Speak Italian: The Fine Art of the Gesture

Makes a great gift

Bruno Munari is a genius, and even if this book was written years ago, some gestures are still relevant and some are something romantically from the past (old people still use some of them, so sweet!) A nice gift to any amateur and anybody approaching the language, as it is both in Italian and English.

Bought for my grandson who fancies himself as an Italian. Also for an Italian friend showing signs of FOMO

This is a fun little divertissement documenting a fraction of the rich non-verbal part of the Italian language. Gestures in Italian can convey a very precise message in a vivid and spontaneous way. Non Italian speakers are often surprised by how precise and well-codified the meaning of a gesture can be, and how subtly this meaning can change or dissolve if the gesture is only slightly modified. This book selects very few of this vast vocabulary showing them in effective photos with brief description of the meaning and correct execution. Some of them are a bit outdated (the gesture for "phone call" still refers to the old rotary telephone dial!) but most of them are still in use. Do not expect this to be a guide or a complete reference for this complex language (you can only learn it by direct exposure) but it is a well crafted fun selection from which you can spawn discussion or just plain laughter =)

An essential addition to any Italian dictionary.

The book arrived quickly. Was in perfect condition and gives a great visual guide to the meaning of Italian hand gestures

very amusing book and appropriate if you are living in Italy. the Itallians love it as well! good gift idea.

Although this is a great book, it's clearly a book that has little purpose for actually learning Italian, as a lot of the gestures are archaic, from the 1800s or further ago. But it is fun to see all the different signs Italians have used to communicate and continue to do so in the 21st century.

It arrive much faster than predicted. Very well packed, perfect conditions. About the book, tiny but amazing. A book to pulse the pages for fun, learning how to connect to the Italian poeope.

I'm an italian teacher and this was just the perfect gift for friends and students! It's basic, easy and enjoyable! Gives a great idea of an important part of the italian language tradition! Plus all of these signs are very easy to remember so that if u've some italian friends u can surprise them with using some of it and believe me if I tell you they will appreciate it! Thumbs up!

I'm use to give this short book s a present for non-italian colleagues. a bit old maybe (black and white picture) but still very actual. it's gesture is well described with short sentences.

Grabbed this after a heard about it from a friend. It's in both italian and English and had interesting bits of information along with the how to.

Wollte mir das Buch in Italien kaufen: das war eine Odyssee, denn der Verlag ist sehr klein und im Buchhandel gäbe es das nur mit lange Vorbestellung. Bei Amazon in zwei Tagen bekommen. Wer weiß, dass Italiener und Italienerinnen selten die Hände in der Tasche haben, weil sie sich so nicht ausdrücken können, bekommt die Belege durch diese Buch. Die zahlreichen Illustrationen erklären nicht nur die gebrächlichsten und deshalb nützlichen Alltagsgesten, sondern klärt auch auf, dass man nicht durch falsche Gesten unverstanden bleibt oder sich wohlmöglich arglos in Gefahr begibt. Es ist ein kleines Heft und könnte für häufige Itslienbesucher umfangreicher sein, aber eben ein Original vom Künstler Bruno Munari. Insgesamt ein hilfreicher Einbick in die sprachlose Kommunikation.