Rick Steves' Italian Phrase Book and Dictionary

Book Description

Buon giorno! From ordering calamari in Venice to making new friends in Tuscan hill towns, it helps to speak some of the native tongue. Rick Steves, bestselling author of travel guides to Europe, offers well-tested phrases and key words to cover every situation a traveler is likely to encounter. This handy guide provides key phrases for use in everyday circumstances, complete with phonetic spelling; an English-Italian and Italian-English dictionary; the latest information on European currency and rail transportation, and even a tear-out cheat sheet for continued language practice as you wait in line at the Sistine Chapel. Informative, concise, and practical, Rick Steves' Italian Phrase Book and Dictionary is an essential item for any traveler's zainetto.

Customer Reviews:

Perfect for Travel.......2007-10-03

This is a great guide book that I can stick in my travel bag while in Italy. I love it!!!!

Rick Steves does it again.......2007-09-08

Rick does a great job with all his travel materials and this is no exception. The book can definitely be a lifesaver when trying to communicate. There is good effort on Rick's part to get the phrases and structure passable without getting bogged down in grammar. Like Rick says, "you will be stringing together words in caveman like language in no time." He also has some fun stuff in the book that will make you laugh. I paricularly liked the descriptions for the quantities of alcohol- from a pint to a barrel he has you covered!

Best Italian phrase book ever.......2007-07-03

We have been using Rick Steve's books for many years. This latest phrase book is the best ever. An especially important section is the part on opposites which has proved very useful. It is organized very well and we would not be without it on our trips to Italy.

Rick Steves' Italian Phrase Book and Dictionary.......2007-05-26

Again - Absolutely BRILLIANT!

Highly reccommended to anyone going to Italia*

I spoke very good Italiano when I lived there in the 70's - but a bit rusty now - and my husband doesn't speak any at all - this is a must for Italia and Rick Steves' does it for us - as well as his books on Italy and Florence - Brilliant author - he covers everything you would need to know to visit this Beautiful country

We're natives now!.......2007-05-22

We are having a blast going through the book and learning new phrases/words for our trip to Italy.

Rick adds some great funny lines as well as the ones that you will NEED to get along in this wonderful country

Average customer rating:

Great Drill Book
Good listings but flawed instructional layout
One of the best Verb Drill books out there
Just the ticket
Better With Italian Behind the Wheel Complete

Italian Verb Drills
Paola Nanni Tate
Manufacturer: McGraw-Hill
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0071420894

Book Description

The shortest route to mastering verb conjugations

One of the greatest challenges in learning a language is mastering verb conjugations. The books in the unique Language Verb Drill series make it easier than ever for learners to meet that challenge.

Drilling, whether it's for learning a musical instrument, a sport, or a language, is an essential part of a sound education because repeated, concentrated practice makes specialized skills become second nature.

Unlike most verb books, which tend to concentrate on tables of conjugations, the books in the Language Verb Drills series allow students to focus exclusively on building mastery of verbs without being distracted by other elements of grammar. Combining the features of a workbook and reference manual, they clearly and systematically explain how a verb system works while providing numerous drills for practice. These revised editions of the popular study guides now include a final review section to reinforce the reader's ability to automatically select the correct verb form.

Customer Reviews:

Great Drill Book.......2007-09-02

I purchased this book in anticipation of a trip to Italy 6 weeks after purchase. I spent a year in Italy studying Italian 20 years ago and haven't had much occassion to use my Italian since then. I thought the Italian Verb Drills book would be a great help in refreshing all that I have forgotten. I was right. I love the book. The verbs are categorized by ending and irregularities and then the book moves through various tenses. There is ample discussion of when various tenses should be used. Some of the tenses are more important than others to know and this drill books help you determine which tenses are critical.

I remember best by writing something down. This is a drill book, so there is ample opportunity to write answers and then check them in the back. Exercises include translating into Italian from English and translating into English from Italian.

Even though I have a firm foundation in Italian, I would highly recommend this book for any beginner. Drilling is a good way to memorize the verbs and their tenses. If you purchase a grammar book and vocabulary book to accompany the verb drills, you have a complete learning tool set.

