Learn Itanglish! Lesson 3

Itanglish is a language founded by Italian immigrants. Only Italian immigrants and their children understand it. Recent additions to our vocabulary list come from South Hackensack (NJ), from Staten Island (NY) representing what is described as the “Sicilian/Brooklyn” dialect, and from Newton (MA) where most of the residents come from Central Italy, particularly the village of San Donato Valle di Comino and Atina, both in the Frosinone Province of the Lazio region of Italy. Many of these terms may sound familiar. You may have some of your own. Feel free to add to this list! Send me your ideas and contributions. Many thanks, Rita Susi [Email: rita@northendboston.com]

English Itanglish Italian Traffic light la luce semafaro Pink pinghe rosa Cake la kekka la torta New Hampshire lu emmsha — Conncecticut lu conedechetta — A job, a good job la jobba (as in “na jobba bona”) quillo tene na jobba bona, e smatte, e nu piezze gruosso) il lavoro, lavora in banca Bridal shower lu shawa — Wedding nu werringa sposalizio Cookies ee cukeesa biscotti Orange juice cookies arangie juze cukkee li biscotte co lu juze Pocketbook lu pakkabuk la borsa Bankbook lu bankabuka libro di banca Bag la begga il sacco That’s alright ez o rita Non fa niente, lascia perdere That’s all ez ohlla Basta Venetian blinds leesh n bline persiane Irish Arishe Irlandese Library Libreria biblioteca Party Lu parri festa To try attraia provare To say in English di pe ‘mericane dire in Inglese? Sears and Roebuck Seezarobacca — To say in English di pe ‘mericane dire in Inglese? Son of a gun Sonnamaganna — That’s all etzolla Basta — Goodbye Jack goobaya jek arrivederci Jack I’ll talk to you later Tocca you layra ci sentiamo piu tardi The box La bocassa scatola Goodbye Jack goobaya jek arrivederci Jack I’ll talk to you later Tocca you layra ci sentiamo piu tardi hot dog hotadogga wurtzel chicken chekkn pollo back yard bakkayarda —