La Bella Lingua by Dianne Hales
Please welcome Dianne Hales, author of the new book La Bella Lingua, which I’ve already told you about when we discussed my favorite False Friends.
Well today is La Bella Lingua‘s release date, and I have to tell you, this book is fabulous!
I got my copy two weeks ago–and flew through it in a weekend. I plan on reading it again.
For anyone who has been enchanted by the always beautiful, often frustrating Italian language and tried to grasp its basics as well as its intricacies, Dianne’s tales will not only ring true but also comfort you.
From obscure word etymologies to entertaining anecdotes, La Bella Lingua will keep you turning pages, nodding along in agreement, laughing, and even learning–I picked up quite a few new words myself.
And the writing? A sheer pleasure. Truly.
A *must* for any lover of the Italian language, this book assolutamente warrants five espresso cups out of five.
What’s that? You’d like a copy for yourself?
Well FIVE lucky Bleeding Espresso readers have a chance to do just that.
Simply leave a comment on this post at or before 11:59 p.m. (Italy time), May 19, and I’ll draw FIVE names at random as winners.
**UPDATED: For those of you in Italy who were wondering how to find a copy, you can order the book through Webster.it for €22,37 and shipping is free!
Benvenuta Dianne!
Never did I—a sensible woman of sturdy Polish peasant stock—expect to become madly, gladly, giddily besotted with the world’s most luscious language. But on a mostly mute maiden voyage to Italy in 1983, Italians had talked constantly to, at, and around me. Yearning for a few words to offer in return, I decided to study their language.
My first teacher was an intense young woman from the Abruzzi who had recently moved with her new American husband to San Francisco. She insisted that I repeat an Italian sentence that translated into “I am going into the corridor to smoke a cigarette.”
“But I don’t smoke,” I objected.
“Italians smoke,” she countered.
“Signora, questa frase è importante.”
“It’s not important to me,” I persisted. “I am never, ever going into a corridor in Italy to smoke.”
She sighed. I changed the subject and asked her what she missed most about Italy. “La piazza,” she said as wistfully as if it were the name of a loved one left behind. After a few seconds, she added, “La domenica.”
“Sundays?”
“When you go to Mamma’s.” She began to sob. Shortly thereafter she packed up and returned to Italy.
My next teacher, an aspiring actress who taught Italian to local children, displayed picture books of baby ducks and puppies. When I balked at learning ninnananne (lullabies), she handed me off to her father, who taught Italian at the local community college. Tony, a trim Neapolitan who biked over the hills to my home, would break into arias, dropping onto one knee to serenade me with “E lucevan le stelle” and “Che gelida manina.”
Soon I was a goner, inebriated with Italian’s sounds, lovesick for its phrases. My next classroom was a Sausalito bungalow festooned with so many cherubs and hearts that I thought of its voluptuous owner as la mia Valentina. A Romana (and professional chef) of indeterminate age with henna hair and a full figure Italians might describe as abbondante, she served me delectable merende (snacks) and juicy tales of long-ago lovers.
Crossing the line from tourist to scholar, I decided I was ready to study in Italy. However, the first teacher I had arranged to study with developed a leg cramp while swimming off the Amalfi coast. A Sicilian prince sailing nearby swept her onto his private yacht—and then into a castello by the sea, She never again gave lessons—or, for all I know, decamped from her royal digs. I had better luck at a private school in a Renaissance villa in Assisi, where a faculty of striking young women did indeed excuse themselves to smoke cigarettes in the corridor.
The professor who headed the school complimented my grammar but grimaced at my accent. I must have looked crestfallen, for he hastened to assure me that this was “un problemino,” a teeny tiny problem. All that I had to do, he explained, was talk with more Italians. And so I did.
Returning to Italy every year, I improved my Italian in the most tried-and-true way: by tripping over my tongue and learning from my mistakes. At Camponeschi, our favorite restaurant in Rome, the waiters giggled when they overheard me describe the wonderful view from our terrace of the roofs of Rome. Instead of the masculine tetti (roofs, pronounced tet-tee), I had used the feminine slang tette (tits, pronounced tet-tay).
