IMO - Speaking "fluent Italian" is very subjective... especially today.

There are so many original dialects from the regions of Italy, Sicily & Sardinia that were then brought over here with our immigrant ancestors.

We all have the language/memories we were raised around and exposed to, now top that off with following factors:

1. First, second and third generation Americans of Italian descent - all having their own dialect and interpretation.

2. Various geographical locations here in the US of Italian immigrants who settled and established mini regions of dialect and phrases.

Not my intent to agree or disagree with any of the previous posts and I get it that there are some obvious common pronunciation and key phrases. Throughout the years, some things could be added or subtracted, etc.

I just found it very interesting that you can say the same thing in Rome, Naples, Palermo and Sardinia but have several things so different from each region's dialect.

Not to mention Brooklyn... we all know they have their own language altogether!