Subject: Re: Learning the lingo? |
Hi, Ziners,
I feel the same way as you, Frances, about learning at
least a few words in the language of a country you're
visiting. It really helps to break the ice. I know
French pretty well, but with other languages I try
to learn the essential phrases, including Thai when
I went to Thailand.
The only problem I've had so far is with Italian. Common Italian words and phrases that I've heard all my life come easily, but when I decided to study more Italian for my upcoming trip, I realized it would just confuse me. This is because I've used some French most of my life, and Italian looks so much like French when it's written (such as cinq in French and cinque in Italian for 5), but the pronunciation is completely different. My son said it shouldn't be hard for me as I took 3 years of Latin in high school, but even Latin is pronounced differently! Diana San Diego, California |