Author Archives: Jodina

Italian Zā€™s, Part I: The Hot Z | ITALIAN LANGUAGE NUGGET oā€™ the week | Avoiding Pronunciation Landmines

Rather listen than read? ā‡“ Podcast below ā‡“ Just to set the record straight, this weekā€™s Language Nugget isnā€™t about sleeping, Italian style šŸ˜‰Ā  Rather, weā€™ll be talking about the pronunciation of what I call the Hot Z. Just as … Continue reading

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The Sneaky S | ITALIAN LANGUAGE NUGGET o’ the week | Avoiding Pronunciation Landmines

Rather listen than read? ā‡“ Podcast below ā‡“ Italian, like all languages, has its trickier points of pronunciation. This week, Iā€™d like to put the spotlight on what I call the Sneaky S. Itā€™s one of the most common mistakes … Continue reading

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What IS Ferragosto?

Just what is this thing called Ferragosto? A midsummer Italian holiday, Ferragosto was originally linked to a celebration of the middle of summer, agricultural activity, and cycles of nature. The holiday was celebrated in the Roman Empire to honor the … Continue reading

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La Pasqua: Easter Eye Candy [a foto blog]

Prefer to read this post in English? Skip to the text inĀ  green. CosƬ come guardare le vetrine non incide sui nostri budget, concedersi la bellezza di queste bellissime vetrine italiane decorate con esposizioni elaborate di dolci pasquali non ci … Continue reading

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Top 10 Reasons People Study Italian

Why do you study Italian? (And if you donā€™t, why do you think people study Italian? And also, what are you waiting for? ā€¦ This beautiful language is calling you! šŸ™‚ ) I came across this list and thought it … Continue reading

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International Women’s Day – Auguri alle donne!

March 8th, International Womenā€™s Day, is celebrated widely in many countries around the world, though it is little known in the US. I first heard of it shortly after Iā€™d moved to Italy. Womenā€™s Day is a celebration of all … Continue reading

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Verona is for lovers… and graffiti artists + Valentine’s Love Phrases

A little while back, I had the chance to spend a little time in Verona, and of course one of the places I visited was the famed Casa di Giulietta (Julietā€™s House). Though itā€™s not really her house, nor is … Continue reading

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“Blackbird Days”: Italy’s Distant Cousin to Groundhog Day

Christmas holidays have come and gone, and by the end of January, many of us have had it with cold, gray, rainy or snowy weather. How much more of this and how much longer ā€™til spring? If youā€™re in the … Continue reading

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A proposito di propositi… Speaking of Resolutions… + Quizlet Practice Set!

So yes, the title if this blog post is a play on words: A proposito di, meaning ā€œspeaking of,ā€ propositi, meaning ā€œintentions/aims/objectives/goalsā€, as in the expression i buoni propositi per lā€™anno nuovo, or New Yearā€™s resolutions. And speaking of resolutions, … Continue reading

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Arriva la Befana | The Befana Is Coming

Around Italy, i ragazzi, the kids, are getting ready to hang their calze, stockings, by il camino, the chimney, with care, in hopes that la Befana soon will be there. i bravi, the good ones, will get caramelle, candies, and … Continue reading

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