Camilleri, Tomasi di Lampedusa, Quasimodo, Sciascia, are just some of the great writers who have given prestige to the Sicilian language, valuing it with extraordinary writings that we will carry over the years as the pride of an extraordinarily sought-after and known language throughout the world. A wonderful example of how a sentence can change if pronounced in Sicilian is contained in the book “Amunì – If you don’t know how to say it, say it in Sicilian” by Giacomo Moceriborn in ’92, born in Castelvetrano, graduated in Artistic and Entertainment Heritage from the University of Parma and in Economics and management of arts and cultural activities from the Ca’ Foscari University of Venice, already owner of the Instagram page siciliansays.
After eleven years away from Sicily, Giacomo returned to his homeland, precisely to better follow the evolution of siciliansays. He now lives in Mazara del Vallo, and in the style of the Instagram page itself, alongside a more narrative text written by him to explain its meaning to the reader, he has created a book, a work that is anchored to a boundless love for a land and its wonders to be preserved and passed down.
The book, Giunti edition, contains a collection of almost a hundred words, expressions and proverbs in the Sicilian language, with translation and explanation in English, and tells of anecdotes of daily life, personal experiences, curiosities and etymologies that come together in many short explanatory texts. His release is scheduled for May 22, 2024 and can already be ordered on Amazon and on the digital stores of Mondadori, Feltrinelli, IBS.
The volume is composed of nine chapters, each dedicated to a different theme, plus an appendix. Each chapter contains between ten and twelve contents, while the appendix is dedicated to the stereotypes and false myths that concern us Sicilians in the eyes of “foreigners”. Purpose of the book, as well as of the project siciliansays in itself, is that of give new life to the Sicilian linguistic heritage, making it accessible not only to Sicilians, but to anyone who may feel interested in it. The ironic, light and funny tone of voice of the book fully reflects that of the page.
