What You Must Know About The Italian LanguageWhen most people are planning a vacation to a different country, language barriers that may exist are a big concern. Some people even shy away from going to a foreign country for that very reason even if they can afford it. Going on an Italian vacation does not mean you need to learn to speak Italian. Most Italians in the major cities speak at least some English. Many Italians are quite fluent in English. It would be a courtesy, however, if you tried to learn some basic vocabulary. Just as Americans expect people from foreign countries that travel to the United States to speak a little English, Italians reward the tourist that understands a little bit of their language with a much richer travel experience.Also, if the person you ask for help does not speak English, at least they may be able to point you in the right direction if you can say "bus stop" in Italian. Another reason to learn to speak some Italian is to enhance your experience. The words you know before you leave for your Italian vacation will serve as a basis for you to learn more words when you get there and expand your vocabulary. Italian is considered a "Romance language" because it is derived from Latin. It is said to be one of the closest to Latin and uses the Latin alphabet. Italian language is characterized by the stressing of certain syllables. There are formal ways to say things and informal versions. For your needs when traveling, the formal versions would probably be most appropriate as the informal or familiar versions are mainly for conversations among family and close friends. One of the most important reasons to learn a few Italian words is if you plan on using public transportation. Many guides, taxi drivers and hotel employees are fluent in English and most speak at least some English. But there are a few scenarios where you may need specific words during your Italian vacation. There are some basic words that you need to know. These are all the informal versions. Most people are familiar with the Italian word for "Yes." It is Si. "No" is simply No. If you need to say "Hello" it is Ciao. The word Ciao can also be used for "Goodbye." "How are you?" is "Come sta?"During your Italian vacation, everyone will agree that you need to know how to greet. Italians are very friendly people and to immerse yourself in the culture you must be able to respond when you are greeted or offer a greeting first. "Good morning" is "buon giorno!" "Good afternoon" is "buona sera!" "Good evening" is "buona sera," and is generally used until about 11PM. "Good night" is "buona notte," but be careful when you use this term as it is mostly said when going to bed and is a reference to sleeping well. For your Italian vacation it is important to learn how to say "please" (per favore) and "thank you" (grazie). Italian words that you will need to help you get directions include "where...?" (dove). This is a great word to know because it will help you make all kinds of sentences such as "dove il bagno?" (Where is the bathroom?). If you plan on using public transportation at the very least make sure you carry around with you a card with words for "left, right, north, south, east, west, bus stop, train" etc. Or, you can carry along an Italian dictionary which will also be a big help on your Italian vacation. Most good Italian travel guides have sections on useful phrases and how to say them. Also, thanks to the Internet, there are a number of places online where you can learn enough Italian to get around. Most sites are free or charge only a nominal fee.
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This isn't just another travel guide. It's packed with all the practical information you'll need when travelling in Italy from a native. |
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