The madly ambitious idea of writing a book about a language other than my own grew out of a fiction-writing group I belonged to for several years. I wrote a rather prosaic novel called Becoming Italian about the adventures of a group of students, interspersed with notes on the language. Character, plot, and dialogue didn’t much interest me; writing about Italian was the most fun I’d ever had with a word-processing program.
I found the perfect collaborator in Alessandra, a Romana who migrated to the United States years ago and who taught me Italian the way Italians learn the language—through fairy tales, comic books, epic poems, classic novels, operas, folk songs, movies, newspapers, and hours and hours of chatting (chiacchierare) in Italian. I began each session with a mantra: “Sono italiana, sono italiana, sono italiana. “I am Italian, I am Italian, I am Italian.” I must see with Italian eyes, Alessandra would remind me, hear with Italian ears, speak with Italian rhythms.
“How would you say, ‘Give me a kiss?’” Alessandra asked one day.
“Dammi un bacio,” I replied, somewhat taken aback by the query.
“No, no, no,” she chastised gently, explaining that the combination of “n” and “b” strikes an Italian ear as molto brutta, so I must run them together into an “m.”
“Dammi umbacio!” I dutifully repeated, although this phrase seemed even less likely to enter my conversations in Italy than excusing myself to smoke in the hallway.
I was wrong. One of the many Italians who coached me in their language asked for a kiss (and, yes, he said umbacio) the first time we met. When I pulled away, he added the irresistible kicker, “But I’m 87!”
In time all of Italy became my school house, and virtually all the Italians I met enthusiastic (and patient) tutors. In contrast to the French, who praise an impeccable speaker for having une langue châtiée, which literally means a punished tongue, an Italian friend gave me the highest of compliments when he said that my Italian had progressed from being involto (rolled tight, like cannelloni) to disinvolto, as loose and easy, in his words, as a lasagna noodle.
La Bella Lingua–a true opera amorosa, a labor of love—chronicles my idiosyncratic journey through (arguably, I concede) the world’s most loved and lovable language. I have cherry-picked the liveliest parts of Italian’s history and the golden eras of its literature, art, music, movies, and culture.
In its pages, you will meet the people, visit the places, read the words, behold the paintings, hear the music, taste the meals, and watch the movies that taught me the greatest of Italian secrets: how to make the soul smile.
——-
Thanks so much Dianne!
Remember to comment for a chance to win a copy of La Bella Lingua!
130 Beans of Wisdom to “La Bella Lingua by Dianne Hales”
« Older Comments Newer Comments »Add your two beans of wisdom.
Michelle Fabio is an American attorney-turned-freelance writer living in her family's ancestral village in Calabria, Italy and savoring simplicity one sip at a time.
Affiliates, Sponsors & Supporters
Nutella E-book for Sale
Logo by:
Recipes
Great! her “roof” slip reminds of my own “penne” blunder years back! gotta love it! I will definitely get this book to bring over and read on my terrazza this summer in Calabria!!!
I have to say this was definitely great reading on my balcony in Calabria
If you’re around Badolato this summer, let me know!
[Reply]
I sounds like she had fun learning Italian. Definitely more fun than sitting in some stuffy college classroom listening to an older woman from Rome that was married to a rich guy from Old Saybrook, CT!
Hah, are you speaking for experience or what?
[Reply]
I’m really excited to read this book. . . thank you for introducing it on your site. There’s nothing like reading about something you love written by a passionate person.
Best of luck in the drawing, Josephine, and thanks for coming by
[Reply]
seems like the perfect book for me
i recently moved to rural italy and have been picking up the language by listening, listening, listening, speaking, films, music and more listening and speaking. thanks for introducing the book!
