Italian Without Words [Mass Market Paperback]

Don Cangelosi (Author), Joseph Delli Carpini (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 15, 1989

You dont need words to speak Italian.

You don't have to study Italian or travel to Italy to communicate like a true paesano. All you really need is this unique "phrase book" of Italian body language. It's the fastest, and funniest, way to learn Italian ever published.

Now, even if you don't know a single word of Italian, you can learn the most common greetings, dining small talk, bargaining tricks, hot vows of love, vicious threats and bloodcurdling curses. This book shows you how. There's no faster or funnier way to learn how to communicate in Italy, Italian restaurants, with your grandparents or your friends.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Italian gestures are a language unto themselves. In Italian Without Words, 86 expressions are presented, paired with the Italian phrases they conjure and their English translations, all demonstrated by a man and woman who have to be seen to be appreciated. They're funny, but the intent is not to ridicule; rather, they are holding on to a part of their heritage. The facial expressions that accompany the phrases are entertaining to practice, and visits to Italy are enhanced by the ability to communicate "You're a disgrace!" (Disgraziato!), "I dare you!" (Ti sfido. Provaci!), and "Don't leave me, I love you!" (Non lasciarmi, ti voglio bene!) without saying a word. --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Language Notes

Text: English, Italian --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 96 pages
• Publisher: Meadowbrook Press (April 15, 1989)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0671677438
• ISBN-13: 978-0671677435
• Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 4.4 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #91,287 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #11 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Reference > Foreign Languages > Instruction > Italian
  • #95 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Entertainment > Humor > General
  • #96 in Books > Education & Reference > Foreign Languages > Instruction > Italian

More About the Author

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

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars not "italian", just silly, June 17, 2004

By 

Tree Fan - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Italian Without Words (Mass Market Paperback)

i'm not sure why i'm the first to comment that this book is 80% universal body language (demonstrated by colorful italian characters)/20% actual italian body language/hand gestures. if you want to laugh at 'translations' of a man holding his stomach and grimacing ("italian" for "i ate like a pig!"), or holding his nose ("italian" for "you stink!") then buy this book. if you don't know what a woman rolling her eyes with a dreamy expression means (in "italian" --"he's a hunk") or how to say "don't touch me" in "italian" (point your ever-handy wooden spoon at someone and flare your eyes), then get this book. the few actual italian hand gestures are ok but there aren't many.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars No headline (I'm just waving my hands around), March 19, 2003

By 

Eric J. Lyman (Roma, Lazio Italy) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Italian Without Words (Mass Market Paperback)

This is a light-hearted subject, but an important one, too. I first became interested in Italian hand gestures after I read that a key soccer game was once lost because the coach explained (complete with hand gestures) what he wanted an incoming player to do. Once the player was in the game, the opposing coach (who saw but did not hear the plan) was able to stop it.

What's not to love?

This is the best of several books on the subject, and it can be treated as pure entertainment or something to study before a trip to the 'bel paese' -- it works well in both contexts. The gestures are clearly explained, and the subject matter skillfully stays clear of the ridicule or overly comic elements that plague some similar efforts.

My take: there's hardly a more interesting way to prepare for a trip to Italy than to open a bottle of dolcetto and practice these gestures with your travel partner.

A side note: Italians get a big friendly laugh from forigners who accurately use their hand gestures!

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars most useful Italian phrase book... ever!, June 26, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Italian Without Words (Mass Market Paperback)

This is a book that you definately need to see (really, see) to appreciate it. It's got all kinds of useful and not-so-useful phrases, such as "I'll break your knees!," "I'll blind you!," and "You're beautiful!" It shows you the proper gesture, a phrase to go along with it, and even how to correctly pronounce it. Get this book, even if you have no need to learn any Italian phrases. It's hilarious, and definately worth the money.