Customer Reviews

Berlitz Italian Phrase Book & CD (English and Italian Edition)

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This product is a good starting point for people like me who know absolutely no Italian and don't plan to be in Italy for an extended period. It gives a little overview and familiarizes the reader with phrases and situations they are likely to encounter.

However, I think a little more care could have been given to the practicality of the lessons. Many of the phrases are open ended questions that an English speaker would address to an Italian speaker-in Italian. Which is great, but I would bet that a person using this book to ask for directions to the nearest tourist information center, for instance, would not understand an Italian speaker who responded with simple directions. Instead of just teaching the traveler a series of questions, Berlitz could also have introduced words that would be used in an answer like, "left", "right", "straight", "turn", "street", etc. The book teaches the reader a series of questions to which they cannot possibly be expected to understand the answers.

In another part of the book, emergency phrases are discussed, including Italian for "I am innocent". Nowhere in this book, however, do the writers tell the reader how to say "I need to contact the American consulate!". I would think that if one is in a situation where one feels the need to declare their innocence, they probably also need to know how to contact someone who can help them.

This book begs for more practical scenarios, phrases and vocabulary.

Very helpful in learning basic Italian before my planned trip in May/June of this year. Easy to understand.

If you are vacationing in Italy, buy this. Very, very helpful. Downloaded to my ipod to take there and study on the plane. Stayed in Rome for 9 days, rented a studio from "apartments in rome" Just google it. Paid $800 for 8 nights! Great Italian neighborhood, great food. Get Rick Steeves book, too.

An excellent book for anyone starting to lean Italian. It helped us open doors and get into great conversations with people as we traveled. It was well worth the effort trying to learn some essential greetings and phrases.

Non fretta, sono qui in vacanza, was a great help at the appropriate time!!

I got this item in order to communicate with my Italian on speaking next door neighbor. I find that I can have some basic communication with her and am glad I purchased this product.