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40 [forty]

Asking for directions

40 [quaranta]	Chiedere indicazioni

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Fast languages, slow languages

There are over 6,000 languages worldwide. But all have the same function. They help us exchange information. This happens in various ways in every language. Because every language behaves according to its own rules. The speed with which a language is spoken also differs. Linguists have proven this in various studies. To this end, short texts were translated into several languages. These texts were then read aloud by native speakers. The result was clear. Japanese and Spanish are the fastest languages. In these languages, almost 8 syllables per second are spoken. The Chinese speak considerably slower. They speak only 5 syllables per second. The speed is dependent on the complexity of the syllables. If the syllables are complex, speaking takes longer. German contains 3 sounds per syllable, for example. Therefore it is spoken relatively slowly. Speaking quickly does not mean, however, that there is a lot to communicate. Quite the opposite! Only a little information is contained in syllables that are quickly spoken. Although the Japanese speak quickly, they convey little content. On the other hand, the "slow" Chinese say a great deal with a few words. English syllables also contain a lot of information. Interesting is: The evaluated languages are almost equally efficient! That means, he who speaks slower says more. And he who speaks faster needs more words. In the end, all reach their goal at about the same time.

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Excuse me!	M_ s_u_i_ Mi scusi! M_ s_____ Mi scusi! __ ______ Mi scusi!
Can you help me?	M_ p_ò a_u_a_e_ Mi può aiutare? M_ p__ a_______ Mi può aiutare? __ ___ ________ Mi può aiutare?
Is there a good restaurant around here?	C_è u_ b_o_ r_s_o_a_t_ d_ q_e_t_ p_r_i_ C’è un buon ristorante da queste parti? C__ u_ b___ r_________ d_ q_____ p_____ C’è un buon ristorante da queste parti? ___ __ ____ __________ __ ______ ______ C’è un buon ristorante da queste parti?

Take a left at the corner.	Q_i a_l_a_g_l_ g_r_ a s_n_s_r_. Qui all’angolo giri a sinistra. Q__ a_________ g___ a s________ Qui all’angolo giri a sinistra. ___ __________ ____ _ _________ Qui all’angolo giri a sinistra.
Then go straight for a while.	P_i s_g_a d_i_t_ p_r u_ p_’_ Poi segua dritto per un po’. P__ s____ d_____ p__ u_ p___ Poi segua dritto per un po’. ___ _____ ______ ___ __ ____ Poi segua dritto per un po’.
Then go right for a hundred metres / meters (am.).	D_p_ c_n_o m_t_i g_r_ a d_s_r_. Dopo cento metri giri a destra. D___ c____ m____ g___ a d______ Dopo cento metri giri a destra. ____ _____ _____ ____ _ _______ Dopo cento metri giri a destra.

You can also take the bus.	P_ò a_c_e p_e_d_r_ l_a_t_b_s_ Può anche prendere l’autobus. P__ a____ p_______ l_________ Può anche prendere l’autobus. ___ _____ ________ __________ Può anche prendere l’autobus.
You can also take the tram.	P_ò a_c_e p_e_d_r_ i_ t_a_. Può anche prendere il tram. P__ a____ p_______ i_ t____ Può anche prendere il tram. ___ _____ ________ __ _____ Può anche prendere il tram.
You can also follow me with your car.	P_ò a_c_e s_g_i_m_ i_ m_c_h_n_. Può anche seguirmi in macchina. P__ a____ s_______ i_ m________ Può anche seguirmi in macchina. ___ _____ ________ __ _________ Può anche seguirmi in macchina.

How do I get to the football / soccer (am.) stadium?	C_m_ a_r_v_ a_l_ s_a_i_? Come arrivo allo stadio? C___ a_____ a___ s______ Come arrivo allo stadio? ____ ______ ____ _______ Come arrivo allo stadio?
Cross the bridge!	A_t_a_e_s_ i_ p_n_e_ Attraversi il ponte! A_________ i_ p_____ Attraversi il ponte! __________ __ ______ Attraversi il ponte!
Go through the tunnel!	P_s_i i_ t_n_e_! Passi il tunnel! P____ i_ t______ Passi il tunnel! _____ __ _______ Passi il tunnel!

Drive until you reach the third traffic light.	S_g_a f_n_ a_ t_r_o s_m_f_r_. Segua fino al terzo semaforo. S____ f___ a_ t____ s________ Segua fino al terzo semaforo. _____ ____ __ _____ _________ Segua fino al terzo semaforo.
Then turn into the first street on your right.	P_e_d_ l_ p_i_a s_r_d_ a d_s_r_. Prenda la prima strada a destra. P_____ l_ p____ s_____ a d______ Prenda la prima strada a destra. ______ __ _____ ______ _ _______ Prenda la prima strada a destra.
Then drive straight through the next intersection.	P_i a_ p_o_s_m_ i_c_o_i_ c_n_i_u_ d_i_t_. Poi al prossimo incrocio continui dritto. P__ a_ p_______ i_______ c_______ d______ Poi al prossimo incrocio continui dritto. ___ __ ________ ________ ________ _______ Poi al prossimo incrocio continui dritto.

Excuse me, how do I get to the airport?	S_u_i_ c_m_ a_r_v_ a_l_a_r_p_r_o_ Scusi, come arrivo all’aeroporto? S_____ c___ a_____ a_____________ Scusi, come arrivo all’aeroporto? ______ ____ ______ ______________ Scusi, come arrivo all’aeroporto?
It is best if you take the underground / subway (am.).	È m_g_i_ s_ p_e_d_ l_ m_t_o_o_i_a_a_ È meglio se prende la metropolitana. È m_____ s_ p_____ l_ m_____________ È meglio se prende la metropolitana. _ ______ __ ______ __ ______________ È meglio se prende la metropolitana.
Simply get out at the last stop.	A_r_v_ f_n_ a_l_u_t_m_ f_r_a_a_ Arrivi fino all’ultima fermata. A_____ f___ a_________ f_______ Arrivi fino all’ultima fermata. ______ ____ __________ ________ Arrivi fino all’ultima fermata.

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Fast languages, slow languages

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