Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
***
In recent years the English language has become very chic in the eyes of Italians. It's a
mark of style and hipness to use English words whenever possible. It seems ridiculous to
me although I can still remember back to the days when peppering one's conversation with
French words like “
au courant
” and “
joie de vivre
” was considered
de rigueur
among the
East Coast intelligentsia. The Italians are going through a similar infatuation, and English
words like “leader”, “killer”, “stress”, “manager”, “marketing” and “weekend” are invad-
ing the Italian language in droves even as we speak. Would you believe that the Church
sponsored a celebration of traditional values and called it “Family Day” (in English, for
God's sake!).
Pam and I try to avoid using these words as much as possible, partly because we find it
jarring and partly because we never know whether to pronounce them with an American
accent or to try to imitate the Italian mispronunciation. For example, “babysitter” in Italian
is pronounced “beh-bee see-tehr”. So, instead, we always say
bambinaia
, the Italian word
for“nanny”, which people in ourvillage find rather quaint and amusing. Certain other Eng-
lish words that have been adopted into Italian have undergone strange mutations in the
process. Our word, “club”, has become quite popular—except that it's pronounced “cleb”.
Lord only knows why since, based on the spelling, the Italian version should sound like
“cloobe”. A pair of men's briefs is called a “slip”. (Really.) Then there's “relax” which is
used as a noun, as in, “I came home early and had some relax before dinner”.
I used to find the attempts of the Academie Francaise to safeguard the purity of the French
language absurd and ridiculous. Now there are times when I'm not so sure…
***
One of the great rewards of reaching greater proficiency with the language is that you can
begin to have more serious conversations with Italian friends and share your insights and
express your convictions more fully. The little circle of language with which you begin
grows ever larger, like the rings of a tree, as you add the ability to discuss relationships,
politics, art, history, health issues, religion and other spheres of life. Relationships deepen
and friendships develop beyond the casual comradery with which they begin. Your Italian
alter-ego grows both in its capacity for self-expression and in its ability to see others more
truly for who they are.
That's the upside. The downside is that, as you begin to understand the news and read the
papers, you realize that Italy is not as idyllic and innocent as it seemed when you first came
here. There are articles and news flashes about baby gangs that steal and rape, about honor
Search WWH ::
Custom Search