Can you tell us about something funny or unexpected you’ve come across while translating?
Well, I sometimes come across funny machine translation examples. And once there was an advert at a supermarket near my house that I found rather amusing. It was a poster that they changed every so often, but one sentence always stayed the same. The Italian word acquisti (shopping) was spelt correctly to begin with, but then it appeared again without the ‘c’. It was correct the next time and then wrong again the time after that. I almost felt that it was my professional duty to add the missing ‘c’ with a red pen.
Have you always had a feel for languages or is it a skill you’ve developed over time?
Like any good Sagittarius (that’s my star sign), I love travelling. I’ve always enjoyed discovering new countries and learning about different cultures and traditions. And learning the language is the best way to immerse yourself in a new setting and get to know the locals. That’s why I’ve always loved foreign languages.
Which language sounds the most attractive to you?
I might be slightly biased, but I have to say that Italian is the most beautiful language. It has its own unique musicality and it’s so expressive with such a rich vocabulary. Not to mention that Italian is the language of a country known for its art, history and taste (in every sense of the word). Italian is about so much more than just the words. We communicate with our voices – but also with our hands, our eye contact and our body language (and some of our expressions are nothing short of hilarious).
Can you give us an example of a German word that you think sounds nice or that has a special meaning for you?
I can’t say that I have one favourite word in German, but what I do find absolutely fascinating about the language is the way it can combine multiple meanings in a single word. Let’s take Geborgenheit as an example. It’s quite tricky to translate this one German word directly with one Italian word. It means safety, security, intimacy and human warmth, expressing a sense of feeling welcome and at ease. You’d need more than one word to express the exact same concept in Italian. Otherwise, you’d struggle to capture the full depth of the emotional nuance.
And what’s your favourite Italian word?
Libertà. It’s a simple word that expresses the deepest desire of every human being. Freedom. We all want to be free to express ourselves without feeling afraid of the consequences and to control our own destiny, bring our ideas to life and make our dreams come true. This is one of my own core values.
What do you do to relax after a long day at work? Do you have any hobbies that help you clear your head?
I love being creative in my spare time – painting, drawing, making cards with artistic lettering, designing jewellery and crocheting.
Music is my other main passion. I love all genres of music but rock has my heart. I’m fascinated by rock music because it’s all about the energy, rebellion and freedom. It energises and empowers me like nothing else.
Grazie!
