CAPITOLO 1

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This is a dream come true 

Questo è un sogno che diventa realtà

: English syntax seems to be more direct and effective; the last word in the English version is “true” that is a powerful  word if compared with the Italian “realtà”

Reason for choice: the quotation provides an idea of the Changez feelings

Analysis: It conveys the idea of how good Changez felt himself at first in America.

Possible conclusion:  Both quotations creates an emphasis around the Changez feelings and expectations fulfilled by the American Dream

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You are hungry, and that is a good thing.

Tu sei affamato, e questa è una buona cosa nel mio libro

from a literal point of view the Italian translation is not effective and it is not clear ; English version is clear and the words hungry and good are strictly connected

Reason for choice: this quotation provides an example on how are English and Italian different

Analysis: In this quotation, the intelligent reader immediately understands how strong Changez’s wishes and convictions were. 

Possible conclusion:the effect is powerful  because “hungry” is a basic need for a man and gives a correct idea of the protagonist convictions

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Underwood Samson had the potential to transform my life as it had transformed his, making my concerns about money and status things of the distant past. 

Underwood Samson ha il potenziale per trasformare la mia vita come ha trasformato la sua, facendo diventare i miei pensieri sul denaro e sul mio stato, cose di un distante passato.

Italian syntax sounds more elaborate and English version seem to flow simplest and better; for example “making” is more effective than “ facendo diventare”

Reason for choice: this quotation perfectly embodies the mood of Changez when he first came to USA

Analysis:  This is a very important point of the whole book; indeed the protagonist tells us how America can change one’s life. Changez at first believes in the American Dream too.       

Possible conclusion: The quotation provides an idea of how Changez is involved, at the beginning, inside the American dream.

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Our situation is, perhaps, not so different from that of the old European aristocracy in the nineteenth century, confronted by ascendance of the bourgeoisie.

La nostra situazione è, forse, non così diversa da quella della vecchia aristocrazia Europea nel diciannovesimo secolo, confrontata con l’ascesa della borghesia

In this case both English and Italian version seems to give the same effect; also syntax seem to be very close

Reason for choice: this quotation provides a comparison between to historical periods

Analysis: That is very important because he compares his situation to a social class, which apparently seems different to his and so he makes a very intelligent comparison.

Possible conclusion: the protagonist, with this comparison, realized that his social state is low but he can increase it like the bourgeoisie done in Europe; so the sentence gives a good picture of the situation

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Princeton made everything possible for me. Nevertheless, it did not could not, make me forget… 

Princeton ha reso tutto possibile per me ma non ha e non avrebbe potuto farmi dimenticare……

In this case both seem that Italian version is more effective due to the double negation with the verb “to have” ;

Reason for choice:

Analysis: in this sentence, the novelist tells the reader how he was still strongly linked with his mother country.; to underline this connection the first part of the sentence show that make all possible for him was not enough to spit him from the origins

Possible conclusion: the quotation clearly show that the links with the origins are strong and also if living in another country could be nice it is not sufficient to brake this links

CAPITOLO 2

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So being alone was a luxury, huh?

Così essere da solo era un goduria, huh?

The word “luxury” in the English version is very effective; is ironic sense is clear; the Italian version is good but the words are not the best to give the desired effect.

Reason for choice:  This is an example of telling something to underline the opposite

Analysis: With this sentence Changez gives off a strong sense of home.; he ask this question to underline that for him the best was staying in his home with his relatives; the interrogative form gives the effect wanted

Possible conclusion: the total effect is to underline the opposite feeling related with the family of the protagonist and the interlocutor; the interrogative form

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I will admit that there were details, which annoyed me. The ease with which they parted with money […] Or their self-righteousness in dealing with those whom they had paid for a service.  

Ammetterò che c’erano dei particolari che mi annoiavano. La facilità con la quale si separarono dal denaro[...]O la loro auto -giustificazione nel trattare coloro che avevano pagato per un servizio

in this case the syntax of the sentences are similar ; it seems that Italian version in this case is more fluid then English , perhaps because of the pause inside the sentence

Reason for choice: this question emphasize the difference between two cultures                                                                                                                  

Analysis: This a clear example of the two different cultures, he feels a bit like a foreigner.

Possible conclusion: probably the sentence is complex and paused to underline the difference between the cultures ;this stop and start let the reader thinking about the sense of the previous and following words

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She had presence, an uncommon magnetism […] But one felt that some part of her […] was out of reach, lost in thoughts unsaid. 

