Aug11

#uno in the oro league! at least for ‘deux minutes.’

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a couple of weeks ago

i decided to finally learn italian

something i’ve wanted to do for a long time

half of my family hertiage is italian

though few of us know more than a minimum of words

 i find it to be such a poetic language

musical and pleasant to the senses.

one day i hope to visit italia

and even use some of what i’ve learned.

so here i am

at the top of my game

for a couple of short minutes

in my online duo lingo class

not the most thorough or intense course

often like a game show format

but non-judgmental

a good beginning

and i’m learning some things.

i am now at the point where

if anyone would like to order

a croissant, a coffee, even with cream.

in italian

i am ready and happy to help.

even though i’ve begun italian

i still carry

some crumbs of french from way back:

‘je suis fatigue.’

(i am tired) – use as needed

21 years of pre-k spanish:

‘hola! hay una pinata?’

(hi, is there a pinata?) –  also as needed

a lifetime of english, still in process:

(‘what the heck is going on?’) – again as needed, and used often

i will soon be heading to portugal

where none of these languages are spoken

but

the more i learn, the more i know, and the more i know, the more i can,

just kind of mash them all together

use my hands a lot

smile

 try to do my best to communicate.

all while hopefully

not offending anyone,

getting engaged,

eating any weird meat products,

or adopting a child who i would have to clear through customs.

‘sliante!’ – (cheers!) to all of you-

 because the other side of my family are irish

and this may well be the only word any of us knows of it.

—

‘learning another language is not only learning different words for the same things,

but learning another way to think about things.’

– flora lewis

 

—

.When thinking in another language, it really changes the way you think,

partly due to the way the language works and partly grasping the culture.

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68 responses »

  5. What a delightful and inspiring post! 🌟 It’s fantastic that you’re diving into learning Italian, especially with your family heritage adding a personal touch. The way you describe Italian as poetic and musical really resonates. It’s amazing how each language opens up new perspectives and ways of thinking. Your playful mix of French, Spanish, and English, along with the humorous anticipation of Portuguese adventures, shows a wonderful attitude towards language learning. Best of luck with your Italian studies and future travels!

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  10. Having traveled to Europe before, I figured if I could make an attempt to try to communicate in the language of the land, people would try to help me. I know you’re going to have an amazing trip. Remember Ferris’s is advice, “ Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you might miss it.”

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  12. Hahahahahahaha! I still remember “ou est la bibliotheque?” From French class. I’ve never had a need to ask that in France! Very cool you’re learning Italian.

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  17. Love this…go, go, go…I’d love to learn Italian because I picked up snippets as a kid and wished it had been offered alongside French when I was in high school. Thanks for the giggle, too, Beth. “Je suis fatigue” continues to be my favorite French phrase. Applicable in sooo many sigh-filled moments in life, even if I’m only saying it under my breath. xo! 😁

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  18. Wow. I’m so impressed. Good luck and I think it’s wonderful that you are going to speak Italian…like a native…eventually. Use the hands, use the hands. LOL I love that you’re going to a country whre none of the languages you know will be spoken. That’s great. Fun post, as always. As you said, a little bit of all of them should get you through anything.🤗

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  20. I am half Irish but have no Italian ancestors. It took many years but I finally mastered English. I took five years of Latin and one year of German in school. According to my grades, I learned nothing from those two languages.

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  21. I’m looking forward to some Italian trash talk from you, Beth. Actually, it’s a great and friendly way to learn a language. You know, I’m married to an Italian girl. My first meal with her grandparents was polenta with rabbit.

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  26. Oh please accidentally get engaged. It would be such a good story! :)

    We have friends that moved to France. Their young son who was 7 at the time was mad because he had a plan. He wanted them to move to London and then he’d study French while there before moving to France. He was confused why he couldn’t find British English on Duo Lingo.

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  32. Beth, I love, love this!! Today a parent picked up at school, returning from the Paris Olympics. I immediately greeted him in French, and then as he was fluent in French 😳 he thought I was, too. I think I few in some Italian and Spanish words. Sigh!

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