The end of (french) bipolarism

http://www.economist.com/news/europe/21599830-very-bad-fran-ois-hollande-very-good-marine-le-pen-little-local-difficulty

Reading this article the main point I catch, comes from the words of the "Front National" leader, Marine le Pen. As she declars, the results of the last local elections signed the end of the bipolarism of french politics. I think that this is only a part of a change that is going to interest all the european countries. The political reality in all over Europe has changed some years ago with the introduction of the single european currency and with the loss of national identities. From than  the "old" bipolarism (left and right wings) has started a gradual process of convergence, and the old political parties formed a new invisible front that we can consider "the front of the euro-adherents". The targets and the following reforms of the old parties have become the same. This monopolarism is doomed to become a new bipolarism with the constitution of the so called "euro-skeptic movements".
I think that the victory of FN in France is only a step that all the european countries have to faced, in this sense some movements have been born (Alba Dorata, Jobbik, German euroskeptic) and Italy lags behind (I don' t consider M5S a political party, but only a disorganized movement).
I want to send a message to Giorgia Meloni "out of the 'old' right-wing party there are grasslands of new opportunities and agreements".

                                                                                                                    Luca Luciani


Vocabulary:
To be braced for: Prepare mentally or emotionally for something unpleasant - esser pronti ad affrontare.
To be scalding: Essere bruciati.
To hang on: With the emphasis on the preposition, to keep hold; to hold fast; to stick; to be persistent, as a disease. Restare in attesa
Narrow majority: Stretta maggioranza
To be in an awkard position: Essere in una posizione scomoda
To get into the run-off: andare al ballottaggio.

Self Study "George Osborne's 2014 budget"

The main points of Osborne's budget:

1. The budget will make english economy stronger: "This is a Budget for building a resilient economy."
2. This budget will satisfy everyone: "If you’re a maker, a doer or a saver: this Budget is for you."
3. The debt reduction program will cut the the public spending and it will be a sign of a healty economy: "Debt is lower." " And the biggest single saving of all is a £42 billion reduction in the interest payments we will have to make on that debt." 
4. The equation is Saving Costs = Saving family money: "Saving every family in the nation the equivalent of almost £2,000."
   

Dear Mr.Osborne,
I don' t know anything about your debt situation and about your vision of the world, but I can recognize a humbug miles away. Italian policy is full of humbugs (last but not least Monti, Letta, Renzi), I think you can be the next. Rome is beautiful and full of wonderful women, pop in periodically!






                                                                                                          A student

P.S.
Speak the truth and shame the devil

PRESENTATION - BUSINESS PLAN - homework 26/03/2014

Sing a Song (Conditionals)

Clean Bandit - Rather Be feat. Jess Glynne

Conditionals

1. "...But as long as you are with me, there’s no place I rather be..."
   0 conditional [as long as + present tenses ; present tenses] - habitual results
   Finchè sei con me non c' è altro posto dove preferirei essere.
2. "As long as I am with you, my heart continues to beat"
   0 conditional [as long as + present tenses ; present tenses] - habitual results
   Finchè sono con te,il mio cuore continuerà a battere.
3. "If you gave me a chance I would take it"
   2nd conditional [if + past tenses ; would + infinitive] - unlikely resultsSe mi dessi una possibilità la prenderei.

Grammar

• I would rather + infinitive
  Preferirei / Gradirei.
  - I would rather go out for a walk, but I have to study.
  -I would rather not hear anything about this argument.
  -I would rather enjoy this song, but I don' t have enough time.
  

Lesson 4 12/03/2014 + Self Study

Conditionals

1. It is possible to return an item for any reason within 28 days. The item must remain in a saleable condition.
   If the item remain in a saleable condition, it is possible to return it for any reason within 28 days. [0 conditional]
2. The vendor must refund or repair faulty items every time.
   If the items are faulty, the vendor will/must refund or repair them. [0 conditional]
    
3. You can return goods bought on the internet to a high street outlet.
   Goods bought on internet can be returned to a High street outlet. [1st conditional]
4. You will probably pay for the cost of returning unwanted goods . The retailer might specify otherwise.You might pay for the cost of returning unwanted goods, unless the retailer specified otherwise. [2nd conditional]
5. ARGOS will refund you because you might not be happy with your purchase.Supposing you were not happy with your purchase, ARGOS would refund you. [2nd conditional]
6. I didn’t know about the fault. I bought the goods. Now I’m disappointed.
   I wouldn' t be disappointed if I had not bought the faulty goods. [3rd conditional]
7. I’m really busy at the moment. I missed the party last night because I am so busy.If I wasn' t so busy I wouldn' t have missed the party. [Mix 2/3]
8. I’m glad I didn’t go to the party last night because I don’t feel tired today.If I had gone to the party last night, I would feel tired today. [Mix 3/2]

