| The Complete Idiot's Guide to Learning Italian |
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Review of the book by Gabrielle Euvino
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"Can anyone recommend a really good all–in–one Italian textbook—one that teaches both grammar and conversational skills?"
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The Complete Idiot's Guide
to Learning Italian
By Gabrielle Euvino
Alpha Books; 480 pages 2nd edition (May 9, 2001)
ISBN: 0028641477
Reviewed by Michael San Filippo
You're feeling romantic, and you'd like to say "I love you" in Italian. Maybe you'd rather not read the English subtitles of Roberto Benigni's next movie. Or you want to ask for directions in Italian the next time you're in Rome.
To better appreciate opera, sound like a native when ordering penne alla braccio di ferro, or whisper sweet nothings to your sweetheart in Italian, I suggest starting with The Complete Idiot's Guide to Learning Italian, Second Edition, by Gabrielle Euvino.
There are many ways to describe the book - new and improved! idiot-proof! better than ever! - but one thing is certain: what was already a comprehensive approach to learning la bella lingua has now become an even more exhaustive resource with new and exciting features that will enrich your Italian language learning experience and motivate you in unimaginable ways.
Gabrielle Euvino is a highly respected educator, author, and translator. She is founder and director of La Bella Lingua, a company that conducts language and cultural tours in Italy. Gabrielle has also written several snappy articles, including What Makes Art a Masterpiece? and Sleep Tips For Frequent Travelers.
The Complete Idiot's Guide to Learning Italian has down-to-earth advice on communicating in Italian, idiot-proof tips for enlarging your vocabulary, and a handy quick-reference of commonly used phrases. Plus, there's an expanded Italian-English glossary and several types of exercises to reinforce what you've learned. The book is divided into four sections:
- The Basics: fundamentals of Italian focusing on grammar, pronunciation, and basic expressions
- You're Off and Running: verbs in every flavor, the modal verbs, adverbs, and prepositions
- Fun and Games: learn how to shop, order from an Italian menu, and discuss l'arte, musica, and il cinema
- Getting Down to Business: learn all about the post office, traveling in Italy, the doctor's office, and money matters
The book has simple pronunciation guides, phonetic spellings, accent and dialect pointers, vocabulary lists, and two glossaries, all designed to encourage you to speak Italian. Each chapter is structured with an overview of concepts followed by straightforward, uncomplicated lessons, practice exercises, and a review of the key principles. Interspersed throughout the material are sidebars, boxes highlighting definitions of terms, historical facts about Italy, and notes on idiomatic usage. Sample chapters in The Complete Idiot's Guide To Learning Italian include Italian For Business Travelers, Sound Like An Italian, and An Action-Packed Adventure.
Ready to join the burgeoning group of (not really) idiot savants who have already learned Italian with this valuable book? You can be an idiot too - all it takes is a few simple steps. First, forget everything you've ever learned in high school language class. Second, ignore anyone who says you're too old, too young, too stupid, or too busy to learn Italian. Third, start turning the pages of The Complete Idiot's Guide To Learning Italian and fare la practica con la bocca! Which, if you were to start studying, means "practice with your mouth" - or, start talking, because isn't that what communicating is all about?
