Learning (or relearning) a language while firmly entrenched in middle age isn’t an easy task. The human brain is wired for language development to occur in the early years – which is why little kids seem to be able to pick up a second language like it’s second nature.

It’s not so easy for those of us older folk – who on occasional struggle to find words in our first language.

I’ve always been impressed with people who are fluent in multiple languages. I worked for an international aviation business for many years, and most of our foreign customers spoke English in addition to their native tongue. It sure made communicating with them easier, but I often wondered why more of us in America don’t speak a second language.

Several months ago, I made the decision to “relearn” Italian. Partly in anticipation of an upcoming family trip to Italy, but also a brain exercise to see just how much I could still learn. I figured I had a head start considering I’d taken three semesters of the language in college back in the ‘80s.

My college major had a language requirement and having a father who was 100% Italian, I figured Italian was the one to choose. We’d often visit my dad’s side of the family in Melrose Park, a suburb of Chicago, and it was like being fully immersed in an Italian village. The food. The festivals. The iconic Italian grandmother cooking pasta in the kitchen. And everywhere, the beautiful, melodious language.

My dad was very proud of his Italian heritage. He knew some Italian but he was far from fluent. Sometimes he and his best friend/next-door neighbor, Mr. Dixon would get together and “sing” the (English) words from an ad or a headline with a thick Italian accent. It sounded authentic until you eventually caught onto the joke. So, yes, Italian seemed to be the way to go for me.

After completing my first semester of college and returning home for Winter break, I informed my father that I had started taking Italian. He got that proud dad look and decided he was going to put my language skills to the test. Remember, this was after one semester.

The next morning, he called a business associate in Rome and put me on the phone. “Here talk to Allessandro,” he said, shoving the phone to my ear. “Uh, Ciao, Bonnenotte,” I blathered on – not sure what the time it was there – whether it was “giorno” or “notte.”

After an awkward attempt at small talk, I remember feeling grateful that Italians are kind and generous when it comes to non-native speakers. I handed the phone back to dad and went on to more pressing matters. Like where would my fellow home-from-college-for-break friends be meeting up tonight?

By the time I had three semesters of Italian under my belt, I considered myself fairly fluent. The problem was, where, and to whom would I practice this second language? Unfortunately, there weren’t many options, and after several years, my knowledge of the language receded into the deep dark spaces of my brain.

As the saying goes, “use it or lose it.” I couldn’t help but wonder – would I ever “parlo Italiano” again?”

Fast forward to the present. After postponing what was supposed to be our 30^th anniversary trip to Italy in 2020 (thank you Covid), we were finally taking that long-awaited voyage to the “mother country.” I imagined myself conversing effortlessly with native speaking Italians. I began my quest to relearn Italian several months before our departure. This time at the age of 59.

Could I do it? I’d soon find out. After doing some online research, I discovered I that learning a language in 2023 is much more accessible than the thrice weekly classes and language lab model of the 80’s. I could learn a language from an app or a podcast or even google translate in a pinch.

I started with Duolingo. After downloading the app, I took an assessment to see if I had retained any residual knowledge. Turns out that I knew just enough vocabulary and remembered just enough about conjugating verbs to thoroughly confuse myself.

I set up an account and created an avatar. Then the cute owl mascot popped up and I was on my way taking lessons – which seemed an awful lot like playing games. I was translating, matching vocabulary words and repeating phrases all while interacting with cartoon characters – each with their own Italian personas.

I’d find myself opening the app and doing quick lessons several times a day while competing with other “Duolingo-ers,” earning points and moving up in the standings – getting those bells and trumpet sounds signaling success! I learned how to say helpful things like: “Lui Taglio il formaggio” – translation “he cuts the cheese.”

To supplement my speaking practice, I began listening to the “Coffee Break Italian” podcast while walking my dog Louie – who just so happens to be – wait for it, an Italian Spinone! Sure, I’d get a few odd looks from people as they passed me, oblivious, wearing my earbuds and repeating Italian phrases.

“Come ti chiami?” or “Di dove sei,” or other useful phrases such as “dov’e il caffe?” Translations: What’s your name, where are you from and most importantly – where is the coffee?

My kids roll their eyes when I attempt to converse in Italian during the family Facetime calls. But they won’t be laughing when I’m crushing it interpreting the menu at “il ristorante”, or asking; “Dov’e il gelato?” when they get a hankering for ice cream.

It is possible to learn (or relearn) a language in middle age and beyond. I’m living proof. Our brains want and need to be challenged. “Italia eccomi!” (Italy, here I come!)