Italy and Spain are two countries which share common ground on art, history, food and, of course, language, despite being hundreds of miles apart. Over the centuries, the exchange between the two languages has left its mark, meaning that today we don’t even notice it. Did you know, for example, that words like “capricho” (whim, fancy) or “piano” have travelled between Italian and Spanish for centuries? For a Spanish-Italian translator, understanding this cultural crossover isn’t an added bonus, but an essential.
This constant crossover between languages has led to a very rich co-existence. So much so that an Italian-Spanish translator needs to be alert not only to the literal meaning of the words, but also their cultural significance, their history and their double meanings.
Italian-isms used in everyday Spanish
Who hasn’t eaten pasta “al dente”? This expression is extremely common in Spanish, especially when it comes to cuisine. But it isn’t the only one: words like pizza, lasagna, ravioli, pesto, cappuccino and tiramisu appear on menus all over Spain.
And it’s not just food: in the world of classical music, we use piano, fortissimo, soprano and opera (which retains the same form in Spanish). In art, too, we have Italian-isms such as fresco, chiaroscuro and graffiti, although the last of these has taken on a life of its own all over the world.
Even in fashion we find words like modelle, passarella (although this one is less common) as well as the names of brands and styles that evoke Italian elegance.
Spanish-isms that have travelled to Italy
The flow was never just in one direction. During the centuries when Spain held influence over the south of Italy (especially in Naples and Sicily), many Spanish words infiltrated popular and dialectal Italian.
In Italian, we find terms like fiesta (party), chitarra (guitar), calle (street), plaza (square), patata (potato), marmellata (marmalade) and ventilatore (fan). Sometimes the form has changed; other times the root has been retained, but traces of the Spanish are there.
And we mustn’t forget about names and surnames. Surnames such as Fernández, García and Domínguez still exist in Italy as a result of the historical inheritance. Just as there are Spanish expressions that have impacted the way in which some dialects are spoken in the south of Italy.
A mixture that lives on
Today, this crossover of words reflects genuine cultural affinity. It’s no coincidence that a Spanish-Italian translator or an Italian-Spanish translator needs to know these particularities to avoid misunderstandings and to capture the depth of each context. But even aside from professional translation, this language exchange shows that language is a living way of connecting peoples and of travelling without moving.
At Blarlo, we believe that carefully-chosen words are what really open doors. Whether that’s to communicate, move or sell, mastering the cultural nuances between two languages that are as close as Italian and Spanish can make all the difference.
Because languages speak… but they also live. If you are looking for an Italian translation company or an Italian translation agency that understands this richness, Blarlo is here to help you.
