Happy Birthday to My Blog on the Italian Language!

 

Buon compleanno!

Happy Birthday!

This week I am celebrating the third birthday (festaggio il terzo compleanno)  of my website and blog. Three years ago I had no idea if anyone would share my passion for what I consider the world’s most loveable language.  I wanted only to create a site worthy of Italian and to reach out to as many Italo- and Italiano-philes as possible. 

I am amazed and delighted that there are so many of you! In their three years online, Becoming Italian and Becoming Italian Word by Word have attracted almost 500,000 visitors. According to a recent snapshot of visitors, one in three are from the United States, with another third coming from the United Kingdom, Italy, and Australia.  Others have come from dozens of countries on every continent—from Estonia to Kuwait to Japan to India to Ghana to Brazil to Oman. 

To all of you, all over the world, I say mille grazie (a thousand thank-yous) a hundred times over. I’ve loved having you visit, hearing your kind words, and sharing your experiences. 

As some of you have pointed out, we are all kindred spirits, united by a love for Italy, its language, its culture, and its people.  Teachers are using my book and blogs in their classes. Students at every level tell me that I’ve helped the language come alive for them. Travelers write that my book and blog add a wonderful new dimension to their trips to Italy. Italian-Americans say they are rediscovering a rich part of their heritage through them.  Some of you are launching Italian adventures of your own and  travelling to Italy to study the language or to visit the places I describe. I couldn’t be more thrilled. 

If you're on Facebook, come join our LA BELLA LINGUA open group. Everyone is welcome to post and participate. 

"Cent'anni!" (100 years!) Italians wish friends on their birthdays. My wish for my blog: a hundred more posts--at least!

Words and Expressions  

Quanti anni hai? -- Literally, how many years do you have? How old are you? 

essere avanti con gli anni -- to be getting on in years 
 

spegnere le candeline -- blow out the birthday candles 

Quando compi gli anni?/ Quand’è il tuo compleanno? -- When is your birthday? 

Dianne Hales is the author of LA BELLA LINGUA: My Love Affair with Italian, the World's Most Enchanting Language.

"Tanti auguri a te" is the equivalent of the English "Happy Birthday to You" song. Click below to listen:

Comments

[Lesley Brennan]

Buon compleanno. I am a New Zealander and love everything italian and started receiving your blog after I read your book. I always look forward to your stories - they are informative and a great language learning tool.
Saluti,
Lesley

[Ken Christian]

Congrats, Dianne, and many more!

[Salvatore Prisco]

Brava, Dianne! We appreciate all that you do.

[kaveh]

Tanti Auguri

[Debra Kolkka]

Congratulations! I look forward to your posts. You make learning Italian interesting and fun.

[LindyLouMac]

Tanti Auguri

[Rosann]

Tanti Auguri Dianne. You are such an inspiration and wealth of information for me. Keep on doing it!

[Salvatore Prisco]

Cara Dianne,

Buon Compleanno, tante buone cosa!
Salvatore

[JodyLGoode]

Congratulations and Thank you! I enjoy your blog and read it often. I look forward to many more posts!

[LindyLouMac]

Tanti Auguri Dianne

I love the blog and the book.

Thankyou

[Mirella]

Goodness, has it been a year already? How wonderful. A heartfelt congratulations to you! I subscribe to your posts by email and enjoy reading them regularly.

Brava Diane.

[travelingsuep]

Congratulations!!!! On the blog, the book, & for your birthday.

I am slowly reading your book and love it.

[Lisa at Wanderlust Women]

Auguri Dianne per tutti e complimenti una blog bravissima!