Lei aveva una bella presenza, un magnetismo non comune[...] Ma uno sente che alcune parti di lei […] sono fuori portata, perse in pensieri non detti

in this case the English version seems to be more direct and effective ;the use of anaphoric structure fits inside the period living the reader think at the American dream like a character

Reason for choice: the sentence underlines the American Dream unreachable

Analysis: He transmits us how much strong was the attraction of the USA (again the American Dream).

Possible conclusion: the sentence puts the reader in front a beautiful woman unreachable ; this is the best way to describe the American Dream

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I do not think […] I have ever met someone our age as polite as you. […]. Not boring polite. Respectful polite. You give people their space.

Io non penso […] di aver mai incontrato qualcuno della nostra età onesto come te[...] non educatamente noioso. Educato rispettoso. Tu dai alla gente il suo spazio

the English version is for sure more effective ; pauses followed by I, Not, Respectful  give a sense of rise inside the sentence that end with the last period that is the true value of the entire quotation

Reason for choice: attraction of Changez for America

Analysis: In this quotation, it is strongly underlined how America had attracted Changez.

Possible conclusion: the effect of the quotation is to involve the reader inside feelings of the character that is exciting for the good attitudes of his interlocutor.

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So I kind of miss home, too. Except my home was a guy with long, skinny fingers.

Così ho come la sensazione di lasciare ancora la casa. Eccetto che casa mia era un ragazzo con lunghe dita magre

the English version seems more fluid and direct; the three words long, skinny and fingers gives the impression of the hands of the death from which we cannot escape

Reason for choice: to make us understand that the past never leave us

Analysis: The intelligent reader understand that (Am) Erica is still devoted to her past and in this case also to her traditions.

Possible conclusion: the quotation describe the person like a think from which the speaker cannot escape but is not clear if the speaker wants to escape.

CAPITOLO 3

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For me moving to N.Y felt […] like coming home. 

Per me andare a N.Y. è […] come andare a casa

the two versions seems the same but the word felt is not used in common Italian language to say that you feel yourself at home so I think that the English version is more effective

Reason for choice: it conveys the idea of feeling like at home

Analysis: Now Changez is completely belonging to American society and puts N.Y. to the same level of Lahore. It’s clear that is only a sensation but in this moment the protagonist sees N.Y. like home

Possible conclusion: thissentence creates the effect of “home sweet home “ also if the word “like” make us know that is not the true home

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Often, during my stay in your country, such comparison troubled me. In fact, they did more than trouble me: they made me resentful.  

Spesso, durante il mio soggiorno nel vostro paese, quei confronti mi hanno preoccupato, mi hanno più che preoccupato; mi hanno fatto arrabbiare

the English version seems to be stronger than italian version; the sound of the English period is stronger

Reason for choice: the quotation gives a clear view of what can happen compare countries where social differences are too high

Analysis: Here stays another comparison between USA and Pakistan.

Possible conclusion: the sentence creates the effect of  anger growing  and  the knowing of the big social and economic differences that signed our time,

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I have subsequently wondered why my mannerisms so appealed to my senior colleagues. 

Mi sono chiesto di conseguenza perché il manierismo così mi sono rivolto ai miei colleghi più vecchi

the syntax of Italian version seems more complex and English version seems more fluid

Reason for choice: interior feels that always trouble us

Analysis: This is very important because Changez wonders himself why he had success with his senior colleagues and thinks it was thanked to his foreignness.

Possible conclusion: the quotation involve us in a question that is real also for the reader and not only for the protagonist

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How much had changed in the four years since I had left Lahore!

Quanto è cambiato nei 4 anni da quando ho lasciato Lahore!

the sentences sounds both in the same manner; no big syntax differences ;

Reason for choice: this is an example of exclamation between himself.

Analysis: Changez realized how much he has changed since he arrived in the USA or better how much USA had changed him.  The text is clearly underline the surprise inside the protagonist mind

Possible conclusion: the writer uses an exclamation mark to underline the surprise and the level of changing that should be very high

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When I left Jim’s office, I found Wainwright waiting for me. I came second this time, he said, smiling.

Quando lasciai l'ufficio di Jim, trovai Wainwright che mi aspettava. Io sono arrivato secondo, disse , sorridendo

 I cannot find big differences between the English and Italian version also if English version seems to be a little more effective because of the sound of the language

Reason for choice:     this is an example of how narration can be summarized and strenghten by a report of a little joke

Analysis: He describes the success he had in the USA and how always seemed to be ok. Writer use a little Joke to make the atmosphere happy and exciting.

Possible conclusion: the use of the Joke to strengthen the sentence is successful. Is Clear that the character is living an exciting and happy moment

CAPITOLO 4

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I felt a peculiar feeling […] I felt at home.

