Non è da uomo saggio dire: “Vivrò”. Vivere domani è già troppo tardi: vivi oggi.
(It is not wise to say “I will live”. Living tomorrow is already too late: you have to live today.)
by the famous Latin poet Marco Valerio Marziale
Quote of the week
Non voglio dimostrare niente, voglio mostrare. (I don’t want to demonstrate anything. I want to show.)
Federico Fellini
Italian filmmaker Roberto Rossellini
An interesting article: Rediscovering Italian filmmaker Roberto Rossellini
by Gaither Stewart, Senior Contributing Editor for Cyrano’s Journal/tantmieux, novelist and journalist based in Italy.
Quote of the week
“Accadono cose che sono come domande. Passa un minuto, oppure anni, e poi la vita risponde”. Things happen, and they are like questions. A minute goes by, or years, and then life replies.
Alessandro Baricco
Listen and Test
The Italian language is very musical. To improve your listening skills and to learn a correct pronunciation we suggest that you start “developing your ear” by listening to Italian audios, songs, and language as much as you can. Click here to listen and repeat what you hear.
Italian press against Berlusconi
Photo courtesy of repubblica.it
Yesterday night Italians watched a very sad show on TV.
Mr. Berlusconi, in a one-man show, called Italian journalists “farabutti” (rogue, dishonest), for criticizing him and the government. Saturday September 19 there will be a big march in Rome, in favour of the Italian press and freedom of speech.
Check here for the latest comments on foreign magazines about Italy and Mr. Berlusconi.
Check the final outcome in the lawsuit involving The Economist and Berlusconi (guess who won!)
Quote of the week
From CyberItalian Beginner lesson 2. The key word to become Italian is “flexibility”; mental flexibility.
Quote of the week
“Festina Lente” (Affrettati Lentamente; Make Haste Slowly) by Roman Emperor Ottaviano Augusto (63 BC – AD 14)
Conversation at the restaurant
Being a waiter in Italy can be a well-rewarded profession, with a long-term contract. In Italy waiters have their salary so you are not obliged to leave a tip; however, la “mancia” is certainly appreciated and it is definitely a nice thing to give if the waiter provides a good service. Many restaurants are family owned, so for them offering a high quality service is very important (often the waiter is the owner of the place or a relative).
To practice Italian this week I invite you to read and watch a video…
Italian Women Rise Up
Buongiorno a tutti! After a magic and relaxing day at the beach, waiting for the sunset to express a wish as soon as the sun disappears, and waiting for the shooting stars for more wishes to express, I am back to reality.
I want to share with you an interesting article by Chiara Volpato, published on the New York Times.
Let’s see if, after the sunset and the shooting stars, all the wishes become reality!