nancy

We are going to Italy next summer. <BR>I began by learning some simple phrases in Italian,and have found learning fun and interesting. <BR>Because I live in a rural part of Vermont, there are no Italian language classes that I may take. <BR>Now I am trying to teach myself more, and have a small library on grammar, verbs, etc. <BR>I love books of all kinds anyway! <BR>I know I will still be a beginner next year. <BR>And I also know from reading postings on this site, that one does not have to speak alot of Italian to get along in Italy. <BR>But, my question is, what if I want to speak as much Italian as I can, to practice what I know. <BR>Will people think I am just being pretentious <BR>or will they be willing to allow me to practice with them? <BR>Con premisso, posso parlare l'italiano con Lei? <BR>(If anyone knows a better or correct way to say the above , please feel free to correct) <BR>Thanks, <BR>Nancy

Sheila

They'll love you for it. Go for it. <BR> <BR>Buon Viaggio

vosaki

You're learning the right language. Italians are warm and friendly people. As Shelia say, they'll love you for it.

nancy

Sheila and Vosaki, <BR>Thank you. <BR>Lei e molto gentile! <BR>Query: <BR>Do keyboards in other countries come with little accent marks to go over letters? <BR>I can't get mine to do that. <BR>Nancy

Thyra

Nancy, two thumbs up for you! In my Italian experiences, I learned about 15 sentences by listening to a language tape. I was particularly proud that I could ask for my key and tell them my room number. Believe me when I tell you that I slaughtered it! I know I sounded utterly horrid to a native Italian, but the people were so gracious and appreciative that I took the time to try, we got excellent service and I think that it was partially because of the attempt.

scigirl

Nancy - keyboards in other countries do have accent marks, etc. French keyboards are also non-qwerty - which makes for very very slow typing. Italian keyboards are qwerty with a few extra functions for accent marks etc.

Jackie

Nancy: <BR>Why not try out some of your most memorable phrases here. I have the hardest times with numbers-- and I am sure to have one heck of a look on my face when I'm brought my first checque for dinner.... I wish I had started trying to teach myself Italian long ago. I leave for Italy in July, and I feel like a buffoon!! Most of all, I just want to be able to tell people how much I love their country. <BR>

xxx

Nancy, <BR> <BR>your keyboard can do all those letters with diacritical marks. Hold down the ALT key and enter three letter codes on the numeric keypad (not across the top of the letter keys). These characters begin at ALT-128 and go up from there. <BR> <BR>Try this yourself and make yourself a chart: <BR> <BR>ALT-128 = Ç <BR>ALT-129 = ü <BR>ALT-130 = é <BR> <BR>and so on...

nancy

Mille Grazie to all who have replied. <BR>Especially to xxxx with advice on using my keyboard to make all those little accent marks/diacriticals. <BR>As soon as I get the children off for their last day of school!!! I am going to try it out. <BR>Nancy

graziella

Hi Nancy, you ll be fine, remember to use the right body language, and hand language...you ll have a great time.Graziella.

Don

When I went I learned 2 things and that' <BR>s it. Bon Jorno and Gratie. That is all we needed to know since just about everyone speaks English-it is the international language. You will have NO problem and the Italians will love you anyway-they are super nice people! They could care less how much Italian you know. Be nice and say Gratzie and you'll be fine!

pam

AFter my first trip to Europe, I vowed to learn how to count in any language I might need. My son and I had fun learning Italian numbers together. It is very useful. Another useful phrase is "Lentamente, per favore" (as in, 'speak more slowly please.' (You might want to qualify that with the proper form of the verb parlare.) Your efforts will be appreciated and rewarded. When I made my son & husband order their own gelato, in Italian, the server gave them each extra gelato for their efforts. I'd love to practice Italian with you here!

nancy

Don, <BR>As I said in my original posting, I know one does not NEED alot of Italian to get along in Italy. <BR>My point rather is , <BR>I am having so much fun learning the language , that I will Want to speak it, and practice what I know, as much as possible! <BR>I just needed to be reassured that most Italians will not hear me and think, "oh, what a pretentious american this woman is, speaking our language likes she knows it all" <BR>I want to learn as much as I can over in Italy, being able to speak to people for whom this is their first language! <BR>But I do get your point, that is why I am not pushing my husband, or children to learn more than the phrases to be polite with. <BR>Nancy

nancy

Graziella, <BR>There are many language books to teach me grammar, and vocabulary. <BR>But where in staid New England does one pick up hints on body language or hand expressions. <BR>New Englanders are known for being as voluble, emotional and expressive as my couch! <BR>I am kind of kidding, but not really. <BR>Thanks for your imput. <BR>Nancy

elaine

Hi nancy <BR>My opinion is that it's a little pretentious NOT to try to learn at least hello, please, and thank you, just for courtesy. I admire your efforts, especially since you're teaching yourself. Yes, most Italians especially in shops, restaurants, and hotels in big cities, will speak some or lots of English. Only obnoxious people in any culture would want to put you down for trying their language, and if you run into some of them just ignore it. Most reasonable people, it seems to me, will admire your efforts, even if they are amused by it.Language mistakes can be amusing, but I don't think they're silly or pretentious. Too many visitors are not interested to even try. <BR>Go for it!

