3 Things I Will Never Be Able to Do as an Expat Living in Italy
- Su Guillory
- May 22
- 2 min read
In the three and a half years I've lived in Italy, I've come a LOOOONG way (baby). The early-day frustrations have all but dissipated, and my Italian--not to mention dialect--is better and better.
Still, I have to accept that there are some things I'll likely never master.
Master Masculine/Feminine Articles
If you speak even a little Italian, French, Spanish, or Portuguese, you feel me on this. Every noun has an article, whether it's "the" or "a." And every word is masculine or feminine.
It's incredibly difficult to memorize all the genders of all the words! And some words are a trick. For example, problema ends in -a, which should make it feminine, but it is, alas, il problema because it is masculine!
The other day I asked Papà for un cordo (I wanted a cord) and he laughed and made fun of me for days.
Because it's una corda. Whatever. I'm over it.
Have a Perfect Italian Accent
When I was studying on the ItalyMadeEasy.com website years ago, the instructor, Manu, said something that has stuck with me: I as an expat will never sound like a native speaker. (He wasn't speaking to me specifically! All foreigners!)
Ever.
It kind of was a relief, actually. I think of all the people from other countries I know who speak English. I don't care that they don't sound American.
So I'm going to let that goal go. Still, I hate hearing myself speak Italian...
Find the Right Accented Key on my Keyboard
I have an Italian keyboard, and while I don't type in Italian on my computer often, when I do, it's painful. There's a button that allows me to switch from American keys to Italian, but I can never figure out how to make the à or è button. (There! I did it!! Now, how do I change it back?)
But Look At How Far I've Come!
I want to give myself a pat on the back for all the things I never thought I'd master, including:
Speaking to Italians on the phone without breaking a sweat.
Not having ALL children look confused when they hear me speak with my accent (just SOME don't understand me!).
Going to the doctor without a translator in tow.
Having surgery in Rome without a translator in tow.
Dealing with the internet provider when the service goes out. Which is often.
Reading books in Italian.
Getting through a family meal without a headache or needing a nap!
Understanding and speaking a tiny bit of Davolese. If you want to gossip in Davoli, understanding it is a must!
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