Archive for 'Italian Language'
Il Diluvio Universale Posted by Serena on Nov 30, 2009
Salve a tutti! Questo articolo sarà molto breve perché siamo in piena crisi di emergenza. Fuori si è scatenato il Diluvio Universale, le cateratte del cielo si sono aperte e il muro di contenimento sopra il nostro terreno è crollato. Le scale che portano alla terrazza sono un torrente in piena, i buchi di scolo…
Un Misterioso Personaggio dei Fumetti Posted by Serena on Nov 27, 2009
Following my visit to Lucca Comics 2009, I felt inspired to write something about i Fumetti (Comic Books), then I realized that I hadn’t done a quiz for ages. So eccolo (here it is), a Fumetti Quiz! But first a brief explanation of the name Fumetti: the word fumetto comes from, as you might have…
Word Lists – 1. La Cucina Posted by Serena on Nov 18, 2009
When you’re trying to learn a foreign language, there are all sorts of little strategies that can help you memorize those sometimes elusive words. Learning from a book, or in a class isn’t really the best way of developing your vocabulary for the simple reason that it is too abstract, i.e. too unconnected with the…
Colloquial Italian – 2. Allora and Dunque Posted by Serena on Nov 9, 2009
In part two of my Colloquial Italian series I’m going to continue exploring those little everyday words that we Italians use all the time, but which are often overlooked in classes and text books. Learning how and where to use them will help to make your spoken Italian sound much more natural. The two words…
Omaggio ad Alda Merini, poetessa Posted by Serena on Nov 6, 2009
On Saturday 31st October I heard the sad news that la poetessa (the female poet) Alda Merini had died from cancer, aged 78. I only discovered her poems a couple of years ago, and I was immediately taken by their delicate sensitivity. Through her poetry, Merini describes her inner torment, longing for love, and mysticism. Alda Merini was born…
Tavolo or Tavola? Posted by Serena on Oct 31, 2009
Following my article about new trends in Italian kitchens, a reader asked me whether the words tavolo (table) and tavola (table) are interchangeable, and if there is any difference between the two. Well, I’m afraid that this is yet another idiosyncratic use of the Italian language, so let’s see if I can clarify it for you…
Colloquial Italian – 1. Ecco Posted by Serena on Oct 28, 2009
As many students of the Italian language have discovered, there is a big difference between the Italian learnt in a language class and everyday colloquial Italian. In fact many students suffer a serious blow to their confidence when, having diligently studied in their language class, they first set foot in Italia and come face to…