Beginners Sicilian (Beginner's (Foreign Language))

Rating:
Summary: Okay introduction to Sicilian
Review: Dr. Privitera does a decent job of introducing basic Sicilian in this book. Each chapter begins with a conversation in Sicilian, followed by the English translation, and then it moves on to the vocabulary used in the chapter. After the vocabulary comes a brief grammar lesson. The conversations are not very creative, and I can't imagine Sicilians actually having conversations like some of the ones used. Like another reviewer said, the chapters are a bit repetitive, but I think that's intended in order to enforce memorization. The only problem I had with book is that there wasn't enough grammar provided. I wish he went into more detail about verbs, and that he had provided some grammar about prepositional contractions. I managed to come to the conclusion on my own that a circumflex signified a contraction, but this was never actually explained. Another problem is that people who don't have a knowledge of Italian might get lost quickly. All in all, however, I've learned quite a bit of Sicilian, and thanks to this book I can now communicate with my Sicilian friends in their own dialect, instead of standard Italian.

Rating:
Summary: ???
Review: I can't say definitely because I am just a student, but this book wont get you far, it is full of Italianism (which may be current in Sicily, but so is Standard Italian) or maybe I began with an archaic dialect and that makes such impression.

Rating:
Summary: As a Sicilian, I Had High Hopes for This Book, But...
Review: If you know nothing of Sicilian language, this book may help you pick up a little vocabulary. But as a Sicilian, and as a professional editor for 5 years, I have to say that I wouldn't look to this book for any definitive answer to anything.

There are typos everywhere you look, not to mention layout and formatting issues. Was an editor or proofreader -- or ANYONE -- ever employed to read this before it went to press? I'd be mortified as the author to see a book of mine published with such a disregard for content and style -- particularly since it's an educational book, and a language book to boot.

You may get some benefit from this book, simply because I have never seen another book on Sicilian out there, but that's where my recommendation stops.