Mangia! (Pronounced: man-djyah) Eat! It’s probably one of the most recognizable Italian phrases in the world. Why? Because almost everyone loves to eat Italian food! However, many people never take the time to learn how to pronounce it correctly or more often; a family’s pronunciation of words and phrases has been changed as they have been passed down through the generations.
Let’s take a look at a few of the most common mistakes made when trying to “speak Italian food”:
- Panini – (pah-nee-nee) Well, it is indeed an Italian word. It means sandwiches. If you are truly ordering more than one, “panini” is the correct term. If there is only one sandwich in your order, then use the word “panino” (pah-nee-noh) instead.
- Bruschetta – (broo-sket-tah) The wonderful little slices of bread toasted up to crisp perfection and covered with diced tomato and cheese have taken a bad turn in the pronunciation field. People tend to soften the “sch” combination of letters making the word sound “broo-sheh-tah.” Be careful in your diction with this word when ordering.
- Mascarpone – (mahs-kahr-poh-neh) Italian cream cheese that is characterized by its very creamy texture and its ability to be used in both savory and sweet dishes. Often mispronounced as “marsz-ka-pone”, this cheese is rapidly gaining popularity amongst households in the U.S. for its flexibility and texture.
- Prosciutto – (pra-zshoo –toe) Ham at its finest according to many connoisseurs. There are actually several ways that the word is pronounced in Italy. Some say “pra-shoot-oh”, others will use “pra-shoot”, still others say “pra-zshoot’. No matter how you slice it – it’s delicioso.
- Mozzarella – Beware of this word – many a family argument has ensued around its pronunciation. It truly depends on who you speak with when trying to speak this word. My relatives pronounce it “moodtz –ah –dell”, others say “moht-tsah-rehl-lah”, still others say “mohts-ah-rehl”. No matter how you pronounce it, mozzarella is one of the most well-known cheeses in the world.
- Espresso – (ess-press-oh) Very often the word is mispronounced “expresso” when ordering this wonderfully strong and richly flavored coffee. Add a lemon peel and a splash of anisette (ani-szet) and savor.
Never be concerned about asking your waiter for assistance when ordering foods in a different language. An authentic cultural restaurant should have staff completely versed in accurate pronunciation and explanation of the items on their menu. Buono Appetito! (bwo-noh ap-eh-teet-oh)!