When we learn a foreign language, we tend to concentrate primarily on the prosaic, rather than the poetic, and hence we become pretty good at using the utilitarian language that helps us to achieve practical everyday tasks, such as shopping or asking for information. However, when it comes to describing things, or events in a more interesting, let’s say ‘poetic’, manner, we find ourselves out of our depth. That’s why every now and then I like to write a blog that leans towards the descriptive rather than the purely practical.

Living in a beautiful part of Italy called Lunigiana, I’m never short of inspiration; I only need to look at la veduta dalla mia finestra (the view from my window) to start getting all poetic! Here is what I see this morning:

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Sullo sfondo, c’è un cielo limpido, azzurro, con una falce di luna pallida.

In the background there is a clear blue sky, with a pale sickle moon.

Ci sono le colline boscose, quasi tutti gli alberi spogli senza le loro chiome. I colori sono marrone grigiastro e castano, viola pallido e verde cupo.

There are the wooded hills, almost all the trees naked without their foliage. The colors are grayish brown and chestnut, pale violet, and deep green.

I raggi del sole cominciano a toccare gli alberi sul crinale della collina più alta. Alcuni alberi sono illuminati e risaltano luminosi contro quelli che sono ancora in ombra.

The suns rays begin to touch the trees on the brow of the highest hill. Some trees are illuminated, and stand out bright against those that are still in shadow.

Più in basso, si intravvede tra gli alberi il rettilineo della stradina che porta al nostro paese, mentre nel fondovalle c’è il fiume, che scorre impetuoso e spumeggiante, carico della pioggia dei giorni scorsi e della neve che si scioglie.

Lower down amongst the trees you can glimpse the straight line of the road that runs to our village, whilst in the bottom of the valley flows the impetuous and foamy river, loaded with the rain of the last few days, and the melting snow.

Sotto casa nostra, si scorge la bella arcata del ponte medievale che attraversa il fiume.

Below our house, you can make out the beautiful arch of the medieval bridge that crosses the river.

Su questo fianco della valle ci sono le terrazze coltivate, trattegiate dai filari di viti e alberi di olivi.

On this side of the valley there are the cultivated terraces, sketched with rows of vines, and olive trees.

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Alla prossima

When traveling in Italy, visitors are bombarded by a plethora of signs and warning notices, most of which will probably turn out to be irrelevant. Some of these signs are easy to understand because they are international, or pictographic, for example the word STOP written at a road junction will make sense to anyone who knows English!

However, there are other important signs and warning notices that are less easy to decipher especially when you are concentrating on driving along the autostrada (freeway/motorway) for example. So here is a list of some of the common avvertimenti that you may encounter:

1. Mezzi pubblici (Public transport)

Allacciare la cintura di sicurezza – Fasten your seat belt

Non sporgersi dal finestrino – Don’t lean out of the window

Si prega di non parlare al conducente – Please don’t speak to the driver

Vietato attraversare i binari – Crossing the railway lines is prohibited

Pedoni – servitevi del sottopassaggio – Pedestrians – use the subway

Non toccate i fili - pericolo di morte – Don’t touch the wires – danger of death

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2. In macchina in città/L’autostrada (In the car around town/on the autostrada)

Divieto di sosta – No waiting/no parking

Divieto di accesso – No entry

Lasciare libero – passo carabile – Don’t block the entrance/exit

Strada ghiacciata – Ice on road

Caduta massi – Rock fall

Spartineve in azione – Snow snowploughs at work

Obbligo di catene a bordo – Snow chains must be carried in the car (this is obligatory on some autostrade in the winter)

Banchi di nebbia – Fog banks

Raffiche di vento – gusts of wind (usually on high bridges along the autostrada)

Lavori in corso – presenza operai – Road works ahead – workers present

Mantenere la distanza di sicurezza – Maintain a safe distance from the vehicle ahead

Guidare con prudenza – Drive with care

Moderare la velocità – Reduce speed

Rallentare – Slow down

Accendere i fari in galleria – Turn on headlights in the tunnel

Controllo elettronico della velocità – Electronic speed control, usually an autovelox (speed camera)

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3. In generale (In general)

Proprietà Privata – Private Property

Vietato l’ingresso, or Vietato l’ingresso ai non addetti ai lavori – No entry/No entry to unauthorized  personnel

Non calpestare le aiuole/il prato – Don’t step on the flowerbeds/grass

Si prega di non lasciare rifiuti sulla spiaggia – Please don’t leave rubbish on the beach

Attenti al cane – Beware of the dog

Acqua non potabile – Not drinking water

… and finally, one that we see a lot here in Lunigiana: Raccolta funghi e prodotti del sottobosco a pagamento - To pick wild mushrooms and other forest fruits you need to buy a permit.

These are just a few of the many avvertimenti (warning signs) that you will be able to ‘enjoy’ in Italy. I don’t want to list too many because you might change your mind about coming here! By the way, don’t be surprised if you see the ‘natives’ ignoring these warnings, it’s a national sport.