How much Italian needed?

[Doodles]

We've done the Camino Frances, Portugal and Arles and have gotten by just with our English and a few words in Spanish, Portuguese and French. We plan to do part of the Via Francigena this year, probably the last 400 km, but I just read in Alison Raju's Via Francigena guidebook that you REALLY need to know Italian well; otherwise, you are going to have a very hard time communicating for anything and that NOBODY speaks English. It is correct? I find it hard to believe.

 

[Bradypus]

It is not true that "NOBODY" speaks English but it is far less commonly spoken than along the Camino Frances or the Camino Portugues. I certainly came across many bar staff and hospitaleros who spoke no English and communication was only possible with my fragments of Italian, sometimes my marginally-better French and a good deal of sign language. On the couple of occasions when I contacted hospitaleros in advance I tried to do so by sms text messages translated into Italian by Google Translate - far from perfect but better than nothing. It is perfectly possible to walk the VF knowing only a few phrases of Italian for polite greetings, ordering food and asking for simple directions. But you will certainly gain more from the experience if you have learned a little more Italian in advance.

 

[evanlow]

I cycle via Francigena for Pavia to Rome. From my experience it is not different from Spain (any Camino except Frances like Primitivo or via dr la Plata, Frances is too English friendly).

I have no problem with food and most general daily stuff (like a tourist in the Italian countryside) but may have a bit of problem in directions or at some of the lodging (particularly the parish church).

 

[annakappa]

The Italians are not the World's best linguists! Certainly not the older generations! We lived in Italy for about 20 years and I had to learn Italian fast.......or not do much communication. My 40 year plus kids hardly learnt a word of English in school. The programme was a total waste of time. So, yes, I would suggest you try and do a quick course of basic Italian! Of course, you will always find the exception, but they are most probably amount the younger generation and you can't skyways count on that when looking for places to stay and also in restaurants ( which might be a bit easier, because you can simply point to items on the menu ( provided you know what the dish is that you are pointing at)!

 

[lovingkindness]

Hello, @Doodles. I spent 4 1/2 months walking the length of Italy on my way to Jerusalem. The only Italian known before starting out was a list of musical terms: largo, lento, allegro, crescendo...etc. Fun words but not the best for finding help in the middle of nowhere. I also spoke a little French and garbled Spanish learnt on the Caminos. That helped.

A pellegrino taught me a couple of phrases and words to get by. These, plus a credencial, a smile and much goodwill sufficed for most of the journey:

Buongiorno!
Sono una pellegrina. Camminando fino a Gerusalemme.
Per favore, dove si trove la chiesa/la parrocchia?
Dormire?
Grazie mille.

Each day I added one or two new words and by the time I reached Bari was communicating grandly.

Cheers,
Lovingkindness

 

[AJ]

I had six 2 hour lessons at evening college before I walked to Rome. It wasn't enough, nevertheless I managed on a mixture of English, French, Spanish and sign language. And most important: good will of which there was plenty.

 

[NeeT]

I have no knowledge on the route as I am doing my first ever Camino (Frances) in June, however I have been learning Italian. When are you leaving? Two things that I think are fantastic for learning it, even if it's just the basics, are https://www.duolingo.com/ and https://www.youtube.com/user/lucreziaoddone. If these don't help, there is always googletranslate