Italian in Buenos Aires
 

So in your experience, how many Porteños actually speak Italian well enough for me to get by? I ask because it'll be my first trip to that magnificent city and all I know are English (100%) French (75%) and Italian (40%). I guess I could add that I know a few words of Spanish and German but not enough to be of much use.

The real question here: will my Italian be of any use whatever? I like to use it when I can--so far, only in Italy http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i2...ile_tongue.gif

Your Italian will be good for recognizing a lot of last names, and certain menu items.

Your French and Italian will have you recognizing a lot of words, signs, you could probably even understand a fair percentage of a newspaper.

If you are experienced with food from Italia, please do not be confused with the food in Argentina that may have an Italian name. :eek:

The largest percentage of immigrants to the country were Italian you know.

I would go along with what Eastbay1K said. I don't think you'll have a problem being understood anyway....even if you have to resort to playing charades and using a mixture of all your languages.

I speak awful Spanish with a Glasgow accent and I can get by. :D

Right, thanks. The 2.5 Romance languages I already have are indeed very useful for recognizing things in Spanish if I see them written out or catch a word or two in conversation. But when people speak Spanish rapidly, as they are wont to do, it might as well be Greek to me http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i2...ile_tongue.gif

I think I'll practice some Spanish!

you said 2.5 romance languages: your French and Italian add to 1.15 language.
anyway, the problem in Argentina is not how fast they speak but the unique accent they have and the slang they use.
Maybe you could watch some Argentinian soap operas (widely available all over the world) and practice listening to them
In reality, with a little of Italian and french and with English you can find your way around Argentina; people are very helpful.

I speak very good (albeit Quebecois) French, fair Portugues, y hablo Chipotle Spanish...and was just fine...and even had a few interesting conversations involving charades. You'll be fine and have a great time!

Not disputing your above noted adjective... but, is this before or after RSJ...??? :eek:

Would not worry too much. My Polish cab driver down there was able to understand Texican.:D There is quite a mix in that city.

Before or after makes no difference.....it's always mumbo jumbo. :D

My wife speaks fluent Italian and rudimentary Spanish (deriving mostly from Italian cognates and admiration for Jose Andres). On both of her trips to BA, she has had occasion to use her Italian in conversation. In the first instance, she was able to get instructions for the byzantine ordering process at a bakery. In the second, we overheard a woman talking (to herself) in Italian and struck up a conversation... apparently she has not had anyone with whom she can converse in Italian since her husband passed 20 years ago.

So knowledge of Italian can provide experiences like these, although it should be noted that these were older women, and I don't know that the younger generations have maintained those linguistic links to the old country.

^ :D