During the Spring 2012 I taught one of many interdisciplinary undergraduate seminars in the Experimental Study Group at MIT. Each class is based on the preparation of a simple delicious dish and on the bite-sized acquisition of parts of the Italian language and culture.
Videography by Graham Gordon Ramsay.

Click here to watch the videos in full resolution.
Buon divertimento!


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Tuesday, May 8, 2012

Lezione numero undici: fare una prenotazione al telefono

For the complete video click here.


La scorsa settimana (last week you can also say la settimana passata), while our cantucci were baking and bis-baking ;-), we learned how to make a reservation at a restaurant.
Practice reading ad alta voce! Can you understand everything? The vocabulary below may help.



Ristoratore1: Pronto! Ristorante Da Nonna Pia. Buonasera!


Tu: Buonasera! Vorrei prenotare un tavolo per domani sera.


R: Benissimo, a/per che ora?


T: Alle otto e mezza. Vorremmo sederci fuori.


R: Quanti siete?


T: Quindici.


R: Non c'è posto per quindici fuori, mi dispiace. Può andare bene dentro, vicino alla finestra?


T: Va bene. C'è una bella vista?


R: Sì.


T: Allora va bene.


R: A che nome?


T: Veneziani.


R: Bene, grazie. A domani!


T: Arrivederci


The day after, when you arrive, puoi (you can) say:


Ho una prenotazione per quindici a nome Veneziani.


Vocabulary and grammar


Pronto= ready, this is what we usually say when we pick up the phone (il telefono)
Vorrei = (I) would like to (present conditional, 1st pers. sing. of the irr. verb volere)
Prenotare= to reserve
Tavolo = table
A/per che ora= at/for what time
Otto e mezza = eight and  a half, you can also say alle venti e trenta (20:30), but
 since you already asked for a table for the evening, otto e mezza will be clear enough
Vorremmo = (we) would like to (present conditional, 1st pers. plur. of the irr. verb volere)
Sederci= sedere+ ci (us) = sit ourselves, meaning sit
Fuori= outside
Dentro = inside
Posto = place, locality. In this context seat
Mi dispiace = dispiace a me = it displeases me -> I am sorry
Può = can (3rd pers. sing. indicative pres. of the irr verb potere)
Vicino alla finestra = close to the window (alla=a+la)
Vista = view, it also means eyesight
Allora = then
A domani = to tomorrow -> see you tomorrow


Esercizi: 

1) Optional : record yourself as you read the dialogue. You can use the free on-line recorder http://vocaroo.com/. I will post the best audio! Ask me if you are in doubt about la pronuncia. You can do this as group problem.

2)  Write sentences including the 6 sets of words listed below:

             a) amico/a
               nonna
               
            b) cucchiaio
               mescolare 
               
            c)  sete
                palestra
               
            d) potere (puoi/può)
                lavare
                coltello
                tagliare
               
             e) cotti
                 le piacciono 

            f) prenotare
                pranzo  

3) Solve:
   http://www.education.vic.gov.au/languagesonline/italian/sect34/no_01/no_01.htm
and
   http://www.education.vic.gov.au/languagesonline/italian/sect34/no_04/no_04.htm

Hints: fries in italian is translated as little potatoes, while croissant as cute little horns
(horn=corno).

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