In preparation for my approaching trip tp Spain, I am listening to Pimsleur Spanish CD's and reviewing BBC online lessons. The pronunciation of "c" in "gracias," for example, is given with a soft "c" sound or a "th" sound. I am enough of a novice to hope to be able to learn one way of speaking for a short upcoming trip. And there are many words with a "c." I know about the regional differences. Is there one pronunciation that will be okay for my whole trip, including Madrid and Andalucia?

Spanish in Spain uses the lispy "th", and in general, Spanish in Latin America uses the soft "c" sound.

I was just in Latin America with a friend who uses the lispy "th" and all was well, and people in Spain would also be used to hearing Latin American accents, so I wouldn't worry about it, but just pick your preference.

Sorry - most people in Spain don;t use the "th", they use the "c", sort of. My uncle tried to use his best Castillian accent (th) in various parts of Spain and people mentioned his pronunciation. This is originally from the area around Madrid - but is not used a lot of places and the "c" will always be understood.

Sorry - in the Western hemisphere the "th" isn't used at all.

I thought the "th" wasn't used in the Western hemisphere, but last week in Buenos Aires I heard two people (not from Spain) in separate cases say izquierda (left) with the first syllable "eeth".

You can't go wrong with the "c" if it's not your native language & you are traveling.
It is not a question of one being more correct. It is
regional, as you know even in Spain.

If you want you can trade off...it's actually fun

The Spanish are a very gracious and forgiving people when s foreigner attempts to speak their language. In Madrid they tend to speak classical Castillan while in the south they have tendecy to slur the end of words.

You Spanish will recognized as that of a beginner and will appreciated. Like anyone learning a language, asking a rehearsed question is one thing, understanding the response id something else.

Sorry I hit the send button too soon That should read:

The Spanish are a very gracious and forgiving people when a foreigner attempts to speak their language. In Madrid they tend to speak classical Castilian while in the south they have tendecy to slur the end of words.

Your Spanish will br recognized as that of a beginner and will be appreciated. Like anyone learning a new language, asking a rehearsed question is one thing, understanding the response is something else.

I have learned LA Spanish and used it with no problem in Spain. IN LA, for plural ' you' they only use "ustedes", in Spain - not so much.
As Adu said, Spanish people are very friendly and gracious.

I appreciate all of the reassurance. I'll probably be lucky to remember anything - and make bigger mistakes than the c/th variation.

When I was last in Madrid, some people seemed to avoid the issue altogether by dropping the final "s" in words like Buenos Dias---making it Bueno Dia!