Falsi amici - False friends. RE-Posted
I know, maybe you read and commented the post a few years ago, but I think it is always interesting and cool. So I've decided to re-post it, hoping you'll enjoy again.
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BTW, my linguistics professor at Moravian College (er, boarding school) stressed that a major characteristic of all languages is change. He said change is not a corruption, but rather an enrichment, and also a sign of vitality.
Change is brought about by usage, and usage "rules." Which is to say that a word used contemporaneously in a way that's contrary to long-established custom becomes correct when it appears in at least three separate respectable main-stream publications.
Now, this takes me to our last discussion at Elio's when we exchanged stories about how our perceptions of a foreign language are altered by being in a state of disorientation. Seven years ago, when I first arrived on Ischia, I was confident that "informatica" meant "information!"
delusion: "illusione"; "delusione" means disappointment.
Fascinating. When I delude myself, eventually it brings me great disappointment! And delusions are indeed illusory!
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BTW, my linguistics professor at Moravian College (er, boarding school)
It often happens between us. The last time we were at "La Piazzetta's" I told you about my father and I said you about his permanence by a "college": I meant "boarding school", I knew that the noun was inexact, but I didn't remember the exact noun, but now you are able to understand what I meant.
And I hoped you told the story of "Informatica" and "Information"... Ah ah ah! I always tell it to the friends who ask me about you...
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