Hi Anselmo et all, it is wrong to say 'La torre inclinada de Pisa' (the leaning tower of Pisa) while it is correct to say 'La torre pendiente de Pisa'. ..." :-)
In Italian , in mathematics and in science, the two words "pendenza" (slope ?) and "inclinazione" (inclination) are equivalent and, as Ron write, they mean "the degree of deviation from a definite direction, especially from the horizontal or vertical". In common Italian there is a small difference betweens the two words, but different from that described by Anselmo. "Pendenza" in fact means the property of an object that has been moved from the vertical position (less commonly that has been moved from the horizontal one ) For this we say that the Tower in Pisa is "pendente" (leaning) , that is, it has a certain inclination from the vertical direction (as the bell tower of my town - 85 m) and never we say that the tower is "inclinata" Only a technician (engineer or architect) perhaps write that the Tower is "inclinata (has an inclination) of xx degrees" Maybe because the verb "pendere" (to be inclined) means also "to be hung" ( for ex.."the hams "pendono" ( hang ) from the ceiling) With a smile Gianni Ferrari P.S. There is also an old popular song that says "Evviva la Torre di Pisa che pende, che pende e che mai non viene giú.. " "Hurrah for the Tower of Pisa that "pende" (is leanening), that "pende" and never comes down .." :-) Lat. 44o 39' N Long. 10o 55' E mailto : [EMAIL PROTECTED] -
