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Glossary entry

Italian term or phrase:

Un po’ a guardia della Sicilia e un po’ si guarda dalla Sicilia.

English translation:

watches over - watches out for

Added to glossary by Janice Giffin
May 4, 2023 12:27
1 yr ago
35 viewers *
Italian term

Un po’ a guardia della Sicilia e un po’ si guarda dalla Sicilia.

Italian to English Other Journalism specialized magazine all about the sea
This is a from a magazine article that describes small islands in the Mediterranean. I see the play on words but I just don't get it. I know the author will want the play on words to be replicated in English.
Proposed translations (English)
3 +1 watches over - watches out for
4 +2 While casting a watchful eye over Sicily...
4 keeps watch in order to "protect" and "protect itself from" Sicily
Votes to reclassify question as PRO/non-PRO:

Non-PRO (1): Tom in London

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Discussion

Maria G. Grassi, MA AITI May 4, 2023:
Janice Forgive me, Janice, I got the names mixed up!!
Maria G. Grassi, MA AITI May 4, 2023:
Thank you Yes Janice, I have. I am glad I could be of help!
Janice Giffin (asker) May 4, 2023:
Many thanks for this discussion Maria Grassi, I believe you have unlocked the mystery. I just spoke with the author and indeed 'be wary of' is just right. The implied contradiction is that Favignana 'watches over' (protects) Sicily and at the same time 'is wary of' (protects its own easygoing atmosphere from) Sicily. Have you posted this as an answer?
Maria G. Grassi, MA AITI May 4, 2023:
“si guarda” “Guardarsi da”, in this context, means “to be wary of”. So the author is saying that this small island is a guardian of Sicily while, at the same time, it is scared of Sicily.
philgoddard May 4, 2023:
You still haven't given us the context. What does the article say before and after this?
Janice Giffin (asker) May 4, 2023:
the little island is Favignana.
Janice Giffin (asker) May 4, 2023:
Actually, this is in the newsletter that briefly describes the content ofthe upcoming issue. The sentence is about a small island that lies just off the coast of Sicily. I think 'a guardia della' has to do with the little island is 'watching over' or 'protecting' while at the same time the same little island is 'watched' 'seen' or 'viewed' from Sicily. I might be totally off track.
Fiona Grace Peterson May 4, 2023:
I get it now The author means that the island's "purpose" is two-fold: it "guards" Sicily as well as being visible from it. "Look over" and "look after" is a possibility, but you may struggle to maintain the play on words.
philgoddard May 4, 2023:
Something about guard and regard? But Fiona is right, we can't understand this in a vacuum.
Elisa Caprari May 4, 2023:
Can you tell us the name of the island? I think that it could be useful
Fiona Grace Peterson May 4, 2023:
More context needed Can you provide more context?

Proposed translations

+1
27 mins
Selected

watches over - watches out for

In order to replicate the play on words, my suggestion would be to work with something like this pair, if there’s a way to make the final result sound right in English.

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Note added at 55 min (2023-05-04 13:23:26 GMT)
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“Guardarsi da”, in this context, means “to be wary of”. So the author is saying that this small island is a guardian of Sicily while, at the same time, it is scared of Sicily.

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Note added at 7 ore (2023-05-04 19:59:22 GMT)
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My pleasure, Janice. Have a lovely rest of the evening.
Note from asker:
Thank you Maria. I was under pressure to send in that translation and as soon as I saw 'be wary of', it all clicked. Fiona, I coudn't use your suggestion this time, but I liked it very much.
Peer comment(s):
agree Fiona Grace Peterson : Maybe some alliteration, "F. Is both watchful and wary of Sicily"?
48 mins
If, unlike Italian, a single word can’t be used to smoothly replicate the play on words, your alliteration sounds very good!
Something went wrong...
4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer. Comment: "My client was very satisfied with this translation. Thank you."
+2
34 mins

While casting a watchful eye over Sicily...

(While) casting a watchful eye over Sicily, XXXX also likes to guard its own distinctive character.

or...

With one eye on its Sicilian neighbour and the other cast inward, Favignana likes to guard its own distinctive character.

I think this is what the author may be saying
Peer comment(s):
agree Emmanuella
1 hr
Thanks!
agree FPC : I like it as it conveys both meanings in one single expression
1 day 20 hrs
Something went wrong...
1 hr

keeps watch in order to "protect" and "protect itself from" Sicily

the meaning, even though perhaps a little mouthful

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 1 hr (2023-05-04 13:59:03 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

It's of course figurative and tongue-in-cheek
Something went wrong...
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