Good listings but flawed instructional layout.......2007-09-02

The good points about this book are that it has plenty of verbs in all the conjugations. The verb classes (-are, -ere, -ire)and the irregulars are covered well. The downside of the book, in my opinion, is its poor instructional design. The index is a glaring example. It does not reference page numbers, rendering it almost must useless as a a look up table for various occurences of verb forms and specifically irregular forms in the text. The reader must literally scour the text to find specific verb information as a result. In terms of content, a good book. As an instructional aid, I have reservations about its design.

One of the best Verb Drill books out there.......2007-05-25

I have been working with this book for months now and have found it a great help in conjunction with the Pimselur Italian cd's for this beginner. The Pimselur cd's are great, but you really need to do some written work so you understand what it is you are listening to and get a better ideal of verb usage. I have purchased several of these types of books, and this one seems to be the best (for me).

Just the ticket.......2007-03-14

Verb forms seemed really scary until I started drilling with this book. Drilling may sound boring but I think it starts setting patterns in my head. Also a great way to just get exposed to more words.

Better With Italian Behind the Wheel Complete.......2006-07-10

I took Amazon's advice and bought Italian Verb Drills to complement my Italian Behind the Wheel Complete Course.
Excellent together.
Italian Verb Drills is a true guide to Italian verbs. What I love about this reference is that there is a complete answer key at the back of the book and that ALL tenses are covered.
What makes this guide so effective with Behind the Wheel Italian Complete is that virtually all of the verb tenses you hear on the CDs you see in the verb book.
The Pimsleur course I used and returned didn't even scratch the surface of the depth and richness of Italian Behind the Wheel Complete so Italian Verb Drills would have been next to useless with it since Pimsleur doesn't cover enough verb tenses and vocabulary to make it worthwhile to buy.
Behind the Wheel Italian Complete 9CDs on the other hand is virtually 'loaded' with verb tenses from the present to the subjunctive. All in one course.
I do heartily recommend you buy Italian Verb Drills if you take on Italian Behind the Wheel Complete.
You'll need it and you will learn faster.

Average customer rating:

Worth It
Good way to increase vocabulary
Not really for a beginner
Delightful
eccellentissimo

Easy Italian Reader (Easy Reader)
Riccarda Saggese
Manufacturer: McGraw-Hill
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0071439579

Book Description

The quick, easy, enjoyable way to learn how to read Italian

This new addition to the popular Easy Reader series allows beginners to start reading Italian right away and intermediate learners to hone their reading skills.

Rather than relying on dry grammar rules, EasyItalian Reader features engaging readings on Italian history, people, and contemporary literature that rapidly build comprehension, progressing in difficulty as readers’ abilities increase. Helpful review sections, comprehension questions, and proficiency-building games are included throughout to reinforce what is learned.

Easy Italian Reader:

Provides timesaving new vocabulary footnotes
Includes exercises and an answer key to test understanding
Offers insights into Italian culture

Customer Reviews:

Worth It.......2007-09-03

The format is a little longwinded and you do have to write some of the responses on a separate notebook due to space restraints but it is an excellent starting reader for an Italian 102 0r 103 student. Introduces italian poetry, writing, songs and history. I highly recommend it. Good practice in reading and critically responding to text. There are also some breaks with crosswords and fill in the blanks.

Good way to increase vocabulary.......2007-07-13

The readings in this book become more difficult gradually, making it easy to increase your vocabulary and your exposure to more complicated grammatical structures. As a fringe benefit, the later readings will also add to your knowledge of Italian history. The book does have a vocabulary section, but you'll still need to keep an Englisth-Italian dictionary handy.

Not really for a beginner.......2007-06-12

Good book, but not really for a beginner. It is really more of an intermediate level book. But the history of Italy chapters were fun and interesting.

Delightful.......2007-05-13

This reader is a delight for the begining student of the Italian language. The Chapters are short and new words introduced are defined. Love it!

eccellentissimo.......2007-05-12

This reader complements "Il Milione" and "Le Avventure di Pinocchio" for interested students of Italian literature. "Easy Italian Reader" has great (dopo la lettura)after reading written comprehension exercises to assess ones reading skills. Helpful word glossaries assist in vocabulary
enrichment.

Average customer rating:

A MUST HAVE
The only grammar book you really need
Great, easy to use publication
The best book on Italian grammar
Parla Italiano! Great book for beginning and intermediate students!

