Communication & Tech

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• Mèssaggiu

  Message

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  Mèssaggiu

  /MEHS-sah-joo/

  Noun[Era 3]

  Message: a few words typed, deleted and typed again. The lifeline between Sicilian grandmas and grandchildren at six in the morning, always with emojis. Any news?

  "Mandami nu mèssaggiu quannu arrivi."

  "Send me a message when you arrive."

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• Tèkstu

  Text

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  Tèkstu

  /TEK-stoo/

  Noun[Era 3]

  Text: the quick message that is never quick. Three dots, a long pause and a one-word answer, typed with big thumbs and small patience. Texting?

  "Ti mannai nu tèkstu, nun rispunni?"

  "I sent you a text, aren’t you answering?"

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• Ifon

  iPhone

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  Ifon

  /EE-fon/

  Noun[Era 3]

  iPhone: the shiny rectangle that holds the family photos, the recipes and eleven group chats. A cracked screen, full of love. Where did you leave it?

  "Unni è u me ifon?"

  "Where is my iPhone?"

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• Tableta

  Tablet

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  Tableta

  /tah-BLEH-tah/

  Noun[Era 3]

  Tablet: the large screen Nonno holds at arm’s length to read the news and video-call Sicily. Two fingers, one very loud hello. Using it?

  "Nonnu usa a tableta pi parrari cu a Sicilia."

  "Grandpa uses the tablet to talk to Sicily."

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• Skrìnu

  Screen

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  Skrìnu

  /SKREE-noo/

  Noun[Era 3]

  Screen: the glowing window that swallowed the dinner table. Everyone looking, nobody talking. Phones down?

  "Spegni u skrìnu e veni a manciari."

  "Turn off the screen and come eat."

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• Fònu

  Phone

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  Fònu

  /FOH-noo/

  Noun[Era 3]

  Phone: the little device that rings at the worst possible moment, usually your mother, usually during dinner. Answer it anyway. Ringing?

  "U fònu sona, rispunni!"

  "The phone is ringing, answer it!"

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• Chàrgiu

  Charge

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  Chàrgiu

  /KAR-joo/

  Noun[Era 3]

  Charge: the one percent of battery standing between you and silence. Always gone when you need it most. Running low?

  "Mi finiu u chàrgiu, nun pozzu chiamari."

  "My battery ran out, I can’t call."

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• Bàtteri

  Battery

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  Bàtteri

  /BAHT-teh-ree/

  Noun[Era 3]

  Battery: the small power cell that decides your mood. Full, you’re invincible; at two percent, you’re a prayer. Low?

  "A bàtteri è bascia, chiama prima."

  "The battery is low, call first."

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• Pàssuordu

  Password

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  Pàssuordu

  /PAHS-wor-doo/

  Noun[Era 3]

  Password: the secret word nobody remembers, written on a note in a drawer. Usually the dog’s name plus 1963. Forgot it?

  "Mi scurdai u pàssuordu n’autra vota."

  "I forgot the password again."

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• Àpparu

  App

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  Àpparu

  /AHP-pah-roo/

  Noun[Era 3]

  App: the little icon that promises to do everything from ordering pasta to translating Nonna’s opinions. Downloaded often, used rarely. Installed it?

  "Scarrica st’àpparu e vidi chi bellu."

  "Download this app and see how nice it is."

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