Those of you who are not Italian, but read Italian newspapers, will often come across the words ‘corruzione‘ and ‘concussione‘. Do you know what ‘concussione’ means?
No, it’s got nothing to do with being banged on the head, just in case you were wondering. That would be far too simple. Such a definition simply would not sit comfortably with the Italian propensity for complexity. OK, I admit it, I was not too sure what this ‘concussione’ word was all about either.
So I asked my lawyers; not my lawyers as such, but the ones I’m teaching to write more respectably in English; and they kindly explained the difference, only after tracking the word down in an Italian law dictionary and some discussion. To be fair to them, they are mainly civil, not criminal lawyers.
In a moment, I’ll tell you a little more about the funny ‘concussione’ word, but first, a little revision.
Corruzione = Bribery
Corrupt Legislation, Vedder Highsmith
OK, so you probably guessed what the Italian word ‘corruzione‘ meant. It’s quite a close relative of the English word ‘corruption‘, after all. Corruption, in Italy and elsewhere, usually involves offering money in return for services or favors, and is otherwise known as ‘bribery’.
Concussione = approximately, Extortion
In common with the word ‘Corruzione’ which closely resembles the English word ‘corruption’, and means the same, the Italian word ‘concussione‘ also looks very like a word that is similar in English – ‘concussion‘. However the relationship stops there. Appearances, as we all know, can be deceptive. The words ‘concussione’ and ‘concussion’ are what is known in the English teaching trade as ‘false friends’.
What the word ‘concussione’ actually means in Italian, or rather refers to, is the crime of a public official requesting money for services, or using his position to obtain favors or services – a practice which is also known as ‘extortion’ when public officers are not involved. One translation of concussione is probably ‘graft’.
An example would be when the local Italian planning officer whispers, ‘Of course we’ll grant you building permission, sir, but it may take a little time. However, if you make me an offer, say around 10% of the development value, I can ensure that things will progress very rapidly indeed.’. You get the idea, I’m sure.
Another example might be when someone holding public office calls the police to pressure them into releasing someone else, as is alleged to have happened in the RubyGate case involving Italy’s current prime minister, Silvio Berlusconi – who (15th February, 2011) faces charges of ‘concussione’.
As a matter of interest, ‘extortion‘ is ‘estorsione‘ in Italian, and carries the same meaning too. It is not a false friend! Confusing, isn’t it?
For the still lucid, ‘concussion’ in the medical sense is ‘commozione cerebrale‘ in Italian.
A Case of Concussione
A case involving both corruption and the dishonest receipt of money by public officials was mentioned on Italy Chronicles in the Romeo and the Politicians post.
In the Romeo case, the alpha male, Romeo, was allegedly doing the corrupting, while a couple of officials in the employ of Naples‘ municipal authority were apparently doing the extorting; possibly funded by good old Mr Romeo; and these two Neapolitan miscreants are now facing allegations of ‘concussione’.
Advertisement
In Italian, the word which would most probably be used to describe those involved in such illegal money making schemes, such as Romeo and Co., would be ‘furbo‘ – click on the word to read an old chestnut of mine on this fascinating Italian, er, concept.
About Alex Roe
Italy Chronicles Feed
Alex, this is an interesting language lesson – about subtleties in vocabulary – for Italian speakers who sometimes use English as well. Thanks!
I have been to Italy many times over the years and I’ve never been failed when I’ve assumed that all Italians are dishonest. More times than not I have been saved from difficult business transaction by the expectation the Italian involved was trying to cheat me. This includes restaurants, taxis, etc. If one maintains this attitude and is careful about hygiene, he or she can have a pleasant time enjoying the history of Italy. Unfortunately, one can always find better Italian food outside of Italy. Also, people so indifferent to corruption are never good company.
Hi William,
Actually, many Italians assume that other Italians are dishonest too – this is something I’ve noticed here over the years. But as I’ve written elsewhere, the concept of dishonesty is different here in that what is considered underhand in other cultures is often considered ‘smart’ in Italy.
Personally I’ve never had problems in restaurants, although taxis have taken me round the houses a few times.
Interesting comment about hygiene – I’ve never thought of Italy as being unhygienic. Italian houses, for example, are often surgically clean. What brought you to this conclusion?
“Unfortunately, one can always find better Italian food outside of Italy.” – I disgree with you on this, although you do need to know where to go, this is true.
“Also, people so indifferent to corruption are never good company.” – not everyone is as indifferent to corruption in Italy as you might think.
Thanks for commenting,
Alex
Having lived 4 years in Italy, and having read several of your posts I can say that many of this things, in different levels are true.
The culture, the language, the inertia, that undoubtedly must come straight out of the middle ages, skipping the key transitional XIX century, and landing to our current times
Even for me, as an spanish speaker as mother tongue, i find too many idiomatic phrases, too many false friends, tricky words, irrationality, words devoid of the original meaning.
Simplicity can be described as one of the features of intelligence and is nowhere to be found in this culture. here being practical and straightforward is a de facto offense…and yes, being dishonest is morally rewarded.
This single feature, makes a big gap with most other western countries, even regarding hispanic culture. For us fooling others, even if happens a lot, is disapproved. and yes, we have more aspirations to being refined, of improving and showing everybody “I’m not like lowest mob”. In general terms we have a notion of wanting to excel, of merit, that here is basically absent. Corruption is deep in the social tissue and only a few believe in merit and life gained through effort.
Very happy to hear that you found it interesting, Fabio:-)
Doing this also helps me to understand Italian better too, so there is a chance it might help others too, as well as the Italian speaker who likes to pepper his or her Italian with the odd English or two.
Best,
Alex