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 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, 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 favours, 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 favours or services – a practice which is also known as ‘extortion’ when public officers are not involved.
An example would be when the local Italian planning officer whispers, ‘Of course we’ll grant you 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 is now (15th February, 2011) facing charges of ‘concussione’.
As a matter of interest, ‘extortion‘ is ‘estorsione‘ in Italian. Not a false friend! Confusing, isn’t it?
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For the still lucid, ‘concussion’ in the medical sense is ‘commozione cerebrale‘ in Italian.
A Recent Case
A case involving both corruption and the dishonest receipt of money by public officials recently cropped up on Blog from Italy, see my Romeo and the Politicians post for more details.
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’.
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.
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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
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