Archive for August, 2016
Expressing Your Needs In Italian – Part 1 Posted by Serena on Aug 17, 2016
A reader recently asked me if I could shed some light on the different forms that we use to express necessity. The best way to understand how we use these forms is by looking at practical examples. Allora, cominciamo! occorrere = to need the verb occorrere is only used in the third person, both singular…
Blu Posted by Geoff on Aug 15, 2016
Singer Irene Fornaciari, daughter of the famous Italian pop star Zucchero, has written a moving song about the plight of North African refugees. But in order to fully appreciate the significance of this song you need to have an insight into the tragic humanitarian crisis behind the lyrics. Last year, a million desperate refugees undertook…
La Panzanella Posted by Serena on Aug 12, 2016
Browsing through my mother’s cookery books, I found an old booklet containing traditional Tuscan recipes. As I started reading through it I was immediately struck by its language, a beautifully old style Tuscan, full of almost obsolete words. So I decided to copy one of the recipes and share it with you. I chose La…
Do More with the Italian Word of the Day Posted by Transparent Language on Aug 11, 2016
How many of you subscribe to our Italian Word of the Day? (If you’re not subscribed—don’t miss out!) How many of you open the email religiously, read and listen to the new word and phrase, then close the email and forget all about it? We’re not judging—you’re not the only one! That minute or two of…
At The Bar In Italy Posted by Serena on Aug 10, 2016
The bar is an essential institution in Italy. A meeting place, somewhere to pass the time of day, to top up your caffeine levels or the credit on your cellulare. At the bar you can read the provided daily paper, play lotto, buy cigarettes, fare la colazione (have breakfast), una merenda (a snack) or, in…
The Biggest Liar In Italy! Posted by Geoff on Aug 8, 2016
Italy is well known for its many traditional festivals, from grandiose medieval pageants and world famous events such as Il Palio di Siena to the smaller scale sagre based on traditional regional recipes and wines. But for the last 40 years a rather unusual, yet none the less typically Italian Festival has taken place in…
On Patrol Posted by Serena on Aug 5, 2016
There’s a painting by Giovanni Fattori called In Vedetta that for me encapsulates the Mediterranean summer. It’s probably not what you’d expect: no white beaches dotted with parasols, no fields covered in golden crops, no shady terraces with grape covered pergolas. It’s quite an unusual picture, but whenever I see it I’m immediately overwhelmed by…