Reading

The less than wond'rous gift

1. What two kinds of problematic presents are mentioned?Nell Boase explains some useful tips for consumers. He focuses his attention on the two most common situations in which a consumer can run into: Unwanted and faulty items.
2. Which, according to the article, is easier to resolve with the shop?According to the article the "faulty item (situation)" is easier to resolve not only for the evidence that is simplier to prove, but also for the law that in this sense protect almost completely the consumer.
3. What's the policy for gifts bought mail order or from the internet?If you bought the gift online, you should send it back without a reason within the return deadlines.
4. What are the three instances for faulty goods refunds?
   The law forces the vendor to refund the not satisfied consumer in three case in particular:
   - If the items are not as described you are allowed to require a refund.
   - If the item presents any kind of defect you can require a refund.
   -If the goods are not fit for their purposes, the vendor is forced to refund you. 
5. Why might it be useful to be polite? Being polite can certainly help you.
    If you are polite, you will be allowe to speak to a manager and not only to a sales assistant who has few powers.
   
 

 

Listening

Silver Linings Playbook- Eagles "Ju ju" argument

-Pat Sr. shouldn' t have been so hard with his son (If Pat Sr. hadn' t been so hard with his son, he would have been a better father).
-Pat could have been stronger than his father.
-Tiffany might have been stronger in the past.
-Pat Sr. mustn' t have been so superstitious.
-If Pat. Sr hadn' t been so superstitious, Eagles would collect the same results, he would be richer but Pat wouldn' t meet Tiffany.
-Randy shouldn' t have been so awful.
-Pat might have done a better choice, choosing Tiffany.
-Pat really ought not to have been so weakling.
-Eagles could have won the match.
-Pat might have started dancing earlier.

Lesson 3 05/03/2014

Listening
Shadow Minister Robb on Australian Budget, Economy 
What does the Shadow Finance Minister do?
-He tries to show the economic situation in a polemic way. He talks about the "meaningless plans" of the government focuses his attention on the reaction of market and foreign investors.

What are his criticisms  about the government’s budget?
What areas are the government investing in?
-He considers meaningless the spending policy of the goverment, in particular he focuses his attention, and also he spends some hard words, on the budget presented by the goverment. Spending on roads raylways and in general on some not-profitable projects it' s not a wise choice also considering the increase of the public debt and the reduction of the market confidence.

What areas would the opposition invest in?
-If the opposition took the control of the government, it would spend on more revenue areas, restoring the confidence of rating agencies and market. Reducing the cuts in these areas and also reducing regulation are considering the right choices to restore opportunities for foreign investors.

What does the phrases  “to live within your means” “ a sea of red ink” mean?
"a sea of red ink" = Financial Deficit/The condition of showing a business lost.
 "a sea of black ink" = Good financial situation.

Vocabulary
Balance of trade=The difference between a country's imports and its exports. The balance of trade is one of the most misunderstood indicators of the U.S. economy. For example, many people believe that a trade deficit is a bad thing. However, whether a trade deficit is bad thing is relative to the business cycle and economy. In a recession, countries like to export more, creating jobs and demand. In a strong expansion, countries like to import more, providing price competition, which limits inflation and, without increasing prices, provides goods beyond the economy's ability to meet supply. Thus, a trade deficit is not a good thing during a recession but may help during an expansion.

Slump = A slang term denoting a period of poor performance or inactivity in an economy, market or industry. In economic terms, a slump specifically refers to a recession.

Body Metaphors:
- To watch your back [To be careful/ To pay attention]
- To be all ears [To be very interestedin what someone is going to say]
- To shrug your shoulders [to not care or feel unable to do anything]
- To rub
            ... shoulders: To mix or socialize closely
            ... hands:To experience or display pleased anticipation
            ... nose: To bring forcefully to another's attention
- To get cold feet [to suddenly become too frightened to do something you had planned to do, especially something important like getting married]
- To turn a blind eye [to ignore something]

Rise / Arise / Raise:

Rise: ...I rise early   ;   ...the sun rises   ;   ...inflation/salary rise
Arise:  ...Opportunity/Problem arises [abstract]
Raise: ... Raise your hand/voice   ;   ...Raise the alarm


CONDITIONALS

EXERCISES:

Turn the following sentences into conditionals

1. It is possible to return an item for any reason within 28 days. The item must remain in a saleable condition.
   If the item remain in a saleable condition, it will be possible to return it for any reason within 28 days.
2. The vendor must refund or repair faulty items every time.
   If the items are faulty, the vendor must refund or repair them.
   
3. You can return goods bought on the internet to a high street outlet.If you' re not satisfaied, you can return boyght goods on the internet to a high street outlet.
4. You will probably pay for the cost of returning unwanted goods . The retailer might specify otherwise.
   If you paid for the cost of returning unwanted goods, the retailer might specify otherwise.
5. ARGOS will refund you because you might not be happy with your purchase.If you were not happy with your purchase, ARGOS might refund you.
6. I didn’t know about the fault. I bought the goods. Now I’m disappointed.If I had known about the fault, I would not have bought the goods.
7. I’m really busy at the moment. I missed the party last night because I am so busy.If I was not so busy, I would have not missed the party last night.
8. I’m glad I didn’t go to the party last night because I don’t feel tired today.If I had gone to the party last night, I would feel tired today.
   
