Basic Italian/Croatian??
Jun 27th, 2008, 07:18 PM
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Basic Italian/Croatian??
Greetings, was just told of this site, which is wonderful!! My husband & I will be leaving on a 10 day cruise to Italy/Malta/Croatia on Tuesday. It's my belief that one should know something of the languages spoken in the countries you are visiting..so could anyone could give us some basic phrases in Italian & Croatian that we could speak?!! EX: Hello, Please, thank you, Where is the restroom; May we have the bill please? etc.
It is MOST appreciated!! I first posted this on the General Interest as I didn't know what I was doing!!
It is MOST appreciated!! I first posted this on the General Interest as I didn't know what I was doing!!
Jun 27th, 2008, 11:35 PM
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You posted in the right place. You click on the individual countries to help people with searching for information but adding your thread to those countries won't help to get it answered. The countries help to narrow searches, not for answers to posted questions.
Jun 28th, 2008, 12:42 AM
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Use google translator or altavista babelfish - enter the phrases in English and they are automatically translated in the language you want.
However, I am sceptic that in 10 days or less you will learn them and more tham this, that you will understand what they will answer to you.
In most of the turistic places in Italy, they will be able to understand your englis, don't worry and enjoy your vacation!
However, I am sceptic that in 10 days or less you will learn them and more tham this, that you will understand what they will answer to you.
In most of the turistic places in Italy, they will be able to understand your englis, don't worry and enjoy your vacation!
Jun 28th, 2008, 01:10 AM
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I can't help you on sources for basic phrases (though, in Italian, in the order you asked: Buon giorno, or buona sera in the evening; per favore; grazie; dov'e il bagno?; il conto, per favore), since your definition of basic and mine are unlikely to be the same.
BUT:
<b>Do not use </b> google translator or babelfish for the purposes you propose. At a pinch, these sites MIGHT give you an almost-comprehensible translation FROM some foreign languages (though NOT Croat) INTO yours. But they cannot be relied on to produce sentences in a foreign language that won't make speakers of that language roll around the floor laughing.
Just buy a phrase book from your local bookshop.
BUT:
<b>Do not use </b> google translator or babelfish for the purposes you propose. At a pinch, these sites MIGHT give you an almost-comprehensible translation FROM some foreign languages (though NOT Croat) INTO yours. But they cannot be relied on to produce sentences in a foreign language that won't make speakers of that language roll around the floor laughing.
Just buy a phrase book from your local bookshop.
Jun 28th, 2008, 02:21 AM
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Jun 28th, 2008, 03:57 AM
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Chickenhawk, I absolutely agree- it's polite and adds so much more value to the trip.
I would buy two pocket sized phrase guidebooks- one Italian, one Croatian- and keep them with you. The brand I use comes with cds so I listen in the car before I go, and have downloaded the cds to my ipod for travel. They can be found in any major bookstore.
I went to Rome/Croatia last year for 10 days, and while the Italian was easier to pick up and remember, the Croatian was not, especially in the moment. So if in a pinch, you can point to the word/phrase you are looking for to communicate, and as Ira pointed out, keep it handy when ordering food.
Have a wonderful vacation!
I would buy two pocket sized phrase guidebooks- one Italian, one Croatian- and keep them with you. The brand I use comes with cds so I listen in the car before I go, and have downloaded the cds to my ipod for travel. They can be found in any major bookstore.
I went to Rome/Croatia last year for 10 days, and while the Italian was easier to pick up and remember, the Croatian was not, especially in the moment. So if in a pinch, you can point to the word/phrase you are looking for to communicate, and as Ira pointed out, keep it handy when ordering food.
Have a wonderful vacation!
Jun 28th, 2008, 04:07 AM
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If you did not start to learn at least 6 months ago, don't waste your last 5-6 days with this! So much effort and for sure they will start to speak English when they will hear you!
It is so naive to think that because of one "buon giorno" you will receive more attention or a better service! All over the world there are so many tourists speaking English, so anybody will consider you rude or arrogant if you do not speak local language. English became the language of tourists (believe me, as I am not from a country where English is the spoken language).
I saw in Japan an American lady that took with her every day his English - Japanese - English dictionary (about 2 lb.) but never had the occasion to use it. It was ridiculous.
It is so naive to think that because of one "buon giorno" you will receive more attention or a better service! All over the world there are so many tourists speaking English, so anybody will consider you rude or arrogant if you do not speak local language. English became the language of tourists (believe me, as I am not from a country where English is the spoken language).
I saw in Japan an American lady that took with her every day his English - Japanese - English dictionary (about 2 lb.) but never had the occasion to use it. It was ridiculous.
Jun 28th, 2008, 05:35 AM
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regarding Croatia - Croatians speak better english than many Americans. The simple phrases are all you really need.
A quick google search - in Malta they speak Malti / Maltese - the only Semitic language in Europe (I learned something new today - whoooo) but also Italian and English.
I'm a chicken hawk and I smell chicken - Henry Hawk
A quick google search - in Malta they speak Malti / Maltese - the only Semitic language in Europe (I learned something new today - whoooo) but also Italian and English.
I'm a chicken hawk and I smell chicken - Henry Hawk
Jun 28th, 2008, 05:56 AM
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Check out BBC Languages on line
http://www.bbc.co.uk/languages/italian/
for Italian.
I don't know how much you can pick up in a few days but I found it quite helpful with pronunciation and phrases. And just plain fun, for that matter.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/languages/italian/
for Italian.
I don't know how much you can pick up in a few days but I found it quite helpful with pronunciation and phrases. And just plain fun, for that matter.
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