I tiempi: na vota e mò [The Times: Past and Present]

Reminiscing about the old days in Calabria

Calabrese	English
Guardannu mmenz'a via appena azatu, sutta nu mbrellu mienzu arripezzatu vijiu nu viechhiu caminare chjanu teniennu nu neputieddru per a manu. "Mo c'arrivamu aru putighinu, dice u nonnu, t'accattu nu paninu chjnu de murtatella e provulune e, si ci a fazzu, puru nu turrune!" "Nonno' e.. cumprami dudici bustine ca ci su' sesanta figurine e si ci truovu a Platini' ed Altobelli m'i cangiu ccu Cabrini e ccu Tardelli." U nonnu, u guarde e senza dire nente, "I tiempi, pensa, cangiu veramente: io mi sunnave pane e provulune chissu si sonne jocaturi 'e pallune."	Looking out on the road as I arose, under an umbrella half repaired, I see an old man walking slowly holding a little grandson by the hand. "When we arrive at the little store", says the grandfather, "I will buy you a sandwich filled with mortadella and provolone and if I have enough, even a torrone!" "Grandpa and.. buy me 12 packets for there are sixty picture-cards and if I find Platini and Altobelli I can switch for Cabrini and Tardelli" The grandfather looks at him silently, "The Times, he thinks, have truly changed: I was dreaming of bread and provolone this one dreams of ball players."

Submitted by Guy Filippelli and translated by Dr. Tom Lucente