In a Bookshop in Italy Posted by Serena on Sep 23, 2015
Lats week we took a visit to la biblioteca (the library) in a small town in Italy. Today we’re going to una libreria (a bookshop) to buy some … books! And beware of the ‘false friend’, libreria, which sounds so much like library. Libraio: “Buongiorno, desidera?” Bookseller: “Good morning, may I help you?” Cliente: “Buongiorno!…
Down On The Farm In Italy Posted by Geoff on Sep 21, 2015
Paintings by Antonio Ligabue (1899 – 1965) We’ve had a lot of comments from readers who were disappointed not to have received our September quiz due to the changes that were made to our e-mail system. So I’ve decided to rectify the situation with a little story based largely on the vocabulary from the quiz…
Italian Quiz – September 2015 – The Solutions Posted by Serena on Sep 18, 2015
This blog is dedicated to Elaine, the only person in the whole wide world who had a go at our September quiz! Elaine, when you come to Pontremoli you can collect your prize: a beverage of your choice at a local bar, okay? As for the rest of you …. no treats for you! We…
At the Library in Italy Posted by Serena on Sep 17, 2015
Based on a True Story! Here’s a bit of useful library jargon for you in the form of my memory of our first visit to our local library. The setting: a small public library on the first floor of a semi derelict XVII century building hidden in a desolate part of a sleepy Italian town…
Italian Quiz – September 2015 – Gli Animali Posted by Geoff on Sep 16, 2015
Dear Readers, we’ve been making a few changes to the e-mails that you receive from us in order to make it easier for you to comment on the articles. These changes were implemented on Monday at around the time that this quiz was originally published, and it’s possible that some of you may have missed…
Perdindirindina … What The ….? Posted by Serena on Sep 10, 2015
In our recent blog You’re Learning Italian … Really?! we looked at the expression addirittura, which is a polite way of expressing surprise or disbelief. We also have at our disposal a veritable arsenal of less polite ways of expressing those sentiments. Let’s look at the really ‘naughty’ ones first shall we? (readers: “yes please…
Italians Abroad – Part 2 Posted by Geoff on Sep 9, 2015
The Italians are world champions at self criticism, and are able to describe all their collective faults to a T. According to this article they are also world champions at being annoying and ungracious visitors to foreign shores. Here’s part 2 of Italians Abroad: L’Inguaribile Sbruffone All’italiano medio piace mettersi in mostra, e questo lo…