Latin still lives!

Hello Everyone,

As time progresses, everything around us evolves, and our language is no exception. In our daily routine, we use English words, and our vocabulary is continuously updating. However, today I would like to focus on how we Italians still keep our linguistic roots alive!

Despite the prevalence of modern language, we continue to use Latin words and expressions such as: carpe diem, curriculum vitae, alias, Deo gratias, etc., which have Italian equivalents. But why do we do this if Latin is no longer spoken in our daily lives?

Is it to showcase our intellectual prowess? Or do these specific Latin words and expressions convey our intended meaning more accurately?

To help unravel this little mystery of mine, driven by curiosity, I had an interesting conversation with one of my dearest friends. We have known each other for many years. He is an Italian, Latin, History, and Geography professor, also qualified to teach Greek. He resides in a small and beautiful town in Southern Italy named Mesoraca. I sought his opinion to compare our perspectives and to learn more from an expert. His name is Francesco Grano, and here I share his explanation:

He explained that we use these Latin words and expressions because they are “linguistic fossils,” some of which, over time, have permeated our daily speech due to their cultured origin. Many are common sayings embedded in our historical and linguistic memory, such as sic et simpliciter (thus and simply) and ex abrupto (without preparation). Others originate from literary traditions, like famous Latinisms still used in literature today. These belong to the refined lexicon of poets and prose writers. Additionally, some are cultured quotes memorized and repeated over time, present in the works of those who preceded us (for example, carpe diem by Horace and alea iacta est by Caesar). They have various levels of continuity.

Reading his messages was enlightening! The wealth of knowledge he shared was fascinating. What I cherished most was his quote, “If you think well, Italian is Latin!” This statement made me realize that we have a vast cultural and linguistic heritage that we will always carry with us.

A special thanks to my wonderful friend Francesco Grano, who is not only a learned professor but also a beautiful and warm-hearted human being!

I hope you enjoyed this article!

22319.carpe-diem
Source

gregoracetranslations2 Comments

How do we learn a new language?

Hello Everyone,

In today’s globalized world, knowing a second language is essential, if not necessary. English, considered the most international and widely spoken language, tops the list. I also believe that Chinese and Spanish will soon join this category.

So, let’s start studying them too, shall we?

But how do we learn a new language effectively? Do you know any interesting tricks or tips to achieve proficiency in a short period?

Here’s what I did and continue to do to learn and improve the languages I speak:

I began with English. I studied it at school, but I made significant progress by translating English songs, especially those of my favorite singers. I watched MTV, CNN, and Fox News channels. Thanks to the exchange programs with the United States that my school participated in, I started corresponding with American students through letters. We also hosted some Australians, and I still maintain a friendship with one of them after 17 years.

I then studied Spanish and Portuguese at university. Spanish telenovelas and Portuguese series were immensely helpful. Moving to Spain was, of course, the best way to enhance my Spanish until I acquired the local accent of the city I lived in. Working as a receptionist there allowed me to practice and improve both languages daily through interactions with customers.

Finally, I moved to Norway, where I had to learn Norwegian to integrate better into society. Here, I met two wonderful Brazilian friends who help me practice and improve my Portuguese. Currently, I work as a hotel receptionist, which gives me the opportunity to speak all these languages daily. It’s both challenging and enjoyable!

So, what tips or tricks can I recommend to you for learning a language quickly and effectively?

Study Grammar: Read a grammar book, do exercises, and focus on the rules.

Watch Foreign Channels: Engage with content on international news channels, movies, and TV shows.

Read: Dive into articles, books, and any written content in the target language.

Listen to Music: Songs can help with listening skills and pronunciation.

Even with a busy life, dedicating just half an hour per day can make a significant difference. For speaking practice, look for international exchange programs in your city. These programs often involve language exchange over coffee, where you can practice speaking with a native speaker of your target language. Making international friends can also be incredibly helpful.

