THE ITALIAN LANGUAGE FOUNDATION

Say Yes to the Dress and the Tux, too!

THE ITALIAN LANGUAGE FOUNDATION / October 25, 2021 / Blog /

Written by Joanne Fisher, a Canadian-Italian-American author who has penned eleven books. Additionally, she has written four short stories for Space Coast Writers’ Guild anthologies. In April, 2019 Joanne was elected President of Space Coast Writers’ Guild. Joanne is renowned for her steamy romances, historical fictions and murder and mysteries.

Versace is a bolder and more modern gown with low necklines, sporting very high slits along the side or front of the leg. They also love big ruffles. If you want to leave your guests speechless, Versace is your gown.

But what is the big difference between the Italian wedding gown and the American wedding gown? As I browsed through hundreds of gowns from both Italian and American websites, I noticed a few differences.

The Italian gown is elegant, classy, decorously flowing, and quite traditional, so it can be worn in a church without worrying about finding something to cover your shoulders, as some churches require. I also noticed that these gowns hug the body perfectly, seeming to bypass the rolls and curves that vary from woman to woman. The trains are there but tend to be barely noticeable. Here are a few examples:

The American gown is more spectacular—puffy, frivolous, with a tendency to overemphasize the bride’s breasts. These gowns have many layers or ruffles. They might have various flowers, whether small or large, sewn on them. In my opinion, it renders the gown tacky and boorish at times. Here’s what I mean:

Have no fear you young American brides for in the US we have Eve Muscio of Eve of Milady Bridals. She is a highly successful designer who has been creating bridal gowns for decades. Eve is an Italian who grew up in Argentina. Her family emigrated to the US when she was a teen. I’ve visited the website and I was astonished at the originality, beautiful styles and excellent craftsmanship of her gowns. Here is the website: Bridal Gowns, Wedding Dresses by Eve of Milady (eveofmiladybridals.com) see for yourself.

Now, the tux. Even the groom should look his best. And what better way than with an Armani suit. To this day, a suit or tuxedo by the “Maestro” of tailors is a must-have with grooms. Sure, Versace has some popping tuxes, but the classic tailored suit or tuxedo will go a long, long way. After having researched both Italian and American tuxedos, I have not found many differences in the tailoring aspect, but I have noticed that Italian men always look better than American men. Perhaps because I’m biased. But I was at a wedding just last month and the groomsmen were a mix of Italian heritage and American, and the Italians stood out with style and charisma, meanwhile the Americans…well…look below and see what I mean:

A Living Link to a Childhood home: Venezia

THE ITALIAN LANGUAGE FOUNDATION / October 20, 2021 / Blog /

Margo Sorenson is an author of over thirty traditionally-published books for young readers. She spent the first seven years of her life in Spain and Italy, devouring books and Italian food and still speaks (or tries!) her childhood languages. Her novel, SECRETS IN TRANSLATION (Fitzroy Books, October 2018), takes place in Positano, with heroine Alessandra, whose being able to speak Italian helps her to feel at home in Italy where she grew up, and helps her solve a mystery. Find out more about Margo’s latest updates on her website www.margosorenson.com

We were looking forward to another return trip to la bella Italia, where I’d spent my childhood. Our first stop was Venezia; together, my husband and I had never been to Venezia, nor had I, by myself, having grown up in Bari and Napoli. Crossing our fingers, and having been vastly entertained by reading Donna Leon’s Commissario Brunetti series, we made our plans to visit this legendary city. Of course, I was hoping that my speaking Italian would bridge a gap and make me feel at home in Italy, once again, even though Venezia was an unfamiliar city. We enjoyed Leon’s tales of life in Venezia, seasoned with humor and warmth, and hoped to see in person what she wrote about so vividly. As a sidenote, this included being able to indulge ourselves in some of the meals that she described so well that it made us hungry just to read about them. So much of the beloved Italian culture revolves around food, and we were willing participants. We were definitely ready to soak up the atmosphere of this venerable and historic city, which had been the powerful hub of Mediterranean and European commerce for centuries.

