Category Archives: Italia ~~ Italian Life
Learn Italian, the Il Volo way!
Hello my friends!
Well, with any luck (and lots of voting) Il Volo will be coming to Vegas to join us in the greatest celebration of our lives, in one of the most exciting places on earth!
“What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas?” Well, we might have to break that rule! Lol!
Even though they speak English quite well, we all want to speak to them in THEIR native language – Italian!
I also know that a few of you, maybe more, are planning trips to Italy this year. So, let me help you and everyone else, learn a little Italian to make our guys feel at home, and you feel comfortable in their home! Remember… “when in Rome….” Ok, maybe literally!
I say the “Il Volo” way, because I’d like to zone in and target certain words and phrases that we are most familiar with that we hear them singing in their songs, as well as in their many interviews. I plan to first dissect a few of their songs – of course we all know “grand amore” is big/grande love. We probably know more Italian than we think we do. I’ll start with basic common words we likely already know, to gain an instant familiarity, then throw in some we don’t know, taking other words – both nouns and verbs, as well as other parts of speech, from the songs and interviews. Of course, I will have to throw in some grammar and basic pronunciation, and even some games – have to make learning fun! Since we’ve listened to them, most of us probably have a good basis for pronunciation, however, I know from my personal experience, the words and how they pronounce them are not always how we think they should be spelled!
What will be a bit fun, is that I will be learning right along with you! I had 4 years of Spanish in high school and a short refresher in college, but that was MANY years ago. Although, I remember much more than I thought I would, I don’t remember everything. If you are at all familiar with Spanish, you will recognize that Italian is actually very similar. Many words and verbs are the same, or almost identical, except for a few letters different here and there.
I know there are some of you out there that are Italian and speak Italian, so feel free to add your “2 cents worth,” or correct me, at any time!
So, stroll along with me, down the Appian Way, and learn Italian – the Il Volo way!
Ciao, for now!
Jana
Bits and Pieces
I am so fortunate! You folks send me all kinds of fun things. Here are a few:
Penina took this picture. It was the first sign raised just for Ignazio. “We were so excited to see, finally, some recognition.”
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Look What Mary Strickler found in Naples………Florida!
“I took a picture with my iPhone this morning while walking my labrador Addy and wanted to share it with you. It is a photo of a new cross street sign which leads to another entrance into our neighborhood. It was opened to the residents at about the same time my husband and I went to, of all places Sicily, last year.”
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Also from Mary, this Youtube video I had never seen before. The making of “Cosi.” It’s just too cute.
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Now here is “Something Else Italian” from Ann.
Ann sends me many things I share with you and use in my own writing. She always makes me smile! You’ll smile too. Here are just 6 of them!
3 other guys who did an OK job with the song.
What do you wish for? Toss your coin in ” Fountain of Trevi” and return to Rome!!!!!!
Darned Italians have stolen all the blue water and hidden it in Venice!
Thanks Penina, Mary and Ann for sending me great stuff.
~Marie
Italian Kids vs American Kids
From The Italian-American Page Via Ann (anncruise).
Of course I had to add my two cents.
~Marie
American kids: Move out when they’re 18 with the full support of their parents.
Italian kids: Move out when they’re 28, having saved enough money for a house, and are two weeks away from getting married….unless there’s room in the basement for the newlyweds. (Do the Boschetto’s have a basement? ~M)
American kids: When their Mom visits them, she brings a Bundt cake, and you sip coffee and chat.
Italian kids: When their Mom visits them, she brings 3 days worth of food, begins to tidy up, dust, do the laundry, and rearrange the furniture. (Hey, any Italian mom out there, come on over. Please! ~M)
American kids: Their dads always call before they come over to visit them, and it’s usually only on special occasions. (Not my Dad. When I moved out he came over because he was afraid I would be with an Italian kid. ~M)
Italian kids: Are not at all fazed when their dads show up, unannounced, on a Saturday morning at 8:00, and starts pruning the fruit trees. If there are no fruit trees, he’ll plant some.
American kids: Always pay retail, and look in the Yellow Pages when they need to have something done.
Italian kids: Call their dad or uncle, and ask for another dad’s or uncle’s phone number to get it done…cash deal. Know what I mean?? (Anyone have Uncle Giuseppe’s number? ~M)
American kids: Will come over for cake and coffee, and get only cake and coffee. No more.
Italian kids: Will come over for cake and coffee, and get antipasto, wine, a pasta dish, a choice of two meats, salad, bread, a cannoli, fruit, espresso, and a few after dinner drinks. (If I had been born in Italy I wouldn’t fit thru the door ~M)
American kids: Will greet you with “Hello” or “Hi”.
Italian kids: Will give you a big hug, a kiss on your cheek, and a pat on your back. (I am expecting that at the next M & G ~M)
American kids: Call your parents Mr. and Mrs.
Italian kids: Call your parents Mom and Dad. (I secretly call the Boschetto’s Mom & Dad. ~M)
American kids: Have never seen you cry. (They have if they’ve been with me to an Il Volo Concert, I weep with joy through the whole damn thing. ~M)
Italian kids: Cry with you.
American kids: Borrow your stuff for a few days and then return it.
Italian kids: Keep your stuff so long, they forget it’s yours. (Like your heart? ~M)
American kids: Will eat at your dinner table and leave.
Italian kids: Will spend hours there, talking, laughing, and just being together.
American kids: Know few things about you.
Italian kids: Could write a book with direct quotes from you.
American kids: Eat peanut butter and jelly sandwiches on soft mushy white bread.
Italian kids: Eat Genoa Salami and Provolone sandwiches on crusty Italian bread.
American kids: Will leave you behind if that’s what the crowd is doing.
Italian kids: Will kick the whole crowds’ ass who left you behind.
American kids: Are for a while.
Italian kids: Are for life. (True. Il Volo is for life! ~M)
American kids: Like Rod Stewart, and Steve Tyrell. (Who is Steve Tyrell? ~M)
Italian kids: Worship Tony Bennett, and Sinatra. (I know one who worships Sinatra. ~M)
American kids: Think that being Italian is cool. (American adults think so too.~M)
Italian kids: Know that being Italian is cool.
Il Volo sings “Happy Birthday” to Michele (Well Almost!)
I hope you don’t mind, Michele, but this is the closest one on YouTube. Isn’t it wonderful to hear our guys sing happy birthday! And your name starts with “M” too, hehe!
CHEERS AND HAVE A VERY HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!