I've been watching La vita bugiarda degli adulti (The Lying Life of Adults), a Netflix series in Italian, adapted from a novel by Elena Ferrante. The official synopsis reads as follows:
In 1990s Naples, brash and bold Aunt Vittoria helps her sheltered niece [Giovanna] experience a different side of the city, upsetting the teen's strict parents.
Victoria's bold, vulgar and straightforward language, a reflection of her brash and loud personality, is full of colorful and evocative expressions in the Neapolitan dialect, as is the language of the other characters.
Moved by the curiosity to see how these expressions were translated into English, and by the desire of sharing the captivating images painted by the idiomatic phrases in my local dialect, I have collected a couple of examples below.
Ascí p’ ‘e rrecchie 💥👂🏻
Context 💬
Giovanna's mom, Nella, is angry and upset because her daughter got bad grades at school. As Giovanna eavesdrops behind the door, Nella discusses the matter with her husband, declaring that, from now on, Giovanna has to "roll up her sleeves", hunker down and study: "Ah, mo glielo faccio uscire per le orecchie".
The Italian expression literally means: "I'll make it pour out of her ears". It can be interpreted, in this context, as: "I'll nag her so much by telling her that she has to study, to the point that she won't be able to hold my words inside her head anymore". An expression impossible to translate literally without baffling the Engish-speaking audience.
A brilliant solution was adopted by the translator: "I'll hammer it into her head. You'll see." I think it fits perfectly: the vividness of the original expression is perfectly conveyed by an English idiom that evokes a similar image, maintaining the reference to the "head" and to the "nagging".
English CC: "I'll hammer it into her head".
English: "I'll drill it into her".
‘A faccia storta 😠💢
Context 💬
Giovanna is upset after having overheard an unpleasant comment made by her father about her. Her friends notice her mood and point it out by saying: "Tieni la faccia storta", literally: "You have a crooked face".
When someone has a "faccia storta" it's because they are sulking over something unpleasant, such as a previous argument with someone else.
It was translated as: "You look upset". Simple, neat, and on point. Does any other solution come to mind? I wouldn't want to be in the translator's shoes! (Actually, a part of me wishes I was)
English CC: "You look upset".
English: "You look pissed".
'A neve dint ‘a sacca ❄️🧥
Context 💬
Giovanna is visiting her aunt for the first time. As they enter the kitchen, Vittoria strongly encourages her niece to take off the jacket and have a sit. "E lievatill 'stu cappotto! Che tien? 'A neve dint 'a sacca?", literally: "Come on, take off that jacket! What's up with you? Do you have snow in your pockets?".
If you have snow in your pockets it means that must be in a hurry and definitely can not stop for a cup of coffee (or a glass of juice, in Giovanna's case) at your aunt's house. You say it to someone who seems eager to leave, who seems in a rush.
It was translated as: "Take off that jacket. What's the problem? Where's the fire?". It is an interesting choice because it uses an idiomatic expression that conveys a sense of urgency and also maintains the reference to a natural element (snow/fire).
English CC: "Take off that jacket. What's the problem? Where's the fire?".
English: "And take that coat off. I mean, where's the fire?".
Sharing these expressions (and analyzing how they were translated) was an occasion for me to reflect on how difficult and incredibly beautiful a translator's job is. To be able to understand more than one language, and access meaning on multiple levels of comprehension... is a privilege. Conveying those meanings to someone who does not have the same privilege... is the ultimate challenge.
We truly are a bit of everything: ninjas, heroes, and traitors.
I look forward to watching the other episodes and finding more beautiful Neapolitan expressions that are part of my heritage and that I want to keep alive, appreciating how unique and imaginative they are.
Hope you enjoyed reading some of these idiomatic phrases, I'd be curious to know if there are similar expressions in your language too!
Credits:
Arrows In All Directions Png vectors by Lovepik.com