Come sono simpatici i tuoi post sull’Italia! Vado a leggermeli tutti! (pronominal verb)
As an Italian mother tongue who studied at least a bit of 8 foreign languages in her life, it’s amazing to read how Americans approach the study of foreign languages.
Congratulations for your progress and also for devoting yourself stubbornly to the subjunctive, which – I confirm – is something many Italians can’t use and which – I agree – is so difficult that I am glad I didn’t have to learn it.
In Italy we say that you’re good at speaking a foreign language when you are able to think in that language, meaning that you don’t translate. It’s like you said: you must set aside your native language when you speak the foreign one, and even when you think. And if you miss a word, not a problem: building the syntax in your head is the most important thing, then words will come.
A question (perhaps should it become a survey?): what do you feel is so beautiful about the Italian language?
Grazie Elena, sono felicissima che ti piacciono i miei post! E grazie per il nuovo (per me) verbo pronominale!
We Americans are at such a disadvantage in learning languages because most of us don't study them until middle or high school, if then. It's a terrible thing. My friend's son, who is Czech/Italian, just got a job in Spain that involves lots of other Europeans—he speaks five languages, which I'm sure made him a top choice for the job.
I won't answer your question now about why I think Italian is a beautiful language; instead I think I will put together a survey. Thanks for the idea!
You gave a perfect example of the subjunctive in English, but here is how people (aka Americans) would butcher it: "“If I w̵e̵r̵e̵ would be more fluent in Italian, I’d get a job”. I 𝒔𝒆𝒆𝒕𝒉𝒆 when I see that.
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Also, that video with Lucrezia was great. Did you hear the congiuntivo?! "Stiate", "che fosse ben chiaro". Maybe I can't roll it off my tongue, but I can certainly spot it when I hear it, LOL.
Another great piece, Cheryl. My family is from southern Lazio (“La Ciociaria”) and the accent they speak with is so difficult for me to hear well. Of all the areas of Italy I have traveled in, my ancestral province is the most difficult! They always understand me as I jabber with simple standard Italian, but their responses can be befuddling. Thanks again!
Thanks, Michael! Yes, your family's hometown is just over the hills from my maternal grandfather's town of Sonnino. It's the one remaining ancestral town of my family that I haven't been to yet, so when I do, I'll make note of how they speak (though I'm sure it'll be different from your family's).
Wonderful advice and guidance on learning Italian. My love and frustration with languages runs deep. I have been a speech language pathologist since 1974. Praying that my brain allows me to truly learn Italian!
Carissima Cheryl,
Come sono simpatici i tuoi post sull’Italia! Vado a leggermeli tutti! (pronominal verb)
As an Italian mother tongue who studied at least a bit of 8 foreign languages in her life, it’s amazing to read how Americans approach the study of foreign languages.
Congratulations for your progress and also for devoting yourself stubbornly to the subjunctive, which – I confirm – is something many Italians can’t use and which – I agree – is so difficult that I am glad I didn’t have to learn it.
In Italy we say that you’re good at speaking a foreign language when you are able to think in that language, meaning that you don’t translate. It’s like you said: you must set aside your native language when you speak the foreign one, and even when you think. And if you miss a word, not a problem: building the syntax in your head is the most important thing, then words will come.
A question (perhaps should it become a survey?): what do you feel is so beautiful about the Italian language?
Ciao!
Elena
Grazie Elena, sono felicissima che ti piacciono i miei post! E grazie per il nuovo (per me) verbo pronominale!
We Americans are at such a disadvantage in learning languages because most of us don't study them until middle or high school, if then. It's a terrible thing. My friend's son, who is Czech/Italian, just got a job in Spain that involves lots of other Europeans—he speaks five languages, which I'm sure made him a top choice for the job.
I won't answer your question now about why I think Italian is a beautiful language; instead I think I will put together a survey. Thanks for the idea!
I agree about the disadvantage of starting as a teen ager, you are right. Nowadays, in Italy there are English lessons in kindergarten, too.
P. S. By the way, the picture of the Neapolitan style conversation was great! :)
Kindergarten! I'm crying . . .
I took three or four photos of that conversation (from across the street). I loved watching/listening to them!
You gave a perfect example of the subjunctive in English, but here is how people (aka Americans) would butcher it: "“If I w̵e̵r̵e̵ would be more fluent in Italian, I’d get a job”. I 𝒔𝒆𝒆𝒕𝒉𝒆 when I see that.
.
Also, that video with Lucrezia was great. Did you hear the congiuntivo?! "Stiate", "che fosse ben chiaro". Maybe I can't roll it off my tongue, but I can certainly spot it when I hear it, LOL.
(Spero che tu stia bene)
Glad you liked Lucrezia's video; she's got plenty of good stuff! Sto bene, grazie, spero che per te tutto vada bene!
‘Mutilate the language with confidence’
Music to my ears! 😂
Haha, I hope you come back soon to give it another shot!
Back next September 😜
Wonderful!
Oh, the learning curve....hate it love it.
Another great piece, Cheryl. My family is from southern Lazio (“La Ciociaria”) and the accent they speak with is so difficult for me to hear well. Of all the areas of Italy I have traveled in, my ancestral province is the most difficult! They always understand me as I jabber with simple standard Italian, but their responses can be befuddling. Thanks again!
Thanks, Michael! Yes, your family's hometown is just over the hills from my maternal grandfather's town of Sonnino. It's the one remaining ancestral town of my family that I haven't been to yet, so when I do, I'll make note of how they speak (though I'm sure it'll be different from your family's).
Wonderful advice and guidance on learning Italian. My love and frustration with languages runs deep. I have been a speech language pathologist since 1974. Praying that my brain allows me to truly learn Italian!
Thanks so much, and I hope some of the info can be useful to you. Don't let your brain stand in your way! ;-)