Ciao a tutti!Ever since I was young I have had the Italian beat in my heart and want to live there one day. So over the past 3 years I have been really discovering Italy and it's people trying to find the area that feels right for me.
Understanding spoken Italian is difficult. However, try watching some Italian films with subtitles as they do help although some Italian films seem to be in certain dialects, e.g. the film Gomorrah is a Naples dialect which even my friend from Rome can't understand! But what is really helping at the moment is watching Sky TG24 over the internet. I put it on every day in the background while I'm on the computer or getting ready for work. Because it's news you'll be hearing mainly mainstream Italian spoken, you can see what's going on and get a general feel of what they are talking about. Plus you'll be up to date with the events in Italy. You'll also become very tuned in to the way Italian is spoken, as English speakers have a tendency to stress the wrong vowels which causes confusion when you then hear an Italian say the word. You can also read Corriere Della Sera on the internet and try reading childrens books with audio CD's because these are at a more simple level of Italian.As always the best way to improve is to have a relaxed conversation with a local, and don't worry about grammar, just practice with them and they will correct you where necessary. And always remember the phrase 'parla piu lentamente per favore' for the times when their mouths are opening but what's coming out sounds like Swahili!The more relaxed ways you can find to learn the less stressed and frustrated you'll become about it all. Keep it up, and just look at how much you understand now compared to when you started, so imagine in another 2 years you'll be fluent!
Only yesterday I was in a book store and selected the Dark Heart of Italy, but put it back because I thought it would be too negative on the country. I agree with 'Beth', Beppe Severgnini has written a book called 'La Bella Figura - an insider's guide to the Italian mind' and this is a humourous but true observation of modern Italy. One thing I like is that he is a self-confessed Anglophile but despite all he has written he has still chosen to live with his family in Italy - maybe that speaks volumes in itself.
Ciao Valentina.Grazie for your welcome and comments. This community has so many interesting and relevant topics, it's a great resource.It seems the finding work issue comes up all the time and the issue of short term contracts. The few Italian friends I have who live both here and in Italy always complain about the work situation - although one of them is training to become a Priest so I doubt he faces the same struggles as the rest of the Italian people! Only the other week I was speaking to a guy in Sardinia who was telling me he has to have two jobs to survive and works 7 days a week and that this is normal for people in Italy?!! Now I wouldn't be looking for specific jobs because I'm open to most things, but wouldn't want to be working so hard that I'm too tired to enjoy the little time I do have off. I think my next step is to live and study there for a few weeks and observe and talk to the people some more.Every country has it's problems, anyone would be a fool to think otherwise. It's just that experiencing these things alone can be a tougher journey than when you are able to share the experience and problems with someone. This is why I'm so intent to find people who have made the move alone and how they coped.Despite the negativity I hear, I also hear their love for the food, weather and people, and it's this that I also share. Yes I admit it, I'm addicted, I am an Italophile!!As the Italians say; "in bocca al lupo!"Ciao
Ciao Lisiamc,Thank you so much for this link, I've just read a few pages and it really is an interesting read. Great to hear the accounts and feelings from someone who has been brave enough to do it all on her own. Gives me the inspiration I'm looking for. Brava! Just need to hear from any other solo movers but ones who didn't have the luxury of retirement and had to find work. Grazie!
Comments posted
Understanding spoken Italian is difficult. However, try watching some Italian films with subtitles as they do help although some Italian films seem to be in certain dialects, e.g. the film Gomorrah is a Naples dialect which even my friend from Rome can't understand! But what is really helping at the moment is watching Sky TG24 over the internet. I put it on every day in the background while I'm on the computer or getting ready for work. Because it's news you'll be hearing mainly mainstream Italian spoken, you can see what's going on and get a general feel of what they are talking about. Plus you'll be up to date with the events in Italy. You'll also become very tuned in to the way Italian is spoken, as English speakers have a tendency to stress the wrong vowels which causes confusion when you then hear an Italian say the word. You can also read Corriere Della Sera on the internet and try reading childrens books with audio CD's because these are at a more simple level of Italian.As always the best way to improve is to have a relaxed conversation with a local, and don't worry about grammar, just practice with them and they will correct you where necessary. And always remember the phrase 'parla piu lentamente per favore' for the times when their mouths are opening but what's coming out sounds like Swahili!The more relaxed ways you can find to learn the less stressed and frustrated you'll become about it all. Keep it up, and just look at how much you understand now compared to when you started, so imagine in another 2 years you'll be fluent!
Only yesterday I was in a book store and selected the Dark Heart of Italy, but put it back because I thought it would be too negative on the country. I agree with 'Beth', Beppe Severgnini has written a book called 'La Bella Figura - an insider's guide to the Italian mind' and this is a humourous but true observation of modern Italy. One thing I like is that he is a self-confessed Anglophile but despite all he has written he has still chosen to live with his family in Italy - maybe that speaks volumes in itself.
Ciao Valentina.Grazie for your welcome and comments. This community has so many interesting and relevant topics, it's a great resource.It seems the finding work issue comes up all the time and the issue of short term contracts. The few Italian friends I have who live both here and in Italy always complain about the work situation - although one of them is training to become a Priest so I doubt he faces the same struggles as the rest of the Italian people! Only the other week I was speaking to a guy in Sardinia who was telling me he has to have two jobs to survive and works 7 days a week and that this is normal for people in Italy?!! Now I wouldn't be looking for specific jobs because I'm open to most things, but wouldn't want to be working so hard that I'm too tired to enjoy the little time I do have off. I think my next step is to live and study there for a few weeks and observe and talk to the people some more.Every country has it's problems, anyone would be a fool to think otherwise. It's just that experiencing these things alone can be a tougher journey than when you are able to share the experience and problems with someone. This is why I'm so intent to find people who have made the move alone and how they coped.Despite the negativity I hear, I also hear their love for the food, weather and people, and it's this that I also share. Yes I admit it, I'm addicted, I am an Italophile!!As the Italians say; "in bocca al lupo!"Ciao
Ciao Lisiamc,Thank you so much for this link, I've just read a few pages and it really is an interesting read. Great to hear the accounts and feelings from someone who has been brave enough to do it all on her own. Gives me the inspiration I'm looking for. Brava! Just need to hear from any other solo movers but ones who didn't have the luxury of retirement and had to find work. Grazie!