"Bienvenidos," he exclaimed with a smile as the attendees entered.
The greeting was happily returned as more joined the group already assembled around the table at the former barber shop turned Study on Union Street in downtown Brunswick.
Cuttino began making introductions in Spanish, pointing to those already situated around tables at the regular meeting of the Language Corner. Cuttino's wife, Sheri, smiled as she greeted the newcomers.
It's a scene that the Cuttinos hope will be repeated and even grow with time, as the group they recently started, the Language Corner, begins to take shape. The idea of learning a new language and offering a cultural exchange first began when the couple was living in Atlanta before relocating to the Golden Isles.
"We first went to the Conversation Cafe in Atlanta, where you would go and they would have coffee and snacks. You would put a name tag on with your name and the language you wanted to speak," Sheri explained. "Jeff was really into Spanish and I didn't know much Spanish. I knew a little French. So I spoke English but there were people there who wanted to practice English. It was just really neat."
The group brought together individuals from all over the world to interact and engage with one another. The goal for each was the same — learning or becoming more proficient in a language.
"They would also share how they learned a language. For example, those who were Spanish speakers learned English by watching movies or listening to the radio. They suggested that you do the same to learn Spanish," she said.
It is a concept they hope to bring to Brunswick. That's why they recently formed the Language Corner, which will meet from 6-8 p.m. every Wednesday at 1425 Union St., Brunswick. There, the Cuttinos will welcome those who want to interact in various languages in a relaxed environment.
While they haven't had many meetings, the group is already drawing interest.
"We have some people who speak French and who speak Spanish come. We have a French table and a Spanish table," Jeff Cuttino said, gesturing to the tables. "We have someone who speaks German too."
Each person who attends has his or her own reason for wanting to learn or improve their skills with a new language.
For Reuben Hernández-Artero, it is to feel more at home here. A native of El Salvador, he and his family relocated and he has been spending time with the Cuttinos to help him feel more comfortable with English.
"Reuben's reason is different than my reason of course. My motivation is that I just think it's fun," Jeff said. "But we met through the school I teach at ... and we started having them over for dinner. I will speak Spanish to him and he will correct my mistakes. I will do the same for his English. We help each other."
It offers a non-judgmental space for a language exchange, allowing speakers to use the words they don't in every day life. The knowledge and confidence is especially helpful when traveling, Sherri adds.
"We went to Paris and we got lost but we were comfortable enough to speak French and ask questions. They could understand us which was great," Sheri said.
"A lot of people speak English there but it's just nice to be able to go and at least try."
It's also a way to break down barriers, she notes.
"I know when I hear people speaking a different language that I don't understand ... you kind of think they might be talking about you — they aren't, but you think that," Sheri said with a laugh.
"But when you understand it and you feel confident to respond or speak to them, they are actually pretty impressed."
The same is true of people who move to America from foreign countries.
Having native English speakers willing to try to converse in Spanish is a welcoming and meaningful effort, Hernández-Artero said.
"That has happened to me and friends of mine too ... when you are speaking Spanish and an American comes over to you and they speak it and they speak it very well. You think ‘wow that's amazing,'" Hernández-Artero said.
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