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L’importanza Dell’apprendimento Delle Lingue

THE ITALIAN LANGUAGE FOUNDATION / June 5, 2025 / Blog, Italian Translation /

Traduzione inglese

Di Diva Zeckua

Vi siete mai chiesti quanto diverso sarebbe il mondo se tutti potessimo parlare ogni lingua e dialetto esistenti? Anche se questo non sarebbe mai possibile, l’apprendimento delle lingue ci permette di avere l’opportunità di comunicare con molte persone in diverse parti del mondo. All’inizio della mia carriera universitaria nel 2018, non capivo l’impatto che le lingue avrebbero avuto sulla mia vita, ma anche su quella degli altri. Ora che sono una futura dottoressa optometrista, capisco meglio l’importanza di poter comunicare in diverse lingue. Per esempio, personalmente trovo molto bello poter creare contatti unici con i pazienti nella loro lingua madre e aiutarli a comprendere al meglio il loro stato di salute. 

Inoltre, parlare una o più lingue straniere, come l’italiano, ci dà la possibilità di poter conoscere altre persone del nostro settore di lavoro che parlano quelle lingue. Come risultato, si possono creare legami internazionali e si può anche avere l’opportunità di espandere la nostra conoscenza di come si svolgono le nostre professioni in diversi paesi. Quando ho viaggiato per l’Italia nel 2023 e nel 2024, ho avuto l’opportunità di entrare in alcuni negozi d’ottica e comunicare direttamente con alcuni professionisti del settore dell’optometria nelle città di Lucca, Venezia, e Salerno. Siccome esistono differenze tra i paesi per quanto riguarda lo svolgimento dell’optometria, ho avuto l’intenzione e la curiosità di ampliare la mia conoscenza di questo settore in Italia per capire meglio come funziona il mio futuro lavoro lì. Sono state esperienze indimenticabili che mi hanno incoraggiato a continuare il mio percorso, e mi hanno fatto capire quanto la lingua italiana mi ha aiutato ad aprire porte che non avrei mai pensato di aprire prima di studiare la lingua. Mi piacerebbe poter fare lo stesso e imparare di più in altre città dell’italia in futuro. 

A volte non si sa come, oppure quanto, una lingua straniera possa cambiare la vita. È per questo, e per molti altri motivi, che incoraggio tutti a studiare le lingue straniere, soprattutto l’italiano, a scuola o da soli!

The Importance of Learning Languages

THE ITALIAN LANGUAGE FOUNDATION / June 5, 2025 / Blog /

Italian Translation

By Diva Zeckua

Have you ever asked yourself how different the world would be if everyone could speak every language and dialect that exists? Even if that is not possible, language learning grants us the opportunity to communicate with people in different parts of the world. At the beginning of my college career in 2018, I did not understand the impact that this would be having in my life and in the lives of others. Now as a future optometrist, I better understand the importance of being able to communicate in different languages. For example, I personally find it rewarding to be able to create unique rapports with patients in their native language and help them understand their health status as best as possible. 

Furthermore, speaking foreign languages, like Italian, grants us the possibility to meet people in our work fields who speak those languages. This allows us to create international relationships, and grants us an opportunity to better understand how our professions look in different countries. When I traveled to Italy in 2023 and 2024, I visited a few optical offices and communicated directly with some of the professionals in the cities of Lucca, Venice, and Salerno. Since there are differences between countries by how the profession of optometry is conducted, I had the intention and curiosity to expand my knowledge of this field in Italy to better understand how my future work looks like there. These were unforgettable experiences that encouraged me to continue on my path, and made me realize how much the Italian language has helped me open doors I never thought I would open before studying the language. I would love to be able to do the same and learn more in other cities in Italy in the future. 

Sometimes we do not know how, or to what extent, a foreign language can change our lives. It is because of this, and many other reasons, that I encourage everyone to study languages, especially Italian, either at school or by themselves!

