TALK THE TALK. ITALIAN LANGUAGE QUESTIONS.

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Feb 28th 2014, 8:20 am

#856

Garbatellamike

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Re: TALK THE TALK. ITALIAN LANGUAGE QUESTIONS.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ugo51

I had no idea "voi" was still used by family members...or by anyone at all

I would imagine that might sound a bit offensive if used with a certain tone...

yes I think that's right almost like "you people" in english perhaps?

Feb 28th 2014, 8:29 am

#857

Ugo51

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Re: TALK THE TALK. ITALIAN LANGUAGE QUESTIONS.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Garbatellamike

yes I think that's right almost like "you people" in english perhaps?

No idea how "you people" is used in English, sorry

Feb 28th 2014, 9:17 am

#858

Sancho

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Re: TALK THE TALK. ITALIAN LANGUAGE QUESTIONS.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ugo51

The only way "lei" can sound "offensive" is if it's used to address a person that's slightly older than you, but still clearly young.

But this only if you're sensitive to your age...for example I don't give a toss, even if you use "voi"

Said in a certain way, "Lei" can be a bit like a policeman inviting you to take a breath-test calling you "Sir". Sort of sneering.

Feb 28th 2014, 9:19 am

#859

Ugo51

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Re: TALK THE TALK. ITALIAN LANGUAGE QUESTIONS.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sancho

Said in a certain way, "Lei" can be a bit like a policeman inviting you to take a breath-test calling you "Sir". Sort of sneering.

...I've never felt it that way

But maybe it's just me.

Feb 28th 2014, 9:45 am

#860

Lorna at Vicenza

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Re: TALK THE TALK. ITALIAN LANGUAGE QUESTIONS.

Believe me, in the right kind of mood (the bad kind) I can most certainly make "ma Lei Signora/e" sound very offensive.

Feb 28th 2014, 9:47 am

#861

Lorna at Vicenza

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Re: TALK THE TALK. ITALIAN LANGUAGE QUESTIONS.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sancho

Said in a certain way, "Lei" can be a bit like a policeman inviting you to take a breath-test calling you "Sir". Sort of sneering.

I agree. Like looking down your nose at somebody. I'm off to practice now on the deputy headmistress ..... or perhaps I should be sickly sweet and fawning instead.

Feb 28th 2014, 9:47 am

#862

Garbatellamike

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Re: TALK THE TALK. ITALIAN LANGUAGE QUESTIONS.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ugo51

No idea how "you people" is used in English, sorry

in senso peggiorativo

i.e. the trouble with you people is ......

Feb 28th 2014, 9:48 am

#863

Ugo51

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Re: TALK THE TALK. ITALIAN LANGUAGE QUESTIONS.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lorna at Vicenza

Believe me, in the right kind of mood (the bad kind) I can most certainly make "ma Lei Signora/e" sound very offensive.

ahaha, if you put it that way almost anything can be made to sound offensive.
My girlfriend (she's not Italian) has a sharp talent for that

Anyway, like Ononno said, in this case is more a matter of tone than actual choice of words.

Feb 28th 2014, 9:48 am

#864

Garbatellamike

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Re: TALK THE TALK. ITALIAN LANGUAGE QUESTIONS.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lorna at Vicenza

Believe me, in the right kind of mood (the bad kind) I can most certainly make "ma Lei Signora/e" sound very offensive.

we believe you

Feb 28th 2014, 9:54 am

#865

Lorna at Vicenza

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Re: TALK THE TALK. ITALIAN LANGUAGE QUESTIONS.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ugo51

ahaha, if you put it that way almost anything can be made to sound offensive.
My girlfriend (she's not Italian) has a sharp talent for that

Anyway, like Ononno said, in this case is more a matter of tone than actual choice of words.

Oh yes, it's definately the way you say it. Used normally it's fine. I still tell most people to give me "tu" though apart from one off meetings and suchlike. Not overly keen on being called Prof either.

Feb 28th 2014, 10:01 am

#866

Ugo51

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Re: TALK THE TALK. ITALIAN LANGUAGE QUESTIONS.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lorna at Vicenza

Not overly keen on being called Prof either.

Back in Italy I used to call Prof my high school teacher even when we were hangin out at the bar

It sounded fine at that time, but now I'd probably get pissed off if someone insisted in calling me using my title...

Feb 28th 2014, 10:43 am

#867

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Re: TALK THE TALK. ITALIAN LANGUAGE QUESTIONS.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ugo51

I had no idea "voi" was still used by family members...or by anyone at all

I would imagine that might sound a bit offensive if used with a certain tone...

Several of our friends still use voi with members of their family, especially MILs.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ugo51

Back in Italy I used to call Prof my high school teacher even when we were hangin out at the bar

It sounded fine at that time, but now I'd probably get pissed off if someone insisted in calling me using my title...

My husband retired over 10yrs ago, but people still address him by his job title. It tickles me pink everytime.

Hearing, 'caro collega' when the 'collega' is also a mate amuses me too!

Mar 1st 2014, 10:47 am

#868

jiminalpago

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Re: TALK THE TALK. ITALIAN LANGUAGE QUESTIONS.

Request for help.
Has anyone come across the commercial expression "preventivo con OTIS"? The context is a price for air shipment of goods up to point of entry, ie up to but not including Customs' clearance.
I can't get past singers and lifts on the web dictionaries.
Thanks.

Mar 3rd 2014, 6:16 am

#869

Ugo51

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Re: TALK THE TALK. ITALIAN LANGUAGE QUESTIONS.

Quote:

Originally Posted by jiminalpago

Are you talking about goods related to elevators or escalators?

Mar 3rd 2014, 7:58 am

#870

jonwel

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Re: TALK THE TALK. ITALIAN LANGUAGE QUESTIONS.

Quote:

Originally Posted by jiminalpago

Don't get excited

, it's not one of the expressions listed here, but it sounds as if it could be something similar. I've been playing around with the words to see if anything will fit, but no luck. Still, it might spark off someone else's imagination, brainstorming...