A substantial portion of most translation is fairly clear-cut. “Zimbabwe” is pretty much always “Zimbabwe” and “cinque” is usually “five.” Then, there’s the rest of the text that takes extra thought, creativity and research. If I write “gastronomy,” will English-speaking readers imagine “gastrointestinal disorders” rather than fine food? What is the English title of the movie starring Winona Ryder rendered in Italian as Young, Cute, and Unemployed? [Reality Bites]. When they say gadget in Italian, is it still “gadget” in English?
Some well-loved phrases pop up in every other Italian document and have no clean, catch-all English translation. Take, for instance, vero e proprio (literal: “true and really”; non-literal: see table below). Each context calls for a fresh translation. These are some recurring sticking points that make Italian-to-English translators worldwide screw up their faces and pull out an eyebrow hair or two. Unhappy with my cache of possible solutions to some of these common problems, I turned to my colleagues on the IT-EN list, generous, seasoned professionals. Together, we came up with suggestions to these sticking points.
The driving force behind translator decisions is always context, from that of the society at large to that of the sentence. Many of the words and phrases below, especially those not nouns and adjectives, are often absorbed into reworked sentences or paragraphs that could not be represented here. The main intent of the table is to inspire new context-appropriate solutions.
To expand your mind or save you some hand-wringing, the current table can be found below. If you have solutions or Peskies to suggest add them at: Translating Italian Peskies.
a fronte di | |
compared to | |
while | |
although | |
notwithstanding | |
in light of | |
in the face of | |
faced with | |
confronting | |
related to | |
for | |
against | |
over | |
with | |
in exchange for | |
accorgimento | |
details | |
stratagem | |
devices | |
special solutions were devised to | |
special care was taken in | |
careful attention | |
special elements | |
special techniques | |
special consideration | |
design feature | |
technique | |
tricks of the trade | |
style touches | |
technological touches | |
[positive adjective e.g. “elegant” with insight/touch/feature etc.] | |
approach | |
contrivances | |
strategies | |
considerations | |
tactics | |
shrewd application of | |
contrivance | |
ploy | |
ruse | |
special expedient | |
all’avanguardia | |
leading-edge | |
cutting-edge | |
state-of-the-art | |
hi-tech | |
up-to-the-minute | |
groundbreaking | |
at the forefront | |
advanced | |
market-leading | |
all’insegna di | |
marked by | |
characterized by | |
of | |
featuring | |
full of | |
that are all about | |
in an atmosphere of | |
ambito | |
sphere | |
realm | |
context | |
within | |
domain | |
area | |
scope | |
in terms of | |
with a view to | |
will also include | |
for that purpose/on that occasion | |
as part of | |
as far as the … is concerned/with regard to | |
through/by | |
in the case of | |
in the ___ place | |
within the scope/according to | |
in their sphere of activity | |
purview | |
within the framework of | |
for the purposes of | |
extent | |
range | |
compass | |
field | |
as part of | |
in the context of | |
in | |
environment | |
circle | |
ambit | |
confines | |
region | |
area | |
orbit | |
province | |
anche | |
not only… but also | |
[ignore] | |
…..including | |
[explicitly state the options that “anche” implies if known. e.g. “Pizza anche a mezzogiorno!” “Pizza for lunch and dinner”] | |
that include | |
that also include | |
in part | |
as well as | |
at times | |
often | |
not least | |
anche perché | |
partly due to | |
due in part to | |
in part because | |
one reason… | |
also because [colloquial sounding] | |
not least because | |
due as much as anything to … | |
arricchire | |
enhance | |
adds a further dimension | |
additional highlight/feature/benefit/strong point | |
lift [wine] | |
round off | |
complete | |
complement | |
integrate | |
lend resonance/vibrancy | |
expand | |
added attraction | |
round out | |
enliven | |
punctuate | |
enrich [in some contexts] | |
articolazione | |
structure | |
layout | |
complexity [wine] | |
configuration | |
joint [anatomy] | |
artigiano (artigianale) | |
small-business | |
craftsman | |
amateur | |
traditional | |
small-scale | |
local | |
small and medium-sized enterprises | |
hand-crafted | |
artisanal (where new usage would be appropriate) | |
mom and pop stores [can be used in a tongue-in-cheek way] | |
cottage industry | |
basta pensare a | |
such as | |
for example | |
as can be seen in | |
such as we find in | |
a classic/prime example being | |
consider | |
e.g. | |
caratteristico | |
charming | |
enchanting | |
delightful | |
trademark | |
hallmark | |
signature | |
distinctive | |
picturesque | |
eye-catching | |
attractive | |
coccolare | |
