Buondì.
Stupid people.
One purpose of these emailed articles is to suggest HOW to learn, and to recommend including activities like reading and listening in your study program, which people tend not to, unless nagged.
And that is best done in English, trust me. Yet I regularly get emails like this:
With regret I am thinking of cancelling my subscription to your club. When I joined I expected to receive regular notes in Italian about how to improve my knowledge of the language. Instead I am bombarded with what amounts to a personal blog in English. The only part which is of interest is the links to the modified readers and news articles (which are good). Would it be possible to just send these with just a small amount of information if it is necessary to help your readers to access them? Preferably in Italian?
But WHERE on our ‘Join’ page does it say that these emailed articles would be in Italian? If they were, no one would read them. And anyway, there are MILLIONS OF ITALIANS who write in Italian.
On the ‘Join’ page people are specifically encouraged to review previous emailed articles BEFORE adding their email to the list, like this:
Still not sure? Check out our archive of past articles
This was my reply to the regretful lady:
The thousands of pages on the website are not helpful to you, (stupid person’s name)? The new 30-part Rome series? My articles are designed to draw attention to them. I write over 150 each year and many of the readers are my friends. But of course, if you have something better to do with your time you should please go ahead and unsubscribe.
I have never written in Italian and never will on this website. That’s because no one would read it. The free thirty-part ‘Storia di roma’ material for example, is completely in Italian but attracts very few users, mostly the advanced students who have been happily reading my ‘personal blog’ for many years.
Goodbye, then.
Most people are nice, but when I open an email from a club member (I get dozens each day) I never know when it’s going to be from someone like that. Which can be dispiriting.
Sometimes I just have to laugh, though.
Another reply to Friday’s, admittedly rather technical article on the problems caused by iPhones, ‘iPhone user? Please try again‘, was this:
I do not use Iphone. What do I do next?
Grazie mile!
to which I could think of nothing better to reply than
Click something. It’ll work.
Oh yes, and there was Friday’s spelling mistake, also mentioned by the stupid lady in a snide P.S.
By the way, I think you’ll find that iPhones are the bane (source of misery) of your life, not a French bath.
I raise my hands in surrender – I confess, I typed ‘bain’ instead of ‘bane’. And French baths didn’t come into it. Since I had a stroke a few years back, I’ve been particularly prone to homophones popping up where they shouldn’t – ‘their’ and ‘there’, ‘bear’ and ‘bare’ – you get the idea. And spellcheckers don’t help with those, not that I ever use a spellchecker. It’s laborious because of the British/American English thing (there’s no ‘somewhere in the middle, please’ option) and because my writing often contains Italian words.
I write a hundred and fifty articles like this one each year, some of them very long. Each one is proof-read carefully before publication. Then the mailing system sends it out automatically. And then, once it’s too late and fifteen thousand people have already received my words, I notice that, during a fuzzy brain moment, I wrote ‘bare with me when I right that stupid people are the bain of my life’ or similar.
Do email to point out the spelling mistakes. I appreciate it, and always fix them immediately ON THE WEBSITE, because of course it’s two late for the mailed-out version. But bare in mind please that ‘proper’ righters have editors and professional proof-readers to help them. And that they don’t typically work to a schedule of three articles a week, fifty-two weeks a year. And that they get paid.
Imagine if I had to write in Italian, to boot? I’d be hear all day. Though I wood certainly rely on a spellchecker then (at least Italian doesn’t have many homophones…)
Così.
Many congratulations to Simeon, who has finished ‘I promessi sposi‘ (scroll right down to the bottom to read what he writes, and other recent comments).
Also, to Patricia, who I remember as once being a near-beginner in Italian but who has now completed this challenging (and extremely long) read, in ITALIAN. They are rightly pleased with themselves, as am I, for having encouraged them to try.
Our club is not an app, like Duolingo. It is supposed to be something very different from that, something more personal, through which connections can be made, something that evolves over time, something that hopefully adds value to the lives of those who are willing to engage with it.
That’s why I called it a ‘club’. If that’s not most people’s cup of tee, then sew be it, I’m fine with that.
What else?
Did you watch the ‘Spartacus’ TV series on Netflix a few years back? Swords, sand and sandals (also quite a lot of sex…) It wasn’t that great, and wasn’t in Italian either (sorry!), but if you like gladiators and glistening torsos, you might want to take a look.
Well anyway, we’ve finally got to that part in ‘La storia di Roma‘, though disappointingly Spartacus only gets a passing mention, the real stars being… well why not take a look-see?
Episodio 10. L’ascesa di Cesare
N.b. Francesca, the writer of this series, and of some of our easy readers, mentions Asterix the Gaul (Cesare was the featured villain in this legendary comic book), which she quite wrongly describes as having been published in the ‘nineties.
