He who has a tongue goes to the end of the world — the ability to communicate opens all doors. Language, the willingness to ask for directions, to engage, to explain — these take a person anywhere.
This cheerful Piedmontese proverb celebrates communication as the traveller's greatest tool. In the pre-GPS era, getting lost was the constant hazard of every journey, and the willingness to ask for directions — overcoming shyness, pride, or the language barrier — was what separated the traveller who arrived from the one who wandered. In the context of Piedmontese emigration, the proverb took on additional meaning: the emigrant who learned some Spanish in Argentina, some French in France, some German in Germany succeeded; the one who refused to learn the new language remained isolated. The proverb is also a gentle rebuke to the proud and reserved Piedmontese: the culture of restraint (a savie a-i parlo poc) has its limits — the traveller must speak.
Piedmontese proverb particularly resonant in a region of emigration. The ability to communicate across linguistic barriers was essential for Piedmontese emigrants to Argentina, France, and beyond.
A Piedmontese emigrant arriving in Argentina in 1905
Non sapevo una parola di spagnolo. Ma chi ha la lengua va fin al mund — in sei mesi parlavo abbastanza per lavorare.
I did not know a word of Spanish. But he who has a tongue goes to the end of the world — in six months I spoke enough to work.
A Torinese teacher advising students studying abroad
Parlate, fate errori, vergognatevi e poi parlate ancora. Chi ha la lengua va fin al mund — la lingua vi porta ovunque vogliate andare.
Speak, make mistakes, feel embarrassed and then speak again. He who has a tongue goes to the end of the world — the tongue takes you anywhere you want to go.
A Piedmontese grandfather advising a shy grandchild
— Ho paura di chiedere in italiano. — Chi ha la lengua va fin al mund. Sbaglia, ridi, ricomincia.
— I am afraid to ask in Italian. — He who has a tongue goes to the end of the world. Make mistakes, laugh, start again.
Two Torinesi tourists lost in Tokyo
— Nessuno parla inglese qui. — Chi ha la lengua va fin al mund. Guarda, mostro il telefono con la mappa e mimiamo. Funziona sempre.
— Nobody speaks English here. — He who has a tongue goes to the end of the world. Look, I show the phone with the map and we mime. It always works.