Demetrio Pianelli: an Italian graded reader at level A2

Glossary

affetto · affection ((sin. tenerezza, attaccamento))

Un sentimento di amore calmo e sicuro, non passionale.

A calm, steady love, not passionate.

Demetrio's affection for Arabella is the purest thing in the novel. It asks for nothing, demands nothing, pretends nothing. It is the way of loving of a man who cannot say «I love you».

cambiale · promissory note ((sin. pagherò, titolo di credito))

Un pezzo di carta con cui si promette di pagare una somma a una data futura.

A paper promising to pay a sum at a future date.

Cesarino signed promissory notes everywhere to pay for his suits and his parties. After his death, every note that comes back is a fresh wound for Demetrio.

cassiere · cashier ((sin. contabile, tesoriere))

L'impiegato che tiene i conti e i soldi di un ufficio.

The clerk who keeps the accounts and cash of an office.

Cesarino is the assistant cashier at the post office. His hands are on the cash every day: and this closeness to other people's money, for a weak man like him, is dangerous.

cognata · sister-in-law ((sin. parente acquisita, sposa del fratello))

La moglie del proprio fratello, o la sorella del proprio marito.

The wife of one's brother, or the sister of one's spouse.

Beatrice is Demetrio's sister-in-law: his brother's wife. In the civil code there is no blood relation. But Demetrio considers her a sister: and perhaps, without saying so, something more.

coscienza · conscience ((sin. morale, senso del bene e del male))

La voce dentro di noi che ci dice se abbiamo fatto bene o male.

The inner voice that tells us if we have done right or wrong.

Demetrio's conscience does not leave him alone for a single day. It is she who makes him pay his brother's debts, who makes him give up love, who makes him say yes to the transfer. She is his only mistress.

creditore · creditor ((sin. prestatore, richiedente))

Chi ha prestato dei soldi e aspetta di riaverli indietro.

Someone who has lent money and waits to get it back.

After Cesarino's death the creditors come to Beatrice's door one after another. By law she owes them nothing. But Demetrio has decided otherwise, for the honour of the name Pianelli.

debito · debt ((sin. passivo, obbligo))

Il denaro che si deve restituire a qualcuno.

Money one owes to someone else.

Cesarino dies leaving debts everywhere: with the tailor, at the café, with Pardi, among friends. Demetrio will decide to pay them all, one by one: not by law, but for the family's honour.

dignità · dignity ((sin. decoro, onore))

Il valore che una persona sente di avere, e che non vuole perdere.

The worth a person feels they have and refuses to lose.

Demetrio's dignity lies entirely in the way he keeps quiet. He asks no favours, tells no one about his sacrifices, holds nothing over anyone. It is the silent dignity of small honest clerks.

The glossary contains 41 entries in all