German ~ Japanese ~ Italian

Discussions on all aspects of Italy under Fascism from the March on Rome to the end of the war.
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Navy Vet
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German ~ Japanese ~ Italian

#1

Post by Navy Vet » 01 Sep 2003, 00:09

When there were top level meetings (as with Hitler and Benito) what language was spoken? Did they use translators or directly communicate with one another... as if did Hilter speak Japanese or Italian?

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hohenstaufen
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#2

Post by hohenstaufen » 03 Sep 2003, 15:47

I believe when Hitler and Mussolini met the language spoken was German.But what I have read Hitler spoke and Mussolini listened!


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Antti V
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#3

Post by Antti V » 04 Sep 2003, 00:34

Bit offtopic, but Mussolini (maybe because of his teacher background) did speak English and/or French. Can´t remember exactly how it was. Anyway, I did read that when Munich Pact was done in 1938 between Germany, Italy, France and Britain, Hitler was watching Mussolini´s face during negotiations to see how Mussolini does react to that what Brits and French are saying. So Hitler propably couldn´t speak English neither Frech, hardly even Italian. Hitler´s school history wasn´t any excellent, IIRC.
Of course he had interpreters with him, but maybe he didn´t fully trusted the skills of interpreters or was fell in love to his Italian mate :lol:

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EER
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#4

Post by EER » 04 Sep 2003, 05:02

On a biography show about Mussolini, I saw a film Mussolini made in which he spoke English to the camera. It was, if I remember, a special film made for Italian-Americans.

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GLADIVM
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#5

Post by GLADIVM » 04 Sep 2003, 05:48

Mussolini spoke German & French but no English as far as I know .

He picked up German & French during a time in was in Switzerland .

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GLADIVM

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#6

Post by Navy Vet » 04 Sep 2003, 06:49

When I was stationed in Italy the English language was taught to all students of their schools. This was in 1995 but I have no idea what they taught in the 30/40's.

What does IIRC mean?

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GLADIVM
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#7

Post by GLADIVM » 04 Sep 2003, 08:30

In the 30's & 40's the main foreign languaga taught in Italian schools was French .

Mussolini had a teacher degree , he did not go university but went to Magistrali which was an high school which prepared teachers for primary and junior high schools .

After WWII things changed and English became the main foreign language even if french still retained an important position and is still widely spoken and understood in Italy , also perhaps due to the common latin roots .

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Antti V
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#8

Post by Antti V » 04 Sep 2003, 12:14

Navy Vet wrote: What does IIRC mean?
If I Recall Correct

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hisashi
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#9

Post by hisashi » 04 Sep 2003, 12:59

Japanese ambassador in Berlin, Lieutenant General Hiroshi OSHIMA, spoke good German.

Hisashi NAMIKAWA

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MVSNConsolegenerale
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#10

Post by MVSNConsolegenerale » 08 Sep 2003, 14:11

But what I have read Hitler spoke and Mussolini listened.
Depends what time period you are talking about, in the end...yes.

- MVSN

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Soldat84
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#11

Post by Soldat84 » 11 Sep 2003, 20:15

I don't know about Hitler and Mussolini. But what I do know (have read, at least) that at the Axis meetings (Germany, Italy and Japan) they used English. No, I'm serious. I remember the caption saying that it was ironic that the three then Axis nations used English in their meetings.

Oh, and you should remember the classic Hitler and Mussolini photo of them both in the an open car and laughing. So they must've had a language they both understood. I personally think German would be the most possible.

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#12

Post by MVSNConsolegenerale » 12 Sep 2003, 02:07

three then Axis nations used English in their meetings
Was that a joke?

- MVSN

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Soldat84
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#13

Post by Soldat84 » 12 Sep 2003, 15:13

No. I'm not joking. That's what I read! :x I forgot the book because I read it in a library some time ago. I think it was Time or something.

Anyway, IIRC it was during meetings between Foreign Ministers, so it'd be logical for them to speak English, in my opinion.

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