Many of us would love to speak and understand Italian better, but may never manage it.
Studying is difficult, not being able to express ourselves is frustrating.
As we understand the size of the task, our motivation flags.
Life’s other priorities undermine us.
The Zen of Learning Italian
“Words and concepts can be useful, but mistaking them for reality is a big mistake… The menu is not the food.” – Rafael Espericueta
We never fully know our native language: we continue learning it our whole lives.
Grammar books are useful for studying, but don’t guarantee learning.
Memorizing verbs tenses may not help you speak better.
Italian courses are not reality.
Simple, if not easy
“Zen practice is indeed simple, if not easy. Just practice being fully present, right here, right now.” Rafael Espericueta
Learning Italian is not like preparing to take your driving test.
It’s the part that happens after you get your license.
Except there’s no test to take, no license.
No reason not to start right now.
P.S. Want something a little less esoteric? Where Italian came from, and 3 essential words in Bolognese!
Daniel says
November 15, 2013 at 1:03 pmEdgy, indeed. But most things worth doing are, wouldn’t you say, Pamela?
Pamela says
November 15, 2013 at 1:08 pmI can think of things that aren’t worth doing… but learning a new language, especially one you like or have a reason to learn, is definitely worth doing.
Pamela says
November 15, 2013 at 12:07 pmAs someone who has been learning Italian for some while now and speaks at an advanced level I agree with these sentiments above. Not only is it the language you are learning you are also learning about learning…
I recognise these stages –
Discouragement when you realise just how big the task is (after the initial thrill of being able to say anything at all).
And then realising that speaking in real conversations is not the same as being in a lesson and that in real life you can feel like you know nothing (square one again…!? nooo!).
And then just being in and amongst real life Italy and Italians and being fully in the moment participating, understanding, not getting it then getting it, making friends….
It is wonderful. If somewhat edgy. Well worth all the effort!
Don’t give up.
Just keep going.
John Thomson says
November 16, 2013 at 10:59 amC iao Pamela
How well I recognise the three stages
I have passed stage 1
I am rather stuck on stage 2
grammar. which so appeals to me is certainly getting there BUT conversing in italian is nowhere near
But I am plodding on trying to improve this with everyone’s help, in fact I have reached another mile stone.
The other day i bumped into a painter in the corrider in the U3A my repost, without thinking was ‘mi scusi’ NOT even ‘scusami’
I found this very encouraging
By the way Daniel. I have not changed browsers and, as you can see I was offered “REPLY” and not “LOGIN TO REPLY” so all is well
Buono fine settimana a tutti (e maschile Daniel)
John Thomson
Daniel says
November 16, 2013 at 11:19 am“Buon fine settimana” is correct. I checked it with a handy child while writing to you, John…
Take a look at this explanation
Daniel says
November 16, 2013 at 11:21 amAnother child passed and suggested “It’s like ‘Buon Natale'”….
John Thomson says
November 16, 2013 at 12:15 pmOops Daniel the LOGIN TO REPLY has reappeared I changed to internet explorer and it works. Intermittent faults are very hard to detect, I know this from my programming days.
My usual answer to electronic problems is to switch everything off at the wall, if that does not work give it a kick
The main thing is I can post either using chrome or internet explorer
Cheers
John
P.S. I meant buon settimana but my philosophy, inherited from your self is “non me ne frega gli errori