The Significance of Nicknames in Italian-American Culture and the Novel Christ In Concrete :: Essays Papers

The importation of Nick dos in Italian-American Culture and the Novel Christ In Concrete Nicknames. They ar something that everyone is familiar with in one way or a nonher. However, most muckle submit little, if any, per tidingsal experience with soubriquets. In Italian-American culture, nicknames play a major(ip) role in everyday life. Nicknames be formed with a legitimate unspoken format, and they have a particular importance. In Italian-American culture nicknames, sluice though to others they may seem harsh and cruel, are terms of endearment and authorise a sense of belonging. Soprannomi in Italian means above the name (Mazzoni) and refers to dialect nicknames (Addario and Rulli). To the outside world Italian-Americans use of nicknames may need to mind organized crime, due to negative media portrayal, with such names as Al Scarface Capone and Tony The Big Tuna Accardo (Arduini). From my personal experience, I can declare that within the Italian-American culture nicknames have a much sweeter significance. Since very large, increase Italian families all were apt to dwell in close proximity to one another, nicknames were traditionally used to distinguish one branch of a family from another, and/or one individual from another (Addario and Rulli). Another very darling reason for the use of nicknames comes from the rigor of most Italian naming traditions (Arduini). The first-born son is to be named after(prenominal) his paternal grandfather, and the second-born son is to be named after his motherly grandfather. Likewise, the first-born daughter is to be named after her paternal grandmother, and the second-born daughter is to be named after her maternal grandmother. The children that follow, Lord willing, are to be named after their godparents, not to mention the naming of children after patron saints. It goes without saying that many family members, and friendship members, end up with the same names. Obviously this leads to tremendou s confusion when families and communities are gathered and talking to and about one another, which occurs frequently. Therefore there is really a desperate need for nicknames. The most basic form of nickname assignment is the tag of Big and Little added to the oldest and youngest carriers of a name (Arduini). Although, since most Italian families are so large, this isnt always sufficient, so nicknames have to rely on other characteristics. A very convincing voice of the role that nicknames play in Italian-American life is portrayed in Pietro di Donatos novel Christ In