Page 26 - Italian-American Herald - September 2023

26 ITALIANAMERICANHERALD.COM | SEPTEMBER2023 ITALIAN-AMERICANHERALD ITALIAN MADE FUN & SIMPLE
During the summer months our lessons focused more on language history to give our readers a background of Italian and the similarities and differences with its “sibling” languages. Now with summer behind us, it’s time to get back to work with our traditional language lessons. This month we will focus on the irregular verb andare. It primarily means to go or to travel. In some instances, it can also translate: to work, to run; to function, fit or match. It’s an important verb belonging to the classification of irregular first-conjugation Italian verbs. That’s because its infinite form ends in -are. It is also an intransitive verb which means that it does not take a direct object. More on this subject later.
Remember: It’s an important verb. It’s also irregular. Repeat the forms of andare. Memorize them:
A. Present indicative:
io vado...........................................................................................I go. tu vai ..........................................................you go (familiar singular) lui va ...................................................................................... he goes. lei va......................................................................................she goes. lei va............................................................ you go (formal singular) noi andiamo..............................................................................we go. voi andate...................................................... you go (familiar plural) loro vanno ...............................................................................they go.
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 them: These also require memorization as they are idiomatic in nature.
This month’s surname feature is the last with surnames beginning in S.
STATIE – This surname derives from the Latin family name “Statius” or “Stazio.” This name and its related surnames have a small presence in bureaus of vital statistics in Italy. It only appears in two regions, Tuscany and Lombardia. Related surnames: STATI, STATILE, STATILIO, STATIRIS.
STEFANI – This surname evolves from the first name Stefano, derived from the ancient word “stèphanos” meaning crown. The probability that this surname relates to ancestors that were regal in manner is high. However, it also could apply to craftsmen who were commissioned to create crowns.
STELLACCI – This surname has its roots in the Italian word “stella,” meaning star. Stella itself as a woman’s first name is very prevalent. As a surname it is thought to be related to scientists who studied the stars and related work with astrology. Related surnames: STELLAM, STELLI, STELLINI, STELLATI, STELLERI, STELLANO, STELLONI, STELLON.
STICCA – From the dialect word “sticca,” meaning long shovel, its original derivation goes back to the gothic period word “stika,” which meant stick. Some etymologists suggest that the ancestors of modern-day Sticca families were very thin. It is more probable that the ancestors did labor that involved the use of shovels.
STORNELLO – From the word “storno,” meaning sparrow or bird, used
as a nickname, the “stornelli” are rhymes invented while singing. The most famous of these stornelli are the “Stornelli Romani,” which are still a favorite with lovers of
the classic singing style. As a surname it
is most associated with descendants of minstrels that roamed the streets of medieval Italy. Related surnames: STORNIOLO, STORNAIUOLO, STRUNIOLO, STORNAIULO, STORNELLI.
SCHIPS – This unusual surname appears in four regions only. Its origins are unclear. The four regions where it appears are Abruzzo, Piemonte, Lazio, Tuscany, and Friuli-Venezia Giulia.
SPITALIERI – This surname derives from the dialectal term “spitaleri,” meaning hospitaller, a term first used in the 14th century which referred to a person who worked in a hospital or in shelters for the elderly and for religious pilgrims. It is present in the vital statistics bureaus in nine regions, most prevalent in Sicily.
SACCARDI – This surname seems to derive from a nickname originating from the trade of an unloader or “saccardo,” meaning in charge of the baggage train in medieval armies. It is present in 16 of Italy’s 20 regions. It is most prevalent in Tuscany. Related surname: SACCARDO.
SCARINGI – This surname is attributed to an ancient and very illustrious Apulian family, of clear and ancestral virtue, which has spread over the centuries in various regions of Italy. The origin of this surname, according to authoritative genealogists,
may have origins in a hypocoristic and dialectal modification of the Albanian term “shkarje,” meaning landslide, to indicate that the progenitors came from areas prone to landslides. However, a connection with the Greek term “skarios,” meaning shelter or landing place for boats, is also possible. It is present in 19 regions. It is not present in Val d’Aosta.
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
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 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
It comes from Friuli-Venezia Giulia. Friulano: “Cui che nol semene nol racuei.” Italiano: “Quel che si semina si raccoglie.” English: “As you sow, so shall you reap.”
This month’s falso amico
This issue’s falso amico 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.
You can research your surname on these two websites:
• surnames.behindthename.com/names/usage/italian/ • cognomix.it/mappe-dei-cognomi-italiani.