1 comments about Naked As Water.

1. NAKED AS WATER is a very exotic volume, a translation by Grazio Falzon of the work of Mario Azzopardi, a contemporary Maltese who writes in Maltese, a language which is a rare blend of Arabic and Italian/Sicilian. The poems themselves are a studied primitivism filled with the primal reality of sea, sun and moon but always with a sophisticated awareness of the "isms" of 20th century art and literature. Or is it possible that this meditation on the nature of time is independent of any referencing back to Dali? ----- "Time is flat/ minute hands roll down stunned/ dripping anstractions..." ( "Suite 345" p. 26 ) (HUGH FOX - Small Press Review, Nov. 1996)

No comments about Culture of Malta: History of Malta, History of the Jews in Malta, Religion in Malta, Maltese language, Transport in Malta, Malta bus, Maltese literature, Maltese folklore, Football in Malta.

No comments about Talk More Maltese: Beginners+.

No comments about Talk Now! Learn Maltese.

1 comments about Choice Words: The Borgo Press Book of Writers Writing About Writing.

1. From Borgo Press, edited by Borgo's Robert Reginald. There's an introduction by Reginald, as well as 19 articles on various aspects of the writer's world. There are pieces on poetry, play-writing, collaboration, and translating. There's an essay on writing sex scenes, as well as some tip pieces. The book reprints two of my pieces from Write With Fire, "Tipping the Odds in Your Favor" and "Writing with Purpose," as well as a piece called "Preparing and Writing" from Writing in Psychology: A Guidebook.
   
   I found a lot of food for thought in the collection and feel comfortable recommending it for anyone interested in writing. I don't believe I'm being unduly influenced by having some of my own stuff in the book. I particularly found two pieces by Ardath Mayhar to be helpful and informative. These were ""Dispatch from the Front: Never Waste Anything," and "How not to Starve as a Writer."
   
   I'll relate an idea that I found very interesting in "Writing for the Stage," by Francis Jarman. Now, I've never been much interested in playwriting but it's a discipline I can admire. In this piece, Jarman, talks about the "duende." The duende is one of three parts of an artist's inspiration (the other two are the muse and the angel), as proposed by the Spanish poet and playwright Lorca. The duenda is "a dark, sudden, Dionysiac inspiration that rises up from sources too deep to be grasped logically... The duenda wounds."
   
   A great concept.

No comments about Talk Now! Maltese.

1 comments about Concise Maltese-English-Maltese Dictionary.

1. One problem I faced when I started learning Maltese was to find the right dictionary. The ones available at the time contained limited lists of words, or were either outdated or too expensive. Aquilina's dictionary fills this gap. It is a little pricey but it has much more references and translations than a beginner/intermediate student requires.
   
   Moreover, the dictionary specifies the gender and plural of nouns and adjectives, the most common comparative and superlative adjectives, as well as verb conjugations and derivatives. Many Maltese nouns, adjectives and verbs are irregular, so it is very useful to have this information at hand.
   
   The only thing that keeps me from giving five stars to this title is the difficulty to find some references. For instance, the adjective "gharef" (wise) does not have a specific entry. Instead, it is included in the entry for the verb "gharaf" (to recognize). This system makes word search somewhat complex, especially if one is a beginner. All in all, it is an outstanding material and I highly recommend it.

5 comments about Maltese (Complete Pet Owner's Manual).

1. This book is absolutely amazing when it comes to educating an owner about their Maltese. I bought it to learn a little about my dog and how to groom him. It did tell most of what I needed to know. There are a ton of good pictures to show you how you can groom your Maltese. I learned a lot about his personality-style, history, and training as well.



2. As a new owner of a Maltese puppy, i found this publication
   very informative on all aspects of this breed, from grooming
   to potty training. I would highly recommend it for all new
   Maltese owners.



3. This book I believe is for those with a pet Maltese who would like to know the basic needs of the breed and dogs in general. The photos are beautiful and the information is clear and covers a fair amount. Not for the breeder or those wanting a thorough guide on the breed but a helpful tool for the pet owner.



