Italian Demystified

Overview

You can learn to speak Italian in no time--capisci?

It's time to say arrivederci to your fears of learning a new language. With this easy-to-follow guide, you'll have no problema speaking and understanding Italian. Presto! Before you know it, you'll get past ciao and really be able to converse.

Beginning with everyday Italian expressions and a review of basic pronunciation, Italian Demystified covers key grammar fundamentals such as common verb tenses, nouns, pronouns, and gender. Step by step, you'll build your Italian vocabulary with essential words and phrases and quickly master the language. Test yourself at the end of every chapter for reinforcement that you're fast on your way to speaking, writing, and understanding Italian.

This fast and easy guide features:

• Clear grammatical explanations that illustrate how the language works
• Numerous examples that place new vocabulary in practical context
• Helpful writing and speaking exercises that bring the Italian language to life
• Coverage of everyday topics and conversational expressions
• Quizzes at the end of each chapter that reinforce new language skills

Simple enough for a beginner, but challenging enough for a more advanced student, Italian Demystified is your shortcut to fluency in this lingua bellissimo.

Table of contents

Chapter 1: Italian Pronunciation and Spelling
Chapter 2: Meeting and Greeting People
Chapter 3: Asking Questions
Chapter 4: Describing People and Things
Chapter 5: Expressing Likes and Dislikes
Chapter 6: Eating and Drinking
Chapter 7: Telling Time
Chapter 8: Expressing Dates
Chapter 9: Talking About the Weather
Chapter 10: Giving Commands
Chapter 11: Using Reflexive Verbs
Chapter 12: Using the Present Perfect Tense
Chapter 13: Using the Imperfect Tense
Chapter 14: Using the Pluperfect and Past Absolute Tenses
Chapter 15: Talking About the Human Body
Chapter 16: Talking About the Future
Chapter 17: Using the Conditional Tense
Chapter 18: Using Object Pronouns
Chapter 19: Using Double and Attached Object Pronouns
Chapter 20: Making Comparisons

Biographical note

Marcel Danesi is Professor of Semiotics and Anthropology at the University of Toronto. He has been a visiting professor at Rutgers University (1972), The University of Rome "La Sapienza" (1988), the Catholic University of Milan (1990), and has given lectures throughout the academic world. He has also authored and co-authored many books on learning Italian and Spanish, including Learn Italian the Fast and Fun Way and Italian Now! (Barron’s). He is a native of Italy.