The Present Perfect tense; the Argentinian problem

 

When I arrived in Argentina, my Spanish was already quite advanced, as I had lived in Spain for a year, and studied the language quite a lot. Of course, I noticed a lot of obvious differences, like being called vos instead of tu. I accustomed my ear to hear double l’s that sound more like sh than the typical Spanish y sound (Sho me shamo Guishermo.)

However, one thing which took longer to notice, but is equally very interesting, is the lack of one tense common to English and Spanish: the present perfect. Not a total lack – as it may still occasionally be used, and may be found in writing; but it is very uncommon despite being very common in other parts of the world.

I am in Argentina since two years.

I have been in Argentina for two years.

Because of this, it can be an extra challenge for an English teacher in Argentina to show when the present perfect should be used.

 

When is the Present Perfect used?

In English and Iberian Spanish, most uses of the present perfect are the same. Generally, it is used to refer to something that has happened in the past, but the specific time is not important, or not mentioned;

(1) I have seen all the Star Wars films.

Of course, this is different from the simple past, which is used in a more specific way; e.g. I saw the new Star Wars film yesterday.
Notice that in the simple past we always know when the action happened.

A secondary use of the present perfect is in situations that began in the past, but continue into the present;

(2) John has worked as a barman since 2012.

This sentence indicates that John still works as a barman. In the same way Samantha has broken her leg, suggests that Samantha still has a broken (or healing) leg.

The Argentinian Problem

In Argentina, and to a lesser extent, other places in Latin America, many uses of the present perfect are replaced by other tenses. As stated above, there are two main uses of the present perfect: (1) When speaking of something that has happened in the past, but the specific time isn’t mentioned, and (2) when speaking of an action that continues into the present. Most Argentinians, especially Porteños, (knowingly or not) avoid the present perfect in both of these cases:

(1) I have seen all the Star Wars films.

Iberian Spanish: He visto todas las películas de Star Wars.
Argentinian Spanish: Ví todas las películas de Star Wars.

The Iberian Spanish translation is a literal translation, using the same tense. Although this is not wrong in Argentina, it would be very common for someone to use the simple past. The English translation of this would be I saw all the Star Wars films. The only way this sentence could exist in English would be as a response to a question, like what did you do yesterday?

Here are some more examples using (1), with the Iberian in blue and the Argentinian in red.

Have you been to Germany? ¿Has ido a Alemania? ¿Fuiste a Alemania?
I’ve never eaten sushi. Nunca he comido sushi. Nunca comí sushi.
Have you tried the salmon? ¿Has probado el salmon? ¿Probaste el salmon? 

In examples of (1), Argentinians choose to use a simple past verb instead of the present perfect. However, in situations of (2), speaking of actions that began in the past and continue to the present, Argentinians will often just use the simple present tense:

(2) John has worked as a barman since 2012.

Iberian Spanish: John ha trabajado como barman desde 2012.
Argentinian Spanish: john trabaja como barman desde 2012.

Here are some more examples using (2), with the Iberian in blue and the Argentinian in red.

I’ve lived in Boston all my life. He vivido en Boston durante toda mi vida. Viví en Boston toda mi vida.
How long have you been sick? ¿Hace cuánto has estado enferma? ¿Hace cuánto estás enferma?
I have been waiting for two hours! ¡He estado esperando durante 2 horas! ¡Hace dos horas que estoy esperando!

Similarities with UK / US differences

There are some differences in the use of the present perfect in English, too, however, these are much smaller than in Spanish.

In fact, the main difference reflects one of the main contexts that Argentinians don’t use the present perfect, described above as example (1) In the following examples, British English is in blue, and US English is in red.

Have you done your homework yet? Did you do your homework yet?
Oh no, I’ve eaten too much. Oh no, I ate too much.
I’ve already been to the shoe shop. I already went to the shoe store.

Americans are particularly likely to choose the simple past in sentences that contain the words just, yet or already. However, please note that the British version is still quite common in the US, especially in writing. Americans also still use the present perfect in all cases shown above as case (2) For these reasons, I would argue that the Iberian/Argentinian difference is stronger than the UK/US difference.

So, what should I do with the present perfect in Argentina?

If you are a Spanish learner, don’t worry –  Argentinians will generally understand when the present perfect is used, despite not using it themselves. I have lived in Argentina for nearly two years, and I make no attempt to reduce the amount of present perfect I use.

If you are an English teacher who will be teaching Argentinians, I would recommend on focussing on its uses. Although you may be accustomed to teaching without using any Spanish in class, perhaps you can make an exception while teaching the present perfect – as it may be helpful for your students to see when it is used in Iberian Spanish.

If you are Argentinian, then attempt to learn when and how to use the present perfect! It will improve your English. Also, if you have been taught that in the US it is not used, then stop this rumour from travelling further! Argentinians – can you think of any occasion in which you would always use the present perfect? Have you had problems learning (or teaching) this tense?

 

If you have any questions about using the present perfect, or if you agree or disagree with my view of Argentinians’ use of this tense, then let us know in the comments section below.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download