4. Pretty good information. There were several questions that I had that were not covered in the bool.



5. Great information and terrific pictures. But after all, it's about the Maltese, so how can you possibly go wrong? If you're thinking about one of these incredibly beautiful pets, get this book. On top of everything else, they don't shed, and they are hypo-allergenic - just like the poodle. And, don't think of these as the impossible to maintain long haired show dogs you see on TV. We keep ours groomed short and it doesn't detract from that incredibly cute thing they have going on (which allows them lots of leeway during the potty training phase). lol.

5 comments about Lonely Planet Europe Phrasebook.

1. This book has several advantages over other phrasebooks:
   * Its got most of Europe (except Eastern) covered, including Irish!
   * It is small - about the size of two decks of cards.
   * It has the english phrase, the phrase in the translated language and then in blue how you actually pronounce the phrase. The pronunciations are spot on - the best thing about this book.
   * It has phrases on absolutely everything - I even got to use my Greek phrase for "I would not like it extracted please" when I spoke to a greek student at the Oktoberfest who was studying dentistry. Everything's covered: getting on buses, going to the laundromat, getting directions, etc. About 20 pages on each language with everything that you will need to get by for a while.
   * It's cheap and all in one book.
   * A must have for anybody going to Europe who doesn't speak all their languages - I think that's everyone.



2. If you plan to travel all over Europe, this book may get you through and save the time and trouble of carrying a different phrasebook for each country. It is small, just slightly larger than the average palm and full of basic phrases.
   It doesn't cover every language but DOES include Basque, Catalan, Welsh, Spanish, Turkish, Italian, Dutch, French, German and a wealth of others.
   WHat I especially liked:
   1. The tips on how to break the ice in each country and join in conversations
   2.Menu decoders and suggestions for each country
   3.Essential words to get you through transportation checkpoints and on your way
   4. Some of the basic sports and festivals in each country.
   5. Written FOR the traveler with a strong emphasis on the most essential situations when a phrasebook might be needed.



3. it is great to see the smaller langauges of Europe in this guide!!
   
   WE DO EXIST REMEMBER!!
   
   Irish, Scots Gaelic, Welsh, Basque and Catalan take their positions as European languages of note!
   
   All BRITISH and SPANISH people should know some words in THEIR lesser used languages! Otherwise they are not really British/Spanish!!!



4. An excellent quick reference for all your travel language necessities in Europe. And it's a handy little size too.



5. I love this book. It's taken me from Ireland to France, Belgium, England, Wales, the Neathelands and countries in-between. It's tiny and is filled with helpful phrases in an easy-to-read format. Also, it's very durable. I love all Lonely Planet books!
   
   Helpful tip: I always cover my phrasebooks with a plain cover to avoid standing out as a tourist.

5 comments about Dic Maltese-English English-Maltese Dictionary and Phrasebook (Hippocrene Dictionaries and Phrasebooks).

1. The book is unfortunately quite outdated.

   The standard Maltese used by the author is from a long long time ago, and is not mostly in use nowadays. The phrases you will find mostly useless the proverbs have changed so much nowadays. Don't waste your money on this American book. Get a good Maltese book by Aquilina instead which is more up to date with the times we are living in!




2. I found the book very helpful. My Canadian born son "borrowed" it and he too found it interesting to learn some Maltese phrases. I will be ordering a second copy for myself. Its simplicity makes it fun to go through. Thanks Grazio.



3. It is quite good dictionary and phrasebook. The gender for each noun is shown, and the pronunciation for each Maltese word. It would have been helpful though to show the plural of each noun.



4. Good book but actually did not need it while in Malta since English is spoken by everyone - still a pleasure to use some of the words on the locals



5. This book is awesome! I knew a little Maltese before ordering the book, but wanted to learn more & all the quotes they have are so helpful! AND I love that it shows you how to pronounce the words too! Love the book! Definitely helpful!