Product Description

This text is one of four titles in a relaunched Phrasebook Dictionary series from Rough Guides. It contains tools of the language, Italian-English and English-Italian, together with contemporary travel tips, a basic grammar and a menu reader.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #235137 in Books
• Published on: 1999-05-06
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 240 pages

Excerpted from Italian Dictionary Phrasebook: the Rough Guide by Lexus. Copyright © 1999. Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved
Introduction

The Rough Guide Italian dictionary phrasebook is a highly practical introduction to the contemporary language. Laid out in clear A-Z style, it uses key-word referencing to lead you straight to the words and phrases you want - so if you need to book a room, just look up 'room'. The Rough Guide gets straight to the point in every situation, in bars and shops, on trains and buses, and in hotels and banks.

The main part of the Rough Guide is a double dictionary: English-Italian then Italian-English. Before that, there's a page explaining the pronunciation system we've used, then a section called The Basics, which sets out the fundamental rules of the language, with plenty of practical examples. You'll also find here other essentials like numbers, dates and telling the time.

Forming the heart of the guide, the English-Italian section gives easy-to-use transliterations of the Italian words wherever pronunciation might be a problem, and to get you involved quickly in two-way communication, the Rough Guide includes dialogues featuring typical responses on key topics - such as renting a car and asking directions. Feature boxes fill you in on cultural pitfalls as well as the simple mechanics of how to make a phone call, what to do in an emergency, where to change money, and more. Throughout this section, cross-references enable you to pinpoint key facts and phrases, while asterisked words indicate where further information can be found in the Basics.

In the Italian-English dictionary, we've given not just the phrases you're likely to hear, but also all the signs, labels, instructions and other basic words you might come across in print or in public places.

Finally the Rough Guide rounds off with an extensive Menu Reader, giving a run-down of food and drink terms that you'll find indispensable whether you're eating out, stopping for a quick drink, or browsing through a local food market. buon viaggio! have a good trip!

Customer Reviews

Well designed, convenient.
This is ideal for carrying around with you all day while in Italy. It is slim enough to fit comfortably in a pocket or bag, and has most of the words you will need in day to day situations. The layout and design are good: clear typography and use of colour. There are many phrases as well as words, and I found surprisingly often that these were just what I needed.

The downside is that there are relatively few words. This cannot be avoided except by making the book bigger or the type smaller. You may want a "proper" dictionary as well. Similarly, the menu reader omits a number of things like the less common varieties of fish, often leaving you guessing. I would have preferred a much more detailed food section as a separate volume. However, for general use, at this price, it's excellent value.

Good size, but would be better with a CD
This book is an excellent introduction for an Italian beginner like me. I enjoyed referring to it in restaurants and cafes, but I soon realized that pronunciation is key to Italian so I plan to find a CD. If the book came with a CD it would be perfect - as it is, it's a great little companion for a tourist in Italy, especially for dining out.

Pocket Sized, Handy.
Well, all I can say for know is that it's handy for bunging in my daypack for my future trips to Italy. Well thought out and explained. Gives a good overview as to how the language is like. I don't think it'll be of much use to a student of the language, but it sure comes in handy for the traveller. I'll write more when i come back from Italy with some practical experience with it. Cheers.