How hard is it to get along in another country without knowing the language spoken there?

Question

I am going to Italy this summer and I don't know how hard it will be to get along there without know the language but I have heard that Italian and Spanish are similar and I do know quite a bit of spanish.

Answer 1

You need to put in some effort before you go to a foreign country. I think it would be very hard. In order to learn the basics of a language, you need to spend at least 3 months there. I also remember reading somewhere something to the effect of that people need to be exposed to over 300 hours of a language before one can think of being fluent. Foreign languages have their own grammar rules etc. I started learning a foreign language this year (one day a week for a couple of hours). Prior to that, I had done the Pimsleur audio course. Pimsleur does offer an Italian course. It is expensive (Pimsleur Italian comes in 3 levels. Each level consists of 30 half hour lesson) and each level costs around $400 per 30 lessons. Often on eBay I have seen well priced second hand Pimsleur courses (as well as new ones). Pimsleur DOES work. You do learn and you don't forget because of their recall method. I tried other courses but they were a waste on money (The other courses were so terrible I didn't go to lesson 2). Alternately, I believe that some people have used limewire (free peer to peer file sharing) to download them. They just typed in Pimsluer - Italian in the search box. If this seems all a little bit hard, I suggest you buy a travel phrase book (they cost between $5 & $10) that will give you basic greetings, how to ask for directions, how to order food, protocol at hotels etc. Lastly, I think you should by a lonely planet's guide to Italy. Each country has it's own set of customs and you need to be aware of these simply because you may (1) Unintentionally offend a native, or (2) break the law. Hence, what is considered the "norm" here isn't always kosher overseas. My last tip is if you do Pimsleur, buy yourself an a bilingual English/Italian dictionary. Hope this helps.

Answer 2

Well I know Spanish and I am taking Italian courses. Yes Italian is some what like mixing Spanish and English together. Therefore you may actually not be that bad off. It's obvious you know English and mixed in with your Spanish it will help you understand some thing better. As my Italian professor same as my French say ".If you know Spanish and English you have an advantage of learning any other language you want to learn" reason being is because they are so fundamental when it comes to languages. Anyway point is you'll be fine. Practice as much as you can before you get there and make sure you do realize that knowing Spanish is an advantage when it comes to Italian.

Answer 3

A lot of Europeans know English as a second language so that will help some. It can be a real pain in the butt -- ordering at a restaurant, checking into a hotel, and on and on. The waiter asks if you are ready to order, but you have no idea what he is saying so a situation develops. Things like that will happen 25 times a day.

Answer 4

I got along in Italy very well, just speaking English. Everyone has to study English in school. Most people speak several languages. The signs are easy to figure out, too, and they have the prices of things in store windows. I had a great time there, it's a great country.

Answer 5

Most Americans study a dialect of American English as their first language. There are exceptions. English is anticipated in such a lot public locations. There are most likely Americans who aren't relaxed with English (Spanish audio system from Mexico or Central or South America are probably the most popular illustration). I reside in Michigan, which has 2 peninsuals and is in 2 exclusive time zones (many Michigan citizens are suprise to listen to that. The Upper Peninsula extends a long way west, above Wisconsin). Spanish is general right here additionally. Many shops furnish indicators in Spanish as good. You may even uncover French, Ojibwa (local American language), and dozens of alternative languages, particularly in metropolitan locations. Dialects of French are spokein in locations of New England, Louisiana, and Mississippi. Hawaiian remains to be determined in Hawaii to a few measure. Aleut languages (they're a household of languages, often referred to as Eskimo) are nonetheless determined in Alaska.

Answer 6

First off, i hope u have a good time there, but if u don't know the language, how are u going to know if u are getting along with the people are not. So just go with the flow, enjoy yourself and hopefully if things gets too rough, the will be a translator on hand.

Answer 7

people do speak english all over the world because of tourist , you should pick up a travel book at borders,or go to your library and get a learning cassette.If you're going to be there long enough you'll adapt the language