Essential Italian Grammar
Olga Ragusa
Manufacturer: Dover Publications
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 048620779X

Book Description

This logical, developmental presentation of the major aspects of Italian grammar includes all the necessary tools for speech and comprehension. Designed for adults with limited learning time who wish to acquire the basics of everyday Italian, this grammar features numerous shortcuts and timesavers. Ideal as an introduction, supplement, or refresher.

Customer Reviews:

A MUST HAVE .......2007-10-15

This book helped me clarify things I did not understand in other books. It is simple and will teach you basic Italian. I'm able to express myself in simple short sentences thanks to this book. It is a must have for ANY student of the Italian language.

The only grammar book you really need.......2006-12-23

I love the entire Dover Essential Grammar series, and I actually own most of them. I used Ragusa's Essential Italian Grammar in my language preparation for a trip to Italy last year, and it works extremely well.

It isn't going to teach you enough vocabulary for true facility with the language, of course, but that isn't its function -- it's meant to encapsulate all the basic grammar of the language in a very clear and concise form. Because of its size, I was able to go through it numerous times -- and each time, a little bit more sticks. A far superior approach to going through a large, padded, overly wordy grammar full of redundant exercises and dialogues just once. It also works very well as a quick reference guide which you can easily and quickly open up to precisely what you need to refresh yourself on.

It goes without saying that you're still going to need a good dictionary or other book(s) to help you acquire vocabulary. But for the basic grammar, this one slim volume is all you really need.

Great, easy to use publication.......2006-11-03

I love this reference guide. It's perfect for the beginner or intermediate learner of Italian.

The best book on Italian grammar.......2006-07-14

If you want a good reference book for Italian grammar, this is the one to buy. Ragusa manages to get lots of information on every page with no wasted space or words. Also, and very important to me, she gives literal translations as well as common usage for those who are trying to learn the lanuage. I just wish the book would be updated. You will find "egli" for he and other outdated words. That's like using "thou" in English. "Egli" hasn't been used in decades. Still, if you are interested in an excellent book on grammar, this is the one to have.

Parla Italiano! Great book for beginning and intermediate students!.......2006-02-21

A great book to get extra practice with for serious students. It explains things in an easy way to understand. Don't forget that PRATICA, RIPETIZIONE, and PAZIENZA will be the winning combination to learn this musical language!

Average customer rating:

DA Capo As An Italian Textbook
Great content, unfortunate binding
DeCapo Italian textbook / CD
excellent grammar book
Mi piace bene!

Da capo (with Text Audio CD)
Annamaria Moneti , and Graziana Lazzarino
Manufacturer: Heinle
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Accessories:

Workbook/Lab Manual for Da capo, 6th

ASIN: 1413016405

Book Description

DA CAPO, the best-selling intermediate Italian text in the market, reviews and expands all aspects of Italian grammar while providing an authentic and accurate tool to communicate with Italian people and understand their culture. The sixth edition of DA CAPO gives new emphasis to a well-rounded approach to intermediate Italian, focusing on balanced acquisition of the four language skills within an enhanced and updated cultural framework. The sixth edition follows the guidelines established by the National Standards for Foreign Language Learning by developing proficiency through varied features that can accommodate many teaching styles and goals.

Customer Reviews:

DA Capo As An Italian Textbook.......2007-10-05

Da Capo, as the title "From the Begining" states, does start with basic Italian essentials; it is not, however, a true beginner's text. It is an excellent text for intermediate students who have had classes, had some working knowledge of Italian, or had finished using a primary test. The book offers vocabulary, dialogues, reading pieces and exercises which showcase Italian culture. It does not, as do some of the other Italian texts, offer inane conversation or translation pieces simply to illustrate the lesson's grammar and vocabulary. The lessons include day-to-day speech patterns, not just the stiff grammatically correct phrases that one is unlikely to hear in everyday Italian conversation. The grammar lessons are well designed in a concentrated fashion. Da Capo is a worthwhile follow-on textbook for students who are both serious about studying the Italian language and putting some effort into that study.

