SALESIAN DICTIONARY This book has been published under the auspices of the East Asia-Oceania Region. Authors: The dictionary has been compiled over a long period of time covering two Workshops held by translators from the East Asia-Oceania Salesian region, one in 2014 the other in 2019. Publishers: Don Bosco Publishing Services - Vox Amica Press, Hong Kong, China. Cover artwork: Fr April Jerome Quinto SDB, Philippines North Province November 2019 ii Introduction The Salesian Dictionary is a comprehensive effort to compile a list of terms in current (and sometimes historical) use in Salesian dis- course in English. Many (perhaps 99%) of these terms have originated in Italian, some in the Piedmontese dialect, the vernacular of the founding Father and most of his first followers. But as Don Bosco’s charism became established outside of Italy, it was inevitable that new terms would arise with their origins in other languages. This dictionary, which has developed over many years of careful lexical observation and annotation, is chiefly interested in meanings and usage relating to Salesian discourse in English, and includes terms that have entered that discourse from English and, indeed, other languages. The dictionary (it is far more than a glossary and more like a compendium) contains a great deal of information. Not only are some terms complicated, containing several meanings, but due to their consistent use in Salesian discourse, may have developed a his- tory of their own and require some explanation. The compilation of terms has borne in mind both the translator and the seeker of know- ledge regarding the Salesian charism of St John Bosco. One Salesian region in particular, the East Asia-Oceania region, has brought translators from the Salesian Family together on two occasions so far (2014 in K’Long, Vietnam, and 2019 in Anisakan, Myanmar). These workshops, as they have been called, have in- sisted on the value of producing glossaries in the various word pairs that translators in the region are working with. And since English is the ‘lingua franca’ of the region, it was seen to be an essential first step to produce what would effectively be at least a bilingual glossary in the Italian-English language pair, but one not ultimately restricted to that pair should some terms originating from other lan- guages in the region also need to be included. While this dictionary has resulted mainly from the needs of one Salesian region, it would clearly be at least a part response to the needs of other regions where English is the ‘lingua franca’, and it may well be that a future edition expands to include terms from other languages that have become part of Salesian discourse in those regions: this current dictionary includes several examples of the kind: ‘gaku-’学 (Japanese), ‘harambee’(Kishwahili), ‘silsilha’ (Ara- 1 Abbandonato Abbandonato bic), ‘wontok’ (Tok Pisin). There will be many other such examples, though not included here. All entries contain a headword in bold type, followed by one or more glosses (meanings) in brackets. If the term is neither Italian or English in origin, a brief language reference is offered in square brackets, using the ISO two-letter or three-letter language codes, e.g. [ar] (Arabic), [es] Spanish, [fr] (French), [ja] (Japanese), [la] (Latin), [pms] (Piedmontese), [pt] Portruguese, [tpi] (Tok Pisin). Where there is more than one word or phrase given as meanings, the first of them is the primary sense of the term in normal Salesian discourse, fol- lowed by synonyms that may be appropriate in context. A simple indication of part of speech then follows in italics. If the headword consists of more than one word, the part of speech may be either a ‘phrase’ (Noun, Verb, etc.) or an ‘idiom’ or set phrase. All informa- tion regarding the term follows the ‘round bullet’. In some instances, the entry concludes with a ‘cross bullet’ indicating a cross-reference. See following example: Abbandonato (aban- quently in use to describe the doned, neglected, in a state situation of young people who of dire poverty with nobody might also be socially and reli- to look after [him]) Adjective giously deprived. This group • Note the term ‘poor and was Don Bosco’s definitive vo- abandoned’ which Don Bosco cational option. D See also en- used, but which was also fre- try for Povero e abbandonato. One final note: the extra information following the dictionary (False Friends and Translating Italian, Glossaries produced by sec- tors) restart with their own page numbers. This is to facilitate the possibility that these be printed as offprints for use in their own right. 