About Italian Language

Omologare

2009-11-21T02:00:17Z

Recently this space explained that the term GTO—as in Pontiac GTO—was an Italian acronym for the phrase "Gran Turismo Omologato." Even more fascinating, Wordsmith points out that omologato comes from the verb homologate. Etymologically, it's from Latin homologare (to agree); from Greek homologein (to agree or allow). The verb—omologare in Italian—means: "to register a specific model of a motor vehicle to make it eligible to take part in a racing competition."

Omologare originally appeared on About.com Italian Language on Saturday, November 21st, 2009 at 02:00:17.

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First 'Official' Copy of Koran in Italian to be Published

2009-11-19T02:31:40Z

According to Adnkronos International, the first 'official' copies in the Italian language of the Islamic holy book, the Koran, will be published in the Saudi Arabian city of Medina next year. "Compared to the previous translation that sold thousands of copies in Italy, the Saudi version will have fewer annotations, and the Italian translation will also contain the original Arabic equivalent," according to Hamza Piccardo, former secretary of one of Italy's largest Muslim groups, UCOII.

First 'Official' Copy of Koran in Italian to be Published originally appeared on About.com Italian Language on Thursday, November 19th, 2009 at 02:31:40.

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Arrivederci Italiese

2009-11-15T02:51:18Z

Another Italian-centric language is now threatened with extinction. This time, it's Italiese—Toronto Italian. According to the Toronto Star, in "Say Arriverderci to the Basimento," "...so many Italians immigrated here [Toronto] after World War II that Toronto became, by the mid-1960s, the largest Italian city outside of Italy...and in time roughly 500,000 people in Greater Toronto were speaking a new tongue, Italiese."

But according to the article, "...Italiese is destined to die within a generation or two, its need and usefulness evaporating," a victim of globalization and cultural homogenization. That's why the Frank Iacobucci Centre for Italian Canadian Studies at the University of Toronto has been compiling a record of Italiese before its inevitable passing. The Centre has even compiled an Italiese dictionary.

Arrivederci Italiese originally appeared on About.com Italian Language on Sunday, November 15th, 2009 at 02:51:18.

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I Sette Peccati Capitali Secondo Dante

2009-11-12T20:21:45Z

Dante Alighieri, in his epic poem La Divina Commedia, sets forth i sette peccati capitali (the seven deadly sins) as follows:

luxuria (extravagance)
gula (gluttony)
avaritia (avarice/greed)
acedia (acedia/discouragement)
ira (wrath)
invidia (envy)
superbia (pride)

I Sette Peccati Capitali Secondo Dante originally appeared on About.com Italian Language on Thursday, November 12th, 2009 at 20:21:45.

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Romano Prodi To Speak at Wilson Center

2009-11-07T02:16:25Z

Romano Prodi, the former prime minister of Italy, will speak about the future of Europe and transatlantic institutions at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars in Washington, D.C., on November 19. The event, titled "The Future of Europe and Transatlantic Relations," will also be available via a live Webcast. Prodi was also President of the European Commission and was a founding member of L'Ulivo, a former center-left coalition in the Italian government.

Romano Prodi To Speak at Wilson Center originally appeared on About.com Italian Language on Saturday, November 7th, 2009 at 02:16:25.

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La Voce della Pietra

2009-11-05T02:53:33Z

The Italian cult novel La Voce della Pietra will soon be in production for the big screen. According to Variety, director Hideo Nakata will begin filming next spring. The movie, to be titled "Voice From the Stone," "...centers on a female psychologist who takes on the case of a young boy who made a promise to his dying mother to remain silent until her spirit returns. The psychologist begins to realize that the boy's dead mother has manipulated her in order to take possession of her body so she can be reunited with her son."

Can you say incubo?

La Voce della Pietra originally appeared on About.com Italian Language on Thursday, November 5th, 2009 at 02:53:33.

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Trio Milano Classica Concert in New York City

2009-11-02T02:32:27Z

New York University's Casa Italiana Zerilli-Marim� presents a concert of Italian baroque repertoire with three of Italy's most important specialists in early music (with works by Corelli, Veracini, Vivaldi, Tartini). Concert is Monday, November 9, at 6 PM.

Trio Milano Classica Concert in New York City originally appeared on About.com Italian Language on Monday, November 2nd, 2009 at 02:32:27.

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La Macchina dei Verbi Italiani

2009-10-31T02:16:37Z

La Macchina dei Verbi Italiani (Italian Verb Machine) is a Flash application that allows users to practice Italian verb conjugations, either by tense or by person. The software can be used online or in a downloadable format.

La Macchina dei Verbi Italiani originally appeared on About.com Italian Language on Saturday, October 31st, 2009 at 02:16:37.

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Exercise Your Italian Verbs

2009-10-28T02:26:14Z

One useful method for studying verbs is to take an excerpt of several paragraphs—print out an article from an Italian newsweekly—and highlight every verb. Then translate each verb and identify the tense. Parse it out—write out the infinitive, look up the word in a dictionary if you don't know it, and be sure to clarify the tense. You will improve your comprehension immeasurably since verbs are the key to the language.

Exercise Your Italian Verbs originally appeared on About.com Italian Language on Wednesday, October 28th, 2009 at 02:26:14.

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Maine Institute for Italian Studies

2009-10-25T02:16:39Z

The Maine Institute for Italian Studies (IIS), located in Portland, Maine, teaches courses in Italian language and culture, offers trips to Italy, and sponsors events and workshops in art, opera, and film.

Maine Institute for Italian Studies originally appeared on About.com Italian Language on Sunday, October 25th, 2009 at 02:16:39.

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