Salvatore Schinello, an Italian residing in Lithuania for 13 years, reflects on his experience learning the Lithuanian language and the challenges he faces with the Samogitian dialect.
Salvatore Schinello, a 35-year-old Italian living in Lithuania for 13 years, has successfully integrated into Lithuanian society, primarily through mastering the Lithuanian language. He serves as a lecturer at Vilnius College of Technology (VilniusTECH) and uses Lithuanian as a medium of communication in his personal and professional life. Salvatore's dedication to learning the language has allowed him to connect with students and contribute meaningfully to the academic landscape in Lithuania.
Despite his fluency, Salvatore highlights the challenge posed by the Samogitian dialect, which he finds distinctly different from the standard Lithuanian he learned. This dialectal difference occasionally makes communication difficult, underlining the nuances and regional diversity within the Lithuanian language. Salvatore emphasizes that comprehending this dialect requires additional effort and adaptation, revealing insights into the linguistic barriers that foreigners may encounter in Lithuania.
Salvatore's experience sheds light on the broader issues faced by expatriates in Lithuania, particularly the importance of language in social integration. His ability to teach in Lithuanian not only showcases his commitment but also reflects the growing multicultural aspect of Lithuanian society, where foreign nationals increasingly add to the linguistic and cultural fabric of the nation.