We knew that canals were the lifeblood and connective tissue of Venezia, but to finally see them in real life, and haul our own luggage over cobblestones and small bridges—no cars allowed—was a revelation. Venerable palazzos stood shoulder-to-shoulder with apartment buildings, their lowest floors often submerged in water—no sidewalks—overlooking campos and piazzas, and everywhere, was the smell of water. The gondolas and vaporettos were ubuiquitous, and we soon learned the etiquette of how to board and debark.

Acqua Alta Piazza San Marco

We met our knowledgeable and lively guide, Bruna Caruso, and she was delighted to find that I spoke Italian; we enjoyed speaking together (she graciously abandoned her veneziano dialetto for me) and she translated for my dear husband. She led us through the campos and into St. Mark’s Square and the Basilica San Marco, walking on plywood risers above the aqua alta, the high tide that had recently overtakenso much of Venezia, and does so from time to time. There was water everywhere—in the square, over the mosaics on the church floor, and lights illuminated the gold mosaics inside the darkness of the basilica, a hushed and sacred space, even with the tide’s encroachment. During our tour, Bruna affirmed for us the communal nature of Venezia that author Leon had described throughout the Brunetti books. Bruna whimsically told us that everyone knows everyone else’s business in Venezia—there are no secrets, she said, because everyone lives so closely together. Each island has its own basilica and campos, and there were secret channels among the waterways, she related, and that was why no foreign power had ever been able to conquer Venezia.

Our hotel, the ancient Palazzo Priuili (Castello) was a delight. The marble stairs had been worn in the centers by hundreds of inhabitants and guests for decades. The furnishings were elegant and in concert with age and history of the palazzo, and we had a lovely view of a canal from our room. That night, we dined at Al Giardinetto, in the dining room that had been the ancient family’s chapel, and the spell of Venezia was firmly cast upon us.

Our last day in Venezia, we took a water taxi to the island of Murano and were amazed by the craftsmanship and artistry of the glass blowers. Naturally, the spell Venezia had cast upon us prompted us to buy a beautiful plate and vase, in a style called “Avventurina.” It was first mentioned in a document dating from 1614 as “a kind of stone with gilt stars inside,”at which point it had already delighted people with its unusual style. The technique’s discovery happened by chance, according to the story, when a glassblower is said to have accidentally dropped some metal shavings into the glass mixture. Italians say it happened “all’avventura,” which in Italian means “by chance”—a “happening,” the glassblowing artisan explained to us. He didn’t know precisely how it was going to turn out, until it was finished.

The owners and craftsmen were more than gracious, explaining how carefully they would ship our prizes over six thousand miles to California, and their faces were wreathed in good natured smiles at my Italian. Our precious Murano glass artistry miraculously survived the trip without a scratch or nick (thanks to heavy crating and Styrofoam!) and graces our living room in places of honor—a lovely memory of my Italian childhood home—in my American home.

Being able to speak the Italian language had done its magical work, once again, and the living link of language was able to make us feel at home in Venezia, even though I’d never lived there.

Summer in Italian: The Sweetness of Doing Nothing

THE ITALIAN LANGUAGE FOUNDATION / September 3, 2021 / Blog /

A popular post written by Jody Paglia Goode, an Italophile in Des Moines and shared with permission from Dianne Hales blog page at diannehales.com.

A few years ago while I was sitting on a beach in Southern Italy, I noticed a man kicking a soccer ball down the shoreline. He kicked it a few feet at a time, nothing too strenuous, just a nice bit of play in the middle of a glorious sunny afternoon. It struck me as unusual that this man would take the time to do this. It was as if he had all the time in the world at his disposal and the only thing he cared about at that moment was kicking that soccer ball.

The explanation for his behavior then occurred to me. He had developed the ability to practice l’arte di non fare niente. This is an Italian expression which translates as the art of doing nothing. Ah, dolce far niente! It is also known as the sweetness of doing nothing. Now let’s ponder this for a moment or two.

Such poetic phrases, aren’t they? In the United States we refer to this as killing time, a crude and brutal term that implies wastefulness. Yes, we are a nation of overachievers and multi-taskers. Now don’t get me wrong, I can multi- task with the best of them, but every so often I think of that man, kicking that soccer ball, and I yearn for a little down time of my own.

A term such as “the art of doing nothing” implies something more than sitting in a Lazyboy in front of a television set. It demands more from us. The art of doing nothing and doing it well could be realized in many ways.

