The "Secretary of Juliet" Effect: The Art of the Epistolary Language

In the film Letters to Juliet, a "Secretary of Juliet" answers thousands of letters left in the walls of a Verona courtyard. It reminds us that some sentiments simply cannot be expressed in a text message. They require the Epistolary Language: the formal, deliberate, and rhythmic language of letter writing.

In English, "you" is universal. But in Italian (Lei), French (Vous), or German (Sie), there is a specific linguistic distance used to show respect or romantic yearning. This "formal" distance creates a unique tension. By using the formal version of "you," a writer acknowledges the weight of the recipient's presence. A foreign language, a distant language away from your own gives you this power, gives you this sense of yearning English will never be able to.

Romance languages are often "syllable-timed," meaning each syllable has roughly the same duration. This creates a natural, drum-like cadence in writing. When you learn a language like Italian for letter writing, you aren't just choosing words; you are choosing to slow down and think and moreover, feel.

In English, we often hide behind casualness. We use "I guess" or "maybe" to soften our vulnerability. However, the grammatical structure of languages like Italian or Spanish often requires a more definitive stance.

So, if this year, if one of your resolutions is to slow-down in this fast paced world, come join us at The Foreign Language Institute to savour Italian. And, if your resolution is to be more bold and sure of yourself, you are welcome too. There is a language for everyone!