captivate | |
cosset | |
delight (sby with sth) | |
indulge (sby with sth) | |
pamper | |
pet | |
soothe | |
spoil/spoil rotten | |
tempt | |
treat (sby to sth) | |
luxuriate | |
enjoy | |
indulge in | |
coinvolgente | |
engaging | |
enthralling | |
engrossing | |
fascinating | |
absorbing | |
touching | |
appealing | |
involving | |
intriguing | |
exciting | |
seductive | |
alluring | |
tempting | |
inclusive | |
impressive | |
così | |
therefore | |
thus | |
thereby | |
so | |
consequently | |
in this way | |
cultura | |
philosophy | |
ethos | |
education | |
culture | |
tradition | |
credo | |
heritage | |
curato nei dettagli | |
carefully/accurately/meticulously/finely styled/designed/crafted | |
with great care | |
down to the last detail | |
meticulously | |
da __ a ___ | |
from x to y | |
z and a | |
from x and y to z and a | |
including or “such as” + a whole range/vast collection/series | |
run the gamut | |
declinato | available |
di cui | |
according to | |
as per | |
as referred to | |
in accordance with | |
under | |
declinare | analyze |
express | |
break down | |
branch out | |
translate into | |
modify | |
interpret | |
develop | |
include | |
explore | |
diversi | |
miscellaneous | |
sundry | |
various | |
different | |
varying | |
several | |
a variety of | |
assorted | |
numerous | |
a number of | |
elegante, raffinato, etc | |
refined | |
urbane | |
cultivated | |
cultured | |
educated | |
polite | |
accomplished/ posh | |
sophisticated | |
genteel | |
tasteful | |
delicate | |
elegant | |
polished | |
suave | |
chic | |
natty/cultivated person | |
refined person | |
stylish | |
graceful | |
smart | |
chic | |
classy | |
sleek | |
dainty | |
snazzy | |
fashionable | |
posh | |
swish | |
upmarket | |
emozionare | |
excite | |
thrill | |
stirs the heart | |
charms | |
endears you | |
draws you in | |
captivates | |
wins you over | |
stir feelings of __ | |
[style] that appeals and excites | |
enthrall | |
essenziale | |
sleek | |
simple | |
basic | |
essential | |
unadorned | |
straight-forward | |
plain | |
austere | |
spare | |
clean | |
minimalist | |
humble | |
natural | |
no-frills | |
modest | |
lean | |
streamlined | |
indispensable | |
practical | |
must-have [in some contexts, i.e. fashion] | |
eventuale | |
if necessary (at end of sentence) | |
as needed | |
rephrase with “which may” | |
possible | |
any | |
fermo restando (che) | |
without prejudice to | |
without changing | |
without affecting | |
whilst maintaining | |
subject to… | |
it being understood (that) | |
grazie a | |
due to | |
with | |
thanks to | |
by virtue of | |
with the help of | |
[rephrase to make the object of “grazie a” the subject e.g. grazie alla professionalità dei… becomes “their professionalism…”] | |
because of [depending on context, where appropriate] | |
in particolare | |
specifically | |
particularly | |
notably | |
especially | |
for example | |
in fact | |
[leave out] | |
infatti | |
because | |
[split sentences and drop] | |
indeed | |
iniziativa | |
program | |
project | |
scheme | |
venture | |
step | |
measure | |
action | |
initiative | |
insomma | |
in other words | |
in a nutshell | |
…. indeed! | |
[ignore] | |
in practice | |
in effect | |
basically | |
interlocutore | |
contact | |
representative | |
interviewer | |
ombudsman | |
stockholder | |
colleague | |
companion | |
interpretare | |
reinterpret | |
interpret | |
express | |
give a new twist | |
take a new approach | |
take a different view | |
rethink | |
reinvent | |
envision | |
render | |
redefine | |
turn into | |
revolutionize | |
intervento | |
[leave out] | |
e.g. | |
interventi di mantenimento | |
maintenance | |
measures | |
steps | |
actions | |
aid | |
assistance | |
attendance | |
presence | |
comment | |
remark | |
cut-off | |
drop off | |
help | |
intercession | |
agency | |
intervention | |
interjection | |
interference | |
operation | |
paper | |
participation | |
part | |
involvement | |
project | |
report | |
request to speak | |
speech | |
address | |
talk | |
to operate | |
work | |
paper | |
contribution | |
contributed paper | |
massimo | |
top | |
ultimate | |
utmost | |
highest level | |
optimum | |
optimal | |
best | |
mostarda | |
mostarda [with explanation] | |
pickled candied fruit in a spicy syrup [di Cremona] | |
fruit/sweet pickles [di Cremona] | |
non a caso | |
significantly | |
of course | |
it’s no accident that | |
not coincidentally | |
tellingly | |
predictably | |
not surprisingly | |
rather appropriately | |
it was rather appropriate that | |
it is no mere coincidence | |
novità | |
our latest developments | |
new [products] | |
new additions | |
innovation | |
the latest | |
recent addition | |
recently introduced | |
new this [season] | |
operativo | |
active | |
working | |
executive | |
enforceable | |
operative | |
operatore | |
specialist | |
trade member | |
operator | |
staff | |
those who operate (work) | |
workers | |
