THE ITALIAN AMERICAN EXPERIENCE

Or, Speaking three languages.

Growing up in an Italian American environment meant speaking or at least understanding three languages. There was your Basic English, although growing up in Brooklyn left that a challenge also. For instance, “he was ascaird of it.” Translation, “He was afraid of it.” Or “getouttahere” or “Gowan” “Dere ain’t nobody hair.” Laugh at it if you will, we wrote correctly, and we were understood, but just in Brooklyn. “Dem bums done good taday, huh?” Translation: “The Dodgers won today.”

Next there was the Italo/Anglo English of Grandma and Grandpa. “Attsa good.” Or “Eh, comona get out!” “Monuddger, a pickim upper.” And “Eh, fachima, why you no eata?”

Then there was what I call; “Supplemental lingo” which is used universally with any language you dare to speak with an Italian. It involves the hands, and the fluid motion of expression in a physical way. For instance: putting your hands together, in a prayer like fashion, but fingers spread apart and hands barely touching each other. Shaking gently while invoking the Creator. “My God!” “Monugger” can also be used in this instance. The more advanced version is with the eyes lifted heavenward. This means; “I’m dealing with an idiot!”

Next on the list, is pinching your middle finger with your index finger and thumb. Try it. Make sure your hand is in the proper position with palm side, square to the shoulders. Say “What?” try saying “Que”. See it works in either language.

Next is the expression of frustration and surprise. Both sentiments can be best expressed with the hand opened, fingers apart and the hand with the palm facing the opposite shoulder. Try it. Say: ”Ehhh!” Means: “I’m going to smack you if you keep it up.” That was Mom’s favorite!

Now, take the same expression, raising the hand slowly upward, and say: “Ah, va fongoola” Poetic, no?

This is your basic language skills growing up in Italian/America, deep in the heart of Brooklyn.

One of the beauties of this life style is the urge to nickname everybody. “Eh, here comes fat Louie. A person of Finnish extraction? Eh, here comes Joe the Finn. Eh is used to get all conversations rolling. If you were happy to see Joe the Finn, you said: Eh Hey! Here comes Joe the Finn!” Subtle usage of the Italian American tongue, when coupled with the hands, speaks many sentences at once.

A little note of interest.
Have you ever noticed when people die, the person’s hands are crossed in the casket? In Italy and for Italian Americans, it means: “He’s done talking.”