Personal A needed here?

One of the extra vocabulary phrases in Lesson 11.1 is:
 

I think Pablo Neruda is the direct object of the verb construct "Traté de citar" rather than an indirect object. I think you use the personal 'a' when the object is an indirect object, like I tried to give the flowers to Pablo Neruda.

Hola amigos,

Here is a quote from the book ¡ Buscalo!  : "When  the direct object of a verb is a noun referring to a specific person or persons, it is preceded by a personal   a that does not translate into English."  ¿Llevas a Tina?  Are you taking Tina? Pablo Neruda is not the direct object, I think the quote is the direct object or subject ? In the case of giving flowers to Pablo the a is translated as " to"  it's not a personal  a.  Flowers,  direct object, " to" Pablo , who is the indirect object.

Saludos,
Ricardo


 

Citar Mauricio: "¡Ai, gramática!"

Gracias por sus respuestas, amigos.

Dan

That added "a" for direct objects is the one thing in Spanish that I find superfluous, illogical - even irritating. I'm going to have to have a word with the Real Academia Española - enough is enough...
 

¡Jah! ¡Buena suerte con esas!