Italian
Egyptians are a community with a history that goes all the way back to Roman
times. Like Greeks, Maltese, and Jewish people among other nationalities and
ethnic groups, they were integrated into the Egyptian society and have
peacefully coexisted ever since.
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| Metropolitan Alexandria |
The story
begins in 36 BCE when the last Queen of ancient Egypt, Cleopatra, married the
Roman, Mark Antony, to whom she offered her country as a ‘dowry’. Egypt then
remained part of the Roman Empire for seven long centuries. Many people from
the Italian peninsula moved to live there during this time.
Since
then, there has been a continuous presence of Italian Egyptians and their
descendants. For the new generations, there was a considerable amount of
cultural assimilation and influence, which went both ways. There was even a
Venetian Quarter in Cairo.
After
Napoleon I, the Italian community in Alexandria, and in Egypt in general, began
growing exponentially. The 1882 census recorded 18,665 Italians in the country;
just before World War II, they had reached 55,000 — forming the second largest
expatriate community in Egypt after the Greek. Most Italian Egyptians resided
in Alexandria and Cairo, and consisted primarily of merchants, artisans, and
professionals, along with a large number of workers. We know from history that
whenever different nationalities, cultures, and languages mix, words happen to
be borrowed in-between them — like Creole and Pidgin languages for instance. In
linguistics, Nativization is the process whereby a language gains native
speakers. This necessarily happens when a second language used by adult parents
becomes the native language of their children. One way or another, almost all
immigrants, expats, and their children, are affected by the language of the
country in which they reside. Though, again, this interlanguage process goes
both ways.
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| Roba-Bekia |
1
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Bagno:
Bath.
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2
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Ballo:
Dance or ball, denote chaotic commotion or noise.
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3
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Ballone:
From Pallone, Balloon.
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4
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Banzeena:
From Benzina, Gas station.
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5
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Barouka:
From Parrucca, Wig.
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6
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Belyatsho:
From Pagliacco, Clown.
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7
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Bicicletta:Bicycle
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8
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Bo’:
From Bocca, mouth.
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9
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Cameraira:
From Cameriera, Chambermaid.
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10
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Carro:
Chariot or wagon (also in Spanish).
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11
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Carton:
From cartone, Pasteboard.
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12
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Falso:
False or fake. used to describing fake goods.
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13
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Fattura:
Invoice or bill.
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14
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Gelati:
From Gelato, Ice cream.
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15
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Goma:
From Gomma, Rubber.
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16
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Gonnella:
Skirt
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17
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Gwanti:
From Guanto, Glove.
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18
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Lista:
List (Also in Spanish).
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19
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Locanda: Hotel.
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20
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Makeena
/ Makana: From Macchina, Machine.
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21
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Marca:
Brand, make.
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22
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Meckaniki:
From Meccanico, Mechanic.
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23
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Medalia:
From Medaglia, Medal.
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24
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Mobelia:
From Mobilia, Furniture.
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25
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Prova:
Rehearsal, test.
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26
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Roba
Becchia: From Roba Vecchia, junk.
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27
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Rochetta:
From Ricetta, Prescription.
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28
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Sala:
Hall or reception area.
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29
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Salata:
From Insalata, Salad.
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30
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Stabena:
From Sta Bene, Is it fine/OK?
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31
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Tanda:
From Tenda, a cover or sort of curtain.
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32
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Tarasina:
Balcony or terrace (mainly used in Alexandria).
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33
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Tasa:
From Tazza, Frying pan.
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34
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Teatro:
Theater.
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35
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Torta:
Cake, pie.
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36
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Varanda:
From Veranda, Balcony.
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37
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Vaza:
From Vaso, Vase.
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38
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Vella:
Villa.
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39
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Vitrina:
From Vetrina, Shop window.
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Original Article received by email from unknown author
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