Barron's Italian the Easy Way (Easy Way Series)

by Marcel Danesi

Readers who want to teach themselves Italian at their own pace and outside a formal classroom setting will find this book an excellent source for getting started. Meanwhile, its many exercises and quick-check quizzes make it a fine textbook supplement for classroom use. The book opens with a discussion of Italian sounds, pronunciation, and spelling, with advice on stress and intonation in spoken Italian. Chapters that follow coach readers in greeting people, asking and answering basic question, polite expression, counting, making comparisons, expressing preferences, and carrying on everyday verbal transactions, for instance, at stores, banks, and restaurants. The updated text reflects current trends including use of communications devices and the euro. New in this edition are cultural capsules that discuss Italy and the Italian way of life. The author's pleasant, user-friendly approach to the language helps make learning Italian truly easy.

308 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 1987

About the author

Marcel Danesi (b. Marcello Danesi, 1946) is a current Professor of Semiotics and Linguistic Anthropology at the University of Toronto. He is known for his work in language, communications, and semiotics; being Director of the Program in Semiotics and Communication Theory.

He has also held positions at Rutgers University (1972), The University of Rome "La Sapienza" (1988), the Catholic University of Milan (1990), and the University of Lugano.

He is the Editor-in-Chief of Semiotica: Journal of the International Association for Semiotic Studies and is a past-president of the Semiotic Society of America.

Reviews

[Madame · Rating 2 out of 5]

AVOID, if you seriously wish to learn the language. Nothing is clear, maybe it's TOO easy, if all you want to learn is phrases, which will not help you express yourself via the structure of the language.

[Sally Edsall · Rating 5 out of 5]

I achieved a reasonable degree of proficiency in Italian several years ago, but through lack of use, have forgotten a lot. I bought this book with the intention of doing some self-guided study to "brush up". It is absolutely perfect for that use.

Each short lesson is followed by numerous written exercises. All the answers are in the back (no peeking!)

The book would be a useful supplement for anyone learning Italian through other means - in a class, via audio or computer-based courses. It would give the curious a basic understanding of grammar, but would not be a useful single tool for achieving spoken fluency or comprehension as it does not involve listening or speaking.

But for those in my situation, it is perfect, and much cheaper than buying a full grammar text and/or audio course, much of which you might not need.

[De · Rating 4 out of 5]

Taking 12 weeks of Italian courses and this book is very helpful but the teacher makes all the difference. If you just read it without someone explaining it it's much more dificile.

[Jane Mackay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really 3.5 stars, because the depth and quality of the instruction tapers off in the last few chapters.