Fodor’s Italian for Travelers 2 CD’s + Phrasebook/Dictionary SEALED NEW

Description

Fodor’s Italian for Travelers
Written by: Living Language
Length: 1 hr and 54 mins
Original Audiobook

Italian for Travelers is the simplest way to get by in Italian, both before you go and while you’re there. It includes all the Italian you need to get to your hotel, read a menu, navigate the sights, and much more. You can learn as much as you need – up to 900 essential words and phrases, and listen to dialogues to get a feel for the language before your trip.

Italian for Travelers is the simplest way to get by in Italian, both before you go and while you’re there. It includes all the Italian you need to get to your hotel, read a menu, navigate the sights, and much more. You can learn as much as you need – up to 900 essential words and phrases, and listen to dialogues to get a feel for the language before your trip.

Independent travelers who use this product should feel reassured that they can ask for what they need; express proper appreciation for assistance; make better informed menu choices and can even hold a friendly conversation with host country residents. Hearing native speakers repeat sounds, words and dialogs in proper cadence and accent is the key element to making the included phrasebook/dictionary usable in the real world. Although I am not an adept linguist, I have found Fodor’s and Living Language products to be equally usable and equally comprehensive in meeting these needs on a basic level.

I migrated to Fodor’s 2-CD Italian package from the older cassette format for ease and speed in finding and replaying spoken phrases and have been well-pleased with the results. Starting with drills for basic sounds and the alphabet, chapters build skills in vocabulary and forming sentences. Again, user repetition of the spoken models is the key to recognizing what is being said to or asked of you in a variety of standard situations and to building user comfort with reproducing the language. As with previous editions, the set includes a paperback version containing written transcriptions of the recorded passages plus a basic dictionary with phonetic transcriptions showing emphasised syllables. Users can follow along and see what they are learning to say. On tour, the 4×7-inch paperback is tote-able and, as necessary, words can be pointed out to locals. Back at the hotel, I use the paperback to plan conversations dealing with specific situations (illnesses, injuries, medicines, first aid supplies and toiletries)and try to locate some words that might be in the answers I might hear. The food vocabulary is very helpful in reading menus but works best if each traveller has some advance ideas of the names of main ingredients in the dishes and courses that might appeal. The text also contains useful background information on the country and how they handle a variety of issues of daily life. This edition omits the “vest pocket” abbridged booklet that used to come with previous sets. Having the more extensive dictionary along probably justifies this change.

0-676-90485-8

Still in shrinkwrap. New, never opened.