Language a issue???

Hi Nate,

It largely depends on where you're going. In tourist centers, you'll be fine just with English. Nearly everyone at restaurants, hotels, tourist sites, etc. who deal with tourists on a regular basis speak English.

You might have a harder time in small towns or off-the-beaten-path neighborhoods, or even in bigger cities if you're doing something like, say, going to a pharmacy or dry-cleaner; while all Italians take English from a young age, that doesn't mean they all can speak it as adults!

Remember, too, that a little bit of an attempt with Italian goes a long way to make you friends (or at least get you smiles) here. Try to learn how to say (and correctly pronounce) basic phrases like "grazie," "prego," and other basic things that will help you, like numbers (for dealing with money). Being able to recognize things like that "via" means street, or "tabaccaio" tobacco-shop where you can get bus tickets, will also be helpful.

www.revealedrome.com

And remember that just because someone speaks some English to you (say, at the front desk), do not assume that they're fluent and will understand if you start speaking English really fast. Rick always advises to speak very clearly and slowly, articulating your words clearly, breaking slightly between words and avoiding the use of contractions. (It's almost impossible for many non-English speakers to make some important distinctions in spoken English, such as can't versus can, didn't versus did, etc.)

Nate,

I definitely agree with the others! In most tourist areas you'll probably be fine, and you may find that some of the Italians want to practice speaking English. However, as the previous reply mentioned it's a good idea to speak slowly, don't use abbreviations or "slang" and try to minimize word contractions (ie: don't vs. do not).

You might find it helpful to pack along a copy of Rick's Italian Phrasebook, as it contains a lot of very useful phrases. In addition to the words for food items, you'll also need to be familiar with words relating to transportation. For example, when you're looking for the track number for your train, "Binario" is the word to look for. If you're travelling with a reserved seat on the train, "Carozza" is Car no. and "Posti" is seat no.

Happy travels!

We have never found language to be a problem in Italy. My husband and I recently returned from Italy and it was the first time we didn't even pack a phrase book!

It is polite to try to learn a little rudimentary Italian so that you don't put all the pressure and anxiety on the other person to try to get their message across to you and to understand you in return. If they understand a little of what you are saying and you understand some of what they are saying, then between the two of you, the message gets through. I will never forget how embarrassed I was when some obnoxious American woman went up to the counter at the McDonald's in front of the Pantheon in Rome and said in a very loud and slow voice, in perfect English, "I would like some Frennnnnch Friiiiiiiiiies". All she really needed to do was to point and grunt at the picture on the menu board that clearly showed a box of fries with the correct words in Italian spelled out "Patate Regulare".

As a both English and Italian fluent speaker, I cannot overstate how simple steps already mentioned here helps you:

1. Speak slowly, but don't "dumb" your interlocutor.

2. Don't contract. Ever. Drop anything like wanna, didn't, we've got etc. MA

3. As Italian pronunciation is extremely easy to learn (what you read is what you speak, always), it pays off to learn the basics of it if you are going to some more remote place. You can then take a dictionary (what about an app to your smartphone?) and say the word.

4. If you are solving an issue or discussing a problem with - say - the small B&B in Basilicata, write down any info and take the note with you so you can point to it.