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 […]
