1. John Carlo

    John Carlo Active Member

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    capisce vs capiche (in dialogue)

    Discussion in 'Word Mechanics' started by John Carlo, Sep 12, 2014.

    How should I spell the Italian word "capisce" in the context of dialogue? We Americans pronounce it "capiche" but should I spell it the way we pronounce it or how it's actually spelled in Italian, which looks really awkward in English?
     
  2. thirdwind

    thirdwind Member Contest Administrator Reviewer Contributor

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    You write it as it's actually spelled.
     
  3. stevesh

    stevesh Banned Contributor

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    Yes, I'd spell it properly and put it in italics, as it's a foreign word for your speaker.
     
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  4. cutecat22

    cutecat22 The Strange One Contributor

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    Hmmm - I am tempted to say, if it's an Italian saying is, spell it the Italian way, if it's an English speaking person who doesn't know Italian and it saying it for the "hey I'm the damn boss" effect, go with how he pronounces it ...

    But I actually agree with @stevesh

    On a side note, I did use this myself but as my character is half Italian, I spelt it how the Italians spell it!
     
  5. John Carlo

    John Carlo Active Member

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    Thanks all. I will go with the correct spelling in italics (my character is also half-Italian).
     
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  6. KaTrian

    KaTrian A foolish little beast. Contributor

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    I think it's spelled capisci in Italian, so would he use the Italian version or the Americanized version? ( you won't hear the diff, really.)

    Here's how you'd conjugate capire:

    io capisco
    tu capisci
    egli capisce
    noi capiamo
    voi capite
    essi capiscono
     
  7. Cogito

    Cogito Former Mod, Retired Supporter Contributor

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    Capisce is correct for formal address (presumed pronoun Lei), capisci for informal address (presumed pronoun tu) for what is second person singular in English.
     

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