The opposite way!

Hello Everyone,

In a previous article, I discussed the foreign words that we Italians use in our daily lives and at work. This time, I thought it would be interesting to look at the opposite—foreigners who use Italian words.

Let’s consider some examples:

Food: Words like pizza, pasta, spaghetti, tiramisù, risotto, and cappuccino are widely used internationally.

Classical Music: Terms such as adagio, vivace, allegro con brio, aria, and opera lirica are integral to the vocabulary of classical music.

Expressions: The phrase “la dolce vita” has become famous thanks to Federico Fellini’s wonderful film. It embodies the Italian spirit of enjoying life to the fullest.

Transportation: Names like Vespa, Lamborghini, Maserati, Alfa Romeo, and Fiat are globally recognized. Although most of them are surnames, they are distinctively Italian.

Paparazzi: This word is used internationally to describe photographers who relentlessly pursue celebrities. Unfortunately, it implies that these famous individuals have no private life.

Greetings: The word “ciao” is famous worldwide. While in Italian, we use it both to greet and say goodbye, in other languages, it is mainly used to say goodbye. Curious, right?

Mafia: Regrettably, the word “mafia” is one of the most recognized Italian words worldwide. I feel a bit ashamed because, every time someone asks me where I’m from and I say “La bella Italia,” they often respond with “Oh, Berlusconi, bunga bunga, mafia.” Not funny at all.

I believe Italy is one of the most beautiful countries in the world, filled with art, history, culture, stunning beaches, and so much more. I am genuinely proud to be Italian!

As you can see, Italian words are everywhere. Why do foreigners use them? Simply because they do not have proper translations in their own languages. This is different from our tendency to use English words to feel cool and a bit more international. They use Italian words because they need to, not because it’s trendy.

For now, I will say goodbye in my way:

Ciao ciao! 🙂

italy

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Norwegian style!

5 years in this beautiful country, 5 years living in a completely different culture, trying to integrate myself to this society… Norway or No way?

I read a very interesting book in May which title is The social guidebook to Norway by Julien S. Bourrelle: the funniest thing is that I was told to read it by a Brazilian friend of mine who lives in Germany, but as she has been in Norway for holidays, she bought it and since she knows I live here, she suggested for me to read it. To be honest it was the first time me hearing of such a book, even though I have been living in Norway for so long now, but anyway, I visited her and I read this book in half an hour!

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Big Challenge

Since I live here in Norway I met a lot of immigrants like me, that in time became friends… and who are in “the same boat” as me. With this expression I mean that we as immigrants had to integrate into the Norwegian society, we had to learn the Norwegian lifestyle, the system, the culinary culture, the traditions, the culture in general and of course the language: Norsk!

Continue reading “Big Challenge” →

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