Speakup Blog

Sapevi che all’inizio il ketchup non conteneva pomodoro bensì pesce? Prova a indovinare la salsa composta dai seguenti ingredienti: 1) What sauce is made with oil, vinegar, salt? 2) What sauce is made with egg yolk, vinegar or lemon juice, oil, salt? 3) What sauce is made with mayonnaise, capers, pickles, lemon juice, tarragon? 4) […]

LOVED OR BELOVED Dear Speak up, I have a question for you: can you explain the difference between ‘loved’ and ‘beloved’? Why do we say ‘my loved ones’ and ‘my beloved friends’? Thanks a lot, Marina Dear Marina, ‘Loved ones’ is modern English and ‘beloved’ (pronounced “bilovid”) is a more archaic form, it’s definitely not […]

ST. VALENTINE I have just read the article about Saint Valentine with interest but I am very surprised that there is no mention of Terni. Here we all know that the real Saint Valentine is in the Basilica of Terni! Annarita Dear Annarita, You are quite right. We really should have included the Saint Valentine […]

Hi! La domanda che vorrei farvi è questa: come tradurreste in inglese queste due frasi che in italiano hanno significato decisamente diverso così come sono, anche senza inserirle in un contesto: 1) “Anch’io studio inglese.”; 2) “Io studio anche inglese.” D’istinto io tradurrei, rispettivamente: 1) “I also study English.”; 2) “I study English, too/as well.” […]

Salve Speak Up! Ho visto che la traduzione inglese dell’espressione ‘sano e salvo’ è ‘safe and sound’, ma da qualche parte ho sentito anche ‘safe and sane’. Quest’ultima è corretta? Maria Hi Maria, I’m afraid ‘safe and sane’ is incorrect, but it doesn’t surprise me that you have doubts given that you found it on […]

I have some questions…

Is it correct to say: a) I speak to Irene or b) I speak with Irene?…

Si può usare “no” nelle domande?