Language matters...

Hi folks!

So, this Brit has had some small issues with language recently.  Not with my own language (although this does happen sometimes...particularly early in the morning) but with that lovely lingua italiana. In Italian, there are several different forms of 'you'- the familiar, the formal and the plural. Seeing as recently I have found myself in many more situations where the formal 'you' is required, I have had to do a lot of practise. There have been errors and moments of utter confusion, but I am finally getting better at it. Ahh, if only Italian were an 'only one you is necessary' language like English, where you can address your best friend and the Queen in exactly the same manner. Not that I talk to the Queen much. Ahem. 

To explain the formal/familiar 'you' idea better, here's this lovely Italian lady:

Have any of you had any Italian language related issues?

Ciao for now!

Meet the parents....Italian/English style!

Well, my little Easter break is almost over. Sigh. Luckily I have a mountain of chocolate to get me through the next working week though. That should make it a tad easier ;)

As you'll have seen in my last post, my parents made a trip to Italy to come and see me during the last week. It was amazing to see them, even though it was so sad to say goodbye when they left again. I wanted them to stay indefinitely!
While they were here, they met my boyfriend's parents and brothers, and even though I was a little nervous about it at first, I couldn't have been happier with how it all turned out. No, they don't share a common language but somehow it just worked. My brain was frazzled after playing the interpreter, but it was definitely worth it. We ate, we drank, we talked and we laughed, and then of course, we ate a bit more.

As they all said their goodbyes, there were hugs and kisses and smiles all round. Then my boyfriend's dad told me to tell my parents that they don't ever have to worry about me, because I'm like a daughter to them and they'll take care of me. Honestly, I thought I was going to cry! It was such an incredible feeling to be surrounded by that many wonderful people, all in one place. Despite the language barriers, it had all gone so well.

Have you had any surprisingly good experiences like this? How have you coped with language issues? Even though my brain was exhausted by the end of the week, I wouldn't have changed a thing!