The Italian verb 'coccolare' means to cuddle. While the English word is cute and sounds a lot like the act that it describes, the Italian version is so much more evocative. But that is what the Italian language is all about - it's not just for communicating, but it is also an art. Something to be savored for its beauty and its utility. Unfortunately, I don't think that English is very beautiful - it serves well for communicating but doesn't roll off the tongue in a way that Italian does.
Another meaning for 'coccolare' is 'to spoil'. How interesting that the word should have such divergent meanings! But then again, perhaps cuddling and spoiling are not so very different.
skip to main |
skip to sidebar
ramblings of an east coast Italian-American
Posts
About Me
- v-rac
- I am a Professor at a large northeastern university, trying to understand how viruses work. More importantly, I am the Father of three lovely children.
Recent Reading
- Hackers: Heroes of the Computer Revolution - Steven Levy
- Digital Fortress - Dan Brown
- Deception Point - Dan Brown
- Angels & Demons - Dan Brown
- The Da Vinci Code - Dan Brown
No comments:
Post a Comment