Login or register (free and only takes a few minutes) to participate in this question.
You will also have access to many other tools and opportunities designed for those who have language-related jobs (or are passionate about them). Participation is free and the site has a strict confidentiality policy.
21:13 Nov 5, 2009
This question was closed without grading. Reason: Answer found elsewhere
Italian to English translations [PRO] Poetry & Literature / poetry
Italian term or phrase:offeso negli affetti familiari
This phrase forms part of a brief description of a poem by Carlo Porta entitled "I desgrazzi de Giovannin Bongee". I'm not familar with the verse and although I have found the full text of the poem online, I can't make head or tail of it, as it is written in Milanese dialect.
"I suoi capolavori si chiamano I desgrazzi de Giovannin Bongee (storia di un ingenuo popolano **offeso negli affetti familiari** ed incarcerato dagli sbirri arroganti)"
In view of recent developments in the Giovannin debate I think it is fair to say that he indeed "suffered insult..." but to his wife/marriage. I'm going to give her the benefit of the doubt, despite the lengthy tric trac-ing upstairs ;) Thanks again Sarah and Raffaella. Michael, I hope your builder showed up in the end!
sì, anch'io l'ho interpretata così. Penso che la frase in francese maccheronico sia volutamente ambigua: "moi je veux coucher avec elle"? oppure? E in Milanese cosa potrebbe voler dire, eventualmente?
ma secondo te il "tric trac", il rumore che sente al piano di sopra è innocente? Non dura un po' troppo per essere solo il rumore di qualcuno che scende le scale? Io l'ho interpretato come: 1. il soldato gli chiede l'indirizzo, 2. sapendolo fuori va a casa sua, 3. quando Giovannin arriva a casa sente rumori "sospetti" e se lo vede sbucare, 4. come nulla fosse il soldato gli dice ha una moglie très jolie e che gli piacerebbe "approfondire" la conoscenza (ma non significa che ci si sia già intrattenuto in qualche modo...), 5. G. gli dice di andare fuori dai c.......i, 6. il francese pensa che gli abbia dato del c.......e e si azzuffano. Credo che il vedo-non vedo (ma immagino) contribuisca all'effetto comico.
from what I understand, Giovannin is hurt and insulted because the Frenchman, who then proceeded to beat him up, had said "moà ge voeu coccé cont ell", i.e. I want to sleep with her (Giovannin's wife).
Hi Carly, I took a look at the full version and, although I'm much better at understanding spoken Milanese than its written form, it appears that Giovannin catches his wife with another man (the soldier/policeman), or better, he catches him on his way out after being with his wife. In the dispute that follows (based on misunderstandings), he ends up being beaten and probably (not too sure of my own interpretation) arrested. So, I think it may be more correct to say that he "suffers a hard blow to/is hit hard in his marital/family affections". Sorry if my indication was misleading (teaches me never ever to use a 5), I still think that's the most obvious meaning of the expression, but considering the content of the poem I'd go with the "hit/blow" solution. I wouldn't look for something too poetic/elaborate because of the character's lack of depth. HTH
Per me, quando la moglie scappa via con lo sbirro che ti tiene sotto inchiesta, questo sì che esser offesi negli affetti famigliari! (Non fraintendermi – non mi è mai successo!). Quel che cerco di dire è che il fatto che qualcuno fece male a lui tramite i soui affetti famigliari, non significa necessariamente che fu offesa la famiglia stessa. Sto discutendo con la questione chiusa per puro amore solonico della verità... aspettando il muratore, che doveva presentarsi già un ora fa!!! Sono offeso nel mio affetto per i muratori!
I don't normally do this, but in this instance I'm closing without grading, as I opted for my own solution in the end. Thanks to everyone who answered/took part in the discussion!
for your vote of confidence. I wasn't entirely sure on this one and in fact some of the answers given are quite different from my interpretation. Cheers!
Hi Carly, you got it right: first his family/loved ones get insulted, then he is wrongfully arrested. These must be part of the "disgrazie" mentioned in the title.
Automatic update in 00:
Answers
12 mins confidence:
estranged from his family
Explanation: Just a guess. (Literally, having suffered disruption of family ties.)
TechLawDC United States Native speaker of: English
Explanation: Quote: Giovannin Bongee racconta le sue disgrazie coniugali, e, vivace come un sempliciotto, bonaccione come un povero diavolo, dipinge, insieme con le sue peripezie, la sua indole, i luoghi e le persone che frequenta, l'ambiguo candore della moglie e le sue rotondità oltraggiate.
The translation workplace 
