In "The Godfather" part I, when Michael is in Italy....?!
Question:
In "The Godfather" part I, when Michael is in Italy....?
Why does he pretend to not know Italian when he meets Appollonia's father? He has Frabrizio or the other guy translate for him.
Answers:
Michael didn't exactly have the greatest education in the italian language, let alone the Sicilian dialect (which is almost entirely differant). So when he saw Appollonia, he knew he didn't want to screw this up since she was so beautiful (if you ask me, she sounded prettier in the book Mario Putzo wrote). So rather than taking the chance that he would embarress himself, Michael had Fabrizio translate. He also, by letting Fabrizio translate, could say whatever he wanted without comprimising the meaning, since that can happen a lot of the time when you speak a language you don't normally. He could use his convincing powers (telling Appollonia's father he was big and important) to get Appollonia. Why not just court her himself? Back then, in Italy, you are not allowed to spend time alone with a girl until you are married. So that's why the family walked behind them when they were walking along the road talking.