Sounds a lot like my first year here, Martha…it really is a fun way to learn, I have to say
[Reply]
Hello:
Having recently studied the Italian Language as one of my Graduation requirements at Harvard University, I truly appreciate your blog. One on the most difficult aspects of the languae is speaking it, and as you alluded to…the pronounciation. I can’t wait to read the book.
While I was in Badolato looking for my family roots, I had the pleaure to spend a lot of time with Michelle. Her grasp of the language not only fascinated me, but came to my rescue on numerous occasions. Since my visit was prior to completing the language classes, i can not wait to go back and see her again so we can converse.
Thank you for creating such a book. It is charming and useful.
Elaine Victoria Grey
Watertown, Massachusetts
Hope to see you back in Badolato soon, Elaine!
[Reply]
I have been reading the book feeds nearly daily from Ms, Hayes…I have enjoyed them immensely. And even though my husband is Italian, there have been some tidbits about the lingua that even surprise him!
P was impressed that I knew the origin of the veline (he didn’t)…learned in this book
[Reply]
the book sounds wonderful! I would like a chance at it! Grazie!
The Italian Dish’s last blog post..Asparagus Frittata
In bocca al lupo!
[Reply]
Congratulations Dianne, and thank-you Michelle for letting us in on this delightful discovery! Sounds like the perfect read on that long flight to Italy. Can’t wait to get it!
Absolutely great reading for the plane! Enjoy
[Reply]
What a lovely account of a love affair. I can’t imagine, as after an unmentionable number of years actually living here I am STILL having a terrible time with the language – but I will agree, it is absolutely beautiful to hear someone speaking with a musical voice and a delicious accent. There is not a prettier language in the world. And if the book is half as good as the post it will be a pleasure to read every word!
Fern Driscoll’s last blog post..One Year and Counting
Ah, but the book is even better Fern! You’re going to love it
[Reply]
Can we purchase this book in the US? From 2006-2007 I could have walked to Feltrinelli to pick up my own copy, but unfortunately now I would have to hop on a plane. I moved to Rome not speaking a word and by the time I left I could speak passable “Roman” italian and anytime I would travel elsewhere people knew exactly where I learned to speak. I was constantly confused by the Roman slang and how to make my phrases more beautiful as all Italians do. I never “got it” and your excerpt of umbaccio perfectly illustrates the type of things I could never quite remember/understand, as does the tette example (a common problem I had with my pronunciation and inability to remember genders of words!). While I have left Italy, I still hold her beauty and language very close to my heart.
You can absolutely buy it in the US…pretty much wherever books are sold, I imagine
Thanks for coming by Kat!
[Reply]
My wife and I love to visit Italy. We just got back form three weeks in Italy, it was our fourth trip in the last four years. We are planning on going to Sicily next year for two weeks to visit some of my family.
We have been trying to learn Italian with Rosetta Stone it’s hard for a seventy one man.
I love everything about Italy the language,culture, pasta, wine
Complimenti for learning the language Mickey! It’s difficult for a 32-year-old woman too, believe me
[Reply]
Ah, falsi amici… gotta watch out for those!
Dangerous indeed….
[Reply]
I LOVE this! I understand what she is saying about learning a non-mother tongue language. Been there. The one comment I loved was that her favorite restaurant is Camponeschi in Rome. My dearest friends are Compeneschi, distant relatives of the founders of the restaurant. I will be visiting my son in Italy this December and can’t wait to try the Roma Camponeschi.
Sounds great, Bonnie! Enjoy
[Reply]
I would love to be immersed in the book. I’m going to live in Rome, Italy for one year, arriving in Sept 2009. Since I know Spanish, I am sure I will be able to relate both languages & learn italian fast! I am looking forward to share all the beautiful & romantic scenarios Rome & all other cities have, the food, wine, people, the music & their culture.
Chao!
Best of luck Eva!
[Reply]
I just ordered some stuff last night from Amazon and I knew that there was something I wanted and couldn’t remember!
