Tip #1: Point and grunt.
Tip #2: Always have Google Translate open on your phone and a copy of the “Alfabeto Fonetico” in your wallet. My name spelled out this way is Torino-Otranto-Napoli-Imola. Domodossola-Empoli-Bologna-Empoli-Livorno-Livorno-Ancona.
Tip #3: Never make eye contact on public transportation – it invites people to speak to you.
Tip #4: Don’t engage in conversations with Italians under the age of 5…it’s just soo00 humiliating.
Tip #5: Avoid initiating phone calls – send emails or text messages because you’re less likely to sound stupid in writing.
Tip #6: If you must answer the phone, pretend you’ve got a bad connection. “Pronto? Mi senti? Mi senti? Boh” and then hang up.
Tip #7: Respond to questions (even if you don’t understand them) with phrases such as “Certo” (sure), “Si, Si” (yes, yes), “Va bene” (okay) and “Ho capito” (understood) as you start to walk away. People won’t think you’re rude – just late for an appointment.
Tip #8: When all else fails…talk with your hands.
And speaking of speaking Italian..I recently participated in a podcast with Cher Hale, the brains behind the “Iceberg Project.
What’s the Iceberg Project,?
The Iceberg Project is based on the theory that most of what you learn about culture when visiting a new country without speaking the language is just the tip of the iceberg. To learn more about The Iceberg Project go to click here
by Toni DeBella
Orvieto or Bust: 
So hard to avoid the writing when you’re trying to renovate a house and your contractors don’t speak English 😉
Ha.I just finished organizing a big destination wedding and I had to speak a lot of Italian – most of it on the phone. Nothing like “sink-or-swim” (for example, renovating a home) to improve your language skills, huh Ingrid?
So true!!! Sometimes you just gotta do what ya gotta do 🙂
And you get it done! Forza! t
Toni, sei grande!!!! A classic post! x
Janine! When are you coming back to IT? I was in Perugia for a couple of days last week and had such a great time, but I know I would have had a blast if I had been with you. Torno presto!!!!!! hugs. t
Toni, I think we all learned the “I don’t care” hand sign from you in Jr.High. Love it! p.s. I’ve missed your posts.
Cindy! Did I use that hand-single back at Hoover? Well, it must have been genetic or I unconsciously learned it from my Grandfather! Ha! How are you? We could use my blog as a substitute for passing notes in class – we were epic at that, weren’t we? I miss you. Hugs. t
Great post, Toni,. The bit I don’t get is why you invented a new phonetic alphabet. Don’t you like the NATO recognised Tango-Oscar-November-India, Delta-Echo-Bravo-Echo-Lima-Lima-Alpha? 🙂
Glad you liked the post K. As for the phonetic alphabet – I didn’t invent it – it’s the one everyday Italians use to call customer service at the electric company, i.e. Maybe the Italian military uses the NATO one above, but I am not sure using English words would help my situation with the phone company, if you know what I mean? 🙂
[…] Top 8 Survival Tips for the “Language-Challenged” in Italy […]
Hilarious!!! you made me laugh 🙂
Thanks, MB. t
[…] Top 8 Survival Tips for The “Language-Challenged” in Italy. Planning a trip to Italy but don’t know the language? Follow Orvieto or bust’s tips on […]
Hi, I watched House Hunters International last night and I thought I would look you up today!!! I look forward to reading about your life in Orvieto. This was a funny post! I’m going to pass it along to my sister to read and follow as well. I loved what you did to the apartment after you had moved in. Hope you are settled and happy! Now I must read some more of your Blog!!! Take care
Hi Lucy,
Thanks so much for your lovely note and for following my blog. It never ceases to amaze me how many great connections I’ve made through HHI! Please keep in touch and if you should ever find yourself in Umbria, please let me know. Thanks again and say hi to your sister for me!. Big hugs. Toni
I love this so much! After living in Italy over a year, this is still me…. oye. ha ha!
Hey Heather. Don’t give up…just keep plugg’in along! hugs. toni
haha! This is great. I’m an American expat living in Germany, and I can definitely relate to this. Now my German is better, but in those first few years I really hated talking with children. It was like “why does that 5 year old speak better German than me?! Not fair” lol
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