Translation of letter to mammina from Italian into English
(ndr is equal to : notes of the translator)
29 Saturday – ss. Pietro e Paolo
(ndr ss = Saints) (ndr: This letter was posted on 1st)
Dear mammina (ndr mammina = little mother, in Italian we often call our parents with a diminutive form of a noun e.i. mammina, mammetta, mammozza, papino, papetto etc.).
First of all “Greetings Greetings Greetings” for S.Luigia late (ndr = S.Luigia was mammina’s name day); but I hope you will appreciate them as well, I do not know how I have forgotten, I am a real heartless son; but let’s not to think about it anymore.
How is your health dear mammina ? how the injections go ? (ndr: she was diabetic) I hope you don’t worry a lot about me ? Be sure there is nothing to worry about it so be quiet - I received a telegram requiring news from my end as soon as possible, you cannot imagine how much nervous at that time and anxious to let you have my news ; but the mail
was not working as it should have been and so I was helpless in face to let you my news.
As I already said to dad I will be sending 2500 liras (ndr : liras = Italian money) as soon as possible and in addition I will send my salary every month. All the money that I send and I will be sending you can use it the way you like without having to save it for my return.
From time to time you will be giving to Aldo (ndr : Aldo = Luciana and Mario’s father, his brother) and from time to time you will buy a little present to Addina (ndr Addina = Ada his sister, that is equal to a diminutive form of a noun) and to Paolo as well since his birthday
is to-day but that you will buy when the money is there. How is Paoletto (ndr Paoletto = Paolo, his nephew, that is equal to a diminutive form of a noun) ? is he still in Ostia (ndr: Ostia = a seaside nearby Rome) or is he back to Rome ? How is Lina (ndr : Paolo’s and Claudio’s mother) thank her for the letter she sent and that as soon as possible I will write back. I do not know if you have received my last letters I will repeat again my new address
was not working as it should have been and so I was helpless in face to let you my news.
As I already said to dad I will be sending 2500 liras (ndr : liras = Italian money) as soon as possible and in addition I will send my salary every month. All the money that I send and I will be sending you can use it the way you like without having to save it for my return.
From time to time you will be giving to Aldo (ndr : Aldo = Luciana and Mario’s father, his brother) and from time to time you will buy a little present to Addina (ndr Addina = Ada his sister, that is equal to a diminutive form of a noun) and to Paolo as well since his birthday
is to-day but that you will buy when the money is there. How is Paoletto (ndr Paoletto = Paolo, his nephew, that is equal to a diminutive form of a noun) ? is he still in Ostia (ndr: Ostia = a seaside nearby Rome) or is he back to Rome ? How is Lina (ndr : Paolo’s and Claudio’s mother) thank her for the letter she sent and that as soon as possible I will write back. I do not know if you have received my last letters I will repeat again my new address
45° Reggimento Artiglieria d.f.
2° Gruppo 4a Batteria
Posta Militare
If you don’t write down such address that is different from the previous one for the number of the military mail 263 that should not be written I will not be receiving your letters so
please don’t forget...
Dear mammina I kiss and embrace you good-by see you soon.
Dear Aldo (ndr: Aldo = Mario’s and Luciana’s father) How are you ? write to me and as soon as possible me too I will write back.
I embrace and kiss you.
Dear Addina how went your exams?
I embrace and kiss you
( ndr: the brothers sequence of birthday was : Adriano, Mario, Alberto, Aldo and Ada, so Alberto was older than Aldo and Ada)
Dear Aldo (ndr: Aldo = Mario’s and Luciana’s father) How are you ? write to me and as soon as possible me too I will write back.
I embrace and kiss you.
Dear Addina how went your exams?
I embrace and kiss you
( ndr: the brothers sequence of birthday was : Adriano, Mario, Alberto, Aldo and Ada, so Alberto was older than Aldo and Ada)
Lettera 15 Luglio 943Bis
Cari di casa, la mia salute è ottima e la vita è quella che conoscete con l’ aggiunta di un ricco orticello che amorevolmente coltivo per mio uso e consumo (notare amorevolmente) - Dire orticello è quasi una bugia, più giusto sarebbe, chiamarlo orticino, essendo le sue dimensioni assai piccole ( un metro per due di lunghezza ).- Per ora l’ ho piantato a pomodori ( Vi prego. Non arricciate il naso e non chiamatemi PROSAICONE. Lo so che sarebbe stato più delicato e infinitamente più gentile piantare un romantico ciuffo di xxxxx gelsomini e tante viole rosse, gialle e azzurre; ma che volete farci se ho imparato ad amare le piante che producono frutti duri e lucenti. Vedrò di cambiarmi al ritorno).
Infatti , rigogliose pianticelle, promettenti raccolti d’ oro, s ‘ abbuffano ridacchiando (tra i solchi) della mia proprietà. In seguito, avvicenderò le colture secondo le nuovissime teorie per la produzione intensiva. Sino al giorno in cui, per rispettare l’ avvicendamento della
detta teoria seminerò fieno, e allora dovrò trasformarmi in bove e smaltire i copiosi raccolti. Per il bene della scienza questo ed altro. Avrei voluto scrivervi tutt’ altre cose, mo non ho potuto.xx
Quello che vi raccomando è di stare calmi e sereni perché tutto andrà bene.
Attenzione attenzione ! è cambiato l’ indirizzo, la variazione consiste nello scrivere Wing 2 invece di Wing 4 _ Non vedo l’ ora di riabbracciarvi, vi bacio tanto_ Vostro Alberto
P.S. I believe that it is difficult for you to understand this letter, I mean the Italian language.
So I feel to explain to you the meaning of “ PROSAICONE “ as you won’t find it in the
dictionary.
PROSAICONE = Someone who does things in a conservatory way(old style).
*These letters were transcribed and/or translated by my cousin Carlo