Page 14 - Italian American Herald - January 2020

14 ITALIANAMERICANHERALD.COM | JANUARY 2020 ITALIAN-AMERICANHERALD ITALIAN MADE FUN&SIMPLE
Italian-American Herald
The last three lessons were holiday-based with simple expressions and greetings to enjoy the holiday all’italiana by knowing some basic Italian. Now it’s time to get back to regular lessons and learn the conjugation of some irregular verbs. The first irregular verb we will cover is andare, which primarily means “to go.” In some instances it can also translate as to travel, to work, to run; to function, to fit or to match. It’s an important verb belonging to the classification of irregular first-conjugation verbs because its infinite form ends in -are. It is also an intransitive verb which means that it does not take a direct object, a subject on which we’ll get into more detail later.
Because andare doesn’t change forms like the pattern’s used with regular verbs, you will need to memorize its forms.
A. Present tense (present indicative):
Surnames and Their Origins
Io vado
Tu vai
Lui va
Lei va
Lei va
Noi andiamo Voi andate Loro vanno Loro vanno
Igo
you go (familiar singular) he goes
she goes
you go (formal singular) we go
you go (familiar plural) they go
you go (formal plural)
We start off the New Year deviating from the normal surname format by offering a mix of surnames that reflect the original diversity of Italian surnames that even show one that may have origins going back to Sanskrit.
BLASI – This surname derives from
the first name Biagio which derives from
the Greek word “blaisos,” meaning to be bow-legged. This is an indication that somewhere on the family tree there is an ancestor who was bow-legged and who passed this nickname down to his/her descendants. The surname is registered in the bureaus of vital statistics in all of Italy’s 20 regions. It is most prevalent in Puglia and least found in Molise. Variations: BLASIOLI.
D’AMATO – This surname is derived from the Latin first name Amato, meaning loved by God. There is not much to go on
as to who might have been so deemed in ancient Rome to get this name. However the descendants would then be D’Amato which would indicate that they had a relative on the family tree who was the Amato and those coming after would be D’Amato, indicating “of Amato” – a descendent belonging to Amato. This surname is found in 19 regions, mostly in Campania and least of all in Sardegna. It is not register with vital statistics in Val d’Aosta.
SANITA – This surname is shrouded
in mystery as to its origins. There are some linguists who say that it is of unknown origin but it might mean “tomorrow.” Other origins as suggested by linguists include Indian (Sanskrit), Arabic, Portuguese, English, and Hebrew. Finally closest to Italian origins according to some linguists is possibly being inspired by the Latin “sanitas,” meaning health. This also brings us to the fact that
it is found in 17 of Italy’s regions, but very sparsely. It is most found in Lazio. It is not registered with vital statistics in Calabria, Sardegna, and Val D’Aosta.
PALLADINO – This surname derives from the first name “Paladino,” meaning a paladin or knight of Carlo Magno. Those with this surname may have a “knight
in shining armor” on their family tree. Knighthood was very common in Italy since this surname is found in fairly large numbers in several regions and also in significant
numbers in others. In all it is found in all 20 regions. It is mostly prevalent in Campania and least found in Val D’Aosta. Variations: PALADINI, PALADIN, PALATINI, PALLADINI.
MOLINARI – This surname derives from the word “mugnaio, Molinaro,” meaning miller. Of course the milling
trade was essential to life in Italy as it is
the world over without which even bread would not exist. So it stands to reason that this surname is among the most popular surnames in Italy. It is recorded in Vital Statistics offices in all 20 regions. It has its highest numbers in Lombardia and the least in Molise. Variations: MONARI, MUNARI, MUGNAI, MOLINAROLI, MUNARETTI, MUNARINI, MUNEROTTO, MUNERATTI, MOLINARO.
MASTRO – This surname derives from the Italian word “maestro,” meaning master or a very good craftsman. In modern Italian terminology as well as meaning master, such as master carpenter, “maestro falegname” it often refers to the foreman on a construction job. It is not as common as one would think. It is only in 16 regions, mostly Puglia. It is not present in Val d’Aosta, Abruzzo, Molise, and Umbria.
DE PALMA – This surname derives from the first name Palma, symbol of peace or from a name of a place. It is a surname that is found in 19 regions, the sole holdout being Val d’Aosta. It is most prevalent in Puglia. Variations: DE PALMAS.
DI PALMA – This surname also derives from the first name Palma, symbol of peace or from a name of a place. It is also more common than the De Palma version being registered with vital statistics in all 20 regions, mostly in Campania and least of all in Val d’Aosta.
GINSBURG – Strange as it might seem, this surname’s variation, Ginzburg. is a name well-known in Italy. Natalia Ginzburg was an Italian writer, playwright, translator and politician, a leading figure in 20th-century Italian literature, particularly noted for her anti-Fascist writings. Her son Carlo who is still alive at age 90 was a renowned professor at the University of Pisa until his retirement.
NOTE: Andiamo! by itself means Let’s go!
B. There are many ways to say how to go places in Italian. Here are some of the most common. These also require memorization as they are idiomatic in nature.
andare a piedi andare a casa andare a Napoli andare al ristorante andare al cinema andare al mare andare alIa festa andare alIa spiaggia andare alIa stazione andare dal medico andare dal panettiere andare dal preside andare in bicicletta andare in macchina andare in automobile andare in autobus andare in treno andare in taxi andare in aereo andare in banca
How to use.
Examples:
Vado in taxi. Andiamo al cinema. Andiamo in treno! Lui va alla banca.
This month’s proverb
to walk, to go on foot to go home
to go to Naples
to go to the restaurant to go to the movies
to go to the seashore
to go to the party
to go to the beach
to go to the (usually train) station to go to the doctor (‘s office)
to go to the baker (‘s shop)
to go to the principal (‘s office) to go by bicycle
to go by car, to drive
to go by car, to drive togobybus
to go by train
to go by taxi
to go by plane
to go to the bank
I go by taxi.
We go to the movies. Let’s go by train!
He goes to the bank.
Italiano: Bevi del buon vino e lascia andare l’acqua al mulino.
English: Drink good wine and let the water be used to turn the mill.
This month’s falso amico
It is congiurare, which doesn’t mean to conjure, it means to conspire. Una congiura is a conspiracy. A “congiurato” is a conspirator. To conjure is scongiurare, fare il prestigiatore, or even esorcizzare.
Next month: A Valentine’s Day lesson.
You can research your surname on these two websites:
• surnames.behindthename.com/names/usage/italian/ • cognomix.it/mappe-dei-cognomi-italiani.
Come visit the first Italian national parish in America. Discover our rich history and marvel over our two strikingly beautiful churches. Seated in the heart of the Italian Market in South Philadelphia.
Celebrate 10am Sunday Mass at St. Mary Magdalen or 12 noon Mass at St. Paul Church. For more information go to our website: www.stpaulparish.net
Saint Paul Church
923 Christian Street
St. Mary Magdalen de’ Pazzi Church
712 Montrose Street