If we’re being honest, one of the most prevalent motivations for learning Italian is to eat more of the culture’s cuisine. Fortunately, Italian cuisine and the Italian language are inextricably linked. Advertising in English is prevalent in several European nations, including the United Kingdom. The English language is used to transmit the sense of modernity and coolness in the same way as English people utilize the French language to sell fragrances as being elegant and the German language to show technology as being dependable and trustworthy. In these nations, an inability to understand English implies an inability to comprehend your local environment, and the same is true for those of us who speak English in Italian restaurants. To be fair, this isn’t the most serious problem; if you order a spaghetti Bolognese, you already know what you’re going to get. You may not be aware, however, that the arrabbiata in your spaghetti arrabiata actually translates as “angry,” while the primavera in your pasta primavera truly means “spring.” Aside from that, when you eat farfalle (the ribbon-shaped pasta), you’re essentially eating butterfly larvae. Almost every visit to an Italian restaurant has the potential to turn into a language lesson. After a short period of time, you’ll be ordering one panino instead of one panini (which is the equivalent of ordering “one sandwich”), and two cappuccinos instead of two cappuccinos, among other things.
Nonverbal communication is crucial to all of us, especially when there is a misalignment between attitudes stated vocally and those communicated nonverbally, as there often is. Despite the fact that we anglophones are acutely aware of these inconsistencies (think of the robust granny whose teeth are chattering as she proudly proclaims that she is perfectly warm), we don’t actively utilize our bodies to express anything on a regular basis as Italians do. The Italian language contains a true vocabulary of the unheard, which may be found in the unspoken dictionary. Developing the ability to gesture in the manner of a real Italian will be an important component of mastering the language in its entirety. This may be a fun endeavour for English language learners who are learning Italian, and it opens the door to learning more through italian classes for adults.
Many language learners have stated that they have slightly distinct personas when speaking in other languages. Language is intrinsically related to the use of distinct intonations, accents, and gesticulations. While the languages of, for instance, northern Europe are imbued with a certain stoicism and reserve, the languages of southern Europe are frequently connected with a high degree of individuality and self-expression. A cultural adjustment is required to become used to the variations in social behaviour that exist between people from different backgrounds. This may appear to be a bit frightening, but don’t be concerned! The subtle, organic change that occurs as your proficiency increases will be noticeable, and you may even find yourself inserting dramatic gestures into your English as a result. Additionally, studying the language of your ancestors may be the most fulfilling experience you can have. Even if you don’t want to study Italian for the sake of your family’s background, there are innumerable other areas of the world to discover in the country where you live.
