Archive for June, 2011
La Cicala Posted by Serena on Jun 29, 2011
It’s official, summer is here. The announcement was made a few days ago by la cicala (the cicada). Throughout the hot days of summer and into the autumn il frinio, the monotonous strident song of the cicala can nearly always be heard somewhere in the background. It’s a sound that I’ve always taken for granted…
Il Referendum: come funziona? Posted by Serena on Jun 26, 2011
Firstly, I’d like to thank all of the readers who added their positive, supportive comments to my blog “Il Referendum”. It’s very encouraging to see how many people appreciate what an important democratic outcome the referendum had for us Italians. When I wrote my first blog about the referendum I had a feeling that people…
Il Referendum Posted by Serena on Jun 23, 2011
On the 12th and 13th of June the Italian people were called to vote in a popular referendum which required them to make decisions about three important issues: 1. Energia Nucleare (Nuclear Energy). In a previous referendum held in 1987 following the Chernobyl disaster, Italians voted to shut down our three existing nuclear plants, and…
Chi Compie Queste Azioni? Posted by Serena on Jun 20, 2011
Here’s a little quiz for you. Listed below are 6 groups of actions. See if you can match each group to the appropriate person. Chi compie queste azioni? – Who carries out these actions? Group 1. taglia imbastisce cuce infila misura Group 2. sbuccia spreme affetta mescola frigge Group 3. frena sterza accellera posteggia indica…
Quiz – Chi Compie Queste Azioni? – le soluzioni Posted by Serena on Jun 17, 2011
Firstly, well done everyone who had a go at my quiz, I see I’ll have to do more of these in the future. Va bene, as promised here are the translation and le soluzioni (the solutions): Chi compie queste azioni? – Who carries out these actions? Group 1. taglia (cuts) imbastisce (tacks) cuce (sews)…
Nomi Derivati Posted by Serena on Jun 14, 2011
Nomi derivati are words that derive from nomi primitivi. Let’s have a look at some examples: – Pane (bread) is the nome primitivo from which the following words are derived: panettiere (baker) panetteria (bakery or baker’s) panificio (bakery or baker’s) panino (bread roll, literally a small bread) pangrattato (breadcrumbs) panettone (Italian Christmas cake, literally ‘big…
Le Lucertole Italiane Posted by Serena on Jun 11, 2011
In my last blog “I Serpenti Italiani” we had a look at the most common snakes that you are likely to see here in Italy. Let’s continue with our reptile theme and find out about le più comuni delle lucertole italiane (the most common Italian lizards). The two lizards that you will see most often…