Book by De Lampedusa - the old aristocrats of Sicily

The Leopard è come è stato tradotto in lingua inlgese. Metterei una nota in cui si specificano romanzo autorie e breve storia.

To translate this without reference to the masterful novel by Giuseppe Tomasi di Lampedusa seems to me unfathomable. We have witnessed enough "dumbing down" of our culture. I would strongly urge taking this opportunity to educate and elevate. :)

"Gattopardian" or "Lampedusian", particularly the former, precisely embody the meaning the translation requires to those who are educated in this great literary work. Those who are not will either be inspired to research the terms or skim over them. The objective, as I see it, is to be true to the text and not to translate to the reader's (tourist's) cultural literacy level.

As a compassionate concession to your reader (tourist), however, you may wish to add a parenthetical reference to the aristocracy of 19th-century Sicily.

Thank you for allowing me to offer my two cents. :)

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Note added at 2 hrs (2009-03-07 16:28:09 GMT) Post-grading
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I'm impressed with all of the insightful comments. Kudoz to my colleagues! :) And blessings to you, Carly, as you complete your project. Tanti auguri!!! :)

Marianna

I've mulled this over and I think you need to make a judgement call, Carly.
Is this a website, where people can then go and search for references to The Leopard/Il Gattopardo? Or is it a printed effort, where the reader may just be stuck with what they have in front of them and are left wondering what it's all about?

I'm very loath not to give Giuseppe Tomasi and/or Luchino Visconti their due, but my take would be to indicate the historical period ... anyone au fait with the Italian Risorgimento and Sicily's connection to it, will immediately pick up the reference. Anyone who isn't, won't understand the reference anyway.

I'd also be wary of using "Lampedusa", which could confuse with the island, and of using "Leopardian/esque", with the risk of folks thinking it's to do with your man Giacomo.

HTH
Angela

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Note added at 3 hrs (2009-03-07 16:43:51 GMT) Post-grading
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Should add that this is in full support of Tom's answer and simply a variation as I wanted to add some reasoning for opting for his answer.