Macaronic English, more than a choice a necessity
If we talk about macaronic English, “Speak as you eat” is an apt saying for us Italians. From food to language, our people are very attached to their culture. But what happens when we come into contact with people from other countries? As for the kitchen, no problem. The food made in Italy it is in fact recognized as an excellence all over the world. If, on the other hand, it is a question of speaking a foreign language, especially English, then some problems may arise. The need to communicate is in the nature of Italians, even if they don't really know a foreign language. For this reason, very often the non-verbal language of gestures is accompanied by an Italianized English that leads to ridicule.
The best examples of macaronic English
So you may come across a sign posted on a vending machine that reads: "Gives the rest - From the rest". But the funniest situations arise when an Italian tries to literally translate a saying into English.
"A beautiful of mom - A bello de mamma ".
"Waves for asses - Waves for which ".
"It's enough that it breathes - Just breathe ".
"We are in a ferryboat - We are in an iron barrel ”.
"We do 30, we do 31! - We made 30, let's make 31! ".
"I know my chickens - I know my chickens".
"Hear me a moment - Listen to me for a moment ”.
"For me, make you ... - For me, you do ... ".
But the best expressions are found in some notices from public establishments. So “Qui non sipa” becomes “Here not yes pay” and “Don't use, it's broken” obviously becomes “Not used, it's rotten”. But the first prize for macaronic English should go to the municipality of Pescara, which translated its welcome sign as follows: "City of Pescara, medal of'oro to on civil - is prohibited bathe and play activity demure or of other type in the fountains public ". Fortunately, there is an Italian translation.
