Speaking Italian

You tube and Google are your friends. There are apps that translate for you when you speak into your phone but we've always used websites to learn basic phrases.

Agree with using Google for translations. I'd also add checking out the Duolingo app. It's free and is a fun way to learn a little bit of a foreign language.

When we stayed at Cretaiole last year, patriarch Luciano who only speaks Italian, used to come around in the evenings with his homemade liqueurs & iPad in hand. We'd speak into the iPad & it translated our conversations back & forth with some funny results at times. How wonderful this technology allowed him to get to know his guests. I'm sure something like this would help you.

For a quick hit when I first traveled to Italy, I found My Daily Phrase Italian, a podcast, to be super helpful. You do not need to devote too much time, but it can give you a leg up on useful spoken Italian.

FWIW, one of the problems with just learning some phrases in Italian is that, if you're successful, the Italian listener will respond in Italian. So how are you supposed to know what they are saying?

In addition to the suggestions above, I wonder if she might have a friend or other family member who does speak English. Lucca is a popular tourist site.) Have you asked?

Most Italians under 30, if not fluent, speak at least some English. Maybe your cousin has relatives in that age group who can help.

Linda,

It's unfortunate that you don't have more time before your holiday, as there won't be enough time to learn much. Here are a few things you could consider.....

• pack along an Italian phrase book, such as the one offered by Rick Steves. That will help with some of the basics such as "good morning / evening, where's the bathroom" etc.
• check your local Library for basic language courses. If they have the Pimsleur series, you could go through a few of those to get started.
• If you're travelling with a smartphone or iPad, app's such as Google Translate can help, but I've found that they're not perfect and sometimes leave a lot to be desired.

If your cousin has a friend that speaks English, that might help with the initial meeting.

Buon Viaggio!

There's also an Italian language school in Lucca. How would you feel about including a translator when you meet?

http://www.luccaitalianschool.com/lucca-italian-school/why-lucca-italian-school.html

Google Translate works great and they keep updating its capabilities. Point your smartphone at a sign or menu ..Presto! ..translated. I use it with my Italian only landlord where I stay. Never a problem

When using Google translate, use short, simple sentences liked you'd find in a grade school primer and don't use idiomatic phrases. I've used it in Italy, France and Portugal with good success.

Thank all of you for the suggestions. When I e-mail her before arrival I will use Google translation. As some of you suggested, she may have a friend or relative who speaks some English. Any way it turns out, I am very much looking forward to meeting her! It will be a grand experience I am sure!

Try out google translate by translating the Italian back to English as well. Sometimes the translation has a few surprises.

correct, Zoe.

I don't know about Google's English-Italian but the English-German is much worse than a few years ago and is more comedy value these days. They changed something and not for the better!

Mango is very good at teaching you Italian

When using Google translate, I often copy and paste the original English as well as the translation. Thus, if Google garbles it, the recipient has a chance to figure it out by other means.

La mia cugina in Lucca.

BBC and The Financial Times have some phrases.

Italian Pod 101 website too.

Don't worry about it though, it will all turn out fine. I suspect she speaks more Englishh than you do Italian.