La Mia Vita Attraverso I Continenti

THE ITALIAN LANGUAGE FOUNDATION / May 28, 2025 / Blog, Italian Translation /

Traduzione italiana

By Joanne Fisher

Sono nata e cresciuta a Toronto, in Canada. Dopo gli studi superiori, la mia famiglia ed io abbiamo iniziato un nuovo entusiasmante capitolo, emigrando nel nord Italia, in campagna  vicino al Lago di Garda. La vita lì ci portò gioia e sfide. Abbiamo affrontato la discriminazione a causa delle nostri radici meridionali, nonostante questo, abbiamo costruito amicizie che hanno arricchito la nostra esperienza. Ho sposato un italiano del nord e abbiamo avuto 3 figli meravigliosi, creando una vita piena di amore e connessione.

Il Lago di Garda offre tradizioni, cucina e storia affascinanti. Una tradizione memorabile era quella di non vestirsi di nero ai funerali, il che mi ha sorpreso dato le mie radici meridionali. Mi sono piaciuti soprattutto i casoncelli, fatti da mia cognata con ripieno di zucca o ricotta e spinaci. Il Lago di Garda si estende su tre regioni, Lombardia, Veneto e Trentino, ed è ricco di storia. Sirmione vanta una Villa Romana e acque termali che attirano visitatori ogni anno. Molti nobili romani costruirono ville intorno al lago, molte delle quali sono ancora in piedi oggi. I suoi vini, come il Valpolicella e il Bardolino, sono rinomati in tutto il mondo. Abbiamo visitato quasi tutte le città intorno al lago e quei piatti locali rimangono indimenticabili.

Nel 1994, mio padre è morto, provocando la decisione agrodolce di tornare in Canada nel 1997. L’adattamento è stato difficile per il mio ex marito e, dopo nove anni, è tornato in Italia, il che ha portato al nostro divorzio.

La felicità è tornata quando ho incontrato Dan, il mio secondo marito e agente di polizia, che mi ha portato nella Florida centrale nel 2006. Come il Canada e l’Italia, la Florida mi ha cambiato la vita e, a volte, è stata una prova, ma dopo quasi 20 anni è diventata la mia vera casa, fornendo calore, ispirazione e un nuovo inizio.

Oggi sono orgogliosa di essere un’autrice indipendente, che condivide storie con il mondo. Scrivere mi permette di abbracciare la creatività e riflettere sul mio viaggio. Dal Canada all’Italia, e ora alla Florida, ogni capitolo ha plasmato chi sono: resiliente, appassionata e infinitamente grata.

My Life Journey Across Continents

THE ITALIAN LANGUAGE FOUNDATION / May 28, 2025 / Blog /

Italian Translation

By Joanne Fisher

I was born and raised in Toronto, Canada. After college, my family and I began an exciting new chapter, immigrating to northern Italy near Lake Garda. Life there brought joy and challenges. We faced discrimination due to my parents’ southern Italian roots but built friendships that enriched our experience. I married a northern Italian, and we had 3 wonderful children, creating a life full of love and connection.

Lake Garda offered fascinating traditions, cuisine, and history. One memorable tradition was not wearing black at funerals, which surprised me given my southern background. I especially loved Casoncelli, made by my sister-in-law with pumpkin filling or ricotta and spinach. Lake Garda spans three regions—Lombardy, Veneto, and Trentino—and is steeped in history. Sirmione boasts a Roman Villa and thermal waters attracting visitors yearly. Many Roman nobles built villas around the lake, with many still standing today. Its wines, like Valpolicella and Bardolino, are world-renowned. We visited most towns around the lake and those local dishes remain unforgettable.

In 1994, my father passed away, prompting a bittersweet decision to return to Canada in 1997. Adjusting was challenging for my ex-husband, and after nine years, he returned to Italy, leading to our divorce.

Happiness returned when I met Dan, my second husband and a police officer, which brought me to central Florida in 2006. Like Canada and Italy, Florida was life-changing and at times, testing but after almost 20 years, it has become my true home, providing warmth, inspiration, and a fresh start.

Today, I am proud to be an indie author, sharing stories with the world. Writing lets me embrace creativity and reflect on my journey. From Canada to Italy, and now to Florida, each chapter shaped who I am—resilient, passionate, and endlessly grateful.