2 1a età Accademia 1 1a età (youth, first age) young category, English might Noun phrase • The age between distinguish infants, children, adolescence and maturity and adolescents, young adults. by extension all of the human Having said that, there is, being’s first age (as opposed to in the UK, the University of old age). the Third Age, so at least that Different cultures distin- term is recognised as ‘older guish age groupings in dif- people no longer in full time ferent ways. One would be work’. unlikely to find, in English, terms like first age, second age Usage: Expect to find 2a etc., as recorded here. In fact età (the 30-59 age group) and there are probably only three 3a età (see earlier in this com- general groupings in English: ment. It would be capitalised young, middle-aged, elderly, in English as Third Age), and and the boundaries are rather perhaps even 4a età (75 and flexible for these. Amongst the over). A Abbandonato (aban- [talare, adj from tallone=heel] doned, neglected, in a state as a symbol of the priestly of dire poverty with nobody state. to look after [him]) Adjective Abside (sanctuary, apse) • Note the term ‘poor and Noun • Typical element in Ro- abandoned’ which Don Bosco man architecture in the cella used, but which was also fre- (where the divinity was lo- quently in use to describe the cated) of a temple or basilica. situation of young people who to draw attention to what it might also be socially and reli- contains, hence the liturgical giously deprived. This group value of the apse in a Christian was Don Bosco’s definitive vo- church. Architecture: a vaulted cational option. D See also en- semicircular or polygonal re- try for Povero e abbandonato. cess in a building, especially at Abito talare (cassock, the end of the choir of a church clerical dress, habit) Noun • Accademia (academy, 3 Accolitato ACS religious entertainment pro- terms with, to be trusted by, gram) Noun • A semi-religious companionship, guidance. ) or cultural program often per- Noun • An act of support by formed on the vigil of a major a person for another individ- feast day. ual or for a group; to follow Accolitato (ministry of up someone, go with someone acolyte) Noun • In the eccle- as a companion. Note also that siastical hierarchy, the fourth accompagnamento vocazionale in and highest of the minor or- Italian (see below) might be ders; after the 1972 reform, it is rendered as ‘vocational guid- one of the ministries common ance’ in English. The extended to the whole Church (along list of synonyms already sug- with Reader or Lector), and gests that it might be better can be conferred in a special to avoid the term ‘accompa- ceremony, including on lay niment’ where it could cause people. confusion. Note that the term nearly Accompagnamento vo- always appears in close asso- cazionale (vocational guid- • ciation with lettorato, ’ministry ance) Noun phrase In 2009, an of Reader’ or Lector. The one adjustment was made to the who takes on this ministry is existing Salesian Ratio (for the called an accolito or ’Acolyte’. prenovitiate section in partic- ular) particularly in the light The definition refers to the of new attention being given institution of acolyte (General to ‘vocational accompaniment Instruction of the Roman Missal, and the aspirantate’, and ‘spir- 98) but further on indicates itual accompaniment’. that if an instituted acolyte is not present, a lay person ACG Atti del Consiglio (who could be male or female) Generale (Acts of the General may be deputed. However, Council AGC) Acronym, Noun • the sense in which the term is phrase, Proper name The of- used in Salesian discourse is ficial organ for the promulga- almost always that of the in- tion of directives of the Rector stituted acolyte normally, but Major and his Council. Their not essentially, in preparation publication is the responsibil- for priesthood. D See also Let- ity of the Secretary General. torato Acquisti (purchases) • Accompagnamento (ac- Noun Accounting terminol- companiment, to move with, ogy to be with, to be on first name ACS Atti del Capitolo 4 ACS ADMA Superiore ACS (Acts of One difficulty with taking the Superior Chapter ASC) ‘ad gentes’ out of its original Acronym, Noun phrase, Proper linguistic context, to develop name • The term is out of use, it into an over-arching mis- as they are now known as the sionary approach, is that it Acts of the General Council can be interpreted ethnocentri- AGC (or Atti del Consiglio Gen- cally. It is ‘missionary activity erale ACG). proper’, in the view of Redemp- ACS Archivio Centrale toris Missio, and is directed Salesiano (Salesian Cen- to peoples among whom the tral Archives) Acronym, Noun Church has not been firmly es- phrase, Proper name • A central tablished and whose cultures depository which has the func- have not yet been influenced tion of preservation of the doc- by the Gospel, people who are umentary heritage of the Con- found in certain geographical gregation. Distinguish from areas for the most part.