Inspiring Women Summer 2018

trans-active life. Currently I write articles
for periodicals and have a regular book
review column, Scriptorium, in an Italian
online magazine.
Let’s face it: I was intrigued and then
driven to deepen my relationship
between my native English and Italian.
In Florence I briefly taught English in
what’s here called an Istituto Superiore.
Then I started translating, which is a
challenge and a deep immersion into
your second language.
It’s always wonderful to see how deeply
curious people are to understand each
other and how willing they are, even
eager, to learn enough of another
language to communicate. Words
name the world around us; they are the
explanation we rely on. As to my own
involvement, I find there is no end to experimenting with stories or intensifying skills of your known
languages. Mine are English, Italian and French. And, given my son’s work, I’m now a raw
beginner in Dutch.
The English language series on Italian arts that I was part of was a useful spur to other English
language books on the lifelong achievements of selected Italian actors, directors,
choreographers and even jewelers. The first books in the series went to International film festivals,
and I was both surprised and delighted to see “my” Marcello Mastroianni book on sale in the
MOMA book store. In the photo above I’m holding an edition of a volume presenting the
brothers Taviani filmmakers; on the fly leaf they’ve written a thank you to me as their translator,
and I cherish that.
GETTING TO KNOW PAT
Tell us about an event in your life that made a
big difference and why it did. Clearly my gap
year in Italy led to my transformation into an
Italian-speaking wife and mother.
Incidentally, it broadened my work base to a
second language.
What personal motto do you live by and how
does it affect what you do/don’t do? Can’t
imagine what my personal motto might beexcept
‘DO.’
If you could meet one writer, dead or alive,
what question would you ask them and why?
I would love to have a one-on-one chat with
that mystery master, ever-publicly reticent
Agatha Christie. Who knows if she’d be willing
to reveal a few plotting secrets from beyond
the grave.
If you could only save a copy of one book/
play/poem from the flames, what would it be
and why? The King James translation of The
Bible, for its exquisite language.
What is your favorite word and why?
Dictionary. I have nine of them on my Kindle.
They open the door to yet-unknown meanings.
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