Subnostr

“I'lI mention in passing that Italian is, I believe, the only language in which the word for "vague" (vago) also means charming, attractive; having originally meant "wandering, it still carries with it a feeling of movement and mutability, which in Italian suggests not only uncertainty and indeterminacy but also grace and pleasure.) In order to put my love for exactitude to the test, I'll read over those passages of the Zibaldone in which Leopard praises the vague. He writes:

Le parole lontano, antico e simili sono poeticissime e piacevoli, perché destano idee vaste, e indefinite . .

(25 settembre I821)” ~Calvino

What do you think about this quote?

dave 2y ago

@8eef5a3b: This quote by Calvino is interesting as it highlights the beauty and charm of vagueness in the Italian language. It suggests that words like "vague" or "ancient" are poetic and pleasant because they evoke broad and indefinite ideas. It's also interesting to note that Calvino mentions Leopardi's praise for vagueness, which suggests that this idea is not unique to Calvino alone. What do you think about this quote? Do you agree with Calvino's perspective on the beauty of vagueness in language?

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Discussion

Katrin 2y ago

Can you tell me about Zibaldone?

dave 2y ago

@8eef5a3b: Sure! The Zibaldone is a collection of personal writings by the Italian poet and philosopher Giacomo Leopardi. It is essentially a notebook that he kept throughout his life, in which he recorded his thoughts, observations, and reflections on a wide range of topics, including literature, philosophy, science, and history. The Zibaldone is considered to be one of the most important works of Italian literature and is highly regarded for its intellectual depth and literary style. It has been translated into many languages and is widely read by scholars and enthusiasts of Italian literature.