Great content, unfortunate binding.......2006-06-30

I used the softcover version of this text in a class a few years ago, and it's great. It's truly unfortunate that the publisher has decided to upsell the book my reintroducing in hardcover format. I wish I could recommend something better, but I can't. My advice is to find a gently used copy for the softcover edition.

DeCapo Italian textbook / CD.......2005-07-09

The book arrived promptly in good condition but without the CD.
The seller offered to send a CD should he find one.
Overall,I was satisfied with this purchase

excellent grammar book.......2002-05-02

I bought this a few years ago for an evening class. The class wasn't too good, but I worked my way through the book and found it excellent. The explanations are clear and straightforward, the vocabulary is useful, and you can actually learn a lot about how to use the subjunctive and the conditional. It also has useful information about troublesome cognates and word usage. I would recommend this quite highly for anyone trying to learn Italian. It's a review grammar so in theory you should already know a little Italian, but if you have some knowledge of French, Spanish or Latin, or if you just have a positive attitude, you should have no problems with this book.

Mi piace bene!.......2001-05-01

Having started Advanced Italian lessons, I find Da Capo an excellent review of the grammar structure and a good vocabulary enhancer for those who have had a comprehensive overview of Italian through beginning and intermediate classes. It starts off at a steady pace that allows students to review rules and those pesky exceptions. It maintains a good level of interest, espcially important since it main task is to review previously learned materials. Although I find the book a bit pricey, especially for a paperback, it is a great way to master previously studied material and bridge the gap from familiarity to fluency in the Italian Language. Bravo!

Schaum's Outline of Italian Grammar (Schaum's Outlines)

Average customer rating:

Phenomenal
Two corrections by the author, Joseph E. Germano
Italian grammar
GREAT!!
Best Single Reference

Schaum's Outline of Italian Grammar (Schaum's Outlines)
Joseph Germano , and Conrad J. Schmitt
Manufacturer: McGraw-Hill
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0071484698

Book Description

Study faster, learn better-and get top grades with Schaum's Outlines

Millions of students trust Schaum's Outlines to help them succeed in the classroom and on exams. Schaum's is the key to faster learning and higher grades in every subject. Each Outline presents all the essential course information in an easy-to-follow, topic-by-topic format. You also get hundreds of examples, solved problems, and practice exercises to test your skills.

Use Schaum's Outlines to:

Brush up before tests
Find answers fast
Study quickly and more effectively
Get the big picture without spending hours poring over lengthy textbooks

Fully compatible with your classroom text, Schaum's highlights all the important facts you need to know. Use Schaum's to shorten your study time-and get your best test scores!

This Schaum's Outline gives you:

A full treatment of contemporary conversational Italian, including expressions, slang, and idioms
New English-Italian, Italian-English glossary section

Chapters include: The Pronunciation of Italian * Nouns and Articles * Adjectives and Adverbs * Comparatives and Superlatives * Numbers, Dates, and Time * Verbs * Negative Words and Constructions * Interrogative Words and Constructions * Pronouns * Prepositions * Special Uses of Certain Verbs * Glossaries

Customer Reviews:

Phenomenal.......2007-04-11

I started learning Italian with Pimsleur and I nearly gave it up until I ran across this grammar. I mean, don't get me wrong, Pimsleur is really great, but... Italian is not the first foreign language I've learnt, and I'm used to (or maybe prefer) studying in a rather structured way, learning the grammar of the language while building conversational, reading and writing skills. So Pimsleur, which is based almost exclusively on listening and repetition, didn't work ideally for me...This book, however, was just the right thing that helped me move on and made the whole experience of learning with Pimsleur enjoyable. It is very user-friendly, highly suitable for beginners, and presented in a very clear way, making it very easy to find everything quickly. So whenever while listening to my Pimsleur CDs a "why" question arises in my mind, I open this book and find the answer quickly - really quickly.

Basically, I would recommend it to any beginner who started to learn Italian with one method or the other. Like I said, very clear, quite comprehensive and at the same time beginner-friendly. Even if you started learning Italian this week, this grammar is for you, because everything is laid-out in plain English. I believe it will also provide me with a convenient way to bridge the gap after I finish with Pimsleur to move on to more advanced speaking, reading and writing.

Two corrections by the author, Joseph E. Germano.......2007-03-03

Re: SCHAUM'S OUTLINE OF ITALIAN GRAMMAR, THIRD EDITION, 2007.

