You know not to order an "expresso" when you step into a caffè and order a coffee. You're comfortable with Italian verbs and can even competently conjugate the congiuntivo trapassato. But you'll never sound like an Italian native if you persist in repeating linguistic "dead giveaways"—that is, grammatical mistakes, habits, or tics that always identifies a native English speaker regardless of how competent that person is in Italian.
Whatever your reasons for studying Italian, there are Italian grammar usage errors that have been pointed out to you innumerable times by your teacher, tutor, and Italian friends, yet you still persist in making them. Or sometimes, those Italian lessons never stick. Here then is a Top 10 list of the red flags that make English speakers stick out no matter how melodious their pronunciation or despite the fact that they've learned how to roll their r's.
Italian Usage Error #1: No Pain, No Gain
Many English speakers have difficulty pronouncing double consonants in Italian. Here's a simple rule: if you see a consonant in Italian, say it! Unlike English, Italian is a phonetic language, so be certain to pronounce (and write!) both consonants in Italian words when they are doubled. That should help you avoid asking for pain (pena) instead of a pen (penna) at la cartoleria (the stationery store), even though some people consider pens instruments of torture since they dislike writing.
Italian Usage Error #2: I Think I Can, I Think I Can
Students of Italian (especially beginners) tend to stick with what they know.
Once they learn the three modal verbs, including potere (to be able to, can), they usually unleash a torrent of sentences beginning "Posso...?" in an effort to sound tactful. But the tendency to use the verb potere when the verb riuscire (to succeed, to manage, to be able) is more accurate is a linguistic quirk that immediately identifies a speaker of Italian for whom English is their madrelingua (native tongue). For example, Non sono riuscito a superare gli esami (I was't able to pass the exams) is correct, whereas the sentence Non ho potuto superare gli esami proves the point in more ways than one.
Italian Usage Error #3: Preposterous Prepositions
At that very second. On December 26. In 2007. For those studying English as a second language it seems that there is no logic, no reason, no rational for the use of prepositions. Those studying Italian usually share the same sentiments. Just compare the difference in these sentences: Vado a casa. Vado in banca. Vado al cinema. Not to mention the fact that tra and fra are interchangeable.
Reconcile the fact that, just as in English, there are few rules and many exceptions regarding the usage of Italian prepositions. The sooner you accept that, the quicker you can move on to...reciprocal reflexive verbs! Seriously, though, there's only one sure-fire way to approach them: commit to memory how to use the preposizioni semplici (simple prepositions) a, con, da, di, in, per, su, and tra/fra.
Italian Usage Error #4: Magari Fosse Vero!
Listen to a reasonably fluent non-native English speaker and chances are you won't hear her use the term "goes" in place of "says" ("...so my friend goes: 'When are you going to learn to speak English correctly?'"), or the hackneyed conversation filler "it's like, you know,..." There are many other words and phrases that are not part of standard English grammar but are common features of casual conversation, as opposed to the formal, written language. Likewise, there are several words and phrases in Italian that have minimal semantic content on their own, but serve important linguistic functions. A conversant who never utters them sounds slightly overformal and textbookish. They are difficult to translate, but mastering such terms such as cioè, insomma, magari, and mica might even get you elected to the board of Accademia della Crusca.
Italian Usage Error #5: Speaking Without Opening Your Mouth
Italians use body language and hand gestures to punctuate an expression and give it a shading that the word or phrase itself lacks. So, unless you want to be mistaken for the indifferent (read non-native Italian) in the corner who keeps his hands stuffed in his pocket, learn a few Italian hand gestures and other nonverbal responses, and join in the animated discussion.
Whatever your reasons for studying Italian, there are Italian grammar usage errors that have been pointed out to you innumerable times by your teacher, tutor, and Italian friends, yet you still persist in making them. Or sometimes, those Italian lessons never stick. Here then is a Top 10 list of the red flags that make English speakers stick out no matter how melodious their pronunciation or despite the fact that they've learned how to roll their r's.
Italian Usage Error #1: No Pain, No Gain
Many English speakers have difficulty pronouncing double consonants in Italian. Here's a simple rule: if you see a consonant in Italian, say it! Unlike English, Italian is a phonetic language, so be certain to pronounce (and write!) both consonants in Italian words when they are doubled. That should help you avoid asking for pain (pena) instead of a pen (penna) at la cartoleria (the stationery store), even though some people consider pens instruments of torture since they dislike writing.
Italian Usage Error #2: I Think I Can, I Think I Can
Students of Italian (especially beginners) tend to stick with what they know.
Once they learn the three modal verbs, including potere (to be able to, can), they usually unleash a torrent of sentences beginning "Posso...?" in an effort to sound tactful. But the tendency to use the verb potere when the verb riuscire (to succeed, to manage, to be able) is more accurate is a linguistic quirk that immediately identifies a speaker of Italian for whom English is their madrelingua (native tongue). For example, Non sono riuscito a superare gli esami (I was't able to pass the exams) is correct, whereas the sentence Non ho potuto superare gli esami proves the point in more ways than one.
Italian Usage Error #3: Preposterous Prepositions
At that very second. On December 26. In 2007. For those studying English as a second language it seems that there is no logic, no reason, no rational for the use of prepositions. Those studying Italian usually share the same sentiments. Just compare the difference in these sentences: Vado a casa. Vado in banca. Vado al cinema. Not to mention the fact that tra and fra are interchangeable.
Reconcile the fact that, just as in English, there are few rules and many exceptions regarding the usage of Italian prepositions. The sooner you accept that, the quicker you can move on to...reciprocal reflexive verbs! Seriously, though, there's only one sure-fire way to approach them: commit to memory how to use the preposizioni semplici (simple prepositions) a, con, da, di, in, per, su, and tra/fra.
Italian Usage Error #4: Magari Fosse Vero!
Listen to a reasonably fluent non-native English speaker and chances are you won't hear her use the term "goes" in place of "says" ("...so my friend goes: 'When are you going to learn to speak English correctly?'"), or the hackneyed conversation filler "it's like, you know,..." There are many other words and phrases that are not part of standard English grammar but are common features of casual conversation, as opposed to the formal, written language. Likewise, there are several words and phrases in Italian that have minimal semantic content on their own, but serve important linguistic functions. A conversant who never utters them sounds slightly overformal and textbookish. They are difficult to translate, but mastering such terms such as cioè, insomma, magari, and mica might even get you elected to the board of Accademia della Crusca.
Italian Usage Error #5: Speaking Without Opening Your Mouth
Italians use body language and hand gestures to punctuate an expression and give it a shading that the word or phrase itself lacks. So, unless you want to be mistaken for the indifferent (read non-native Italian) in the corner who keeps his hands stuffed in his pocket, learn a few Italian hand gestures and other nonverbal responses, and join in the animated discussion.
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