Book excerpt: Are you embarrassed to admit the only Italian you've picked up was from The Godfather? Is al dente the most sophisticated Italian phrase in your vocabulary? Would you like to know more than the difference between fettucine and rigatoni? Well, Rome wasn't built in a day! The Pocket Idiot's Guide to Italian is more than just a directory of words; you'll quickly feel confident with the language--even be able to communicate with native speakers. Whether you're preparing for a vacation or a business trip, this Pocket Idiot's Guide helps you: