PAPARAZZI

Hello everyone!

One year has passed since Covid-19 and it is still ruling over our lives like day one. Allow me to say that we all have reached a point where we no longer know what we want and live our lives blindly in the hope to figure something out eventually…

I know it has been a while since my last post, but here I am with this new content that got inspired from a random evening with friends and our conversation about “paparazzi phenomenon.”

The word “paparazzi” reminded me of “papera” (duck in Italian) said in a derogatory way and due to its annoying and repetitive sound, I could relate it to the clicks of the cameras. I shared this thought with my friends who went and look for the etymology online. Mr. Google quickly revealed that the word comes from the epic Italian film, Fellini’s “La Dolce Vita,” and its photographer character, whose name is Paparazzo.

My curiosity did not stop there. I continued to look into it and found out that this word could come from “paparazze“- giant clams sighted on the coast of Croatia in the Adriatic Sea and according to an online article “they bring the snap of the shells closer to that of the camera shutter.” How funny!

Another theory presented by Fellini’s wife Giulietta Masina suggests that Paparazzi hails from Italian word pappataci (mosquitos) to indicate an annoying, blood-sucking sand-fly.

As you can see there’s not an official theory that confirms the origin of this word, however, I do believe that it came from the name of a character in Fellini’s film La Dolce Vita released in 1960s.

I love learning new things, so if you know any other theory that you wish to share, by all means, go ahead. You know what they say: develop a passion to learning and you’ll never stop to grow.

 I wish you all a nice week, stay safe and let’s stay connected 😊

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ITALIAN AS A SECOND/THIRD LANGUAGE

Today, I am going to comment on a very interesting article I came across that discusses how children learn Italian as a second or third language.

Allow me to elaborate further: here in Oslo, there is an Italian association where teachers and academic professionals teach Italian to children. These children either have Italian parents or are of half Italian and half Norwegian origin. It is fascinating to observe how these children learn a second or third language in addition to their native Norwegian.

While some of these children can accelerate their learning at home with the support of their Italian parents, others may need to put in a bit more effort due to their practice being limited to a classroom environment. However, regardless of their family background, it is said that children find it easier to learn a new language because they do not have as much information in their brains as adults. This means they are able to absorb and memorize new information more quickly.

Some of you may be wondering why I have selected this particular topic today. Well, it is because I have been hired by this Italian Association to work as a teacher for the 3rd, 4th, and 5th grades. Yippee!

What excites me the most about this role is the idea of becoming part of a system where I can witness these children’s progress while exploring new ways to support them throughout this journey. It will also be interesting to see how they use their imagination and creativity in a non-native language. I believe that people, particularly children, can learn faster while having a bit of fun. Therefore, I will be experimenting with game-like tasks to support their learning. In addition, I am planning to let them watch cartoons, read fairy tales to them, do some origami, etc. For the primary teachers out there, any other suggestions?

My first aim will be to understand how much Italian they know so far in order to determine the best class for them and the most effective way to teach them this beautiful language. This is a new and exciting challenge for me, as it is my first time teaching Italian as a second or third language to children. Currently, the lessons will be held online, but I am eager to teach in person soon, as I believe it is easier to learn a language face-to-face rather than through a computer.

Let’s see how it goes, wish me good luck!

And you, do you have any children who are learning a second or third language?

Feel free to share your insights and experiences.

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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!

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Words are powerful!

Hello Everyone,

Have you ever considered the incredible power that words possess? Words can express love, hatred, they can hurt, persuade, and so much more. But why do they have such a profound influence on our thoughts?

The book “L’Italiano è bello” by Mariangela Galatea Vaglio offers an insightful explanation of the word rhetoric, which captured my attention.

She describes rhetoric as “…tecnica per parlare efficace, ovvero del saper costruire frasi adatte a colpire il genere di pubblico che interessa.” (Technique to talk efficiently, knowing how to construct sentences capable of moving the kind of audience we are addressing). The style used in a conversation is adapted to the audience. For instance, if the audience is graceful, the style will be mawkish; if the audience is uncivilized, the style will be direct and vulgar, and so on. It is a technique where all instruments are employed to achieve a specific purpose.

Consider our politicians, for example. They use good rhetoric to seduce us, using the right words to gain our votes, often with the help of speechwriters. Incredible, isn’t it? Of course, we are aware of this, but we may never truly know if they are manipulative. They use positive and good words, making us believe that everything is possible and that change can happen. However, when nothing improves, it becomes difficult to trust them. Should we always think this way?

It goes without saying that when words are used sincerely and positively, it is a pleasure to hear them.

Where does rhetoric originate? It was invented by the Greeks, but the Romans were the first to use it effectively. To master good rhetoric, the Romans distinguished five phases: inventio, dispositio, memoria, elocutio, and actio.

Inventio: This is like brainstorming, the act of writing a draft.

Dispositio: Creating an outline or schedule to convince the audience.

Memoria: Studying techniques to memorize the speech.

Elocutio: Choosing the best and final way to phrase sentences for an effective speech.

Actio: The actual presentation of the speech, focusing on pronunciation and delivery.

What a process, eh? So, if you want to be persuasive, now you have the means to do so! Jokes aside, remember that good rhetoric comes from being well-educated, reading extensively, and learning to speak effectively without being manipulative.

How often do you use good rhetoric, and what is your purpose in using it?

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If I was…

Hello Dear Readers,

Christmas is around the corner… 🙂 🙂 🙂

Let’s be honest Christmas is all about giving and receiving gifts, celebrating love with friends and family. At least that’s the mindset many of us have today. And since you all know my love for books, why not consider buying one for your family and friends?

But why books?

Well, I believe a book opens up new worlds to the reader. It allows the imagination to travel and create vivid images from the descriptions on the pages. It enriches our souls and minds, and also helps refresh our vocabulary and grammar rules, this is my primary reason for reading!

Why am I talking about books? The other day, I was watching some videos on YouTube, and one caught my attention: it was the video of the Italian song “Congiuntivo” (Subjunctive) by Lorenzo Baglioni, who participated in the Sanremo Festival, a significant Italian music event. This song highlights the use of the subjunctive in the Italian language. Unfortunately, many of us still struggle to use it correctly in hypothetical sentences, where it is necessary!

To illustrate:

Correct: Se fossi ricca, viaggerei sempre (If I were rich, I would always travel)

In the subordinate clause, we must use the subjunctive, while in the main clause, we use the conditional.

Incorrect: Se sarei ricca, viaggerei sempre (If I would be rich, I would always travel)

This is a common mistake and sounds terrible.

This song serves as a reminder to all Italians to use the subjunctive correctly! Music is a great trick to remember this, and reading also helps as our minds unconsciously memorize grammatical structures. After some reading, we automatically speak better Italian. So, everyone, buy as many books as you can! This advice applies to me as well, hehehe. Speaking a language correctly is important because it’s pleasant to listen to and, more importantly, ensures we are understood.

Good luck! Ah, and Merry Christmas to all!!! Happy 2020!!!

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