For some it may be reached by drinking wine on the deck while listening to the cicadas or by lingering over several cups of coffee with an old friend. No box wine or instant coffee will do. For some it may be accomplished by sipping tea by the fire, with a cat softly purring nearby, or by watching a baby sleep. For others the art is practiced by taking the time to share a story or two with the locals at the market. People-watching at the piazza, a swing at the park, and making animal creatures from play dough would all qualify.

I know what you are thinking. None of the above mentioned things are nothing, and they are indeed something. L’arte di non fare niente implies spontaneity and doing a thing for nothing more than the pleasure of doing it. The man on the beach was not out to refine his technique, burn carbs, or impress the ladies. He was kicking that ball for no other reason that the sheer enjoyment of his solitary movement along the water’s edge, and that, my friends, is a beautiful thing.

7 Reasons to Learn Italian in Italy

THE ITALIAN LANGUAGE FOUNDATION / August 27, 2021 / Blog /

Dianne Hales is the author of La Passione: How Italy Seduced the World; La Bella Lingua, a New York Times best-seller; and Mona Lisa: A Life Discovered, an Amazon best book of the year. She received a knighthood, with the title of Cavaliere dell’Ordine della Stella della Solidarietà Italiana, for her contributions to promoting the Italian language. You can download her most recent book, “A” Is for Amore, for free at diannehales.com.

The country of Italy, with its culture and iconic lifestyle, beckons to be understood. Speaking its language can help. Obviously you can study Italian as a foreign language in a school abroad or online, but nothing and no one will be able to enrich and involve you like an Italian school in Italy.

As Italy opens its doors to the world, here are seven excellent reasons to come and study Italian in its native land:

1. Immediately practice what you learn. Living in Italy means going to stores, ordering at a restaurant, taking the bus. What better way to acquire grammar than to apply it as soon as you close the book? Or even during the coffee break?

2. Compare notes with students of other nationalities and share the joys and sorrows of the “bella lingua.” A class of international students enriches the learning of the Italian language. United by the same passion and the same fatigue (can we talk about the subjunctive?), they become friends, often for a period of time that goes beyond the lessons themselves.

3. Italian teachers are usually Italian. As such, they put passion into explaining adjectives. They get excited conjugating verbs. They know how to drag students into the vortex of adverbs. As students learn from teachers, so do teachers from students, in a mutual exchange of knowledge.

4. Italian teachers are usually Italian – did I already say that? You don’t just learn grammar in their lessons; you also absorb culture. Italian is closely connected with the history of an ancient nation that was technically united only about 150 years ago. This history has left deep traces in the language we speak today.

5. Italy means fashion, art, painting, food and wine, architecture, music, industry and craftsmanship of excellence. In order to intimately understand the essence of this multifaceted nation, it is necessary to spend time in Italy – ideally, at a school of Italian language and culture.

6. Italians speak with their hands–which entitles students to do the same! If you don’t know how to ask how much something costs, just rub thumb and index finger together. Don’t know how to say “exquisite” or “delicious”? Put your finger on your cheek! Italians will never miss a chance to help you communicate, and you’ll learn a new word and gesture every day.

7. In Italy you do not age at the table. Food in Italy is an integral part of the culture. Studying Italian will help you remember the difference between penne and maccheroni — and choose the right sauce for spaghetti (not the same as the one for fettuccine).

Learning Italian is a unique and wonderful experience, but it’s not easy, and it requires constant commitment and effort. That’s why it’s important to study in Italy. The time you spend learning the Italian language in the Bel Paese will be truly precious, like a magic treasure chest in the most beautiful of dreams.

LICET (Italian Language, Culture and Tourism) is an association of Italian language schools that maintain their independence and particular identity while fostering the spread of Italian language and culture throughout the world.

