perhaps your usage is something I'm unfamiliar with? Saludos, Rich

Ricardo: I was trying to say that I was listening to Notes in Spanish. I obviously chose the wrong conjugation! I just this afternoon looked into Light Speed Spanish. I have the same problem with it as I do Notes in Spanish: the strong Spanish accent that sometimes makes it hard for me to understand words I know. I would like to find a podcast done by a Latin American speaker since that is my main travel interest. Dan

Hola Dan, There is a site that has videos, though not really instructional, with Latin American speakers from various countries so one can hear the regional accents. I think it's in my list of book marked Spanish sites. I have far more than a hundred in the list and locating things can be tedious if the name doesn't click. If I locate it I'll let you know. Also you can search out "Casa Rojas" a site that IS instructional, with Luis Rojas a native of Peru and his wife Joan an American. A few years ago they offered free videos for almost a year, a new one almost daily. You created a free account and you could view them . My free account has expired and I would have to pay to access those and the new content but I think if you sign up as a new account you could watch the free lessons they offered without charge. Not certain about that, but you can try. They delved into the subjunctive and other things really well and had guests from different Latin American regions. I have no idea why I don't have trouble with the Spanish accent. The last time I was in Spain was about 44yrs. ago when I tried to speak the very little I knew combined with a phrase book. Saludos, Ricardo

Ricardo: Last night I spent some time listening and watching the Light Speed Spanish podcasts and I think my first assessment may have been a little hasty. I still here the "TH" in Cynthia's pronunciation, but it doesn't seem quite as distracting as Marina's is in Notes in Spanish. I also like the video podcasts. Being able to watch them speak seems a bit more helpful in understanding. And, I might as well admit it: Cynthia is as pleasant to watch as she is to listen to! One thing I did notice that interested me greatly: I picked up from one podcast that she has lived in England for several years, and I noticed the hint of a British accent when she spoke English. Even though enriching my life by learning another language is still my primary motivation, I am gaining a new appreciation of the interaction of languages.

Hola Dan, I too find the Light Speed podcasts very helpful and I also noticed Cynthia's slight British accent. I was impressed with how well she speaks. I hope to learn to speak Spanish as a second language as well as she speaks English. I sent you the link for the Latin American speakers on your post regarding daily activities. Saludos, Ricardo

Ricardo: Vi el enlace en la otro correo. (¿correctos translaciónes?) Gracias, Dan

Dan, ¡Bien hecho! Hay sólo un error "translation" es traducción en espanol. Saludos, Ricardo

Dan, Tambien "el" otro correo no "la" otro. Saludos, Ricardo

He corregido mi respuesta lo siento por el error. Saludos, Ricardo

Ricardo: Gracias. ¡Tengo que prestar atención a mi gramática! Dan