Darn burned out brain cells!!
Add me to the roster!
Got some Daphne Du Maurier books, though! Yeah, baby!
jmisgro’s last blog post..And the Winner is…
Fun fun! Perhaps you’ll win a copy here and won’t need to order
[Reply]
What a fun book and fun post! I’ve been trying to learn Italiano, it’s fun, difficult, and just when I think I’m starting to master a little piece, I get thrown for loop. It is such a beautiful languange. I first learned some words for my doctor, then found my family in Italy and it’s progressed from there. A miracle in itself. Grazie mille e ciao bella!
What an interesting progression through the language you’ve had! And yes, Italian definitely has a way of putting you in your place
Good luck!
[Reply]
Since a young gal of ten or so, I wanted to move to Italy – pretty remarkable considering I haven’t a drop of Italian in me. Then I married (you guessed it…) Valentino and my love affair with Italy was now given a reason to continue. But my sweet Val was trying to be “American” and was busy practicing English! Just a few short years ago I decided to try on my own and got DISH to have RAI on TV! Soap operas (I HATE ours) suddenly became more interesting because they were easiest to follow a general storyline to figure language with a dictionary in hand. Then I progressed to variety shows and finally game shows – I also became a huge soccer fan along the way. Visits to Italy are becoming more interesting as I can now understand more of the conversations and actually participate! Of course, my in-laws are loving and tolerant – but I have encountered confused folks elsewhere trying to decipher my fractured Italian – but they always end up laughing along with me and finally figuring it out – my brother-in-law insists it is because I speak Italian with a great Spanish accent and Southern drawl! This book will have to be a definite read!
Bonnie
What a fabulous story, Bonnie! I started watching the soaps here as well–*really* helped with Italian also because the lines are rather predictable and cliche
Best of luck in the drawing!
[Reply]
I just returned from my first trip to Italy and am even more eager to speak Italian so that I can be understood- My mother, a first generation Italian-American, would never teach me Italian because she got criticized for having an accent. The sounds of all the Italians I heard throughout Italy, including Avella (25 train stops north and east of Naples, where my grandparents lived) were music and home to me. I am looking forward to reading this book!
Coming here really sparked my desire to learn the language as well, Lorraine…best of luck in the drawing
[Reply]
“… always beautiful, often frustrating …”, this certainly sums up the Italian language. I can hardly wait to read this book (and free is good). And, as an additional bonus, I’ve found a new web site.
Yay! Thanks so much for coming by Roberto
[Reply]
Veramente, la lingua bella! Looking forward to getting my copy of “La Lingua Bella”. Began studying the language at age 66 at the local Univ. and have been at it for ten years and three trip to Italia. It is a language to be learned in one’s youth, but I, like many others, was kept from it because of my parents desire to speak the language of their new country. This didn’t keep them from speaking italian when they didn’t want us kids to understand however! Pecato!
A shame, indeed. Kudos to you for having the desire to learn it anyway! You’re going to love this book
[Reply]
I’ve had a love affair with Italy for most of my life. I finally visited there a couple of years ago, but only for a few days. I would love to return and really experience the culture and all it has to offer. Sounds like this book will at least let me experience it vicariously until I can save enough money and vacation time to return!
Ami’s last blog post..Another Local Summer
Best of luck, Ami!
[Reply]
I love hearing anyone speak in Italian. Ooooh, I have such a love affair with the language too!
Hee hee, there are many of us who feel the same
[Reply]
this book sounds like the perfect birthday gift for Art! Thanks!
Barbara’s last blog post..IT’S DERBY DAY!
A gift you can share! Love it, Barb!
[Reply]
This books sounds wonderful! Count me in!
Anali’s last blog post..Wanna Walk With Me?
Best of luck Anali!