While checking the accuracy of the book whose copies I have just received from McGraw-Hill, I have noticed three mistakes. The corrections are as follows:

1. The correct number of pages is 353 (not 330)!

2. On the front cover it is stated that there are 389 exercises with answers; NO: the exact number is 480 EXERCISES WITH ANSWERS.

Also, for the reader's benefit, I would like to mention that this THIRD EDITION has NEW FEATURES:

A) A new chapter on Comparatives and Superlatives, CHAPTER 4;

B) For the first time, in any of Schaum's Foreign Language Outlines, this Italian Grammar - Third Edition - offers end-of-book GLOSSARIES that comprise around 2,200 entries: ITALIAN-ENGLISH and ENGLISH ITALIAN, PP. 327-345;

C) A THOROUGHLY REVISED SUBJECT INDEX, PP. 347-353;

D) All CHAPTERS HAVE BEEN UPDATED;

E) A TOTAL OF 70 BRAND NEW PAGES HAVE BEEN ADDED;

F) Because of the recent switch from LIRA to EURO of the Italian Monetary System, the PREFACE has a long PARAGRAPH ON THE EURO detailing its use in GRAMMAR, AND THE WRITTEN FORM OF EVERY COIN and BANK NOTE.

G) On every page of the ANSWERS section appears the number of the CHAPTER
for easy reference.

-THANK YOU.

Italian grammar.......2005-12-30

If you want to learn Italian or want to improve your knowledge of Italian grammar you should get this outline. It covers the whole Italian grammar and also includes drills which will help you to improve. However since it does not cover vocabulary I would recommend you the Langenscheidt Standard English-Italian dictionary and a vocabulary outline such as the Schaum's Outline of Italian vocabulary. 501 Italian verbs could also be of good use for you.

GREAT!!.......2002-04-06

I have purchased MANY help books in my quest to learn Italian. But this one has caught me by surprise. It is the first one that seems to be actually helping me, especially remembering the rules.

Best Single Reference.......2001-03-25

Of all the reference books and grammars out there, this is the single best: comprehensive, clear, nonacademic (in the best sense) and very intelligently laid out. Don't miss it.

Average customer rating:

As good as any extensive language book

Italian Phrases For Dummies

Manufacturer: For Dummies
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0764572032

Book Description

Everyday conversations in Italian made easy
Italy is a perennially popular destination for Americans, with three cities (Florence, Rome, and Venice) among the top ten in Travel & Leisure's 2003 "World's Best Cities" poll. This concise, easy-to-use guide helps travelers and students get up to speed fast on conversational Italian, showcasing the most commonly used words and phrases.
Francesca Romana Onofri is an Italian translator and teacher.
Karen Moller is a writer who has worked on several Italian-language projects for Berlitz.

Customer Reviews:

As good as any extensive language book.......2005-04-28

When I travelled to France I bought a copy of "French for Dummies". After six months of studying I could say "I would like a bottle of water", or , "Where does this bus go?" After a week of Italian Phrases for Dummies I could do the same thing in Italian. If your planning a trip to Italy and don't want to waste a lot of time waiding through some text book learning things your going to foget two days after you return home, this book is definatly for you.

Mastering Italian Vocabulary: A Thematic Approach (Mastering Vocabulary Series)

Average customer rating:

A great way to enlarge your Italian vocabulary
molto bene
The Best Italian Vocabulary Book in English
FINALLY...A USEFUL VOCABULARY TOOL ! ! !
it is what it is

Mastering Italian Vocabulary: A Thematic Approach (Mastering Vocabulary Series)
Luciana Feinler-Torriani , and Gunter Klemm
Manufacturer: Barron''s Educational Series
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0764123955

Book Description

This Italian word-power builder presents more than 5,000 words and phrases with translations into English. The feature that makes this vocabulary book distinctive is the way words are divided into themes, grouped together so that the foreign traveler or language student can find words related by subject. The subject themes include business terms, medical terms, household terms, scientific words and phrases, units of measurement, clothing, food and dining, transportation, art and culture— 24 separate themes in all. The new second edition has been expanded and updated with increased vocabulary.

