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22 Dec 2011

Living In a Foreign Language

Living in a Foreign Language by Michael Tucker

Living in a foreign language about sums up my life. I now live in two foreign languages and sometimes feel like my brain has become a blender.

Francesco and I have always spoken in Italian and with my French friends and in my daily life I speak in French. With my mother, my sisters and all my fabulous Aussie friends I speak in English.  No wonder I am exhausted at the end of the day when any word could whizz out in any language of it's own accord. There are moments when I really feel like I have lost control of my 'c-drive'. Francesco tells me I have my very own language - it's called Carlese..It takes about half-a-bottle of red wine to understand it!

I have Living in a foreign language tucked into my luggage for Christmas and can't wait to see what challenges the author strikes.  Michael Tucker sounds full of as much zest and love for Italy as moi!! Looking forward to curling up in front of the fire in Puglia to read it.

Baci e abbracci
Carla xx

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14 comments:

  1. Unknown22 December 2011 at 01:36

    You must be clever to understand two different languages. I sometimes struggle with English, and I was born in the UK!

    I wonder if you accidentally slip a little italian in while you're speaking French, and vice versa.

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  2. French Girl in Seattle22 December 2011 at 02:07

    What a great idea Carla. I am definitely ordering this book too! Even when it is a struggle to communicate in a foreign language on a daily basis (and you do it with two) the reward is to be able to communicate with the people around you, the natives, who are grateful that you are trying. So many people move to a foreign land (or travel around the world) without speaking the local language; make no effort to learn it and then complain about the local culture they can't understand. Good for you, and as a French language instructor who sees her adult students bravely struggle every day, my hat off to you! Veronique (French Girl in Seattle)

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  3. A Gift Wrapped Life22 December 2011 at 02:33

    Sounds like a wonderful read Carla and I will download it now for our flight. Have a wonderful Christmas and love to both of you, Have a great trip. XOXO

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  4. Corrina22 December 2011 at 03:40

    I have been trying (and I stress trying) to learn French for the last couple of years and seriously for the last year. Sometimes I think I haven't come very far and I don't get much opportunity to practice here in Australia. I do know I can understand alot more than I can actually say and sometimes I dream en Francaise! One day it'll all come out of my mouth! xxCorrina.

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  5. Soulful Mama22 December 2011 at 04:07

    How wonderful though! I wish I could speak other languages. My husband's family are Chilean & Italian so I long to learn both languages. I have learnt a little Spanish but it's terrible. I would also love to learn French. All on my bucket list :-)

    Wishing you & Francesco a most wonderful Christmas!

    ~ Clare x

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  6. Josephine22 December 2011 at 06:50

    That is so cool! I would love to be able to learn two more languages like that.

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  7. Heather Robinson22 December 2011 at 10:37

    Eh, oui. I am fluent in franglais--certainly when I am tired, a few English words will slip into my French--or worse, Remi will speak to me in French and I will respond in English! We do the best we can, non? :)

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  8. mosaicology22 December 2011 at 15:01

    My language blend consist of 3 languages and honestly it is complicated to maintain your mother tongue in a "pure" state if you don't live in your country of origin anymore. At least I have been given the opportunity to work as a translator from home. Happy holidays! Buon Natale e tanti auguri per un anno bellissimo e sempre creativo.

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  9. *Chic Provence*22 December 2011 at 15:44

    In either language, have a very Merry Christmas! lovely to discover your blog, have been a fan of your photography for a long time!

    xo

    Kit

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  10. This is Belgium22 December 2011 at 17:50

    Bravo for living a trilingual life, Carla..
    Here in Belgium, we have our fair share of dealing with different languages.
    How delightful to read this in Puglia.. I am not just a bit jealous (hugely jealous ;-) )
    Buon Natale if I do not "talk" to you before xmas!
    anni

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  11. DolceDreams22 December 2011 at 20:46

    Merry Christmas!
    Joyeaux Noel!
    Bon Natale!

    I have been loving your daily inspirations ~
    Peace and Enjoy,
    Nathalie

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  12. Annette23 December 2011 at 01:53

    Both my husband and I adored Michael Tucker's book (read before we visited Italy last fall). Have fun with it and have a wonderful Christmas!

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  13. James Nel23 December 2011 at 08:33

    I empathise with you... I speak German to family, and English and Afrikaans to friends and colleagues and am desperately trying to learn enough Italian to make my self understood by my Italian-speaking friends...

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  14. Anonymous26 December 2011 at 23:57

    Moving to Greece seven years ago without knowing more than four words, indeed a book I can relate to.

    Please have a good Tuesday.

    daily athens photo

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