Italian TV Shows

THE ITALIAN LANGUAGE FOUNDATION / May 15, 2025 / Blog /

Italian Translation

Ciao, America! The Best TV Shows to Binge-Watch in order to Boost Your Italian

By Bianca Harmetz

Picture yourself on your sofa, espresso in hand, immersed in a captivating blend of drama, comedy, and romance—all while effortlessly picking up Italian. Thanks to streaming platforms, you can now enjoy a lineup of Italian series that entertain while doubling as subtle language lessons.

Here are five standout shows to binge, each offering a unique glimpse into Italian culture and language.

  1. Craving Romance and Laughs?
    The Good Apprentice (L’Allieva)
    Genre: Romantic Comedy-Drama, Mystery
    Where to Watch: Amazon Prime
    What’s the Scoop? : Meet Alice Allevi, a charmingly clumsy medical student and forensic resident who moonlights as a sleuth. Based on Alessia Gazzola’s novels, this series follows Alice as she solves crimes through autopsies while navigating a slow-burn romance with her dashing boss, Claudio. Her brother, best friend, and quirky colleagues add comedic flair, all set against a stunning Roman backdrop.
  2. Want a Medical Drama with Retro Charm?
    All Heart (Cuori)
    Genre: Period Drama, Romance
    Where to Watch: Netflix
    What’s the Scoop?: Set in 1960s Turin, All Heart (2021) follows heart surgeons chasing medical breakthroughs and tangled love stories. Charismatic Dr. Cesare Corvara leads a team, including the younger Dr. Alberto Ferraris, in a hospital buzzing with ambition and secrets. The arrival of the brilliant and beautiful Dr. Delia Brunello sparks a complex love triangle. The retro aesthetic—vintage cars, elegant clothes, and mid-century furniture—is a visual feast, capturing Turin’s post-war elegance. Expect suspenseful surgeries and heartfelt drama, ideal for soaking up formal Italian.
  3. Craving Gritty Crime with Sharp Wit?
    Rocco Schiavone: Ice-Cold Murders
    Genre: Crime Drama, Dark Comedy 
    Where to Watch: Amazon Prime
    What’s the Scoop?: In Rocco Schiavone: Ice-Cold Murders (2016–present), a sardonic Roman cop, Rocco Schiavone, is exiled to the snowy Aosta Valley. Based on Antonio Manzini’s novels, this chain-smoking anti-hero solves crimes while grappling with his troubled past, accompanied by his loyal dog, Lupo. Rocco’s sharp humor and questionable morals keep episodes gripping, while the slang-filled dialogue is a goldmine for advanced learners. Aosta’s stark, snowy beauty provides a haunting backdrop.
  4. Want to Laugh Out Loud?
    Boris
    Genre: Satirical comedy
    Where to Watch: Hulu
    What’s the Scoop?: Boris (2007–2010, 2021 revival) is a hilarious mockumentary skewering Italy’s TV industry. Director René Ferretti battles diva actors, lazy writers, and meddling executives while producing a chaotic soap opera. The fast-paced, witty dialogue offers a crash course in Italian banter.
  5. Love Fashion, Romance, and Glamour?
    The Ladies’ Paradise (Il Paradiso delle Signore)
    Genre: Period Drama, Romance
    Where to Watch: Amazon Prime
    What’s the Scoop?: Set in 1950s and 1960s Milan, The Ladies’ Paradise (2015–present) unfolds in a glamorous department store. Inspired by Émile Zola’s novel, it follows an ensemble cast—owners, managers, and salesgirls—chasing both love and success. The store serves as the heartbeat of their stories, showcasing Milan’s post-war glamour and women’s evolving roles. The polished dialogue and elegant settings make it a delightful way to learn formal Italian.

Why Subtitles Are Your Friend

Subtitles transform entertainment into education. For beginners, English subtitles let you follow the plot while absorbing new words and sentence structures in context. Intermediate learners can switch to Italian subtitles to hone spelling, listening, and pronunciation by matching dialogue to text. Advanced learners? Ditch subtitles entirely to test your skills. Start with English, graduate to Italian, and eventually go subtitle-free for the ultimate challenge!

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  • distrattamente: absent-mindedly

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