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Italian: History & Culture Through Language
240 pages, Hardcover
Published August 11, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
September 12, 2026
This is the second book in this series, after the one for Ireland – I thought I'd seen notice of further ones to come at one point, but evidently not. Last time (https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...)
I really felt the book was designed to teach me about Irish people – the phrases and words were there to tell me what they taught us about the users. Here, this feels at least more like a straight language guide, telling me about the language much more than it is its speakers. This is backed up by the initial section being two-word phrases and interjections ("che bello", "bravo/a", etc) – it's a mighty long time before we get a full sentence of note, such as a proverb.
OK, some of the contents belie this thinking – "mi raccomando" helps emphasise Italian attentiveness and responsibility, apparently – but the bulk of my memories of the earlier book were certainly left regarding the more unusual and untranslatable idioms, rather than the "ciao"s of this world. We get more grammar here, regarding word form and word order, but while that may be welcome to many it may also be because this is defining simpler, more everyday and more global utterances, and not the strictly Italiano. And that there is a page to fill each and every time.
Without wanting to hark on about a previous book too much, I can't remember the Irish having such a menu guide as the second part here – everything from how to pronounce bruschetta – the right way, obvs – to pizza bianca. And the 'family and traditions' chapter had more of the tourist office product than I expected – no way did I predict the Venice Film Festival – or Formula 1 – to be included!
This, to be fair, does give you a good footing where everyday Italian phrases are concerned, allowing you to get into the Italian mindset (if not their red knickers). Using this you could certainly get to grips with what they're routinely thinking and saying. It's more for the tourist than the lexicographer or word trivia buff. But I think this is more common-or-garden, and the flavour of Italian uniqueness isn't there as much as hoped. Three and a half stelle.
I really felt the book was designed to teach me about Irish people – the phrases and words were there to tell me what they taught us about the users. Here, this feels at least more like a straight language guide, telling me about the language much more than it is its speakers. This is backed up by the initial section being two-word phrases and interjections ("che bello", "bravo/a", etc) – it's a mighty long time before we get a full sentence of note, such as a proverb.
OK, some of the contents belie this thinking – "mi raccomando" helps emphasise Italian attentiveness and responsibility, apparently – but the bulk of my memories of the earlier book were certainly left regarding the more unusual and untranslatable idioms, rather than the "ciao"s of this world. We get more grammar here, regarding word form and word order, but while that may be welcome to many it may also be because this is defining simpler, more everyday and more global utterances, and not the strictly Italiano. And that there is a page to fill each and every time.
Without wanting to hark on about a previous book too much, I can't remember the Irish having such a menu guide as the second part here – everything from how to pronounce bruschetta – the right way, obvs – to pizza bianca. And the 'family and traditions' chapter had more of the tourist office product than I expected – no way did I predict the Venice Film Festival – or Formula 1 – to be included!
This, to be fair, does give you a good footing where everyday Italian phrases are concerned, allowing you to get into the Italian mindset (if not their red knickers). Using this you could certainly get to grips with what they're routinely thinking and saying. It's more for the tourist than the lexicographer or word trivia buff. But I think this is more common-or-garden, and the flavour of Italian uniqueness isn't there as much as hoped. Three and a half stelle.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Italians have a special way with expressing themselves, not just through language but food, tradition, way of life, culture, hand gestures, and history. Through two hundred words and phrases, author Margherita Berti writes about Italy’s soul, one I am very familiar with as I live part time in Croatia only 45 minutes from Italy. But this is book is more than that…there is also history, descriptions about language shaping culture, literary Latin, and the tremendous influence Italian has had over the centuries to now. Heck, there are even travel tips!
The Italian alphabet and pronunciations are incredibly useful and described simply, though with vibrancy befitting this wondrous country. Expressions such as “vivere alla giornata” (live day by day) and common and less-common words including “dai”, “boh”, “pronto”, and “prego” are insightful. “Ninna nanna” (lullaby) is very sweet. Plus one of my favourite topics is expounded on…food and eating. There are merenda (marenda in the north, which we also have in Croatia), food courses, truffles, roasted chestnuts, gelato, and food festivals.
All sorts of light bulbs flashed in my mind during my reading of this delightfully informative book. Out of respect for Italy (not to mention enjoyment!), I like to use my smattering of Italian when visiting but now have a much, much better grasp on the hows and whys. The book fed my brain and filled my heart with happiness.
The Italian alphabet and pronunciations are incredibly useful and described simply, though with vibrancy befitting this wondrous country. Expressions such as “vivere alla giornata” (live day by day) and common and less-common words including “dai”, “boh”, “pronto”, and “prego” are insightful. “Ninna nanna” (lullaby) is very sweet. Plus one of my favourite topics is expounded on…food and eating. There are merenda (marenda in the north, which we also have in Croatia), food courses, truffles, roasted chestnuts, gelato, and food festivals.
All sorts of light bulbs flashed in my mind during my reading of this delightfully informative book. Out of respect for Italy (not to mention enjoyment!), I like to use my smattering of Italian when visiting but now have a much, much better grasp on the hows and whys. The book fed my brain and filled my heart with happiness.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Non chi piove that this is a very good book everyone who is interested in not only languages/ italian language but also etymology.
Per fortuna, I found it and I would love a physical copy of it. I especially enjoyed reading the fifth chapter.
Grazie!
Per fortuna, I found it and I would love a physical copy of it. I especially enjoyed reading the fifth chapter.
Grazie!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The content of this book is excellent. I have some knowledge of Italian, and I found some really interesting tidbits here. Unfortunately, the book may seem a little boring, with the alphabetical presentation and the lack of illustrations.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews