Female traveler with Italian flag near the famous Leaning Tower of Pisa in Italy. (rh2010 (123RF))
When my husband and I received orders to Italy, I was thrilled about the new adventure that lay ahead. While I was overjoyed that the Army was taking us back to Europe, I must admit that the prospect of learning a new language seemed daunting, especially after spending time in Korea and Poland. However, taking on the challenge of learning a new language is not an insurmountable task. To help ease you into your Italian language journey, here are resources and strategies that may assist you.
The Structure of Italian Language
First, it’s important to familiarize yourself with the structure of the Italian language. Italian, a Romance language, follows a specific structure that is straightforward to understand. The basic Italian sentence structure, like all Neo-Latin languages, follows the Subject-Verb-Object pattern.
In Italian, it’s common to omit the subject pronoun when the subject is implied by the sentence. This is because the verb endings in Italian indicate the subject. For instance, “Bevo caffè” can mean “[I] drink coffee.”
To make a sentence negative in Italian, simply add the negative adverb “non” in front of the verb. For example, “Maria non mangia la pizza” translates to “Maria does not eat pizza.”
In Italian, there is no subject-verb inversion as there is in other European languages. The basic sentence structure remains the same; you just need to add the interrogative tone and the question mark. For example, “Eva mangia una mela?” translates to “Does Eva eat an apple?” Italian is syllable-timed, meaning each syllable takes the same amount of time to pronounce.
Language Classes offered by Army Community Services or Military Family Readiness
One of my favorite resources are the classes offered by Army Community Services (ACS). For example, Caserma Ederle ACS offers a six-week Intro to Italian class taught by a seasoned instructor. They will walk you through the basics in an inclusive environment and even go on field trips. There is a test at the end of the course and then you can move right on into the intermediate classes. These classes are free (you will have to pay for the field trips), but they provide a way to get out into the community and try to put those skills you learned to use. Always check with your local ACS or Military Family Readiness Center to see their offerings as they may vary from location to location.
Language Learning Apps
During my time abroad, I found that Duolingo and Mango are two of my favorite tools. Right off the bat, I will tell you that you will need more than just these smartphone applications to make it through, but what they provide is repetition, context and a way to nail the pronunciation of words. Mango does an excellent job of teaching grammar and culture points. It is like Duolingo, in that it is an easy-to-use app. If you did not know, you can get free access to Mango via MWR libraries. Simply log on and give it a go!
Italian Podcast, TV, and Music
One of my favorite ways to get a language down is to listen to podcasts. My favorites are Stories in Slow Italian by Daily Italian with Elena, News in Slow Italian by Linguistica 360, and Postcards from Italy by Italy Podcast. The focus is on listening to Italian so you can hear it in practice. This has been beneficial for me because nailing the Italian pronunciation can be especially tricky. Another helpful tip is to lean into listening to local radio stations and watching Italian movies and television.
Creating Connections
We all have our favorite coffee shops and local places we go to when we want to immerse ourselves in the culture and start making connections. I find that the quicker I wander around my new home, I learn the language a bit faster. I am lucky enough to have great neighbors who will practice with me and evaluate my knowledge. Our local cheese shop owner knows me well, and he will test me occasionally, and even applaud my pronunciation. I make it a habit of asking Italians that I encounter, “Can you pronounce that again?” In their presence, I make it a point to repeat what they say, allowing the language to sink in. I also forge connections with fellow spouses who have been living here longer than I have. I take the initiative to ask questions about the language or culture that pique my curiosity. For instance, fellow spouses and I often meet at the local market in Vicenza to practice our Italian. You would be surprised at how much your local community can aid in your language learning journey.
While these methods and resources have proven effective for me, it’s crucial to find what resonates with you and facilitates your language-learning process. It can be intimidating to put yourself out there, but I can assure you, the effort is well worth the reward of receiving a compliment from an Italian! The joy of successfully communicating in a new language is truly unparalleled.
