I Don’t Understand: Non Ho Capito

Salve! One of the most disappointing things about Rome so far is how much English is spoken here now. There are very few words in Italian that I completely understand at this point, much of them having to do with food and drink or being in a restaurant. I could very easily get through my time here and not learn any Italian and my life would really not be burdened much trying to live in this city. English has totally taken over.

Do I want to learn the language? Absolutely, and I’m definitely trying to, but with the massive influx of tourists, students studying abroad, and immigrants from all over the world the “true Italian culture” very much seems to be disappearing. Truthfully, a foreigner in a totally different culture and language region such as myself should be struggling to communicate — but, I find myself in stores getting out a haphazard sentence in beginners Italian and shop workers sighing and just responding to me in English.

I can definitely see why the Italian language is considered a romance language, it's so easy to listen to and seems to flow out of the mouth of the person speaking. One of my favorite things to do in Rome is take a cappuccino and pastry and actually sit down at a table (as opposed to taking it quickly at the bar, as is customary) and listening to the conversations swirling around me. Although I rarely understand much of what is being said, listening to the liveliness that naturally comes with the Italian language is a treat -- plus I find myself more and more picking up words and understanding bit by bit.

Well, here’s to learning Italian piano, piano!

+ Alina