I remember reading it in the ‘seventies, so I knew that was incorrect, but we’d already done the audio recording, so I’ve left it as it is.
Wikipedia says that the French consider this iconoclastic marvel to be ‘the 23rd greatest book of the 20th century’, and that it was first published in 1959.
No need, then, to write inn when you spot that error.
A mercoledì.
Laura says
Daniel,
I want you to know that I love getting your emails! So do so many others! I don’t know what people are thinking sometimes. People can be so messed up. As a species, I definitely don’t think we’re the most advanced!
I do want to say that your comment —about if you had to write the newsletter in Italian you would be writing it all day — made me chuckle! That’s pretty much how I feel about writing in Italian, too! Although I’m pleased that I’m starting to be able to string some sentences together finally!
So glad you recovered so well from the stroke. They can be pretty serious.
Anyway, just wanted to send some encouragement your way!
Laura Natale
Daniel says
Ciao Laura, and thanks for the positive feedback.
About writing in Italian, just to make this clear, I absolutely CAN write in Italian, I swear. Check out our English school in Bologna, for example. I wrote every word on that site. And this ten-part free course (for Italians) on the mysteries of English pronunciation. Again, all my own work. But when writing in a foreign language, you have to take the extra time, make the extra effort, and ideally get a native speaker to check everything for you. Which is in itself time-consuming. And guess what? Native speakers aren’t perfect either, no one is. Twenty-five years back I applied for a job as an editor at Oxford University Press, and they gave me a proof-reading test, which I aced. I didn’t get the job (thank goodness), but that reassured me that at least in English I could usually publish without the need for additional help.
And another thing about writing? You know how hard it is to find someone willing to try? That’s the only reason I end up doing it all myself, English or Italian. People went to school and were told they were rubbish at writing, so never tried again.
About writing in Italian? You can learn to do it, and learn to do it well. But you need to have a good reason, and know that it’ll cost you more, in terms of time and effort. Some of the greats of English literature weren’t native-born English speakers, after all.
Thanks again for the encouragement!
Alison Ledgerwood says
It never ceases to amaze me how rude and stupid some people are. They don’t appreciate how much they are getting for free. I love reading your emails and have been meaning to say so for some time. They are witty and amusing, as well as informative and helpful.. The information and exercises on your website are also extremely useful and I listen to Easy Italian News regularly. Honestly, what more do people want?
I hooked up with Francesca via your website and have been having conversation lessons with her for sometime and I have also benefited from your E-books and am enjoying La Storia di Roma. So thank you Daniel. You are not unappreciated and I am sure many people will agree. Keep up the good work.
Daniel says
Mille grazie, Alison!!
Honestly, what more do people want?
“Voglio la luna!”, Italians would say.
Brigid says
Thank you for your emails full of interesting information and encouragement (and anecdotes). I’m sorry you have to put up with such painful email responses. I hope you’ve burned off the ‘regretful lady’ …. she needed to go! I thoroughly enjoy your emails, and look forward to them. There are usually a good few laughs contained in them too. All the information and links are marvellous. The thrice weekly news is great. I’m in New Zealand and this club/group certainly helps me feel like I’m not learning Italian in a vacuum. Grazie mille da NZ 🇳🇿
Daniel says
I’m in New Zealand and this club/group certainly helps me feel like I’m not learning Italian in a vacuum.
Nice feedback, Brigid. Thanks!
Isabel says
I nearly wet myself laughing when reading about the iphone problems – have one + an ipad, courtesy of my son, who was converted into the ” i ” cult many years ago, what can I say?, I didn’t encourage it. Apple must be run by a bunch of control freaks, they stop you doing so much. I read and listen to your e-books on my faithful old Dell PC and don’t even try to do anything fancy with the ‘ i ‘ things.
I am so old that when I first started using the internet at work, it was in the dial up days and I had to use an acoustic coupler (a soft plastic thingy you had to put the old wired phone’s earpiece into, timing it just right)
And I, like the others above, so appreciate your articles and so much look forward to them and sometimes follow your good advice (oh, the road to hell)
– I seem to be sadly behind in nearly everything but I never miss reading your emails.
I simply would not be able to follow what you have to say if you wrote it in Italian and how could a native English speaker possibly understand the sometimes complex Italian grammar if it was explained in Italian – it just doesn’t make sense.
Comunque, thanks so much !
Daniel says
how could a native English speaker possibly understand the sometimes complex Italian grammar if it was explained in Italian – it just doesn’t make sense.
I detest the word ‘explain’, Isabel, but teaching a language using that language is perfectly possible. We do it in our school all the time, it’s what I’ve been trained for my whole career. Any good language school should be able to change your mind for you (though not all schools are good.)
And next time I’m going to try harder, so you really do wet yourself laughing!
Jacqueline Gowe says
Thank you for this website and club. I speak Italian fluently. I lived in Florence for seven years and I have a degree in French and Italian. Still, I find the club a fun and useful way to keep up my Italian. I don’t always read everything, I pick and choose what is useful to me.
Daniel says
I pick and choose what is useful to me.
Which is what I intend. With learners at 6+ levels, how could it be otherwise?
Thanks for the feedback, Jacqueline!
Debra Slattery says
Ciao, Daniel. I too love your emails, and you are smack on: very few people would read them if they were in Italian! There is SO much available on your site, I find it hard to believe that person felt the need to complain…she was obviously having a bad day, and she’s better off in another club!
And boy oh boy do I get it with the spell check and the proofing and the easy mistakes! So easy to miss things, ma non importa…mi piace comunque!
Debra
Daniel says
Grazie, Debra!!
Deavirtuale says
continuate a fare quello che fate! utile website!!!
Daniel says
Grazie!
Lynne F says
As they say Daniel ‘you can’t please all of the people all of the time. But there are a lot of people who use site and are very pleased. You seem to have something for everyone, grammar , listening, reading, Easy Italian news the book club and History Oh and i nearly forgot, your humour. So just carry on many people value this site and look forward to your thrice weekly articles , long may they continue
Colleen says
I LOVE this onlineitalianclub! My listening and reading comprehension has improved beyond my expectations. I also enjoy the 3x weekly emails.Your reflections are instructive and often amusing, Daniel! Thank you! (Still getting on with I Promessi Sposi!- really enjoying La Storia di Roma).
Chris says
Daniel,
I find your articles very helpful and motivating. The advice you give is priceless and motivates me to learn the language.
Without your club and encouragement I wouldn’t have read several easy readers, Il Nome Della Rosa, Le Avventure di Pinicchio or attempted Uno, nessuno e centomila; listened to EasyItalian Newsand be having weekly Skype lessons after my local classes couldn’t cater for more than beginners.
If articles were in Italian it would be unfair on beginners of the language who probably wouldn’t read them. I would read them in Italian but feel their nuance would be lost. You shouting at us to listen more, not use a dictionary when reading etc wouldn’t come across and that’s what makes me smile.
How much do some people want from you? Everything handed on a plate ? You virtually do!!! The amount of lessons etc on your site is amazing! I for one greatly appreciate it all!
I have listened to a couple of the La Storia di Roma and intend to complete the series.
Your articles make me smile when you say how you reply to messages such as the cancel subscription. It must be demoralising but you give as good as you get,
Re the ” bain” issue , how did the author know you didn’t mean bain? You may well have thought it was like a French bath!
I have I-phone and have few issues with the club etc apart from deleting by mistake a whole Italian file full of all sorts including easyreaders and being unable to retrieve it!!!!! Good job I saved the easyreaders on I- books!
A little amusement to end on. Reading a libro di giallo a few months ago I did look up a particular word in a dictionary ( not quite away from it totally but trying). If I had read on I may well have guessed it. It translated as ” swingers”!! Oh how I laughed!!!
Never surrender Daniel!
Kind regards
Chris
Gordon Small says
Your latest outburst re “Stupid People” just re-confirms how much “di un buco del culo assoluto che sei”
It is extremely ignorant & not right for anyone in your position to refer to people, including myself, as “persone stupide” who may or may not subscribe to the services you provide & who are raising very valid points and expressing their views which are substantiated by many others
As far as I am aware it is called the “Online Italian Club” and is not a Daniel self appreciation organisation full of absolute drivel written in English that nobody is interested in – Its all about me, me, me – Perhaps Frank Sinatra’s “My Way” is your favourite Number! Keep it short, write it in Italian, address the content
It’s absolute “cazzate” (which you seem to be full of) to say that “no-one would read them if written in Italian”
You have made totally out of order comments on the calibre of Italian Teachers in the past as if you are the only decent so called “teacher” around
FACT – It is a cardinal sin not to encourage the use of a dictionary – the basis of learning & understanding any language
For someone who has lived in Italy for all these years and was not aware of what “nespole” were nor what for example “un pero” was just beggars belief – by the way “un frutteto” is an orchard
Is the reason you do not write in Italian is because you are not capable/confident of doing so in a correct manner – It is one of the most difficult Languages in the world to properly speak and write – The majority of Italians are unable to speak “il vero italiano”
I make no apology for the language used where I come from we call “una vanga una vanga”
Change your tone mate!
