This episode’s audio doesn’t exist, and we have technology to blame (poof! gone into cyberspace!). Instead of listening to this episode, feel free to use the notes below to learn more about the topic. And if you’re like, “CHER, NO. I NEED THIS EPISODE,” then let me know in the comments below. I’ll put it on my list to record again!

Every once in awhile, you find an author that lights you up and makes you fall in love with pieces of life – like opera – you never expected to enjoy.

Dianne Hales, the author of La Bella Lingua: My Love Affair with Italian, the World’s Most Enchanting Language did this for me, and it was an absolute honor to be able to sit down with her and chat about the Italian language and the countless famous playboys in Italy’s history.

Besides being warm and kind – clearly evident even over Skype – she is also an award-winning freelance journalist, has been a contributing editor for publications like Ladies Home Journal and has written for Glamour, Mademoiselle, the New York Times, and the Washington Post. Next, she’s working on a book diving deep into the girl depicted in one of the most famous paintings in the world, Mona Lisa, which you’ll hear about in the episode.

What you’ll learn from this episode:

— Where Dianne’s spark for learning Italian came from and how this spark motivates her to be consistent in her studies
— How she made sure learning Italian would never feel like a burden
— What pieces of the grammar are truly important and how the locals will support you while you learn
— What it means to “eat” the language of Italian and how it makes Italian stick to your brain
— One method that didn’t work for Dianne and why
— What one line you can tell yourself to truly make a difference in your confidence and knowledge of Italian
— Her favorite Italian movies and which actor she recommends for learning a gorgeous version of the language
— Which grammar tense she finds that she never needs to learn
— Three of Dianne’s favorite Italian phrases and proverbs

Resources Mentioned:

— La Bella Lingua: My Love Affair with Italian, the World’s Most Enchanting Language
— Dianne’s top 10 secrets for learning Italian
— Read an excerpt from La Bella Lingua in Italian

Connect with Dianne

— La Bella Lingua Facebook group

What to do now?

Click to tweet this: How to Eat the Language, Love Opera, & Become Italian with @becomingitalian

Subscribe to the 30 Minute Italian podcast on iTunes or Stitcher Radio to enhance your knowledge of grammar, vocabulary, and phrases while you drive, run or cook some pasta.