experts | |
ancillary staff | |
trader | |
firm | |
user | |
professional | |
osservatorio | |
watch | |
observatory | |
observation post | |
window onto | |
watchdog | |
watchgroup | |
monitoring centre | |
prevedere | |
take into account | |
envisage | |
make provision for | |
[turn around sentence with] planned | |
considered | |
decided | |
anticipate | |
call for | |
contemplate | |
cover | |
entail | |
foresee | |
include | |
involve | |
is expected to include/involve | |
make available | |
mean | |
require | |
take into account | |
provide for | |
proposta/offerta | |
concept | |
availability | |
available | |
supply | |
opportunities | |
bid | |
offer | |
submission of tender | |
tender | |
offering | |
donation | |
contribution | |
proposal | |
proposition | |
public issue | |
quotation | |
bargain | |
overture | |
product | |
services | |
suggestions | |
punto di riferimento | |
provides a blueprint | |
framework | |
template | |
guidelines | |
benchmark | |
lodestar | |
outstanding landmark | |
fiducial points | |
path | |
a stable and reliable platform | |
frame of reference | |
last word | |
touchstone | |
source of advice/information | |
consultant | |
contact | |
resource | |
standard setter | |
top name | |
ne plus ultra | |
embodiment | |
reference | |
landmark | |
cornerstone | |
baseline | |
razionale | |
carefully-planned | |
suitable | |
sensible | |
practical | |
appropriate | |
streamlined | |
realizzare | |
complete | |
implement | |
put in effect | |
create | |
make | |
build | |
realize | |
realtà | |
e.g. | |
Acme Supplies has become a force to be reckoned with … has firmly established itself… |
|
business | |
situation | |
realm | |
riqualificazione | |
redevelopment | |
improvement | |
renovation | |
upgrading | |
retraining | |
restructuring | |
conversion | |
renewal | |
scandire | |
scansione | mark |
underline | |
highlight | |
rhythms | |
scenes | |
accents | |
sinergia | |
in concert | |
duet | |
in chorus | |
cross-pollination | |
accord | |
alliance | |
bonding | |
coalition | |
combination | |
combined efforts | |
compatibility | |
concord | |
teamwork | |
working together | |
team spirit | |
working in unison | |
strumenti culturali | |
sophistication | |
cultural wherewithal | |
cultural baggage | |
cultural background | |
cultural influences | |
orientation | |
education | |
tecnica | technique |
procedure | |
method | |
tecnico | specialist |
engineer | |
expert | |
skilled worker | |
authority | |
professional | |
technician | |
territorio | area |
space | |
local | |
place | |
on-site | |
territory | |
terrain | |
domain | |
land | |
landscape | |
tra l’altro | |
inter alia | |
run the gamut | |
range | |
encompass | |
actually | |
in fact | |
moreover | |
besides | |
etc. | |
unire | |
incorporate [rewording the sentence and leaving it out] | |
combine | |
run the gamut | |
mix | |
encompass | |
join | |
range | |
include | |
mix | |
link | |
blend | |
merge | |
bring together | |
couple | |
marry | |
mingle | |
fuse | |
meld | |
gel (jell) | |
bond | |
incorporate | |
mate | |
team up with | |
coalesce | |
amalgamate | |
unite | |
valorizzare | |
to increase the value of | |
to increase the prestige of | |
enhance the status of | |
increase the standing of | |
enhance the image of | |
to value | |
(waste) to recover | |
set value on | |
enhance | |
harness | |
adding or maximizing value | |
realize | |
promote | |
to develop | |
to leverage | |
to utilize | |
to champion | |
vantare | |
benefit from | |
offer + [bragging adj.] | |
[can] take pride in | |
[can] claim | |
enjoy | |
vero e proprio | |
actual | |
full-blown | |
full(y)-fledged | |
true | |
proper | |
literally | |
true-bred | |
real | |
absolute | |
authentic | |
authenticated | |
bona fide | |
certain | |
certified | |
complete | |
complete and utter | |
dinkum | |
genuine | |
guaranteed | |
in every/the true/the generally accepted sense of the word | |
kosher | |
natural | |
official | |
prize | |
proper | |
pukka | |
real | |
recognised | |
right | |
total | |
undeniable | |
utter | |
valid | |
veritable | |
positive | |
out-and-out | |
through-and-through |
This is going to be an immensely useful resource for me. Many thanks.
Pingback: Becoming a Translator: My Story | Miriam Hurley
Ciao Miriam, thank you for this most useful list of pesky words. I remember you very well, and am glad you are still involved in things Italian. Be in touch! Alessandra Visconti
Pingback: Translating virtually | Miriam Hurley
LOL, many of these terms still annoy even after 20 years, especially “valorizzare/valorizzazione” where it is often apparent the writer has no idea what it is supposed to mean, it just sounds good.
Anyway thanks for taking the time to publish, I might send you a few more suggestions if things quieten down 🙂
Great aid. Thanks.
Thank you so much for sharing these. “Prevedere” is a particular bugbear of mine. Very helpful!