The reluctant fundamentalist: most important quotations
Chapter 1
Original text (English)	Italian translation	
Such an opportunity would not come for quite some time – not until several days later, as a matter of fact. You might imagine I grew frustrated with the wait, but you must remember: I had never in my life had a vacation like this one.	Un’opportunità che si fece aspettare parecchi giorni, se devo essere sincero. Può immaginare quanto fosse frustrante quell’attesa, però deve tenere presente una cosa: in vita mia non avevo mai fatto una vacanza di quel tipo.	
Reason for choice: The quotation focuses on Changez’s relationship with Erica / America: in particular, it draws the attention on courtship and its features.
Themes:
•	Love relationship
•	Different genders meeting
•	Different cultures meeting
Comparative analysis:
•	Such an opportunity would not come for quite some time, not until several days later – un’opportunità che si fece aspettare parecchi giorni: the structure of the Italian translation is completely different from the original version. In particular, the first sentence is shorter and omits some parts. The total effect is to convey the reader Changez’s impatience. On the other hand, the English version underlines the waiting, by using a vague statement (“it would not come for quite some time”) later specified (“not until several days later”). 
•	I grew frustrated – quanto fosse frustrante quell’attesa: the English version focuses again on the waiting, which causes Changez’s frustration to grow progressively. The Italian translation conveys the reader the idea that Changez is equally frustrated for the whole waiting: the verb “to be” (“quanto fosse frustrante”) does not imply growth. 
•	Remember – tener presente: Changez tells the American to “remember” and to “keep in mind” (“tenere presente”) an information in order to understand what he says. “Remembering” and “keeping in mind” are two different mental operations: “keeping in mind” something means being aware of that thing, while “remembering” implies keeping an information for a longer period of time. 
•	In my life – in vita mia: in the Italian translation the expression “in my life” is placed at the beginning of the sentence, thus gaining more importance: the effect is to focus more on Changez’s subjectivity.
•	This – quel: in the Italian translation the adjective “this” is replaced by “quel” (“that”): Changez appears more detached from what he’s saying.
Conclusion: The main difference between the two versions is that the original version seems to be more objective than the Italian translation. 	

Chapter 6 
Original text (English)	Italian translation	
I suspect I looked alarmed because she smiled and added, “It’s not that bad. I mean, I’m eating fine. I haven’t lost it. But I feel haunted, you know?”	Presumo di aver assunto un’espressione allarmata, perchè lei sorrise e aggiunse: “Non va così male. Voglio dire, non ho smesso di mangiare. Questo no. Però sono ossessionata”.	
Reason for choice: The quotation provides useful information to understand Erica’s emotional state and her relationship with Changez and with Chris.
Themes:
•	Love relationship
•	Different genders meeting
Comparative analysis:
•	I suspect – presumo: Changez’s sense of being alarmed is introduced in different ways. In the English version, the verb “suspect” implies means that he was not completely sure of what he felt in that moment. In the Italian version, however, the verb “presume” implies that he was more certain of his own feelings and also it suggests that Changez knew it from a deduction.
•	Haunted – ossessionata: the verb “to haunt” is generally associated to being followed by something such a ghost. In the English version, this verb may refer to Erica escaping desperately from Chris’ ghost: it suggests Erica’s desire to stop this chase and to go on. The Italian version uses the word “obsessed” (“ossessionata”), which implies that it is Erica who constantly thinks about Chris, follows his ghost and needs it like a drug. 
•	You know: The expression “you know?” is not included in the Italian translation. Its original function is to invite Changez to share Erica’s feelings, in order to understand them. It also implies that Erica needs a point of reference, something that could make her feel more stable. On the contrary, the Italian version seems to underline Erica’s closure towards Changez. 
•	I'm eating fine – non ho smesso di mangiare: the Italian version implies that she is still eating, while the English version draws the attention more on the quality of her meals. 
Conclusion: In the Italian version, Changez and Erica’s relationship seems to have reached a point of no return: they’re drawn apart and now it’s too late to go back.	

Chapter 11
Original text (English)	Italian translation	
Not – please understand me – that I was convinced that I had made a mistake; no, I was merely convinced I had not made a mistake. I was, in other words, confused.	Non che, la prego di non fraintendermi, fossi convinto di aver fatto un errore; no, soltanto non ero convinto di non aver fatto un errore. In altre parole, ero confuso.	
Reason for choice: The quotation allows the reader to understand Changez’s mental state.
Themes:
•	Different cultures meeting
•	Identity
Analysis: Changez seems to have lost his balance, is unable to choose a side and is confused. Changez tells about the two sides by using two sentences with a similar structure and use of language. The aside “please understand me” suggests the reader that Changez needs his interlocutor’s help in order to understand himself. The first sentence [anticipa] Changez’s statement “I was confused”.
Comparative analysis: 
•	Please understand me – la prego di non fraintendermi: The aside “please understand me” suggests Changez’s need to be understood by the American. In the Italian version, the aside is translated as “la prego di non fraintendermi”: Changez implies that the American is able to understand him, but wants to make sure he does it in the right way.
•	I was merely convinced – soltanto non ero convinto: the English version uses a statement which is, however, made doubtful by the adverb “merely”. On the other hand, the Italian version uses a negation and the adverb “soltanto” reinforces it.
•	I was, in other words, confused – In altre parole, ero confuso: the two versions differ because of the position of the words. In particular, in the English version the aside “in other words” divides “I was” from “confused”: the effect is to emphasize Changez’s confusion. The Italian version, however, puts the aside “in altre parole” at the beginning of the sentence: it suggests the reader that Changez’s statement is a conclusion. 
Conclusion: The English version uses a more informal tone and makes Changez closer to the American interlocutor.