What I like about these is that at some point they stop being bad English and start being Italian, full stop. Nobody saying smoking or footing is trying (and failing) to speak English; the words have simply acquired lives of their own. Smart working may be the purest case: English speakers don't quite recognize it, Italians don't notice anything foreign about it. A linguistic immigrant, fully naturalised.
My Italian course has covered some of these (box, smoking and footing) but the rest were new to me, so thanks.
One other Italian anglicism which has always intrigued me is the way in which Italians refer to standard Italian as “Italian Standard”, but with the stress of “standard” on the second rather the first syllable. Do you know how its use came about?
Excellent post, Antonio! This is hilarious to me because I’ve been pointing out this to my family and friends in Italy for quite some time. I always ask them why are they using or adopting English words when they live in Italy and have their own beautiful language. Some say it sounds good or interesting, while others say they want to sound international. Both silly reasons!
Nikee instead of Nike is one which often comes to mind. But some insist I’m wrong. I roll my eyes and we both laugh.
“Smoking” actually has a history proving this term over “tuxedo” is correct, but the latter is the more widely accepted term. Most don’t even know the former term even exists in this context.
But in Canada, as you very well know, Antonio, we are guilty of a similar thing. The only difference is our pronunciation is of the English word, making it into an Italian-sounding word. Garbeeg for garbage, or becchiard for backyard. It’s all hilarious.
Not to be picky… but in theory smart working is not literally remote working. Italians are confused, but one (sw) is lavoro agile or flessibile with a ridiculous set or rules, not just remote working. The other is lavoro remoto. The Italians use them all randomly, but that’s no news. I say so as I took over a publication (www.smartworkingmagazine.com) which is entirely dedicated to new flexible forms of work. And it’s also extremely boring and full of hr contents. 😬
It's always an education to read what 'foreigners' use English in their own way!
'Footing' for instance in UK, esp Northern UK and Scotland, after midnight on the 1st Jan, first footing must be done by a dark haired man carrying a piece of coal. Not coaliite or any substitute!
A lock-up garage is a garage. An allocated parking space is such.
No 8. 'Smoking' implies heat. Not in a fire. Eminating from a person!!!
Seen last year in the Barolo region, at a woman-owned restaurant, a sign urging people to report any “lo stalking” in the street.
What I like about these is that at some point they stop being bad English and start being Italian, full stop. Nobody saying smoking or footing is trying (and failing) to speak English; the words have simply acquired lives of their own. Smart working may be the purest case: English speakers don't quite recognize it, Italians don't notice anything foreign about it. A linguistic immigrant, fully naturalised.
My Italian course has covered some of these (box, smoking and footing) but the rest were new to me, so thanks.
One other Italian anglicism which has always intrigued me is the way in which Italians refer to standard Italian as “Italian Standard”, but with the stress of “standard” on the second rather the first syllable. Do you know how its use came about?
This is so funny! The same thing is happening in Germany, especially with the younger generation.
Excellent post, Antonio! This is hilarious to me because I’ve been pointing out this to my family and friends in Italy for quite some time. I always ask them why are they using or adopting English words when they live in Italy and have their own beautiful language. Some say it sounds good or interesting, while others say they want to sound international. Both silly reasons!
Nikee instead of Nike is one which often comes to mind. But some insist I’m wrong. I roll my eyes and we both laugh.
“Smoking” actually has a history proving this term over “tuxedo” is correct, but the latter is the more widely accepted term. Most don’t even know the former term even exists in this context.
But in Canada, as you very well know, Antonio, we are guilty of a similar thing. The only difference is our pronunciation is of the English word, making it into an Italian-sounding word. Garbeeg for garbage, or becchiard for backyard. It’s all hilarious.
Not to be picky… but in theory smart working is not literally remote working. Italians are confused, but one (sw) is lavoro agile or flessibile with a ridiculous set or rules, not just remote working. The other is lavoro remoto. The Italians use them all randomly, but that’s no news. I say so as I took over a publication (www.smartworkingmagazine.com) which is entirely dedicated to new flexible forms of work. And it’s also extremely boring and full of hr contents. 😬
Correct. The right meaning is “flexible work.” Yet Italians use it as “working from home” outright.
I know feel guilty. I sounded really like a maestrina.
It's always an education to read what 'foreigners' use English in their own way!
'Footing' for instance in UK, esp Northern UK and Scotland, after midnight on the 1st Jan, first footing must be done by a dark haired man carrying a piece of coal. Not coaliite or any substitute!
A lock-up garage is a garage. An allocated parking space is such.
No 8. 'Smoking' implies heat. Not in a fire. Eminating from a person!!!
(Oh dear. Having a hot flush!).
I figured. 😂