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Italian Grammar for English Speakers

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Difference between  è  and e

è  is the third person singular of the verb essere (to be). In English it means is. To be recognized it carries the accent. Its pronunciation is open as in “well.”

Examples:

Il libro è  rosso. (The book is red.)

Il libro rosso è interessante. (The red book is interesting.)

Instead, e is a conjunction. In English it means and. Its pronunciation is closed as in “egg.”

Examples:

ll gatto e il cane sono due animali. (The cat and the dog are two animals.)

Il gatto e il cane hanno la coda. (The cat and the dog have tails.)

*Per migliorare le tue abilita’ linguistiche e approfondire le conoscenze culturali, iscriviti al corso:

 Intro to Italian I.

*Para mejorar sus competencias lingüísticas y profundizar sus conocimientos culturales, inscríbase en el curso de Intro to Italian I.

*To improve your language skills and deepen your cultural knowledge, sign up for the course, Intro to Italian I.

Language Classes

Cultural Note: The Venice Carnival

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The Venice Carnival is internationally famous for its identity in preserving traditional Commedia dell’Arte Masks, such as Pantalone, Brighella, Harlequin, and others.

In general, the term “carnival” carne-levare derived from Latin “to take away the meat,” originally referring to the day before Lent when the use of meat ceased. Although its origin dates back to the 11th century, it reached its peak in the 18th century. Typically, the festival lasts several days, and it take s at least a year of preparation to create beautiful costumes. They are elaborated in fine fabrics, in a variety of colors and hues. The costumes and masks acquire originality as a result of the passion and creativity of the artisans. In addition to masks and costumes, participants wear veils, capes, wigs and hats of different shapes and colors.

The festivities are multifaceted and lavish. They are held in public parades, with papier-mâché floats. The Carnival is celebrated with dancing and masquerades. In addition to the parades, numerous theatrical performances and art exhibitions come to life. Mainly, the activities take place in St. Mark’s Square, and on the water.

The festival involves not only Venetians, but thousands of tourists. The Carnival is organized by the International Association for the Carnival of Venice.

The culinary specialties of the Venetian Carnival are varied. Some of the specialties include fritters, galani and castagnole.

Happy Carnival, Everyone!

*Per migliorare le tue abilita’ linguistiche e approfondire le conoscenze culturali, iscriviti al corso: Intro to Italian III.

*Para mejorar sus competencias lingüísticas y profundizar sus conocimientos culturales, inscríbase en el curso de Intro to Italian III.

*To improve your language skills and deepen your cultural knowledge, sign up for the course, Intro to Italian III.

https://mariaconte.com/upcoming-classes/

Nota culturale: Galileo Galilei

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Questo mese ricordiamo un personaggio famoso della cultura italiana: Galileo Galilei.

Galileo Galilei nasce a Pisa, il 15 febbraio 1564. Nel 1616, in una commissione pontificia si discute delle tesi dell’astronomo e cosmologo polacco Niccolo’ Copernico secondo cui e’ la Terra a ruotare intorno al Sole e non il contrario.

Galileo, un devoto cattolico, cerca di persuadere la commissione a non bandire le rivelazioni scientifiche di Copernico e le sue idee eliocentriche.

Nel 1632 Galileo pubblica il Dialogo sopra i due massimi sistemi del mondo. I due sistemi sono il tradizionale geocentrismo contro l’eliocentrismo di Copernico. In seguito alla struttura del contenuto del libro, Galileo finisce di fronte al tribunale della Santa Inquisizione.

Si dice che Galileo abbia detto: “Credo che l’intenzione dello Spirito Santo sia di insegnarci come si vada al cielo, e non come vada il cielo”.

Galileo Galilei trascorre il resto della sua vita al confino. Muore a Firenze l’8 gennaio 1642.

*Per migliorare le tue abilita’ linguistiche e approfondire le conoscenze culturali, iscriviti al corso: Personaggi Famosi.

*Para mejorar sus competencias lingüísticas y profundizar sus conocimientos culturales, inscríbase en el curso de Personajes Famosos.

*To improve your language skills and deepen your cultural knowledge, sign up for the course, Famous Characters.

https://mariaconte.com/upcoming-classes/

Febrero: El mes dedicado al amor

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“La raíz de todas las pasiones es el amor. De él nace la tristeza, el gozo, la alegría y la desesperación”.

– Lope de Vega

¿Qué es el amor? El amor es un sentimiento universal, noble y abrumador. Afecta a hombres y mujeres de todas las razas y edades. Una persona enamorada ve el mundo de otra manera, es feliz e irradia alegría a los demás.

Pablo Neruda (1904-1973). El famoso poeta chileno está considerado uno de los más grandes poetas del siglo XX. Su poesía innovadora ejerció tal influencia en el mundo que fue galardonada con el Premio Nobel en 1971.

A todos los enamorados les dedico una poesía de Pablo Neruda:

soneto LXVI

No te quiero sino porque te quiero
y de quererte a no quererte llego
y de esperarte cuando no te espero
pasa mi corazón del frío al fuego.

Te quiero sólo porque a ti te quiero,
te odio sin fin, y odiándote te ruego,
y la medida de mi amor viajero
es no verte y amarte como un ciego.

Tal vez consumirá la luz de enero,
su rayo cruel, mi corazón entero,
robándome la llave del sosiego.

En esta historia sólo yo me muero
y moriré de amor porque te quiero,
porque te quiero, amor, a sangre y fuego.

Tomado del libro Cien sonetos de amor.

*Per migliorare le tue abilita’ linguistiche e approfondire le conoscenze culturali sull’amore, iscriviti al corso:

L’ AMORE E’ PASSIONE.

*Para mejorar sus competencias lingüísticas y profundizar sus conocimientos culturales sobre el amor, inscríbase en el curso de L’ AMORE E’ PASSIONE.

*To improve your language skills and deepen your cultural knowledge about love, sign up for the course,

L’ AMORE E’ PASSIONE.

Language Classes

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