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Do You Need to Speak Italian to Visit Italy?

by sockii

Is speaking English in Italy acceptable? Or do you need to be proficient in Italian before planning a vacation to the country?

"Will I be able to enjoy a vacation in Italy if I don't speak or understand Italian?"

I've been asked this question numerous times by people who have enjoyed hearing about my trips to Italy, but were nervous about traveling there themselves because they do not speak the Italian language.

Truth be told, I speak very little Italian myself (though I'm working on it!) and have gotten along perfectly fine in most of my travels in Italy. There have only been a few isolated incidents and places where this was not the case, but not to such an extent that it interfered with my enjoyment of my vacation or caused me any real hardship.

In general, you will find that it is very easy to get along in major cities in Italy (such as Rome, Florence, Venice and Milan) even if you don't speak Italian. Tourism and international business are major industries in these cities. Therefore most shop owners, hotel and restaurant staff members, museum and church guides, and transportation operators have basic proficiency in German, French, Spanish - and yes of course, English! Signage is typically provided in multiple languages, and menus available in both English and Italian.

Menus often are available in multiple languages. If not, these days there's always Google translate on our phones!
Menus often are available in multiple languages. If not, these days there's always Google translate on our phones!

Language issues are much more likely to arise if you are traveling to smaller cities or rural areas of Italy. In such places, speaking Italian may be much more necessary in order to get around easily, order in restaurants, or make purchases in shops. If you would like to visit such areas - even just on a day trip while staying in a larger city - consider traveling with a local Italian guide or large tour group instead of on your own. You can often make such arrangements in advance, or via your hotel upon your arrival in Italy.

I would offer a few points of advice for tourists visiting Italy who do not speak fluent Italian:

1. Take the time to learn at least a few basic phrases in Italian that will help you get around, or even just express that you do not understand someone.

Simple phrases you should learn in Italian before traveling include:

  • "Do you speak English?"
  • "I'm sorry, I do not understand."
  • "Where is...?"
  • "How much?"
  • "I'm sorry/Excuse me."
  • "Thank you."

Making even these small, modest efforts to speak common phrases will be appreciated, and in some cases make Italians more open to switching to English or attempting to communicate more slowly to you. Learning the numbers, at least up to ten and some common multiples (20, 30, 100, 1000, etc.) is something I've found extremely helpful as well.

Rome, Italy

If you don't want to invest in a full language course (either the time or the money), there are now some excellent lesson plans on YouTube you can watch before your trip! Ranging from 3 to 30 minutes a lesson, they're great for picking up some of these important phrases and just getting familiar with the language a little bit. I especially recommend the "Learn Italian For Travel (LIFT)" program, which really helped me expand my vocabulary and improve my pronunciation before my most recent trip.

Th "Italian in 3 minutes" video series is also great if you're short on time. Listen to a lesson or two on your lunch break, while getting breakfast or dinner together, or before going to bed!  After a few days you'll be surprised at how much you're retaining.

2. Always travel with an easy-to-read map on hand.

If taking a taxi, point out your destination on the map to your driver. This will help avoid having the driver accidentally - or perhaps even on purpose - take you to the wrong destination. Most taxi drivers are honest, but in Rome I did once have a driver take me to the wrong place a very long way out of the way, claiming he misunderstood where I wanted to go. Whether it was an intentional scam or just a communication problem, I can't say, but it was an error that cost me at least 20 Euros!

So always keep a physical map on hand, even if you're relying on your smart phone to navigate around. This can also help if you need to pop into a shop or ask someone on the street for directions, too.

These "Streetwise" pocket maps are great for navigating Italian cities...

3. Remain patient and calm when encountering language difficulties.

Speak slowly, but do not shout or think that speaking louder or yelling will make your English any more easily understood. If possible and if the situation is a very problematic one, look or ask around for assistance. Perhaps another shop keep nearby can assist, if you cannot explain your question properly. Or if you're near a hotel, ask for assistance at the front desk or from the door man.

4. Check receipts and displayed charges carefully before handing over your money or credit card.

Make sure the numbers add up correctly, including any service and cover charges which should be listed on a restaurant menu - or tariffs on luggage, night trips, or extra distances traveled by taxi or shuttle service. This knowledge will help you avoid getting ripped off by padded charges and inflated prices that tourists often become victims of.

Cappuccino in Italy

Enjoy your time in Italy!

One of the most incredible places on Earth...
sockii in Rome

All photos on this page were taken by the author, sockii, unless provided by Amazon.

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Updated: 11/10/2018, sockii
 
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frankbeswick on 06/24/2015

With the exception of the UK, where I live, and Ireland where I once lived, Italy is the country that I have visited the most. I did not need Italian, but as a matter of principle I try to have some facility in the language of a country that I visit, however small the facility may be. I have enough Italian to cope in restaurants and shops.

Veronica on 06/24/2015

What a lovely article . TY .

The Italians more than anyone appreciate it if you make an effort to speak a few words of their language. It is a lovely language. I always travel around with a phrase book while I am there but they are such lovely people that they will help you understand.

If you visit the very north of Italy, The Dolomite regions, Italian isn't the main language although they do understand it. They speak a dialect called Ladin which is partly Germanic from the Austrian influences. I did speak some Italian whilst I was in the Dolomites but English was more useful.

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