Daniel says
The above was published with the permission of the writer, who originally emailed it to me. He requests that I also publish the exchange of emails that followed it:
+++
All those bad words but you don’t sign your name, Gordon?
Please unsubscribe. I can’t tolerate cowards.
Daniel
+++
I know my name – I know you know my name – Your response is no more than I would have expected – I am certainly not a coward – You have spent too much time in Italy – Doe the truth hurt!!
+++
If you have such confidence in your opinions Gordon, how about this? Republish your email as a comment below yesterday’s post:
https://onlineitalianclub.com/with-regret-i-am-thinking-of-cancelling-my-subscription-to-your-club/
Then everyone can read it, and if they agree with you, I’m sure they’ll say so.
If you need technical help, do ask. I can even republish your email for you, if you wish. With your permission, of course. I wouldn’t want to embarrass you, but as you seem so happy to call a spade a spade in private, and you tell me you’re not a coward, then I can’t see that there’s any harm, right?
+++
It’s no skin off my nose – You can do what you want as long as you publish all of the related correspondandce as it stands should you decide to publish – I am certainly not going to lose any sleep over it
+++
Chris says
Well he wasn’t a happy coniglietto!
People are entitled to their opinions but how rude!! From you saying ” stupid people” and him referring to your posterior is a big jump! There are ways of getting a point across without being so obnoxious.
It seems you are not everyone’s tazza di tè!
I presume he unsubscribe?
Daniel says
Indeed.
Julie Martyn says
I actually enjoy Daniel’s emails and I certainly wouldn’t have continued to read them if they were in Italian. The object of the site is to learn italian. If I was at the initial stage of learning, how on earth would I have even begun to read the emails explaining the site if they were in Italian? I would not have been able to comprehend a thing. and certainly not have bothered to access the learning material offered. . For goodness sake, the site is free with loads of learning material for beginners to those more knowledgeable. Yes, Daniel does at times take comments personally but hey, it’s his time and project and we’re not obligated to listen. So unsubscribe and leave those who are grateful for the opportunity to use this site appropriately.
Douglas Dean says
Daniel,
ditto on all the positive reviews !
What I fail to understand is why, if your reader was dissatisfied, didn’t he/she just quietly unsubscribe ?
Some people will insist on looking gift horses in the mouth.
minou says
Buongiorno!
By chance decided to check in today — sweet to see familiar people commenting, Daniel! I have been missing and thinking about all of you and this great site. Temporary hiatus is due to refinancing the house at current low rate here. Can’t wait to pick back up with the italian world at end of summer – i.e., shortly! Be well, stay safe,
Ciao
Anna Newton says
Daniel,
I had to read Gordon Small’s email (you did wet my appetite). Indeed, nomen omen, he is a small person in mind and spirit, a self-righteous creature with no sense of humour. Maybe he is a troll? ( a real one?). An angry troll, with bits of food stuck in his beard.
Your club is fun, keep it as it is, becuase of circumstances I had to put learnig Italian on a back burner but I always read your emails and love the personal musings (and very good advice).
Sad people like Gordon will be end up in Inferno, no doubt.
Lots of love
Anna
Steph says
Daniel I’ve already written to you about how much I enjoy your “club” and your emails but I have to jump in again and ask: what is it about people that feel that they are entitled to criticize and demand changes to a FREE service to which they are newly subscribed.? I have been taking for years a free weekly advanced-intermediate italian class and in walks a woman who announces that she hasn’t studied in years so the teacher is going to need to back up and review basic grammar! And wouldn’t you know it, she spent the entire year yelling at the teacher and telling the rest of us that the material was too hard and why wouldn’t we all support her?!?! And she complained to the administration and attempted to get said teacher removed.! Why not just leave and find something else? I don’t sit and yell at the television if I don’t like the program, I change the channel. I’m glad we don’t have to be subjected to some of the letters you get, Daniel. I hope most people who find you not their “Tazza di tè” simply and quietly unsubscribe as is their right. There. I’ve said it!! Thanks, all, for listening!
Laura Berry says
First, I really enjoy everything that comes from the Club, including Daniel’s personal stories and occasional (delightful) rants. I appreciate the incredible breadth of goodies that are absolutely free.
Second, I do wonder how any person (one who has sufficient privilege to take time to learn a new language) can get so worked up over Daniel’s emails and dictionaries. Holy. Moly. Gordon. You clearly do not have enough to worry about, except perhaps your blood pressure and anger management issues.
Thanks for sharing this Daniel, it was fun to feel self-righteously judgmental on your behalf, having read the entire exchange. Keep doing what you do, exactly the way you do it…the Club, the books, and my wonderful teacher Giovanna keep me motivated while still in the swirl of semi-lockdown in the States.
With gratitude,
Laura B