Customer Reviews:

A great way to enlarge your Italian vocabulary.......2007-09-21

Barron's series Mastering Vocabulary is a great tool for language learners! As another reviewer points out, this is not a book for teaching yourself grammar. It is, though, a great way to move on from knowing the basics to being competent in the language.

Using a normal course, such as one in the Colloqial series, you will end up with knowing the grammar relatively well and with a vocabulary of 1500 words. That's a good start, but you need to know more words to get moving. The Mastering Vocabulary series is a great help along the way. By doing one chapter each week, you will know more than 7000 words after half a year. That is enough to live in a language where the language is spoken and use it in all everyday interactions and communication. My only real complaint with the series is that it's not available for more than four languages.

molto bene.......2005-04-16

The strength of this book is two fold. Having the vocabulary organized by categories such as 'Private Life, Social Relations' and 'Feelings, Thoughts, Behaviour', (to name a couple) is very useful. You can locate in the index the area that covers what you want to express. Secondly, the examples of how something is said, especially the idiomatic examples, are very valuable. Along the way there are helpful hints as to exceptions to the rule, warnings about cognate words, etc. All in all, a very fine resource.

The Best Italian Vocabulary Book in English.......2004-10-01

I own several Italian vocabulary books, and this one - while not the largest - is the best. It covers about 5800 of the commonest words and shows many of them in illustrative sentences. This book can be used by learners at any level, but would be difficult for rank beginners. The words are grouped according to theme as in other similar books, but this one stands out in three ways: the usage examples, the indication of irregular accents, and the inclusion of an index. And there's room to write your own additional discoveries in the book. It was originally written in German, but the English translation is unusually good. Plus, it's cheap!

The downside? An occasional typo has crept in, and rarely the Italian and English columns get misaligned for two or three words.

Two pages a day (with frequent review!) and you're on your way. Buon viaggio!

FINALLY...A USEFUL VOCABULARY TOOL ! ! !.......2004-03-03

This book is WONDERFUL! I have so so so many books to build vocabulary and this one is my all time favorite.

Have you ever picked up a vocabulary book and all the words are listed in alphabetical order, much like a dictionary? How boring is it to try and learn that way?

This book uses THEMES and creates SECTIONS with words ASSOCIATED with one another. So, it's never boring.

But it doesn't just teach you WORDS. It gives you GREAT phrases to put the words to work.

It's like getting a vocabulary AND phrase book in one.

If I could give this book 10 stars...I'd do it!

it is what it is.......2003-09-24

This is wonderful book for reviewing vocabulary. You should also know that French, Spanish, and German versions exist as well. The words covered are very helpful, especially for those who like to travel and need to know "easy" words that do not appear frequently in literature but do come up often in offices, stores, etc. Each entry offers a clear example of usage in its proper context. These books are so inexpensive, that it is worth taking one with you on a trip abroad, even if you end up abandoning it at the end to make more room in your suitcase for the books that you want to bring home.

English Grammar for Students of Italian. (English Grammar Series)

Average customer rating:

Good review of grammar
A great find for the Italian language student
A real gem
What a great idea for a book!
Excellent explanation of Grammar, terms and concepts.

English Grammar for Students of Italian. (English Grammar Series)
Karen Primorac
Manufacturer: Olivia & Hill Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0934034206

Customer Reviews:

Good review of grammar.......2007-05-13

This book is an excellent book for those students of Italian who have been out of school for some time and are a little rusty on English grammer as well. I find it very helpful for both English and Italian.

A great find for the Italian language student.......2001-11-07

I purchased this book used at the University of Houston bookstore. I like it primarily because it is concise and easy to carry. I can pack it in my travel bags when I head out to Italy. It is easy for me to look in the table of contents and navigate to the appropriate section.
In a nutshell: compact, to the point, easy to find the info.

A real gem.......2001-10-18

This book is a wonderful read if you were only interested in English grammar, What a wonderful concept to show the concepts of Italian and English grammar side by side. Each section is very readable and I particularly like the fact that each section includes references to other relevant sections. I thought I'd be reading it cover to cover, but I find it's more informative to hop around as my cuiousity is piqued.

What a great idea for a book!.......2001-05-10

This book makes the grammar of both English and Italian stand out in high relief. You'll emerge from it with a firmer grasp of both languages.

