This month’s lesson is the study of clothing with a few useful words and expressions for clothing. With winter upon us, we’ll put a little extra emphasis on your winter […]
This issue’s surnames begin with the letter R. RICCARDI – This surname derives from the ancient French first name Richard. It has numerous families with this surname. It is present […]
For obvious reasons, this month’s surname feature focuses historically, directly or indirectly, to Christmas and/or their biblical origins. This month’s feature also confirms that which our regular monthly feature doesn’t […]
Unlike the United States, that generally recognizes Thanksgiving as the day that ushers in the nation’s Christmas holiday season, in Italy “the season opener” can vary depending where in Italy […]
This issue’s surnames is the first one with those beginning with the letter R. RABOTTINI – This surname derives from the regional word “rabotino, rabbottino,” meaning a carpenter’s plane. It […]
Whether your family chooses to keep the family gatherings small or large, this lesson will teach how to add an Italian flair to your Thanksgiving. Though the lesson is not […]
This month’s surname column features surnames that start with the letter C, and for a special reason. Since October is the month when Italian Americans celebrate Columbus Day and it […]
As in past October issues, the Herald will dedicate this issue’s lesson to Halloween. Halloween has become a big celebration in Italy. Although it is regarded by some as another […]
This month our surname features names that begin with the letter Q. QUAGLIA – This surname derives from the Italian word “quaglia,” meaning quail. It is registered in the bureaus […]
Although Italian is the official language of Italy, it’s not widely known that the country boasts some 34 spoken languages and/or related “dialects” that can be subdivided into hundreds more. […]
PRESENZA – This surname is derived from the Latin first name “Praesentius,” meaning ready, powerful. It is only registered with the Bureaus of Vital Statistics in seven of Italy’s 20 […]
In the previous lesson, we discussed that learning a foreign language means exploring not only grammar, vocabulary, syntax, etc., but also the way the language developed over the centuries. In […]
This month we continue with the letter P. POLITI – This surname derives from the Greek word “politis,” meaning citizens. Also accredited to the name of the town of Polito […]
PINTO – This surname derives from the Italian adjective “dipinto,” meaning painted, already used as a nickname in the Middle Ages. It is among the leading surnames in Italy, recorded […]
The past several lessons were basically holiday themes: Valentine’s Day, Carnevale and Easter. This lesson be a more serious lesson as we learn a basic, but important, verb, essere (to […]
PETTI – This surname derives from the Italian word “petto,” meaning breast, or from the origin of a place called Petto, like Pettorano in Abruzzo or Pettoranello in Molise. Though […]
Easter is upon us. Therefore, it’s time to review a few practical expressions that you may have forgotten or might like to learn that are good to know to celebrate […]
Dean Martin made the Italian word and surname Innamorata a household word across America in the 1950s. Italian surnames reflect the Valentine’s Day passion of love Italian-American HeraldBecause many Italian […]
This month we present the traditional lesson dedicated to Valentine’s Day, Italian style. Italian lovers are famous throughout history: Paolo and Francesca, the ill-fated pair described in Dante’s “La Divina […]
PASSARELLI – This surname derives from the surname of a noble family from France. It is also said to be derived from a dialect word meaning strainer. It is registered […]
Our lesson this month is about the home. For a moment, let’s think about buying a home in Italy. You would need a very specific vocabulary. How would you say […]
This month’s surname feature focuses on names related to Christmas and/or their biblical origins. This month’s feature also confirms that which our regular monthly feature doesn’t stress. That is that […]
Natale all’italiana Unlike the United States, which generally recognizes Thanksgiving as the day that ushers in the nation’s Christmas holiday season, in Italy “the season opener” can vary. Depending on […]
Though this year may considered a safer time to gather than last year, many families may choose to keep the family gatherings small, maybe even only with the immediate family […]