Page 18 - Italiian American Herald - November 2021

18 ITALIANAMERICANHERALD.COM | NOVEMBER2021 ITALIAN-AMERICANHERALD
I I I I T T T TA A A A L L L L I I I I A A A A N N N N M M M M A A A A D D D D E E E E F F F F U U U U N N N N & & & & S S S S I I I I M M M M P P P P L L L L E E E E
Though this year may considered a safer time to gather than last year, many families may choose to keep the family gatherings small, maybe even only with the immediate family members. No matter how your family plans to celebrate the day, this lesson will teach how to add an Italian flair to the day.
The lesson begins by reflecting on 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,” The Eve of All Saint’s 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 di Ringraziamento , La Festa di Ringraziamento, or jokingly “La Festa del Tacchino, which mean The Turkeys’ Feast Day. However, in translation, that reference of “Turkey’s Feast Day” seems like an oxymoron. Now, back to the point of the lesson. Here in America to Italianize the Thanksgiving celebration around the table Italian-Americans feast on Lasagna, Italian escarole soup, and if there is room left, turkey.
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. Of course as with all Italian subjects, we will cover the foods associated with this fall feast. Then, if you might happen be in Italy during this holiday period, you can explain the traditional foods to Italians. 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 di Ringraziamento” tradition at your table this year.
Let’s begin with some holiday greetings:
Buona Festa Happy Holiday
(with this one you can never go wrong)
Felice Giorno di Ringraziamento
Felice Giorno del Tacchino Happy Turkey Day
Other topical terms:
Inghilterra England Pellegrino Pilgrim
Nave Ship
Indiano o Pellerossa Native American Tacchino Turkey Prosciutto cotto Ham
Patata americana Sweet potato
Purè di patate Mashed potatoes Piselli Peas
Mais Corn
Farcito Stuffing
(Gelatina di) Mirtilli rossi Cranberries (sauce) Crostata di zucca Pumpkin pie
Sidro Cider
Though not a holiday in Italy, we found a poem dedicated to the day.
(Rough Translation)
La Festa del Tacchino Turkey Day
Dall'Inghilterra son andati, From England they had gone,
I pelligrini perseguitati Pilgrims persecuted far too long, A “Plymouth Rock” son arrivati, They arrived at Plymouth Rock, Amici Indiani han trovati. New Indian friends they did find.
This month’s proverb
It is from Friuli-Venezia Giulia’
Friulano:Tivabenati. / Italiano:Tivabeneate. / English:ThisisOKwithyou.
In reality, this means basically nothing. Literal translation: life is treating you well, things are going well for you, etc.
Happy Thanksgiving
You can research your surname on these two websites:
• surnames.behindthename.com/names/usage/italian/ • cognomix.it/mappe-dei-cognomi-italiani.
Il benvenuto era con tutto il cuore,
Gli indiani li han aiutati con fervore,
Dopo d'una raccolta strepitosa, Their harvest was a big success,
It is “parente,” which in Italian does not mean parent. It means relative. Parent in Italian is genitore.
Han fatto una festa meravigliosa.
In questo giorno come Americani,
Ricordiamo i pellegrini e gl’indiani,
E` “La Festa del Tacchino,” It is our “Turkey Day,” Brindiamola col buon vino. Let's toast it with fine wine.
They were welcomed with open hearts,
PARENTE – This surname derives from the apheresis of the medieval Italian name Bonparente meaning "good father, good parent.".The surname Parente is typical
in central and southern Italy. There are approximately 2,115 Parente families in Italy. Variations: Parenti.
PARISI – The surname Parisi is of ethnic derivation, it originating from the name of the French capital, Paris. Parisi, a noble Italian family of French origin during the Norman kingdom, settled in Sicily, where today the surname is widespread. In Lombardy and Piedmont there are many families called Parisio and in Emilia Romagna instead Parisini. Among the illustrious personalities one remembers the famous dancer and showgirl of American origin Heather Parisi, the writer Goffredo Parise, the actress Alessandra Parisi, the architects Alfonso
and Giulio Parigi. Variations: Parise, Parissi, Parisini, Parisotti, Parisani, Paris, Parigi.
PASQUALE – This surname derives from the first name Pasquale directly or through dialectal forms, from the Classical Latin name Pasqualis, from its translation Pasquale or from dialectal forms such as Pascale. The name was normally attributed to children born precisely during the Easter period.
The surname is present in all 20 regions.
It is most common in the Piedmont region and least in Sardinia. Variations: Pasquali, Pascale, Pasqualetti, Pasqualini,, Pasquarelli, Pascarella, Pascarelli, Passarelli, Passarello.
PASSERI – It could derive either from the Italian word passero, meaning sparrow, or from personal names such as Passera
and Passerinus in use in the Middle Ages. The surname Passeri has one lineage in the province of Perugia and one in that of Rome. Variations: Passerini.
PASTORE – This surname derives
from a nickname linked to the profession
of shepherd or herder of flocks or from
the religious reference to the figure of the "Good Shepherd," that is Jesus Christ or the "shepherd of souls" that is the priest. Traces of this name are found in Milan in 1161, in a deed of sale where a certain Pastore known as Crivello appears and later the plasterer, goldsmith and master glassmaker Pastorino da Siena (1508-1592). The surname Pastore is widespread both in the south (Puglia and Campania) and in the north (Piedmont, Lombardy). There are approximately 4,971 Pastore families in Italy. The surname Pastore is 26th in the Puglia region, 11th in the Pugliese province of Novara and first in the municipality of Casamassima in the province of Bari. Variations: Pastor, Pastora, Pastoressa, Pastorin, Pastorina, Pastorini, Pastoris, Pastorella, Pastrello.
PARTICELLI – This surname appears
to derive from a dialectal variant of the Latin surname Patricius indicating of elevated social level. The Patricelli surname has a strong Campania presence, between Neapolitan and Casartano, and an Abruzzese one between the provinces of Pescara and Chieti. There are approximately 366 Patricelli families in Italy. Variations: Patricello, Patricella.
In the December issue we’ll feature a special seasonal surname feature.
They toiled together to raise a crop,
They feasted on food that was the best. On this day as Americans,
We remember these two best friends,
Buona Festa a tutti.
This month’s falso amico