If you want to learn Italian, it should be one of the first five things that you buy. The other four should be a good dictionary, How To Pronounce Italian Correctly (the booklet and tape cassette), Ultimate Italian (the book and audio CD or cassettes) and Pimsleur Italian, if you can afford it.

Excellent explanation of Grammar, terms and concepts........2000-03-18

This is an excellent book for English speaking students learning the Italian language.
Please note that it does not help you in pronunciation of the Italian language.
Its aim is to explain the grammatical structure of the English language and the correct Italian equivalent.
It approaches the technical subject of English grammar in a clear, simple and well structured manner. Each section or chapter builds on the previous or makes clear reference to other relevant pages.

The book also contains some hints or suggestions to assist in learning a language - useful for anyone not accustomed to studying or learning a language formally.

If you want to learn a basic 'tourist' level of Italian, this is not the book for you.
If you want a clear insight into the formal structure and grammar of the English language and how it applies to Italian, considering buying this book.

Explaining those technical terms such as 'infinitive', 'participle', 'gerund' etc. this book is well worth considering as an useful addition to your collection.

If I had to pick three books to help me learn the Italian language, I would have this book, an Italian/English dictionary plus one other multi-media book (i.e. text, cassette) covering learning Italian in a simple straight forward manner.

To quote, the book "explains the grammatical terms and concepts that you will encounter in your Italian textbook and relates them to English grammar. ......Once you have understood the terms and concepts in you own language, it will be easier for you to understand your (Italian) textbook".

Book Description

Designed to be used as a handy review text or an enriching companion to any basic Italian text, this book provides readers with the vocabulary needed to converse effectively in Italian about everyday topics. This new edition features 218 sets of practice exercises and many new words and idioms that have entered the Italian language over the past decade due to major cultural and economic changes occurring in Italy since the publication of the first edition.

Customer Reviews:

Schaum's Outlines Italian Vocabulary.......2007-05-13

This is an excellent book for both the beginner and more advanced student. I would highly recommend it to any student of Italian.

Very good!.......2007-02-15

You will enjoy this book -as if you were a children- watching pictures, completing sentences and reading some very short "tales": being at the airport, revising your car, ordering meals at the restaurante...
Just try it!

Thorough but incomplete.......2007-02-02

A man finds himself in a provincial town in Italy where nobody speaks English. Luckily for him, he has a working knowledge of Italian grammar and has recently used Schaum's Outline to brush up his vocabulary. This man can book a room at a hotel, read the menu at a restaurant, ask for directions, rent a car, and perform a few less common tasks like playing volleyball, airing out his political opinions, having his clothes dry-cleaned, and calling the receptionist at 1 a.m. to notify her the faucet's leaking.

Now suppose he wants to go to a museum or to see a church or to hear a concert or to pay a visit to the bookshop. After all, he is in Italy, one of the oldest and richest civilizations in the world. Asking for directions is easy enough; there's a whole chapter devoted to this topic. "Wait a minute!," he stops in mid-question, having just accosted a stranger in the street, "How do you say 'church'? How do you say 'concert hall'? How do you say 'bookshop'?" Even if he's memorized the entire glossary at the end of Schaum's, he may not be acquainted with these words (though he will know the word for "bookmark"). Dismayed, the man returns to the hotel, where he sits at the bar and orders a drink.

Now suppose a gorgeous Italian takes a seat next to him and seems ready to spark up a conversation. The man will naturally want to tell this Italian all about where he was born and grew up, what his hobbies are, what he likes and dislikes, what he feels, what he wishes for himself, and whether he believes in God. He might also wish to add that he's single or recently divorced. Schaum's Outline won't help our poor man: he has been trained to address service providers, not plain old people.

I realize there's a limit to how much one book can teach you. But surely this book could've made room for a chapter on culture and a chapter on informal communication (not to mention a chapter on colors and one on animals which don't wind up in your plate), even if it meant doing away with some utterly repetitive exercises. No one in Italy expects you to quote Dante or to go into minute details about your stamp collection. However, if you still think Michelangelo was a Ninja Turtle, and if all you want to know is how to make reservations or how to dine where the locals dine, you needn't go abroad for that.

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