In Other Words by Lahiri was published in 2015 in Italian as In Altre Parole. The English version came out on 2016,translated by Ann Goldstein.
Reading the book feels like reading the diary of a person who loves Italian. To begin with, the table of contents almost feels like you will delve into a love story.
It chronicles the hesitant steps of a wonder-eyed, eager person into the vast, intimidating ocean of a language and the ripples it creates in the person's learning process. As you read, you can see yourself in place of Lahiri, understanding her fervor. The apprehension of a new place(she moves to Italy), of a new culture and of always the thread which joins the person and the place, the language.
All of us have learned languages ,some as our native ones ,some additional ones in school and in later years, as a curiosity or fascination to learn another. In all of these there is a always the technical details of treading the grammar,vocabulary, the uncertainties and the little victories. Lahiri recounts it all in her journey of studying Italian.
The book,however, isn't a guide book to a language. Its a love affair with it. This love becomes symbolic of her love for Italy,her discovery of the place and of herself.
In Other Words refrains from over glorifying Italian or the country, is not a travel book,so the focus remains on Lahiri's relationship with Italian. A great read for those who want to understand what it is to get out of one's comfort zone.
Reading the book feels like reading the diary of a person who loves Italian. To begin with, the table of contents almost feels like you will delve into a love story.
It chronicles the hesitant steps of a wonder-eyed, eager person into the vast, intimidating ocean of a language and the ripples it creates in the person's learning process. As you read, you can see yourself in place of Lahiri, understanding her fervor. The apprehension of a new place(she moves to Italy), of a new culture and of always the thread which joins the person and the place, the language.
All of us have learned languages ,some as our native ones ,some additional ones in school and in later years, as a curiosity or fascination to learn another. In all of these there is a always the technical details of treading the grammar,vocabulary, the uncertainties and the little victories. Lahiri recounts it all in her journey of studying Italian.
The book,however, isn't a guide book to a language. Its a love affair with it. This love becomes symbolic of her love for Italy,her discovery of the place and of herself.
In Other Words refrains from over glorifying Italian or the country, is not a travel book,so the focus remains on Lahiri's relationship with Italian. A great read for those who want to understand what it is to get out of one's comfort zone.
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