Fausto Cercignani

Every human relationship implies compromises, but the limit to any compromise is one’s own dignity.

Fausto Cercignani (born 21 March 1941) is an Italian scholar, essayist and poet, noted for his philological investigations of the English and German languages.

Quotes

Examples of self-translation (c. 2004)

If you talk to the shadows,
at least you know them well
and the words, all of them,
unfold themselves with ease
on muddled walls and streets,
when dusk comes on.

"Examples of self-translation" by Cercignani, posted at The University of Milan

• If you talk to the shadows,
  at least you know them well
  and the words, all of them,
  unfold themselves with ease
  on muddled walls and streets,
  when dusk comes on.
  • Adagio (2004)

• They do not speak of boundless skies,
  of passing loves like silver clouds.
  They speak of cheerless towns, unwound:
  on hazy moors of muffled music.
  • Adagio (2004)

External links

• Academic curriculum vitae and publications at University of Milan
• “Studia austriaca” and “Studia theodisca”