Secret Codes for Learning Italian, Part III - Noun Cognates

DEDICATION

This book is dedicated first and foremost to my mother, whose love and support in every way has bolstered my mind and spirit since the day she gave me life.  In times of personal difficulty, she has always been available with endless patience and encouragement.  I thank my father for advising me to follow my own path, and demonstrating the power of belief.  My brother continuously supported me in my career decisions, and my twin sister has provided a positive example of what hard work and dedication can accomplish.  I’m very grateful to my uncles, aunts and grandparents for their supportive generosity and for sharing their collective knowledge.  The wisdom they imparted, whether directly or indirectly, have been invaluable for further growth.  Admiration goes to my abundantly creative sister-in-law Tina, a teacher and artist who has authored a children’s book called Travel Tails: All Bark and No Bite and a self-help book called I Choose Gratitude.

Several high school teachers ought to be mentioned.  My dear High School Italian teacher, Cleonilde Rossi, consistently displayed enthusiasm which inspired me to continue learning Italian.  The late John Groh, my High School English teacher, demonstrated that he believed in my potential and emphasized the importance of character.  Stephen Sokolewicz, a History teacher who stressed the advantage of discipline when studying while inviting me to think for myself.  Bernardine Stalbaum must be mentioned because, as a lively English teacher who provided a robust learning environment, she never stopped believing in me.  One of my former teachers, Mark (who wishes to remain anonymous), must get his credit for sagacious counsel and inspiring discussions.  I think he could have a second career as a life coach and motivational speaker.  My higher education at Caldwell University gave me an opportunity to travel to Italy for the first time in 2001.  Faculty and staff such as Roxanne Knott- Kuczborski, Dr. Sally Jo Weber, Sandy Rock and Dr. Laura Greenwald helped make my first experience in Italy memorable and positive.  Dr. Domenic Maffei and Dr. Benjamin Lammers, two professors of history who supported independent thinking, get an honorable mention for invigorating dialogs on history and politics.  Rosanna Imbriano, friend and marketing professional, proved to me that there are still leaders of character in this world.  She taught me the importance of branding and of knowing your audience.  Professor Patrick O’Boyle, unquestionably one of my most knowledgable friends, has never failed at giving sound and sobering advice.  Thank you to Major Mark Zaretski for stirring discussions on world history and contemporary events.

The National Italian American Foundation (NIAF) and its Gift of Discovery program in 2002 must be given a token of appreciation.  The Bianchi family will always have a special place in my heart for welcoming me into their home in northern Italy during two separate trips in 2003 and 2004.  The people of Pietraperzia, where I taught English in 2005, endowed to me one of the most culturally enriching periods of my entire life.  The list of "pietrini" (people from Pietraperzia) who contributed towards this illuminating experience is massive, so I must narrow it down to several families.  In order not to offend any family, their names will be listed in alphabetical order.  The fates will forever know them by the surnames Barrile, Bevilacqua, Cali, Costa, DiBlasi, DiMarca, DiCalogero, Gatto, Mazzola, Milazzo, Morgana, Palascino, Ristagno, Viola and many others.

Cavaliere Josephine A. Maietta, a friend and master Italian teacher, has always been a positive and uplifting force.  I am appreciative to her for nominating me for the 2013 Italian Educator’s Fellowship Award from the Association of Italian American Educators (AAIE) in Sicily, where I acquired countless more precious memories learning how to master the Italian language at places such as Laboling Italian School and Solemar Sicilia Language School.  I can’t forget to thank the great tenor Aaron Caruso, an extremely talented singer and musician whose ongoing success in preserving the Italian musical heritage spurs on the efforts of his friends and colleagues.  Another grazie to my special friends in Milazzo, the Aliotos.  An emphatic token of gratitude must finally be given to all of those family members, friends (former and current), acquaintances and colleagues who have inspired me in one way or another.  They include the Jaspers, the Vetris, the Ciappas, Salvatore Pirrone, Jessica Valentine, Phyllis Ignozza, Theresa Maggio, the Garbarinos, Lombardis, Gencarellis and others. 

─ Vincent Traina, 2020

PREFACE - COGNITIVE WITH COGNATES

Cognates are words in several languages that mean the same, look the same, but have different endings. This book provides you with forty-seven secret formulas which instantly translate thousands of English nouns into Italian nouns. In essence, these formulas are easily recognizable keywords of which you will become cognizant.  At some point, the learner may reach metacognition, which is being aware of one’s own thought processes.

In this book of secret codes, we shall infer the magical noun formulas by looking for patterns in the endings of the English and Italian words.  It should be noted that although most nouns do not change their gender, there are some exceptions.  For example, it is possible to change the gender of a noun that refers