When Planning A Bridge Is No Small Decision
Why a bridge over the Strait of Messina is such a dilemma for Italian lawmakers and of little pressing interest to Italians.
Is Sicilian A Language Or A Dialect?
The monolingual approach adopted for the political aim of making Italians speak with one voice has succeeded. But the campaign has been needlessly costly.
The Stigma Of Speaking A Dialect: The Case Of Sicilian
With the establishment of Florentine as the literary language of choice, all the other regional languages came to be regarded as dialects, creating a unique situation that Italians have struggled with to this day.
A Pirandellian Mental Lapse: Don Quijote Or Don Chisciotti?
Great courage, an unshakable faith in the codes of chivalry, madness, are the traits that one normally associated with Don Quijote. However, when Pirandello refers to specific events in the life of the Knight, a problem arises.
Translating Andrea Camilleri Into English
Camilleri writes in a peculiar mixture of Italianized Sicilian and Sicilianized Italian. How do translators handle the constant switching of linguistic codes?
The Man Who Wished Emigrants Safe Travel
Carlo Masi helped Italian migrants cross the oceans to the US and Australia. Yet, he remained in Calabria.
All Pezzolo’s A Stage: Trinacria Theatre Company
A small but vibrant arts collective is reviving Sicily's rich tradition of myth and legend.
On Translating Giovanni Meli’s Poetry
The works of Giovanni Meli illustrate some of the problems translators meet when they are asked to translate from one language into another.
Italian Cemeteries
Now, it seems, being buried in the ground is coming to be something of a privilege.
In-Between Spaces: Following Al-Idrisi Across Faith And Culture In Palermo
While visiting Palermo in the past week, I have followed al-Idrisi’s steps around the city, trying to better understand how the city holds on to its diverse and pluralistic tradition.