Newsgroup: it.cultura.linguistica.inglese
Titolo: Tangentopoli and counting sheep ??

Dear Italian Speakers,
Please excuse this up front request for your help with Italian:  But just
imagine HOW greatful I might be:
I am a UK writer currently researching a piece of fiction set both in the UK
and Italy.
A couple of scenes are set in Milan would like to be in contact with someone
who knows how to translate very short peices of dialogue into perfect
colloquial northern Italian.
I need help with understanding the 1990’s Tangentopoli investigations. And
the building in which any hearings took place.
I need help with the geography of Milan.  Although I have visited the city
often I need help with the respective affluent communities as I need a
location for a businessman to live in close proximity (within two of three
Km) of the City Centre.
What is the best kind of motorcycle - we only know the name VESPA, but I
suspet that there are other better makes on the go just now.
I need help with a good description of a tennis club in Milan – a fairly
exclusive club. Prices for joining that sort of thing.
Linguistically :  Is there per chance an idiom which relates the UK BRITISH
IDIOM OF "COUNTING SHEEP"?
In English as you may know, ‘counting sheep’ is what you do when you can’t
sleep.
You lie back, eyes closed, and you imagine in your head a procession of
sheep passing by your eyes from right to left.  Maybe start with a big
sheep, then a little sheep, followed by a worried looking sheep, a black
sheep and the idea is that you keep on going and you will fall asleep.
Although personally I do not place a great deal of store on the theory I was
wondering whether there is an equivalent idiom in Italian?
All e-mails will be answered and IN RETURN:
To the person who ultimately helps me : I shall help with any part of
English you may require, corrections. Literary devices, send you any book or
magazine you may wish or reciprocate on British research and give you a
credit.
Many thanks in advance to anyone who reads this and replies to:
kenn...@virgin.net

 IDIOM OF "COUNTING SHEEP"?
Yes. It's literally the same.
"Contar le pecore".
saluti,
Peltio
the building where the hearings took place is the "Palazzo di Giustizia",
(Justice Palace). I'm pretty confident that a web search with keywords
"Palazzo di Giustizia" and  "Milano" will help you more than a thousand
words.
During the Tangentopoli days the place was brought to immortal fame by a
journalist named Paolo Brosio, who is now a... a...
I' can't find the word, I guess 'clown' is the closest match that can be
found, but I don't mean it with an offence.

 found, but I don't mean it with an offence.
I don't know this man. But could he be one of the following?
satirical writer
comedian
politician
clown (with orange hair)
Ciao,
Ron
USA

clown (with orange hair)
journalist.
it includes all you said over.

I  think his sidekick should be mentioned : an Emilio Fede, a supposedly
journalist and one of the funniest brownnosers
  the Gods have sent on earth .
Off topically
Yours
Sal

it includes all you said over.
*above*
-- 
Isa
Work like you don't need money,
Love like you've never been hurt,
And dance like no one's watching
http://web.tiscalinet.it/alfabeto_auschwitz/

 *above*
Parla proprio come un chicano, pb.

 best and make your pick.
Which one has the best suspension would be my question for travelling
on all those cobblestones.
Cheers,
Loki
--