Signora Sheila

They say a picture is worth a thousand words. And I think it’s true. But here in Italy a gesture is also worth a thousand words! Because Italy has a second (unofficial) language – hand gestures, and there are dozens of them!

So if you come to Italy you don’t necessarily have to learn Italian, although it would be best! These hand gestures, as shown in the video below, are fairly easy to learn with a little practice. But remember to use just the body movements and facial expressions along with each one, because they are important too! 

But maybe you’re thinking, “Why should I bother learning another language — even an unspoken one?

Communication is important

But there are also many good reasons to learn another language. Here are just few of them:

• Other languages are useful.
• Learning one foreign language makes it easier to learn others!
• It’s a simple gesture that shows that you’re interested in the other person’s ways and culture.
• And speaking even a few basic words in their language really makes them open up to you. It makes them feel that they matter to you!

Can’t wait to get started? Great! But Super Mario (as my husband’s preschoolers call him), would warn you that learning a foreign language takes work. Too bad he can’t convince his older students of that. Kids just soak up English (and most knowledge) like sponges. And most adults and teenagers seem to think they should be able to, too. Ten lessons, with no study on their part, and they’ll be ready to travel the world. And speaking English like a native, right? Ah, not quite!

Language learning is not simple!

If anyone tries to tell you that learning a language is easy, beware! Because it’s a discipline that requires hard work. But well worth it!

But lest I discourage you, it’s helpful to know that Italian (along with other Latin languages) it is one the easier languages to learn. And you probably already know many Italian words! Foods like spaghetti, pizza, espresso, and cappuccino are the first to come to mind. And others that we sometimes forget are Italian like: zucchini, broccoli, or caffé. Then music lovers around the world know about opera, piano, a cappella, and maestro – all Italian! Or the typical bravo, bravo! for a job well done. So you see, you already speak some Italian! Bravo!!

And here a few more encouraging facts.

Italian is pronounced exactly as it’s written. Letters almost always make the same sound. Even vowels, which are so tricky and changeable in English, stay the same! Basically all you have to remember is: ah, eh, eee, oh, and you (a, e, i, o and u)! So once you’ve learned the 21-letter alphabet, and with some basic rules, you should be able to pronounce a few simple words.

But use words carefully!

Even familiar ones. They might not mean what you think!! Like these common words:

“Vorrei una pizza ai peperoni.”

When you read this, you might think someone is ordering a pepperoni pizza. But it really means… “I’d like a pizza with green peppers on it. (If you want the meat Americans call pepperoni, ask for salsiccia piccante, or better yet, salame piccante!)

“Che bimbo!”

Now you may think that someone is trying to call you an attractive but unintelligent or frivolous young woman. But don’t be offended – they’re probably not talking about you, but simply referring to a beautiful little boy!

Words can sound so similar but have very different meanings! You might be tempted to do what one of our relatives did and just Italianize an English word. But don’t! He called a car a “carro.” But un carro in Italian is an army tank or wagon. People thought he’d lost his mind. After all, it would be very strange for someone to drive around in one of those vehicles!

Such words are False Friends.

At least, that’s what linguists call them.

They seem so friendly and helpful. But they create a lot of confusion, just like false friends in people.

But don’t worry. It’s really not that hard to make yourself understood. And if words fail you… at least learn a little “Italian without words!”

Italian without words: the language of hand gestures that all Italians are so fluent and graceful at!

Enjoy this fun video and then see how many you remember!

📷 Image credits: hands-heart; pizza