Sento un particolare sentimento. Mi sento a casa

English version seem to be more fluent and effective ; double “felt” underlines the belonging of the character at new home (USA)

Reason for choice: Comparison about how feels are shown

Analysis: The novelist tells the reader how he felt belonging to USA society and how he did his best for it.

Possible conclusion: the quotation effect is to involve the reader in the feelings of the character and in this happiness

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Erica seemed happy that I was there, and her happiness infected me as well.         

Erica sembra felice che io sia qui e la sua felicità infetta anche me

Once again, Changez tells us how he was strongly linked to America. Erica represents America and its peculiarities.

Reason for choice: speaking about a special friend

Analysis: Once again, Changez tells us how he was strongly linked to America.

Possible conclusion: the sentence objective is to make the reader feel the happiness that infect the character infecting also the reader; the objective seems to be reached

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I like Pakistanis. But the elite has raped that place well and good, right? And fundamentalism. You guys have got some serious problems with fundamentalism.

mi piacciono I Pakistani ma l'elite ha violentato questo posto per bene, giusto? E il fondamentalismo. Voi ragazzi avete qualche serio problema con il fondamentalismo.

In this case I think that the Italian version is more effective ; also the sound of Italian version seems to be more fitted to the sentence

Reason for choice: the sentence deals with identity problem

Analysis: In this quotation, there is a big problem of identity.

Possible conclusion: the effect of the quotation is to leave the reader into a doubt like as the protagonist  feels 

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[…] I felt our relationship was deepening.   

io sento che la nostra relazione si stava approfondendo

English version is for sure simplest and more effective ; The English syntax is efficent and short.

Reason for choice: good feelings but not sure

Analysis: the relationship between Changez and America seemed to go on successfully but there will be another end.

Possible conclusion: the word “I felt” make us understand that the character is hoping that the relationship is deepening but is not sure and this uncertainty is clear inside the sentence

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She smiled at the image, then became thoughtful and fell silent.

lei sorrise all'immagine, quindi diventò pensierosa e cadde nel silenzio

English and Italian sentence are practically the same ; no big differences in syntax and sound

Reason for choice: I like as the author describes this passage in  Changez point of view

Analysis: Now USA seems to not fully appreciate Changez and she shows herself hopelessly linked to her traditions and past.   

Possible conclusion: the writer wants to tell us that the relationship between America and Changez in going to change rapidly in to a separation.

CAPITOLO 9

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I was saddened to find it in such a state – no, more than saddened, I was shamed . This was were I came from, this was my provenance, and it smacked of lowlines 

io mi sono rattristato di trovarlo in quello stato – no, più che rattristato ero vergognato. Questo era da dove provenivo, questa era la mia provenienza, e scioccato dalla bassezza

English and Italian syntax structures are similar but it seems that English is more effective at the end of the sentence

Reason for choice:  Thesentence gives a good picture of the shamed of Changez

Analysis:  Changez is disappointed about the state of Pakistan and he is shamed about it ; he feels it is a big difference between the America that he leaved and the Pakistan where he was born; His homeland is a shock for him and he tell more times  that he comes from here

Possible conclusion: Changez is disappointed and he cannot believe that is origin country is in such a horrible state. Inside the period writer underlines the disappointment writing  “I came from “ , “ my provenance” ; two times a period that has the same meaning ; the effect is clear and a reader can hear the shame of the protagonist

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[….] despite the assistance we had given America in Afghanistan, America would not fight at our side 

A dispetto dell'assistenza che avevamo dato all'America in Afghanistan, l'America non avrebbe combattuto al nostro fianco

the English version  seems more effective ; English seems more direct and the sound fits better the sense of the sentence

Reason for choice: the quotation paints America like a traitor                                                                                                        

Analysis:  from the quotation we can feel the despite for the America behaviour that is aligned with the behaviour of a traitor

Possible conclusion:  the speaker is clearly despite ; the construction of the period underlines it and ends with “ not fight at our side” leaving the sense of betrayal in the reader

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I would soon be gone, leaving my family and my home behind, and this made me a kind coward in my own eyes, a traitor   

Io me ne sarei presto andato, lasciando la mia famiglia e la mia casa dietro di me, e questo fa di me una specie di codardo ai miei occhi, un traditore.

 In addition, if the English and Italian versions seems to be similar, English version seems to be synthetic and a little more effective.

Reason for choice:  inside analysis and evaluation

Analysis:  Changez decide to come back in America and is living this like a betrayal; this think tell us about the internal fight inside his mind, divided between the love for his origins and the attraction of the U.S.

