The Italian Word Così – So Revealing
The innocuous Italian word ‘così’ can help you understand where in Italy Italians are from. ‘Così’ means ‘so’ in English, and the way this Italian word is said can provide clues to the origins of Italians. The secret lies in the pronunciation of this exceedingly common Italian word. Here’s why: When ‘così’ is pronounced ‘co-zee’, that’s ‘co’ as in cooperate or coordinate, […]
Try a Franglish Language Exchange
If you are looking for an opportunity to practice your Italian and you live or work in Milan, Italy, or if you are Italian and you want to improve your English, then a Franglish language exchange may be just what you are looking for. I was invited to try a Franglish language exchange and it was […]
How I dislike the Italian Verb Piacere!
I’ve lost count of the number of times my dear English language students have commented on how odd the English language seems when it’s compared to Italian. I guess this is a normal reaction. When confronted with a new language, some learners tend to think that the order of the words is more or less […]
The Italian Newsstand
This week’s images of Italy photo shows a newsstand in Umbria, Italy, which has a charming little extra ‘guarding’ all those valuable publications. It’s a lovely capture.
Timeless Italian Streets
If you ever come to Italy, sooner or later you will come across quaint, narrow Italian alleyways and streets. Some such streets are so narrow, down in Genoa for example, that you can literally stretch out your arms and touch both sides at the same time.
Milan’s Ecopass Saga Continues
Pollution levels in Milan continue to remain high, and PM10 levels are worrying, despite an attempt by the Milan city authorities to bring traffic pollution levels down through the introduction of the Ecopass congestion charging system.
Corruption and Extortion in Italian
Those of you who are not Italian, but read Italian newspapers, will often come across the words ‘corruzione’ and ‘concussione’. Do you know what ‘concussione’ means?
iPhone Availability in Italy for iPhone Hunters
In this post, which Google has led you to, I imagine, I’ll show you which on-line and off-line Italian stores have unlocked iPhones up for grabs, and just what iPhone availability in Italy is like.
Speed Cameras in Italy
If you are coming to Italy on your holidays this summer, then watch your speed, otherwise you will end up on camera, and a fine will drop through your letterbox at some time in the future.
To help those of you watch your speed, here are some photographs of some of the types of speed camera to be found littered around Italy.