"Karl Fifth, the Roman emperor, used to say that in Ishpanic language with God, French - with friends, German - with enemies, Italian - with the female gender, it’s decent to speak the female gender. But if he was skilled in Russian, he would certainly add to that that it would be proper for them to speak with all of them, for he would have found in him the splendor of Ishpan, the liveliness of French, the strength of German, the tenderness of Italian, moreover, the richness and strong brevity of Greek and Latin in the images. " So accurately and vividly Mikhailo Vasilievich Lomonosov in the 18th century determined the beauty and richness of our native Russian language, subtly feeling the tenderness of Italian.
But readers of "Italy for Me" are sure: there is no sweeter than the music of the Italian language, which is becoming closer and dearer, as soon as we only step on the Apennine Peninsula or any island of the Italian Republic. It seems to us, no, no, we are sure that we understand Italian from a half-word, half-view, a rally, and someone from a half-kiss! Everyone in love with this country either speaks or dreams of speaking Italian.
Remember, in de Beaumarchais’s play “The Marriage of Figaro,” the title character monologues that in England it’s enough to know only one phrase - “Damn it.” So we, at heart, are sure that by going to the bar and saying "Caffè mamma mia"accompanying the phrase with vivid gestures, we will be sure that the bartender will immediately understand that we will certainly want espresso.
Joking as a joke, but international English stops working in small Italian cities, where you can verbally speak only one language - italiano. It is no secret that Italians are very fond of when they are addressed in their language, even if they make mistakes. You will be corrected, sent where necessary, maybe fed, but they will not pay attention to errors.
Therefore, we open textbooks in Italian, stock up on dictionaries and learn the most melodic language in the world. Although there are several enemies that prevent us from doing this. By the way, we create these enemies for ourselves. And in our own hands to defeat these enemies.
Enemy # 1: Fear
Perhaps one of our most terrible enemies. But in the particular, linguistic case, fear closes our mouths not just to the lock, but figuratively speaking, it also winds up tape with tape.
I recall my first, so to speak, “encounter” with the equally great and mighty Italian language. Having studied the initial course of Dmitry Petrov, engaged in an Italian teacher, I myself seemed to be almost a native speaker, a native who would easily chat with signorina in a store or explain to the bartender exactly what was needed.
The first swim in the language environment ended in failure. I just ran away. Even more, my dear readers, you will be surprised to find out where I was fleeing from. It was a real market, which every Friday is located on the square in Castel San Giorgio (Castel San Giorgio, province of Salerno). Mountains of freshest cheeses, ham, prosciutto, citrus fruits, vegetables, hitherto unprecedented artichokes (2 euros for 5 pieces), legumes ... There are shops with jewelry and bags with the same Afro-Italian sellers, scarves, perfumes! Paradise for a housewife who loves to stroll through the rows before the weekend, meet neighbors, discuss all city news with them, who clearly prefers this market variety to supermarkets such as SISA, Conad or Lidl.
Aiming at the cheeses, I briskly stepped to the counter.
- Buongiorno, signora! Сosa preferisce? ("Good afternoon, Signora! What do you prefer?")
I opened my mouth for an answer, but for some reason only a single word spun in a treacherous brain questo ("this"). The rest of the picture was immediately finished - like I (I!), Who studied Italian for several months and, according to the teacher, who is making obvious progress, pokes her fingers in cheeses, uttering only one word.
Having mumbled something slurred, I hesitated, left the battlefield.
Similar situations began to repeat again and again. Before I open my mouth, I was constrained by fear and ...
Enemy # 2: Perfectionism
The desire to say the phrase is ideal, probably familiar to many. And this very desire played another language joke with me.
Walking along Via Lombardi, I somehow went into my favorite gelateria, previously visited in the company of friends. The friendly signorina recognized me right away and asked if I liked yesterday’s ice cream (two round biscotti, layered with the most delicate soft ice-cream). Ta Dam! Passato Prossimo - Simple past tense. But then, unexpectedly, I recalled other forms of the past tense available in Italian. I hung like a bad computer.
Enemy # 3: Dialects
Now I appeal to those who have at least once encountered a lively dialectic speech. Say what you experienced while listening to a completely unfamiliar speech stream that has nothing to do even remotely with Italian.
Shock. This feeling was central when I first heard the Neapolitan dialect. Yes, mysing friends, I am addressing you. This can only be perceived as music.
Question: Is it possible to defeat these enemies?
Answer: not only possible, but even necessary.
“When we start to speak another language, it is very important to strive first for freedom and only then to correctness. This is a natural path. At first we learned to speak without tension, and only then learned to write and learned the rules,” the translator says and teacher Dmitry Petrov.
This is the key to overcoming fear and combating perfectionism. Dialects are a little more complicated. But if every day you listen to the speech of people around you, immerse yourself in the head in the tongue, you can overcome this problem.
All teachers, as one advise: speak as if there is no fear at all, make mistakes, help yourself with gestures, ask your interlocutors, in general, relax and enjoy communication.
Well friends, parliamo in italiano?
