Help with the language, ABD in Italy Sept 08'

[harmonium]

Ciao!

We are going to Italy in Sept and I am listening to Italian CDs and trying to learn as much as I can before going. I wanted to know if anyone out there knows of the best way I can communicate with someone who speaks Italian so I can practice. Any ideas?

Thanks

 

[whayes]

When in September will you be going? I am not sure how you can practice unless you have a friend that speaks Italian. However, I have a suggestion for practical Italian to help you get by. The Rick Steves Italian Phrase book is written by a travel person who only speaks English. He gives very common phrase information. It is also a great read.

 

[eva]

When in September will you be going? I am not sure how you can practice unless you have a friend that speaks Italian. However, I have a suggestion for practical Italian to help you get by. The Rick Steves Italian Phrase book is written by a travel person who only speaks English. He gives very common phrase information. It is also a great read.

Another thumbs up for this book.

 

[harmonium]

When in September will you be going? I am not sure how you can practice unless you have a friend that speaks Italian. However, I have a suggestion for practical Italian to help you get by. The Rick Steves Italian Phrase book is written by a travel person who only speaks English. He gives very common phrase information. It is also a great read.

Thank you. I was given that exact book this past Christmas. It is a helpful tool.

 

[tiggerk]

I'm sure you are just learning Italian to learn, and maybe show respect to the Italians. Of course your guides will help you when you are there.
I went to Italy in 2004 with my mother, not on an organized tour. She is retired and did all the planning, and studied Italian. I got a few phrase books and CD's, but really we didn't need them. Italy is very English friendly. Especially any areas where tourists go. We went to Rome, Siena, Cinque Terre, Pisa, Via Reggio. The only time I can remember that the people helping us did not speak English was a cab ride from the hotel to the outdoor opera. There was no problem since the cab ride was arranged, it just meant we didn't chat with the driver. We stayed in boutique hotels - not big chains. and ate at restaurants we walked past that looked interesting - the restaurants all had bilingual menus - and you order by number for the most part. At the Colosseum in Rome the German tourist next to us was asking the Italian behind the counter in English if they had the tourist recording in German. Of course signs are bilingual and things like Train ticket kiosks and ATMS all have an English option.
In contrast, I had to fly through New York a few weeks ago on business -I didn't have a hotel room booked, a fellow traveler told me to go to the transportation information desk at the airport and they could help me find a hotel. When I got to the desk the attendant at the information desk really did not speak English - he had no idea what I was asking him and had to call his supervisor.

 

[tiggerk]

And I should say - I am trying to learn some Spanish for our trip to Peru.
Although I probably won't need it.
(It may have helped in New York though).

 

[harmonium]

And I should say - I am trying to learn some Spanish for our trip to Peru.
Although I probably won't need it.
(It may have helped in New York though).

Thanks. That's really funny about meeting people in the US that are working in the service industry that can not speak english. True, and slightly difficult when it happens, but still funny after the fact.