Use the new words you learn as often as possible to avoid forgetting them. Importantly, take the risk to speak, even if you make mistakes. This trial and error process is essential because the person you are conversing with will likely correct you, helping you remember and learn.

The most effective tip is to travel to the country where the language is spoken. Immersing yourself in the language 24/7 accelerates learning. If possible, move there for a few months. This method is both challenging and fun!

Good luck!

pic2

Source

gregoracetranslationsLeave a comment

We don’t speak Italian!

The Evolution of Modern Italian: An International Influence

It is evident that the Italian we speak today has become quite international, primarily due to our habit of incorporating numerous foreign words into our daily conversations. As a result, it often doesn’t sound like a purely national language anymore. We adopt many loanwords from different cultures, not only because they are concise and help us communicate more quickly, but also because they make us appear “cool.” By “cool,” I mean sophisticated in our linguistic abilities, and our globalized society requires us to demonstrate our open-mindedness.

We frequently mix different languages into our own, such as:

Italian: Ci sentiamo questo weekend? Così ti mando il link del file che mi hai chiesto.

Translation: Shall we call each other this weekend? So I can send you the link of the file you asked me.

Italian: Ho bisogno di una babysitter.

Translation: I need a babysitter.

Italian: Dobbiamo trovare una bella location questo weekend per fare delle foto.

Translation: We have to find a nice location this weekend to take some pictures.

In these examples, approximately 30-50% of the sentences are in English, even though we are speaking Italian. The amusing part is that each of these words has a proper Italian translation, which we rarely use:

Weekend: fine settimana

Link: collegamento

File: cartella

Babysitter: tata

Location: posto, luogo

As you can see, we have numerous opportunities to elevate our language by using these Italian terms in our everyday speech. However, we often prefer the foreign words, possibly because we have become somewhat Americanized!

We might consider following the example of Spanish speakers, who translate almost everything from English to Spanish. They do this out of nationalism and a strong desire to preserve and promote their national language.

What are your thoughts on this? Do you mix different languages in your speech as well?

english-phrases-1
Source

gregoracetranslationsLeave a comment

The world of the dictionary

Today, with the advent of the Internet, the use of traditional dictionaries has diminished. The new generation may not even know how the pages of a dictionary smell or how enjoyable it can be to search for words manually!

A dictionary provides comprehensive explanations about words, and as I continue reading “L’italiano è bello” (Italian is Nice) by Mariangela Galatea Vaglio, I have discovered intriguing information about the origins of the very first Italian dictionary and the first academy that validates every new word to be accepted as part of the Italian language.

At the end of the 16th century, Italians spoke a vernacular language. Following Dante’s works in the 14th century, which were written in a more elegant Florentine Italian than the vernacular, writers thought to establish a grammar for the Florentine language. They believed that having rules would simplify writing and speaking for themselves and future writers.

In 1583, The Accademia della Crusca was founded. If translated into English, it would be The Bran Academy, metaphorically representing the language ground in all its words, which are like cereals. Initially, it was a club where writers gathered to discuss literature and linguistic issues. Today, it serves as the national and official academy where new Italian words are incorporated into the language.

In 1612, the first Italian dictionary was published. All words were listed in alphabetical order, and each word included several examples based on different contexts.

All of Europe began to follow the Italian example. This undoubtedly helped the writers of that time and continues to aid modern writers.

I emphasize the importance of keeping dictionaries alive and actually using them, as their main purpose is to educate, inform, and enrich our intelligence.

The book I’m reading is fascinating, and I will certainly share more insights from it in future articles. There is always something new to learn!

Do you use your native language dictionary?

Source

gregoracetranslationsLeave a comment

What do they say/do?

When we Italians listen to someone who is explaining something we don’t understand, we say: “They are speaking Arabic!”; Spanish say: “They are speaking Chinese!”; Brazilians, Norwegians and English say: “They are speaking Greek!/This is Greek to me!”. It is curious right? Each of these three languages is complicated grammatically and culturally, they are three different worlds. Continue reading “What do they say/do?” →

gregoracetranslationsLeave a comment