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This month’s lesson is dedicated to, of course, Halloween! Halloween has become a big celebration in Italy although it is regarded by some as another invasion of American culture in Italy. Fact is, its origins go back to Europe and the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, when people would light bonfires and wear costumes to ward off roaming ghosts.
In the 8th century, Pope Gregory III designated Nov. 1 as a time to honor all saints and martyrs; the holiday, All Saints’ Day, incorporated some of the traditions of Samhain. The evening before was known as All Hallows’ Eve and later Halloween. In modern times, the secular, community-based event became characterized by child-friendly activities such as trick-or-treating. Here we offer some Italian phrases and words for those of you who celebrate Halloween and want to throw some Italian into the mix.
Here are some common seasonal expressions in Italian. Buon divertimento! (Enjoy!)
* Zucca derives from the Italian word “zucchina” (squash or courgette) used to best define our American pumpkin associated with the fall season. In its purest form “zucca” as in the phrase “testa di zucca,” refers to a person who lacks intelligence and/or common sense. However, for the purpose when describing a pumpkin, removing the “hin” from” zucchina,” gives the meaning of a large squash, which is what a pumpkin really is.
** These fall dessert delicacies haven’t caught on yet in the “old country,” but given the acceptance of hot dogs, fries, and hamburgers, it won’t be long before these items, too, will be available at a neighborhood “supermercato” in Italy.
*** Unfortunately, the use of the witch symbolism at Halloween has also been included in Italian celebrations. This is unfortunate because the famous witch, La Befana, the good Epiphany Witch, is slowly taking a back seat to Santa Claus as the gift giver at Christmas. Equating witches to the spooky mystique of Halloween might be another step away from the beautiful Italian celebration of Epiphany.
**** These are Italian seasonal cookies. Kids as well as adults who prefer the religious “Day of the Dead” over Halloween find their sweet treat in this traditional Italian favorite.
Halloween-among non-celebrants (La Vigilia d’Ogni Santo)
Zucca*
Pumpkin
Festeggiamo!
Let’s party!
Intagliamo la zucca!
Let’s carve the pumpkin!
Indossiamo un costume.
We dress up in costumes.
Il gatto nero
Black cat
Lo scheletro
Skeleton
Il fantasma
Ghost
Il pipistrello
Bat
Il ragno
Spider
La ragnatela
Spiderweb
Autunno
Autumn
La maschera
Mask
Lupo mannaro
Werewolf
La crostata di zucca**
Pumpkin pie
Il vampiro
Vampire
La caramella
Candy
La mela caramellata**
Candied apple
Il sidro di mela
Apple cider
La strega***
Witch
Ossa di morte****
Bones of the dead
This month’s proverb
It is from Naples:
Napoletano: ‘A meglio parola è chela ca nun se dice. Italiano: La parola migliore è quella che non si dice.
English: Literally: The best word is the word that you don’t say.
It emphasizes how silence is sometimes necessary and far better than hasty speeches. The proverb invites prudence, and is often repeated by the elderly to the young to curb their impulsiveness.
This month’s falso amico
It is confrontare. It means comparing two things to each other to see which one is better by comparison. E.g., Confrontiamo i prezzi (Let’s compare prices.) It does not mean to confront, as in” I will confront him on his behavior.” The verb for this meaning
is confrontarsi.
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