elaine

nancy <BR>I wanted to add, this Fodor's website has a language section which will also give you some phrases, as long as your computer has sound

JMM

My experience traveling in non english speaking countries has been that local people are actually very pleased when you try to say a few phrases in their language. I think it shows respect for someone else's country to at least learn a few polite phrases like please and thank you.

nancy

To Pam and Elaine, <BR>Thanks Elaine for the posting. <BR>I have language tapes too, in addition to books. (Am I noting a developing obsession here?!) <BR>But additional sites are always great to know about. <BR>Pam, <BR>You actually brought up a point. <BR>I may have to ask this as a new posting. <BR>Are there sites to practice language on? <BR>I am fairly new to Fodor site (two months) <BR>But one thing I have noticed, in addition to being very helpful, Fodor posters are pretty touchy about what gets posted on this site (i.e. the Molly brouha lately,and the "why don't you do a search before you post your question " responses) <BR>I would love to find a place where I could plug in as time allowed to "Speak" Italian, but I am not sure this is the proper site for it. <BR>I don't think I want to draw the ire of this wild group (partially kidding) <BR>So thanks for the interest AND if anyone knows of some language "groups" <BR>I would love to know. <BR>Nancy

Christina

I think there probably are some sites that do have "chats" depending on how loosely you define that word. If you really wish to speak Italian online, you need special software, such as IRC or something, I believe. Most places that sponsor chats are really referring to instantaneous BBs, or "instant messaging". You are typing, though, not speaking, which is a higher level of skills in some ways as poorly written Italian can be incomprehensible and just unattractive. Some people do not learn how to spell the most basic words, for example, and they can't really participate well in such chats (I'm not implying anything about you but I've seen this elsewhere, as well as many times on Fodors). I have an AOL account and I get sent messages by some people who either are French or learned a little in high school but don't really know it at all, as my profile has some French in it and lists that as an interest--I don't even understand what some of these people are saying it's so illiterate, so I'm not interested in chatting with them as it's sort of like trying to have an adult conversation with a two-year old. Anyway, I'm sure people will let you use your Italian in simple phrases and will respond some, but I don't think you'll find those who will want to try to carry on lengthy conversations unless you're fairly conversant, as that can be very tedious. I haven't been in Italy much though, but that's been my experience in other countries; people are more patient, etc, of course outside the large cities. As far as online Italian chats, here are a couple very good ones: italian.about.com/homework/italian/mpchat.htm and www.italfor.com/en/italfor.asp (the Compuserve one, I think) <BR>Actually, I ran across an interesting place online that sells internet language lessons with live real teachers, that's sort of an interesting concept for people like you. It's NetLearn Languages in the UK. They have group or indiv lessons, plus some other stuff that is free you might be interested in (maybe chats or forums). They are www.nll.co.uk <BR>I found their live teaching stuff interesting as it uses software I've never heard of before, but sounds cool--Microsoft NetMeeting. This allows you to talk live with each other and for you to actually see the teacher (sort of live video conferencing); the teacher can't see you, of course, as you'd need a webcam or something. All you need is a soundcard and a microphone and speakers. <BR> <BR>

John

Nanc...early the 1st morning I was in Santorini, I asked one of the hotel staff how to say "Good Morning" in Greek. The phrase is "Kalimara"...(at least, phonetically)...which I found to be disturbingly close to "Calamari" (squid). I went out after breakfast and, after walking for about an hour, had succeeded in confusing the two terms. Needless to say, the locals were greatly amused, some uproariously, as I wished everyone a "Good Squid". <BR> <BR>This was preceeded by my brother, who, upon arrival at a small hotel in the South of France, proudly announced in what he thought was passable French a phrase never heard before in French or any other language but, as close as possible, translated to be something along the lines of "There's a dismembered head of a cow in the restroom" which rendered the elderly female desk clerk first ashen white and who then turned and ran shrieking from the hotel, I think, never to be seen again. As you tragically may surmise, the foreign language gene has been lost in our family for many generations. <BR> <BR>If you remember these two incidents, you can't help but feel more confident. Failing this, a la Roberto Benigni, just run around shouting "Bon Giorno!!!" or "Molto Bene!!".