Language barrier in remote Italian town?

I highly recommend Pimsleur Italian, audio lessons you can do in your car (or wherever). You can download "My Daily Phrase Italian" at iTunes, 100 simple lessons that will help. Good for you for trying! it will pay off enormously, and knowing a little Italian will be reciprocated by Italians who know just a little English. Buon viaggio!

Gloria, I'd also highly recommend the Pimsleur lessons. I've been using them for a few years and while I'm not fluent, I'm able to get by quite nicely. I'll be heading for Italy in about two weeks, and not concerned about the language at all. I'd suggest working on Pimsleur prior to your trip and take a Phrase book along. You'll probably find that many of the people you'll be dealing with can function to some extent in English. Happy travels!

Grazie everyone,
I do have the Pimsleur and the Italian for Dummies CD's but the best one I got was Dr. Blair's Italian In No Time. Oh and yeah, I got the book Learning Italian in 10 easy lessons and the Rick Steves Italian Dictionary. Now if my mind will retain all these words:):). But you all gave me encouragement and with luck I'll parlare Italiano!!!

"I worry about not having wifi connection in these remote places." Probably best for you to plan on not having wi-fi that the public can access, in remote Italian villages. Then, if you do get lucky, it will be a pleasant surprise but not something you were counting heavily on.

Gloria, there are lots of standalone language translator programs that you can download on your smart phone, etc, that do not require wi-fi. Some are free, some are $3, and some are more. I bought one from "Ascendo" for Spain, and loaded it on my IPhone. PS Don't worry...just smile a lot and use sign language...it will get you thru anything!

I wouldn't count on having wifi in either of those towns, but I found it funny today that while walking around part of Bologna I couldn't pick up any wifi yet at my bus stop in Sant'Agata Bolognese (less than 7,000 people I think?) I had wifi. If you can speak it well enough to communicate ideas, you will get by. It doesn't have to be perfect, they will understand you. I don't have knowledge of Celenza or Casalvecchio, but if they are quite remote then remember that the "Italian" language isn't really one language, it is very regional. Things are said different ways in different areas, especially when remote. But be patient, and they should be patient with you. Have a wonderful time!

That thought occurred to me about different dialects. Guess I'll pull out my old sayings that I learned as a kid from my Mom:):). Maybe that will work in Celenza. But just in case I'll carry my Rick Steves Italian Language book and my Ipod with my Italian language. Oh and I can always use my hands to speak the language:):)

My experience in small town Italy was they appreciate the basics (please, thank you) and the rest of the time you wing it. I also found no matter where you are, a big smile helps immensely. If you have specific things you're looking for (e.g., your grandparents' house), translate it and write it down BEFORE you leave - then you can show it to someone. Like: Mia nonna è da questa città. Il suo nome era Bella Donna. Ha vissuto sulla strada Turner. (my grandmother is from this town. Her name was Bella Donna. She lived on Turner Street). Might not be perfect, but it will get the point across.

That's a great idea! I have all the information and will translate it into Italian. I 'm bringing some old pictures I have of my grandparents in the hopes that will help. But you're right! I need to have them in Italian and English. Thanks!

Just curious, because I want to get an Italian program also. Can anyone compare the differences between Pimsleur and Rosetta Stone or any others?

Rosetta stone is probably the best but also very expensive. I got Dr Blair's "Italian in no time" and I learned a lot listining to the CD's. I did not like the Pimsleur "Quick and Simple". I even got the "Italian for Dummies". Didn't like that one either.