Page 18 - Italian American Herald - November 2019

18 ITALIANAMERICANHERALD.COM | NOVEMBER2019 ITALIAN-AMERICANHERALD ITALIAN MADE FUN&SIMPLE
Today’s lesson is not Italian in theme but it reflects the Italian curiosity about this American holiday and its related traditions. Thanksgiving, unlike, Halloween has no historical or cultural significance in Italy. It is unlikely that it will ever be assimilated
into Italian culture as has Halloween, which in Italian was at one time known only as “La Vigilia di Ognisanto,” which means the Eve of All Saints’ Day. However, if one visits family or friends in Italy at this time of year, they are often bombarded with questions about this very American holiday which in Italian is known as Il Giorno del Ringraziamento or La Festa del Ringraziamento. Of course, as many of our readers actually here in America Italianize the Thanksgiving celebration by including some of these terms around the table as they feast on lasagna, Italian escarole soup, and if there is room left, turkey.
Getting back to the main theme of the lesson, in order to satisfy a native Italian’s curiosity and for those wishing to enrich their Italian language skills, we’ve prepared a list of words and expressions that will help you explain a little about the history of the holiday and the foods associated with this fall feast to native Italians, if you ever happen to visit Italy during this holiday period. Finally, if you have never Italianize your Thanksgiving with seasonal Italian greetings here at home, then try using some of this lesson’s greetings to start a new “Giorno del Ringraziamento” tradition at your table this year.
Ricordiamo i pellegrini e gl’indiani, E` “La Festa del Tacchino,” Brindiamola col buon vino.
Buona Festa a tutti.
We remember these two best friends, It is our “Turkey Day,”
Let’s toast it with fine wine.
Let’s begin with some holiday greetings:
Buona Festa
(with this one you can never go wrong) Felice Giorno del Ringraziamento Felice Giorno del Tacchin
Other topical terms:
Inghilterr Pellegrino
Nave
Indiano o Pellerossa Tacchino
Prosciutto cotto* Patata americana** Purè di patate Piselli
Mais
Farcito
(Gelatina di) Mirtilli rossi*** Crostata di zucca
Sidro
Happy Holiday
Happy Thanksgiving Happy Turkey Day
England
Pilgrim
Ship
Native American Turkey
Ham
Sweet potato Mashed potatoes Peas
Corn
Stuffing Cranberries (sauce) Pumpkin pie Cider
This month’s falso amico for a tasty holiday
The word tasto may look like the English word taste but in actuality means touch. The Italian words for taste are gusto or sapore as in La zuppa ha un gusto delicate, the soup has a delicate taste. Another example is, La gelatina dei mirtilli ha un sapore dolce. The cranberry sauce has a sweet taste. To ask someone to taste something you would use the verb assaggiare. Assaggi questo tacchino. Taste this turkey.
This month’s proverb
As we gather with family and friends to give thanks remember the following is so true!
Napoletano: Addo’ magnano duje ponno magnà pure tre. Italiano: Dove mangiano due possono mangiare pure tre. English: Where two eat, three can eat.
Last month’s poem was about a “House of Fear.” (La Casa di Paura) Here is the “loose” translation.
1. Not far from my house,
There is a house that is a real dirt hole. When it is night it is very dark,
Seeing it makes you have a tremendous fear.
2. However, there is always some idiot, Who dares to go near there.
If the fool thinks he is strong,
Only bad luck upon him will fall.
3. Halloween can be celebrated,
But mind your business and do believe.
For those who doubt these words and venture there.
For certain shall not be around to celebrate the Holy Day of all Saints
Surnames and Their Origins
Though not a holiday in Italy, we found a poem dedicated to the day. (Rough Translation)
WHO ARE YOU?
Readers who wish to research their surnames can go to these websites: https://surnames.behindthename.com/names/usage/italian/ and https://cognomix.it/mappe-dei-cognomi-italiani.
La Festa del Tacchino
Dall’Inghilterra son andati,
I pelligrini perseguitati
A “Plymouth Rock” son arrivati, Amici Indiani han trovati.
Il benvenuto era con tutto il cuore, Gli indiani li han aiutati con fervore, Dopo d’una raccolta strepitosa,
Han fatto una festa meravigliosa.
In questo giorno come Americani,
Turkey Day
From England they had gone, Pilgrims persecuted far too long, They arrived at Plymouth Rock, New Indian friends they did find.
They were welcomed with open hearts, They toiled together to raise a crop, Their harvest was a big success,
They feasted on food that was the best. On this day as Americans,
This month we return to our regular surname feature as we continue with the letter “M.”
MASI —This surname derives from the given name Maso, a short form of Tommaso. It is registered in the vital statistics of all 20 regions. It is most prevalent in Tuscany and
least present in Molise. Its Venetian variant is Masin.
MAZZA — This surname derives from a nickname, perhaps occupational, meaning “maul, mallet” in Italian. It is also registered in the vital statistics of all 20 regions. It
is most prevalent in Lombardia and least
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