Thread by @gauravsabnis

Wife recently finished Narcos Mexico & El Chapo, moved on to the Colombian show El Patron Del Mal, a gritty no frills 75 episode docu-drama about Escobar. I saw it 7-8 years ago, right after Narcos s1. But back then, I didn't understand Spanish at all. Like hola, bueno, done.

So I am rewatching the show with her. After having been to Latin America many times, including Colombia itself, and in fact Medellin too, and also countryside Antiochia.

And I'm seeing the show in a whole other light again!

Most noticeably, the language.

Now I'm at least very very rudimentary level okay in Spanish. Not fluent at all. But not horrible. So now, when I watch a Spanish show, I'm not just reading the subtitles, but also trying to see if I can understand what they say without reading the subtitles.

So the last two Spanish shows we watched, about the Mexican cartels, were all with mostly Mexican actors. I got some bits without the subtitles, but still had to keep scanning. Everyday Mexican Spanish isn't as well elucidated as Duolingo Spanish after all.

But EPDM reminds me of what I felt even in Colombia. That Colombians speak the most Duolingo-friendly and the most beginner-friendly Spanish of all, even more than Spain! It is at a luxurious pace, hardly any contractions, and they tend to enunciate well too!

So EPDM, I can understand like 80% of what is being said without subtitles. And I realized this cos I was taking a nap and woke up to wife watching it, and even without looking at the TV, I could follow what was happening on the show.

Cos Colombian Spanish!

And on EPDM, it is especially easy to follow when Escobar speaks, because Andres Parra played Escobar very true to life, not some sex siren like that Brazilian hunk in Narcos. And Escobar in real life spoke in a slow, sonorous, ultra formal tone. Fancied himself an intellectual.

So Andres Parra's Pablo, very much like the real life Pablo, actually talks Duolingo Spanish, lol! Very little slang or contractions. Very slowly and self-importantly spoken, like he's the next president. Which he did eventually want to become.

Great for a beginner to watch!

If you, like me, are at beginner levels in Spanish and want to learn more, pro-tip, watch Colombian shows like El Patron Del Mal on Netflix, with subtitles on. And try to follow along. It is like a lesson with entertainment! Colombians speak the best Spanish!