   
    

 

Homework/Self Study

Course Outline
I hope it will be as useful as challenging.

REM listening

You might have laughed if I had told you  
You might have (???) [hidden your frown]
You might have succeded in changing me
I might have been turned around
(x3)

The song is pervaded by a sense of melancholy and sadness. The singer knows that things might have been different if he had found the courage to say something to someone. He would have probably made a different decision.



LIMITLESS

• Watch it first without subtitles – what can you understand? Is there anything you don’t understand?
  Eddie tries for the first time the "magic" pill. He doesn' t know what the effects would be or what that pills would caused to himself, but "in the end how much worst can it get?". The pills allow him to see everything better, "he was blind but now he see". Everything happened in the past is in his own memory and that "drug" permits him to remember everything he did, saw. In a sense everything was clear. This drug was so powerful that he could do everything without any efforts.
  
  The context is clears and also dialogues. But there are some words/fast connected speech I don' t understand without subtitles/scripts.
• Watch it again with the subtitles. Was the problem due to vocabulary or fast connected speech? If you find a new word, look it up in your dictionary. If the problem was fast connected speech, listen to the phrase again and repeat it.
  
  Fast connected speech / vocabulary:
  -landlord's nasty young wife
  -bullshit
  -thoughtlessly ingested
  -listening to her rag(beffe)
  -springing into sharper focus
  -sucking defeated sack of shit sponging off your husband. You're hoping I'll blow my brains out. But my existence shouldn't make you this upset. What is it?
       To blow out: Respingere, spingere fuori, allontanare
  -into a sparkling cocktail
  -polished gem.
  
  

Lesson 2 26/02/2014

Two common mistakes:

1. He was has been very ill lately
2. He must of have been very rich, he left a lot of money to charity.
          Ex. Warren Buffet is very rich, even if he left a lot of money to charity

Grammar: 3rd conditional 

- We can use the third conditional to talk about something happened in the past.
- Talk about something that is already happened means that we are talking about something we cannot change.
- We are supposing an unrealizable situation

1. Unrealizable
2. Past
3. Hypothetical

(1)If + past participle + obj     ,     (2)Subj + Perfect infinitive + obj

(1) Conditional clause     (2) Result clause

• If I had been the Wolf of Wall Street, I would have spent much money in cars and less in drug. (But I wasn' t him (and I' m not him) so I didn' t)
  
• He would have chosen a different mobile phone, if he had known that the camera didn' t work. (But he didn' t know, so he didn' t)
  
• I could have scored a goal, If I had played the match.
• If I had won the lottery, I would have bought a car.
• She might have accepted the invitation, if he hadn' t been so rude.

Speaking: stressed words
-The main verbs (and not the auxiliary)
-Nouns
-Adverbs
-All the words that carry a lot of information.

•  If I had been the Wolf of Wall Street, I would have spent much money in cars and less in drug.
•  He would have chosen a different mobile phone, if he had known that the camera didn' t work. 
•  I could have scored a goal, If I had played the match.
•  If I had won the lottery, I would have bought a car.
•  She might have accepted the invitation, if he hadn' t been so rude.

Vocabulary 

To make redundant: Licenziare

•     He might not have been arrested, if he hadn' t made employees redundant.

Profit&Loss: An account compiled at the end of a financial year showing that year's revenue and expense items and indicating gross and net profit or loss. [Conto economico]

• The chief executive has to make the profit and loss account at the end of a financial year to show the economic performance.

Supply and demands: [domanda e offerta]

• According to the market principles, the balance between supply and demands is an important requisite for a healthy economy

Imports and exports: [importazioni ed esportazioni]

Assets & liabilities: The property and claims against debtors that a business enterprise may apply to discharge its liabilities. Assets may be fixed, current, liquid, or intangible and are shown balanced against liabilities [Attività e passività, Stato patrimoniale]

• His enterprise was immersed in debts, so assets and liabilities weren' t balanced.

Creditors and debitors: [creditori e debitori]

Takeovers/Mergers:

• Merger: A merger involves the mutual decision of two companies to combine and become one entity; it can be seen as a decision made by two "equals".
  -If KPMG and Ernst&Young would eventually decide to do a merger, they would have the power to control the market of their products.
• Takeover: A takeover, or acquisition, is characterized by the purchase of a smaller company by a much larger one. This is a combination of "unequals".
  - We need the Chief Executive' s agreement to conclude the takeover.

Income and expentirure: [Entrate e Spese]

• A reform of income and expenditure policy is needed.

Boom/Slump:

• Boom: A period of economic growth.
• Slump: A period of recession.