Author Archives: Jodina

A great way to learn Italian, or any language, is listening to and singing along with children’s songs. It’s an excellent way to attune your ear to the pronunciation, rhythm, and cadence of the Italian language. . Their simple melodies … Continue reading →

Buongiorno! Article/Blog by Jodina Hahn This is Part I of a 5-part series on ideas and ways to amp up your speed of learning. (Aumentare la tua velocità di apprendimento) . People often ask me for advice on learning a … Continue reading →

Buon giorno! . Watching Italian films in lingua originale (original language, in this case Italian) is an excellent way to sharpen your ear to the sounds of the language spoken within a specific context. Not to mention, seeing Italian cinema … Continue reading →

. Mina – Bio info (Links to music & video below) Anna Maria Mazzini, born 25 March 1940, known simply as Mina, is an Italian pop singer with Swiss citizenship. Born to a working class family in Busto Arsizio, Mina … Continue reading →

New song selections added 3/11/2010: “Donne” by Zucchero– –3/12/2010: “Essere una Donna,” Anna Tatangelo –Scroll down! In honor of  International Women’s Day (La Giornata Internazionale della Donna, or La Festa Donna), all this week I will be featuring various Italian … Continue reading →

Auguri per la Festa della Donna! . Happy International Women’s Day! (La Giornata Internazionale della Donna). . On the 8th of March, International Women’s Day is celebrated widely around the World. The origins and history of this celebration are varied … Continue reading →

Buondì! (Good day!) . “La Musica di Mercoledì” means “The Music of Wednesday” (or Wednesday’s Music). . This will be a regular weekly installment on my web/blog-site, and will feature different Italian songs, music, and musical artists. . Any Italian … Continue reading →

Hi there! . “Il detto della domenica” means “The Sunday Saying” (or expression). This will be a regular weekly feature on my web/blog-site, and will be a showcase for Italian proverbs, idioms, and tongue twisters. ~ This week’s “La fame … Continue reading →

Practicing “sciolingue,” the Italian equivalent of tongue twisters, is an amusing way to practice and improve your pronunciation. ~ Here is this week’s sciolingua/tongue twister: ~ “In un piatto cupo poco pepe cape.” In a dark plate little pepper fits. … Continue reading →

Have you ever wondered about the origin or meaning of an Italian last name? Or how many people there are in Italy with your last name? Or perhaps the most common first names for Italian men and women? And how … Continue reading →