Buondì.
This morning we published a new easy reader ebook, ‘La diaspora italiana – Italiani in Scozia’, which is part of a new series – on the Italian diaspora, obviously.
But what’s a ‘diaspora’, when it’s at home?
A ‘diaspora’ is a population that lives somewhere different from their original home, or that of their forebears. Since the late nineteenth century, millions of Italians have emigrated in search of better prospects. By 1980 it was estimated that twenty-five million Italians had made their home outside of Italy, in countries all over the world…
We have four of these so far, and will be publishing the other three between now and the summer. After Scotland, we have Spain (of all places), then Australia and the USA, which are much more obvious choices but have been delayed because I haven’t found time to look for the cover images.
In addition we also have a five-part series of easy readers, the extended story of members of an Italian family who cross the ocean to the United States of America in hope of a better future. So look out for those soon, too!
But anyway, back to Scozia, where by concidence one of my own Italian daughters has made her home for the last few years, while studying at a Scottish university. She shares her appartment with a girl from France and another from the USA – so very cosmopolitan. They all seem to be thriving in Glasgow, though. Which reminds me, the ebook!
From the Roman empire to the European Union, find out more about the Italians who made their homes in a land which couldn’t be more different from their own. A place of great natural beauty, though with a challenging climate and strange food, a destination that offered them the economic opportunities and stability not found at home, amongst a local population who were welcoming, if at first difficult to communicate with due to the sometimes incomprehensible local accent – Scotland!
This being the first week, ‘La diaspora italiana – Italiani in Scozia‘ is 25% discounted, so just £5.99 rather than the usual ‘easy reader’ ebook price of £7.99.
Do check out the FREE sample chapter (.pdf) before you buy a copy, though. That way, you’ll know whether the level is suitable (you’d need to be at least intermediate and a confident reader to tackle a B2/C1 text.) Also that the format works on the device you intend to use it on.
N.b. the audio for the entire text is available free online, as virtually all of our audios are. Find it by clicking the link in the sample chapter, or from the Catalog. Listen to the whole thing, why not, and it won’t cost you a cent (though having the text, too, is a help!)
- .pdf e-book (+ audio available free online)
- .mobi (Kindle-compatible) and .epub (other ebook readers) available on request at no extra charge – just add a note to the order form or email us
- 8 chapters to read and listen to
- Comprehension questions to check your understanding
- Italian/English glossary of ‘difficult’ terms for the level
- Suitable for students at intermediate level or above
- Download your Free Sample Chapter (.pdf)
Buy ‘La diaspora italiana – Italiani in Scozia‘ just £5.99 | FREE sample chapter (.pdf) | Catalog
How do I access my ebook?
When your order is ‘completed’ (normally immediately after your payment is processed), a download link will be automatically emailed to you. It’s valid for 7 days and 3 download attempts so please save a copy of the .pdf ebook in a safe place. Other versions of the ebook (.mobi/Kindle-compatible, .epub) cannot be downloaded but will be emailed to people who request them.
P.S.
And don’t forget Saturday’s bulletin of ‘easy’ Italian news, will you?
It’s totally free, both to read and listen to!
A mercoledì, allora.
OnlineItalianClub.com | EasyItalianNews.com | Shop (ebooks) | Shop (online lessons)
Patricia says
It’s hard to believe anyone would leave Italy for Scotland, much less be willing to fight for territory in the Highlands!
Kathryn D Temple says
Agree with Daniel’s comments today. Driving through Sicily, I was hyper-aware of the abandoned buildings and empty streets. Even in more populated, less impoverished areas, you get that impression. And in talking with young, educated Italians, I hear desperation and depression as it is so difficult to get any kind of respectable position. Of course, as an American with a highly dispersed family, I see things I like, for instance, close family relations (which I realize could feel stultifying), history and tradition more respected (whereas my parents sold off anything they could as they lived a consumer-oriented lifestyle back in the 80s and 90s and died in poverty since we don’t provide adequate medical care for the aged here). Every place has its issues but I doubt living in Italy long-term would be an improvement over living in the U.S. Daniel, when I was in Italy pre-covid, we visited several “hill towns” in Tuscany and they seemed to have been turned into high-end malls in order to appeal to tourists. It was disconcerting to see the same international “label” type shops in every town and I quickly lost interest. I get why this might be happening but wonder what your take on it is?
Daniel says
““hill towns” in Tuscany and they seemed to have been turned into high-end malls in order to appeal to tourists. It was disconcerting to see the same international “label” type shops in every town and I quickly lost interest. I get why this might be happening but wonder what your take on it is?”
Any place too touristy like Tuscan hill towns, Venice, and so on is likely to be that way for obvious reasons. But even in ‘normal’ cities, like Bologna, where I live, there’s a visible loss of ‘old style’ shops, as online shopping and Amazon take market share and profits. For this reason, the downtowns are ever more frequently a mix of food/drink places plus national or international fashion chains, which can afford the rent. ‘Real Italians’ shop at out of town malls (centro commerciali) like everyone else these days.
Change happens.