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Permalink Reply by Marianna on April 23, 2011 at 23:47

Ciao Michelle

Auguri per una buona Pasqua...

So glad to hear from you on Italian Encounters and thanks for sharing your love for things Italian.

Michelle, you're not alone facing frustrations trying to learn Italian and, as you say one of the problems is that we don't have the opportunity to practise it and our brains automatically process information in English. The most effective and practical way to learn a language, I think, is to live in the country where it is spoken. If you can afford to spend a few months in Italy, I would highly recommend going to a school where you can do some intensive study: learning is much more effective.

Oh! by the way, I've just finished reading Penolope Green's book 'See Naples and Die'--Naples is a colourful city with a wealth of culture, tradition and history, but also with a sinister underbelly where some quarters are a no-go zone for visitors. It was an interesting read.

A presto

Marianna 

 

 

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Permalink Reply by Liana on April 27, 2011 at 12:26

Ciao Michelle,

Great to see and know more about you here!

I have been to Italy many times and I am still drawn back to go - So many places to see in the world and I am always drawn back. This year, my husband and I leave for Italy and Europe for 13 months - very exciting to be able to go for that long. The idea is to not rush around Europe as I have done in the past but stay in Apartments for a couple fo weeks at a time. We will be there for Christmas this year.

I really enjoyed Penelope Green's 'See Naples & Die' (which Marianna also mentioned). I learnt alot about the Camora which I hadn't expected. I haven't heard of Lisa Clifford - what has she written? I also really enjoy Marlena De Blasi's books based in Italy - She is one of my favourites.

A presto,

Liana

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Permalink Reply by Caterina Zarelli on April 29, 2011 at 17:38

 

Ciao Michelle

 

I'm very new to the site, in fact this is my first time. I have an Italian background but we didn't speak Italian at home when I was growing up to 'assimilate'. I wish we had. I've tried learning it three times at different courses and while I pick up a little more each time I am definitely not fluent. Perhaps it's me and languages, I did French in high school for years but can't speak it either!!!

 

Regarding being an Italophile, I think you might enjoy a book I've just read called Mezza Italiana by Zoe Boccabella. While I enjoyed reading it from Zoe's perspective of having an Italian background, my friend Sanda who doesn't have Italian heritage but like you is an Italophile, enjoyed the book in reading about Zoe's husband Roger who has an Anglo-Australian background but desperately loves everything Italian. Quite funny how Zoe is trying to be 'Australian' and he is trying to be 'Italian'. I might have worded this clumsily but I think you'll know what I mean.

 

I've also read Penelope Green, Lisa Clifford and Marlena de Blasi's books and enjoyed them too but there's something special about Mezza Italiana for me.

 

auguri

Caterina

 

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Permalink Reply by Liana on May 2, 2011 at 11:31

Ciao Caterina - Ah Yes High School French - I did the same for 4 years and didn't learnt much beyond 'How old are you' and 'what is your name'. Though I was surprised that when I was in France 2 years ago how much I could actually understand and communicate - Madam La Salle would have been proud (while she was squiming at my accent :-))

 

Thanks for the tip on Mezza Italiana, I'm hearing good things from a few on this book. We hope to have it available on this site soon.

 

I have always considered myself half Italian - My parents migrated here in the late 50s. When I am in Australia I deeply hold on to my Italian roots and when I'm in Italy - I feel more Australian than fully Italian. I have dealt with the confusion now, after many years, and am at peace with my hybrid culture.

It's good to get to know you here Caterina and thanks for getting involved.

A presto

Liana

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Permalink Reply by Caterina Zarelli on May 2, 2011 at 14:30

 

Ciao Liana

 

It's been many years since I went to Paris but yes, I remember experiencing the same thing - could understand more French than I could actually speak! And my accent is terrible too!! :)))

 

I'm not on Facebook but a friend of mine said there is a Zoe Boccabella page which is fairly new and that has more about Mezza Italiana. No website for it that I can see. I am actually reading it again already I enjoyed it so much as I feel I raced through it the first time and don't want to have missed any!! I don't think I've ever read a book that really goes into the 'half and half' thing we all experience.

 

Another book I really enjoyed was Chewing Gum in Holy Water but I can't recall who wrote it, It was a few years ago I read it.

 

Happy to be here! I never knew there were sites like this. :))

 

ciao, ciao

Caterina

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Permalink Reply by Paddy McLeod on May 1, 2011 at 18:10

Ciao Michelle!

I liked Penelope Green's 1st two books (When in Rome; See Naples & Die) & really want to read her 3rd book 'Girl by the Sea'.   I haven't read any of Lisa Clifford's books but have only heard great things about her so will definatley have to read them!

 

From the reasons you have given about wanting to travel to Italy, I thought you might be interested in a cute little book called 'Tasting Italy, a Culinary Journey' by Alice Vollenweider.  If you love Italy & cooking, it is quite a unique book as it is a mix of travelogue & cookbook rolled into one!  It revolves around cooking & eating - the most important social part of Italian life! - and includes quite a few regions of Italy, introducing them by their cuisine & including lots of local traditional recipes as well as including a few tips on places & restaurants!

 

Good luck with the Italian lessons - I took lessons too, and even though I travel to Italy every year to visit friends I still find it difficult & am quite hopeless at speaking it!  However I'm surprised that I actually do understand more than I thought!  I sometimes listen to a friends radio station in Milan or watch SBS Italian news to try to follow conversations - or reading Italian newspapers or recipes online helps with the vocabulary!

 

a presto,

Paddy

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Permalink Reply by Liana on May 2, 2011 at 11:35

Ciao Paddy,

Good to see you again - how have you been?

I'm getting pretty excited as November gets closer - My husband and I are going to Europe via Africa for 13 MONTHS!!! - 1 month in Africa and then Europe, with first stop Italy of course for Christmas. - I might be there when you go for one of your trips - we should keep in touch.

I think I have seen Alice's book in the bookstore - It looks beautifully put together  there were so many to choose from at the time, I think I was yet again seduced by De Blasi's book and bought hers. Maybe next time for Alice.

A presto

Liana

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Permalink Reply by Paddy McLeod on May 2, 2011 at 15:32

Ciao Liana!

 

Yes, it has been awhile however don't worry I'm still always thinking about Italy!

How fabulous that you are going to live in Italy for a year!  Sure you will have an amazing time!! I'm very jealous!!   Sadly, I have no trips to Italy planned this year as I'm going home to Canada for Christmas But thinking I might look into Round the World ticket options to see if I can at least pop into Florence to see my friends for a few days!   However I'll definately be in Tuscany in Sept 2012 for my friends wedding so we will definately have to keep in touch! Wouldn't it be fantastic to finally meet each other over an espresso or vino rosso in a lovely Tuscan town!!

 

Alice's book is a beautifully put together & since I do love to cook I adore reading the traditional recipes!  How I would love to go for an extended stay & do a trip based around food like she did!  I haven't read any of De Blasi's books so i'll have to take a look for them.

 

a presto

Paddy

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