The Italian Language Today [Paperback]

Anna Laura Lepschy (Author), Giulio Lepschy (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0941533220 | ISBN-13: 978-0941533225 | Publication Date: April 21, 1998 | Edition: 2nd Edition

Italian as a national spoken language is a new experience for Italians; until very recently it was normal for the majority of the people to speak in a dialect, and Italian was a literary language used only by a minority. The first section of this book provides an outline of the language, and a sketch of the dialects. The authors also describe the formation of the modern standard language in its varieties (regional, social, and occupational). Part two is a reference grammar of contemporary educated Italian, presented in the way it is actually used, rather than according to traditional prescription. The book concentrates on contemporary usage and will enable the reader to understand and use appropriately a wide range of expressions, characterized where necessary according to their level of formality or their regional nature. The illuminating combination of historical perspective and contemporary grammer make this a unique contribution to Italian linguistics, and an invaluable reference book for all students and scholars in the field of Italian. The second edition has been revised throughout to bring it completely up to date.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Possibly the best concise account now available in any language. (Times Literary Supplement )

A stimulating and scholarly introduction to Italian for the serious student. (The Times Higher Education Supplement )

A major new contribution to the literature in English.... [The Italian Language Today] will be an essential part of the linguistics formation of every Italianist. (The Year’S Work In Modern Language Studies )

A major new contribution to the literature in English.... [The Italian Language Today] will be an essential part of the linguistics formation of every Italianist. (The Year’S Work In Modern Language Studies )

About the Author

Giulio Lepschy was born in Venice and studied in universities all over Europe. He is an Emeritus Professor at the University of Reading, and has traveled to North America as a visiting professor. His wife Anna Laura Lepschy has recently retired from her position as a professor at University College, London, and now travels with him as a visiting professor.

Giulio Lepschy was born in Venice and studied in universities all over Europe. He is an Emeritus Professor at the University of Reading, and has traveled to North America as a visiting professor.
His wife Anna Laura Lepschy has recently retired from her position as a professor at University College, London, and now travels with him as a visiting professor.

Product Details

• Paperback: 272 pages
• Publisher: New Amsterdam Books; 2nd Edition edition (April 21, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0941533220
• ISBN-13: 978-0941533225
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.5 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #222,709 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

65 of 68 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best Italian grammar for English speakers ever written., October 18, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: The Italian Language Today (Paperback)

I have lived in Italy for many years and consider myself to be fluent in Italian. I teach Italian and am familiar with most of the textbooks available on the subject. I also have a good knowledge of French and Spanish. I know of only two grammar books of these Romance languages which I would classify as actual works of art. M. M. Ramsey's "A Textbook of Modern Spanish" (copyright 1894) and the Lepschys' "The Italian Language Today." This compact reference grammar of 250-odd pages contains a wonderfully concise and thorough explanation of the Italian language. With this book and a good dictionary, an intelligent and dedicated English-speaking adult can acquire not only confident fluency in Italian, but also eloquence. It is the only Italian grammar you will ever need, whether you are an utter beginner or a professional linguist.

42 of 45 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An outstanding descriptive, rather than prescriptive, study., October 3, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: The Italian Language Today (Paperback)

All advanced students of Italian who wish to know more about Italian as it is truly used by Italians today must read the Lepschy's outstanding work. I find it particularly refreshing that they do not prescribe the way Italian "should" be spoken- rather they present the language as it is used by the educated, colloquial speaker today. E.g. grammar books for English speakers still for the most part prescribe the cumbersome (and noisome) use of "Loro" for the polite second person form- something which is hopelessly outdated unless one wants to come across as a stuffed shirt. For the scholar and lay person alike it is a must for the personal library.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Ponderoso... and I don't mean Hoss Cartwright, January 3, 2002

By 

Daniel J. Dupre (Jacksonville, Florida USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Italian Language Today (Paperback)

This is indeed a comprehensive and authoritative work on Italian grammar; however, it is not for the casual learner. There are a lot of highly technical minutiae geared toward a reader with advanced education in language or linguistics. Be prepared to put in some serious concentration time to fully appreciate what is in here, otherwise, you may have to select and concentrate on only the parts you can handle. I do not think that this one is for beginners but it is well done.