[Reply]
This book sounds like a lot of fun…I’d love a chance to win a copy!
softdrink’s last blog post..A night at the movies (via twitter)
Best of luck Softdrink
[Reply]
Thank God
I am not the only one who gets the masculine & feminine pronunciation mixed up. Have struggled through many lessons and much laughter with the tongue twisters. Makes English seem like such a basic language, where is the romance in everything being non-gender. I look forward so much to seeing this book on a shelf here in Australia.
Thank you Michelle, you are living my dream life, and I can only watch on from a distance. Your blog allows me to dream and escape for a little while each day.
Grazie
Aw, thank you so much! It’s my pleasure to provide some escape, which we all need now and again
[Reply]
I’ve just ordered Dianne’s book as I’m studying hard for my workshop in the Cinque Terre in September. I’d like to at least be able to say a few sentences in Italian with confidence. I love all things Italian, but especially the language. It’s a unique rhythmic language that expresses deep human emotions, embellished by a great poet–Dante. I look forward to reading the book. Thanks Michelle.
Lenora’s last blog post..Italian Spaghetti Sauce Recipe
I’m sure you’ll do wonderfully in the Cinque Terre in September, Lenora! It’s in your blood
[Reply]
Wow, I can’t wait to read what promises to be a really awesome book. Veramente, non vedo l’ora!
You’ve just used one of my favorite Italian phrases Dave…so poetic, isn’t it?!
[Reply]
Cara Siga. Hales
I am of Italian descent, and love all things Italian.
I rarely have the opportunity to go there, so I look forward to reading of your experiences, and adventures.
If i am not one of the lucky few, I will certainly be purchasing a copy of your book.
My Grandparents came to Britain, in 1910. My brother and I grew up with all the benefits that a real ‘Nonna’ can bestow, and we both make food in the way she did, for special days such as Easter and Christmas.
We have lots of good memories of her, and whenever I read about Italian life, it brings them all back to me.
My greatest regret is that I was never able to make Italy my permanent home, and it seems also now that I never will.
So I do it by proxy and take delight in others experiences and stories.
Peter
Will be sure to pass along your comment to Dianne, Peter
[Reply]
Just trying my luck! I’ve read some of Dianne’s blog posts and she’s great in explaining all things Italian. It certainly isn’t a simple language. Even the Spanish students in my class complain.
Wishing you lots of luck, Sheryl!
[Reply]
I am italian, and I teach italian. Just reading some of the excerpts make me want to read Dianne’s book, I’ll definitely recommend it to my students! Italian can be challenging at times, but loving Italy, the language, the musi, the food is what joins us all together!
Beautifully stated, Vanna! Thanks for coming by
[Reply]
I look forward to reading “La Bella Lingua”. I’m Italian-American on my mother’s side (my grandmother was from Torre Annunziata, near Naples), and I was fortunate enough to have lived in Naples for two-and-a-half years in the late 1960s when I was a teenager. I studied Italian at the American high school while I was there, then in 2000 I took a leisure class in Italian at the local university, and I was surprised at how much I remembered. It is truly a beautiful language. One of the aspects that I find fascinating is the variety of dialects.
I will recommend that the public library where I work add “La Bella Lingua” to its collection (and, of course, I hope I am the lucky recipient of one of the gift copies).
I agree the dialects are truly wonderful as well; your public library will be pleased with your suggestion, I’m sure. Best of luck, Michael!
[Reply]
this book sounds very interesting. i love reading about people who fall in love with places and language. i’ve been to Italy many times and i look forward to visiting again as soon as i can manage another trip.
Come on over, Joanna!
[Reply]
I would love to read this book. I have an Italian girlfriend who would think it a hoot if I win it!
Rebecca’s last blog post..I LOVE Junonia.com!
Best of luck in the drawing, Rebecca! Thanks for coming by
[Reply]
This sounds like the type of book my husband and I need to read before our trip to Italy next summer! I’m excited to get a copy one way or the other! Thank you for sharing your experiences with us!
Best of luck Dawne!
