The Godfather (question for Italian speakers)?

Question

Obviously Michael speaks Italian, so why does he need a translator to speak to Appolonia's father when he's back in Italy!?!!?!?!?

Johnny: His Italian seemed fluent when he was talking to Solozzo (the Turk right?)... why would he speak Italian to him?
And also: Michael's in a town very close to Corleone, so why don't they speak the same dialect? :S

Answer 1

This question comes up every now and again. I think there were several reasons.

1) As stated above, Michael's Italian was not great. At the restaurant with Sollozzo and McCluskey he (Michael) had to switch back to English.

2) Michael finds himself in a bit of a difficult situation with Appolonia's father. He wants to be very careful with his words.

3) He tells Appolonia's father that he is a stranger and is from New York. He speaks English to reinforce this.

Answer 2

Michael doesn't speak good Italian he only knows so much being 2nd generation Italian. His Father (the Godfather) was born in Italy, Michael was born in New York so his Italian isn't that great! And being the youngest brother he didn't pick it up as well as Sonny. Also In Italy there are many different dialects to the language.

When he's talking to the "Turk" and McClusky at the restaurant the "Turk" wants Michael to speak Italian so McClusky won't understand. But Michael gets frustrated because he can't say what he want to say, at one point he says to Sollozzo, "come si diche," which in Italian he's basically asking Sollozzo how to say something and then he finishes in English.

Answer 3

Italian in the mainland of Italy is far different than Sicilian. I learned Tuscano but have a Sicilian friend. Completely lost unless he speaks in Tuscano. He can understand me.
My cousins in my father's home town, Montagano, spoke completely foreign to me., Montagnonese, they called it. Another cousin from Rome had to translate for me. And she also spoke Romanesque, which I could not unbderstand. Dialects my dear.