Connecting Through Language

THE ITALIAN LANGUAGE FOUNDATION / August 16, 2021 / Blog /

Author of over thirty traditionally-published books for young readers, Margo Sorenson spent the first seven years of her life in Spain and Italy, devouring books and Italian food and still speaks (or tries!) her childhood languages. Her most recent Adult/Young Adult novel, SECRETS IN TRANSLATION (Fitzroy Books, October 2018), takes place in Positano, with heroine Alessandra, whose being able to speak Italian helps her to feel at home in Italy, once again. For more information on ordering these and Margo’s other books, please visit www.margosorenson.com

Since early childhood, I’ve been awed by the power of words and languages to connect people and cultures. I was fortunate to grow up speaking three languages—that scenario isn’t that unusual today in our globally-connected world—and, if you happen to be a Diplomatic Service kid, as I was, it’s a given. Because I lived in Spain and Italy for seven years as a child, my early immersion in Spanish and Italian made it normal to think of different words to use for the same concept or object. One of the reasons I became a writer is because of this early fascination with words and their powerful ability to help people communicate and relate to each other, which I experienced every day as a child. Reading my childhood books in Italian and Spanish prompted me to broaden my horizons and to enjoy imaginary worlds; wanting to try to create for young readers what those authors had created for me was another motive for my becoming a writer. Because my early years in Italy left an indelible—and precious—mark on me, it was only natural to incorporate la bella Italia, its culture, and its cuisine in some of my books. It’s been a special way of “coming home.”

For example, in my middle grade novel, FUNNY MAN, high school football player/comedian-wannabe Derrick needs to pay for football camp, so he gets a job at the Taste of Italy. Derrick figures out a creative way to help owner Joe bring more customers into the restaurant, a win-win for everyone, and I thoroughly enjoyed being able to use Italian words and write about Italian cuisine in the story.

In my picture book, SPAGHETTI SMILES, Jake must find a new neighbor for his Uncle Rocco’s crazy, mixed-up Italian restaurant, but it won’t be easy! Being able to write whimsically about Italian food and family was a lots of fun, and young readers giggle at illustrator David Harrington’s flying lasagne squares and tomato sauce being pumped into cars.

My Adult/Young Adult novel set in Positano, SECRETS IN TRANSLATION, asks this question: “What seventeen-year old girl wouldn’t want to return to Italy and meet a handsome, young, Italian university student? For Alessandra, the answer is more complicated—and dangerous.” While I was writing the novel, I loved “transporting” myself back to Italy and being able to use the Italian language and customs I had grown up with. It is the “book of my heart.” Our Italian friends were a great help in writing this book.

My love of words also prompted me to write my picture book, CALVIN GETS THE LAST WORD, in which Calvin tries to find the perfect word to describe his super-annoying older brother, and illustrator Mike Deas creates hilarity on every page with his wonderful illustrations. The words are all in English, but, Calvin could be Italian.

Il cuore é italiano—and yours could be, too, as you connect with others through Italian language study. I encourage everyone to keep up language studies—you never know what the future could bring!

SELECTED PRAISE FOR BOOKS:
FUNNY MAN (ages 7-12):
2003 Minnesota Young Adult Book Award finalist
Nominated for YALSA’s 2003 Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers
Recommended in Multicultural Review, Editor’s Shelf

SPAGHETTI SMILES (ages 4-8):
“This humorous children’s adventure stars Jake, a boy who loves hanging out at Rocco’s Italian
Restaurant after school. And it’s a sweet story, too, with some good lessons about business and
family.”—Don Oldenburg, The Ambassador, (National Italian American Foundation’s official
magazine)
“Could reading and Italian food be a match made in heaven? Exuberant, playful illustrations
perfectly set the mood of this boisteriously funny picturebook.”–Midwest Book Review

SECRETS IN TRANSLATION (ages 12-adult):
“Utterly charming!”– Allison K. Hill, CEO of the American Booksellers Association
“SECRETS IN TRANSLATION is a perfect mix of travel, culture, romance and mystery!”– Anita
Celucci, Past President Massachusetts Library Association
“A delightful armchair excursion to the romantic heart of southern Italy! Brava!”– Dianne
Hales, Honorary Knight of Italy and author of La Passione: How Italy Seduced the World

CALVIN GETS THE LAST WORD (ages 4-8):
“A featured pick for “picture books about words.” The New York Times Children’s Book Review
“A fun story that promotes vocabulary development and dictionary use. (Picture book. 5-8)”
—Kirkus Reviews

Say Yes to the Dress and the Tux, too!

A Living Link to a Childhood home: Venezia

Summer in Italian: The Sweetness of Doing Nothing

7 Reasons to Learn Italian in Italy

Connecting Through Language

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