[Reply]
Thanks to all of you for your heart-warming comments and interest in my book. I think you’ll also relate to one of my blog-followers who described herself as having an Italian soul trapped in the body of an Irish-American nurse anesthesist in New England. Another told me that speaking Italian is the closest he feels he’ll ever come to singing!
As for where to find La Bella Lingua, it’s online and in bookstores in the U.S. and on amazon.uk, but I don’t know about Australia.
Grazie tanto!
Dianne
I love that description, Dianne! Thanks for sharing
[Reply]
I am trying to learn Italian and have already discovered Diane’s blog, which is fantastic, so I can’t wait to get my hands on a copy of her book.
You will absolutely love having Dianne’s tales all collected in one place, Sue
[Reply]
Hi, Michelle!
I’ll buy my own copy if I want it. Just wanted to pop in and say hello now that I am back in the USA from my last 2-month trip to Lombardia…you can see me signing in from Milan (thought I was really in Brescia) during March and April right on through to May. How I wish I were still there!
Ciao Imani! Good to “see” you again…perhaps you’ll head south next time
[Reply]
I wish this had been published sooner! I leave for my first trip to Italy on 5/23/09. I have been trying to learn Italian listening to CDs in my car and fear I will mostly be tripping over my tounge while Italians laugh at me! I am sure I will appreciate reading this when I return from my trip.
Absolutely, Erin; you’ll probably appreciate it even more once you have your own Italian experiences with you
[Reply]
What a great guest post…good luck on the book!
Thotlady’s last blog post..
So glad you enjoyed, Thotlady (and it’s lovely to “see” you)
[Reply]
Oooh, oooh – I can’t wait to read it!!!
Elle’s last blog post..for sale
Best of luck bella!
[Reply]
Oh, no. I can’t find it at my library. I may have to buy it. Can I find it at Amazon?
Paulita’s last blog post..Big Footprints
Yes, just click the photo of the book above and it’ll take you to the Amazon page…and be sure to recommend your library gets a copy!
[Reply]
The hits just keep on rolling at Bleeding Espresso and the giveaways too. Excellent feature.
Marla’s last blog post..Funky Sneakers
Thanks Marla
[Reply]
This book looks like it’s right up my alley! I love all things Italian-
I had to laugh at the tetti -vs- tette. That is so what I do!
Hah, unfortunately it’s what a lot of us do
Best of luck, Billie!
[Reply]
I have always been fascinated by the Italian language. This book sounds like the perfect read to begin my summer “staycation.” If I don’t win it, I will certainly buy it! Thanks for bringing it to our attention!
Staycations rock, especially with great books like this; best of luck Diane
[Reply]
I would love to have this book! I can understand so much when I hear Italian spoken, but putting phrases together is hard for me.
Piccola’s last blog post..Ch-Ch-Ch- Changes
Understanding is half the battle, Piccola…you’re halfway there!
[Reply]
hello! i am loving your blog! i am trying my hardest to make the move to italy…thank you for the link to purchase this must-have book! just in case i do not win it!
do you have any other reading suggestions for me? ox ann-marie
Oh Ann-Marie, do I…check out the all the Italy/Italian sections of my Amazon store.There’s fiction, nonfiction, language books, and more. Enjoy! I’m so glad you’re enjoying the blog
[Reply]
Looking forward to visiting Italy in September/October. A dream of a lifetime. Learning Italian at night class, love the language, want to learn more! This book sounds great, love the blog, I am an avid reader of all Italian, food, culture, language, etc can’t wait to experience some of it. Happy thoughts
Thanks so much, Carolyn! You’re coming to Italy at an absolutely fabulous time
Best of luck in the drawing and with your language learning!
[Reply]
Is the book available in New Zealand?? Hope so.
I’m not sure…you’ll probably have to ask your local bookseller (if you do, be sure to let us know the answer)
[Reply]
You had me at “Che gelida manina”! Sounds like a wonderful read.
Very cute, I agree
Best of luck, Deb!
[Reply]