Moving to Italy - but no Italian?
Apr 23rd 2014, 12:18 pm
#1
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Moving to Italy - but no Italian?
The company where I work has offered me a six month secondment in Verona. It is an international company and we communicate in English so workwise the language barrier wouldn't be a problem.
The problem is everything else as I don't know any Italian. The company would pay a week in a hotel, but I would have to find my own accommodation.
Is it realistic to go without Italian? Do the Italians speak good English, or should I take an Italian course first, and delay it for a year or so?
The problem is everything else as I don't know any Italian. The company would pay a week in a hotel, but I would have to find my own accommodation.
Is it realistic to go without Italian? Do the Italians speak good English, or should I take an Italian course first, and delay it for a year or so?
Apr 23rd 2014, 12:42 pm
#2
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Re: Moving to Italy - but no Italian?
Italians are a disaster at English proficiency. And in Verona, the other linguistic barrier that you will find is that they don't even speak Italia, but their own dialect, as everywhere else in Veneto, the Verona region.
I am from Tuscany and I don't pick up a word of their dialect
- Glaswegian dialect poses less challenges to me :-))
But usually people are kind and they will do as much as possible to help you. Even if Italy is not friendly for other languages (You will not find many bilingual signs or explanations, movies are dubbed in Italian, even public offices and web sites often don't have double language documents...), people don't expect that you know Italian and they will try to help you.
So don't be afraid. Verona is a very beautiful town :-)) Learn some basic survival sentences and come!!
I am from Tuscany and I don't pick up a word of their dialect
- Glaswegian dialect poses less challenges to me :-))But usually people are kind and they will do as much as possible to help you. Even if Italy is not friendly for other languages (You will not find many bilingual signs or explanations, movies are dubbed in Italian, even public offices and web sites often don't have double language documents...), people don't expect that you know Italian and they will try to help you.
So don't be afraid. Verona is a very beautiful town :-)) Learn some basic survival sentences and come!!
Apr 23rd 2014, 12:58 pm
#3
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Re: Moving to Italy - but no Italian?
But usually people are kind and they will do as much as possible to help you. ... people don't expect that you know Italian and they will try to help you.
So don't be afraid. ... Learn some basic survival sentences and come!![/QUOTE]
I agree completely... dont put it off just because of the language - just make sure you pack your sense of humour and some humility. Learn a few sentences and for the rest ... its all in the eyes and hands ...
So don't be afraid. ... Learn some basic survival sentences and come!![/QUOTE]
I agree completely... dont put it off just because of the language - just make sure you pack your sense of humour and some humility. Learn a few sentences and for the rest ... its all in the eyes and hands ...
Apr 23rd 2014, 1:06 pm
#4
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Re: Moving to Italy - but no Italian?
I agree completely... its all in the eyes and hands ...[/QUOTE]
about Italian, Italians and body language.....
take 5 minutes and enjoy this video!!!
(when I think of the reputation that we have abroad, sometimes I feel ashamed for my people) :-)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SlVd9YTIjrY
[/QUOTE]about Italian, Italians and body language.....
take 5 minutes and enjoy this video!!!
(when I think of the reputation that we have abroad, sometimes I feel ashamed for my people) :-)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SlVd9YTIjrY
Apr 23rd 2014, 1:24 pm
#5
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Location: Verona/ Nr Turin
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Re: Moving to Italy - but no Italian?
The company where I work has offered me a six month secondment in Verona. It is an international company and we communicate in English so workwise the language barrier wouldn't be a problem.
The problem is everything else as I don't know any Italian. The company would pay a week in a hotel, but I would have to find my own accommodation.
Is it realistic to go without Italian? Do the Italians speak good English, or should I take an Italian course first, and delay it for a year or so?
The problem is everything else as I don't know any Italian. The company would pay a week in a hotel, but I would have to find my own accommodation.
Is it realistic to go without Italian? Do the Italians speak good English, or should I take an Italian course first, and delay it for a year or so?
The younger generation usually have enough English to help out. And I'm puzzled as to why Primula finds the dialect hard, but I think it's an Italian thing because OH is 100% piemontese and can't understand it either, leaving me to deal with workmen. I'm sure your Italian workmates will pitch in and help with the flat hunting. Some might even have one going.
Apr 24th 2014, 7:49 am
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Re: Moving to Italy - but no Italian?
The company where I work has offered me a six month secondment in Verona. It is an international company and we communicate in English so workwise the language barrier wouldn't be a problem.
The problem is everything else as I don't know any Italian. The company would pay a week in a hotel, but I would have to find my own accommodation.
Is it realistic to go without Italian? Do the Italians speak good English, or should I take an Italian course first, and delay it for a year or so?
The problem is everything else as I don't know any Italian. The company would pay a week in a hotel, but I would have to find my own accommodation.
Is it realistic to go without Italian? Do the Italians speak good English, or should I take an Italian course first, and delay it for a year or so?
Apr 26th 2014, 9:13 am
#7
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Re: Moving to Italy - but no Italian?
lucky you lol
Apr 26th 2014, 2:59 pm
#8
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Re: Moving to Italy - but no Italian?
Just go for it. You will be in a beautiful part of Italy. Put some Michel Thomas courses on an mp3 player and you will soon get some language skills.
Apr 28th 2014, 6:32 am
#9
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Re: Moving to Italy - but no Italian?
A brave heartfelt post primularossa.
As someone who has been following Italy for a long time, and whose opinions have shifted with age, a lot of it rang very true indeed, though I'd defend Italy on some small points.
Not sure if I should write more as I may take the thread off topic - should it be restarted under a separate thread? Views of mods? Other forum users?
As someone who has been following Italy for a long time, and whose opinions have shifted with age, a lot of it rang very true indeed, though I'd defend Italy on some small points.
Not sure if I should write more as I may take the thread off topic - should it be restarted under a separate thread? Views of mods? Other forum users?
And if I split it, what title do you think the new thread should have?
Apr 28th 2014, 6:59 am
#10
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Re: Moving to Italy - but no Italian?
Right - second attempt and I think I've done it. New thread is:
Italy ... for better or for worse. The good, bad and the ugly, pros & cons. Feel free to say what you want about the place in there.
Italy ... for better or for worse. The good, bad and the ugly, pros & cons. Feel free to say what you want about the place in there.
Apr 28th 2014, 7:25 am
#11
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Re: Moving to Italy - but no Italian?
good call Lorna - good to know that the forum allows such adult things.
Apr 28th 2014, 7:31 am
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Re: Moving to Italy - but no Italian?
