Conversational Italian: In 20 Lessons (Cortina Method) [Paperback]

Michael Cagno (Author)

Book Description

Series: Cortina Method | Publication Date: September 15, 1990

Cortina Method Conversational Italian in 20 Lessons, Illustrated

Step by Step, these twenty lessons, with charming and helpful illustrations, will enable you, regardless of previous languge training, to read, write and speak Italian in the shortest possible time.

The Cortina Method has been time-tested and is the quick, easy and natural way to learn a language. It has received the approval of teachers, students, schools, colleges, and business firms all over the world.

Guide to Pronunciation and Spelling
Explains how to pronounce the sounds, words and phrases of the language through simple phonetic symbols based on English spelling. Rules of spelling are also explained.

Twenty Conversational Lessons
These lessons include useful vocabularies and everyday conversations. Alongside of each word and sentence is given the correct pronunciation and English translation. Easy-to-understand grammatical footnotes are combined in this Method to make your language study effective and interesting.

Complete Reference Grammar
Provides a complete and clear explanation of every rule of structure. It is cross-referenced with and adds to the explanation in the conversational lesson footnotes.

Bi-Lingual Dictionary
Italian-English/English-Italian Dictionary contains all useful words and terms you need to know, so you can locate them easily.

Product Details

• Paperback: 336 pages
• Publisher: Cortina (September 15, 1990)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0805014993
• ISBN-13: 978-0805014990
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.4 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #952,576 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #24 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Reference > Words & Language > Public Speaking
  • #67 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Reference > Foreign Languages > Instruction > Italian

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Good phoenetics, but otherwise extremely antiquated, December 1, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Conversational Italian: In 20 Lessons (Cortina Method) (Paperback)

These Cortina books have probably the best phoenetic spellings of any text I have come across--far more accurate than Berlitz and others. If you do not have access to language cassettes to help you with pronunciation, this Cortina series is the next best thing.

Unfortunately, the grammar and vocabulary are EXTREMELY outdated--particulary for the Italian course. Not only are the vocabulary and some of the spellings antiquated, but the verb forms are all presented in old literary Italian. NOBODY SPEAKS THIS WAY. Not only will your speech be outdated and clumsy, but you will not understand what Italians are saying to you, because so many of the words are no longer used at all.

I have checked my opinions with native Italians--as well as professional translators--and all have told me that the Cortina books' vocabulary is old-fashioned even for the 1950's and 60's (which is when all of these editions were originally published. Check the copyright date.) Unfortunately, the other Cortina courses seem to be equally outdated (see Spanish in 20 Lessons customer review by P. Santiago, September 27, 2001).

They are useful as review, because a veteran student will be able to recognise the outdated material, but I do not recommend these for the absolute beginner. For the novice, supplementary books are essential.

I fear that the people writing rave reviews about these books have not yet actually field tested what they have learned. I felt the same, until I actually came into contact with the modern spoken word. These reviewers may find that they are not as well-prepared as they think.

19 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This book is a must have!, June 3, 1999

By 

[e-mail] (Los Angeles, California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Conversational Italian: In 20 Lessons (Cortina Method) (Paperback)

I am making the transition from Spanish to Italian and this book has been an indispensible resource. It includes conversational Italian, vocabulary, grammar, verb conjugations, etc. I haven't found a more complete tool yet!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars conversational Italian in 20 lessons, December 6, 2001

By 

Joni Saunders-Knight (Alameda, Ca United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Conversational Italian: In 20 Lessons (Cortina Method) (Paperback)

I enjoy using this book because it is easy to understand and I am able to make up sentences and phrases of my own that I will use.The pronunciation of the words is clearly understandable... I have ordered a another copy for my sister...