Possible conclusion: from the quotation it is clear that the protagonist, at the same time, wants to go but wants to stay and this decision is very hard to take;

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Look, man, he said, I do not know what is up with the beard, but I do not think it is making you Mister Popular around here.

Guarda, uomo, lui disse, io non so cosa succede alla tua barba ma non penso che diventerai il Signor Popolare qua in giro

in this case is clear that the English version is better; the use of slang is very effective and Italian version cannot compete

Reason for choice: the fear make us see different thinks

Analysis:  the American fear for terrorists make it different to American eyes; beard that is fundamentalism symbol make him undesirable to the people that he can meet

Possible conclusion: The sentence give us a real picture of the situation in U.S. after the twin towers attack ; also symbols was enough to stay away from some people

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I am sorry about everything. Please take care of yourself

Mi dispiace di tutto; per favore prenditi cura di te

From the syntax point of view no differences are presents; we can say that also from sound point of view, the two versions seems to be equal.

Reason for choice:  l'America lo abbandona

Analysis:  in this sentence he greets Erica (U.S.) and this is a symbolic farewell to America and its values

Possible conclusion:  the conclusion is that America is going and he is very sad but he takes his decision; between words we can feel his certainty for decision taken

CAPITOLO 10

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I found myself unable to concentrate on our work

Mi sono trovato incapace di concentrarmi sul nostro lavoro

English version seems to be more effective and synthetic then Italian version;

Reason for choice:   our problems can take over us

Analysis:  he is concentrating on Pakistan  situation and he cannot concentrate on his work ; from the sentence we can see he is worried about it but he cannot end to think on it

Possible conclusion:  sometimes we cannot control our feelings that take over us and make us take wrong decisions without evaluate all the possible alternatives

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I was not certain where I belonged- in N.Y. . in Lahore , in both, in neither

Io non ero certo a che luogo appartenessi- a N.Y, a Lahore, ad entrambi, a nessuno dei due

English seem to have a simplest syntax so the result is a better and more effective sentence.

Reason for choice: problems of identity                                                                                                      

Analysis:  the quotation underlines  big problem of identity ; The protagonist has an internal conflict and he doesn't know who he is and where he belong; he doesn't knows if he is American, Pakistani, both or neither

Possible conclusion: The writer lists all the possibilities to underline the internal conflict and the effect is to involve reader in this uncertain situation. The situation is not simple with the family inside a crisis area far from him

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this caused me to reflect again on the absurdity of my situation being two hemispheres from home at time when my family was in need

Questo mi ha fatto riflettere ancora sull'assurdità della mia situazione, essendo due emisferi da casa nel momento in cui la mia famiglia aveva bisogno di me.

the syntax structures are the same; again English seems to sound better and more effective

Reason for choice:  absurd situation – sense of guilty

Analysis: the situation is absurd because he is helping America, working for it, instead of taking care of his family that is in need due to the Pakistan crisis. Between words it is possible to feel a sense of guilty growing inside the protagonist

Possible conclusion:  the protagonist is in very bad situation and this situation make him starts to do bad thinks so he will take strong decisions in the future

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I spent that night considering what I had become.... I was a modern-day Janissary, a servant of the American Empire.

Ho passato la notte riflettendo su quello che ero diventato.... Ero un Giannizzero dei giorni nostri, un servo dell'Impero Americano

In addition, here Syntax are quite the same for English and Italian version. English is  shortly respect Italian and so the sound is a little better

Reason for choice:The protagonist start to think like a fundamentalist

Analysis:  Changez realize to have become one of the many pieces, which compose the American capitalistic system so he feels himself a servant of American Empire; The language starts to be very near to fundamentalists; he compares himself to a soldier, servant of the Empire.

Possible conclusion: the protagonist is going to become a fundamentalist. In this change  both America and Pakistan have their influence for different reasons

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In wartime, soldiers do not really fight for their flags, Changez. They fight for their friends, their friends. Their team.

In tempo di guerra I soldati non combattono veramente per le loro bandiere, Changez. Loro combatto per I loro amici, I loro compagni. La loro squadra.

English version is for sure shortly, effective and sounds better than Italian version;

Reason for choice:  what is real important during hard times

Analysis:  Changez colleague underlines that during a crisis period everybody has to fight for people who sustain him and not for a patriotic feeling and he must not let patriotic feeling take over; writer uses words like “friends”; “buddies”; “team” to emphasize what is really important

Possible conclusion:  During crisis, time is better take cares of the feelings and fight for them, than run behind a flag; in my opinion, the message is that also in wartimes love for friends must be stronger than hate for flags.