Archive for 'Culture'
Funny Italian Warning Signs Posted by Geoff on May 27, 2016
Every now and then I see avvisi (warning signs or notices) that make me smile. Some of these are meant to be serious, and end up sounding ridiculous. But I particularly admire those which use irony and humour to combat antisocial or criminal behaviour. Here, for your entertainment, is a small selection: Above: A super polite…
Italy’s Amazing Living Works Of Art Posted by Geoff on May 16, 2016
I recently came across a video excerpt from the popular TV show ‘Italy’s Got Talent’ on youtube. Here was something truly beautiful and astonishing that I’d never seen before: the Quadri Plastici di Avigliano. Fascinated, I decided to find out more … Plastic ‘Paintings’ Every year in Avigliano, a small town in the province of…
Il Frassinicoltore Posted by Geoff on May 6, 2016
In my recent article, Manna From Italy, I posted a video of the frassinicoltore Giulio Gelardi. Originally I had intended to translate sections of the dialogue into English, but Serena was so taken by what the narrator had to say that she decided to transcribe the whole thing! (grazie Sere). So, here’s the plan: Below…
Manna From Italy Posted by Geoff on May 4, 2016
It would be a wild understatement to say that when I first moved to Lunigiana in Italy I encountered a ‘steep learning curve’. Apart from dealing with the many linguistic and cultural challenges, I also became aware that my new habitat held a vast array of flora and fauna pretty much unknown to me. Growing…
An Italian Quiz For April – The Solutions Posted by Serena on Apr 29, 2016
Here are the answers to our recent quiz. Well done those of you who had a go. Those who didn’t, I shall want to hear your excuses, and they’d better be good. None of that “the cat ate it” nonsense! But seriously, give us some feedback, was it too difficult? Did you not feel confident…
Naughty Italian Expressions! Posted by Geoff on Apr 18, 2016
From past experience I’ve learned that our blogs are occasionally read by people of a particularly sensitive disposition regarding the use of ‘rude’ words, and swearing. Hence if you, dear reader, are of such a disposition … I suggest that you stop right HERE. … and the rest of you can read on, buon divertimento!…
Le Conte Italiane Posted by Geoff on Mar 31, 2016
As promised in yesterday’s blog, here is a small collection of conte (counting games) that I’ve selected from many many examples. Most of these conte contain the idiomatic expression toccare a qualcuno (to be somebody’s turn). For an explanation of le conte see here. I’ve also included translations for the two baffling barzellette (jokes) from…