In every language, there are words and concepts with no single equivalent; they simply “suffer” through translation in another language. Some differences are not only due to linguistics but also the impact of social and cultural distinctions of different societies and life styles.

Mammone is an example of an Italian word that “suffers” through translation. In Italian “ Il mammone” is someone very attached to his mother and would tend to her even against his own interests. On another hand, in English language “ il mammone” would translate to mamma’s boy or someone tied to a mother’s apron strings.

Let’s look at the following examples:

Example 1:

“ Potresti non fare il mammone per un attimo?”

“Can you stop being a mamma’s boy for one second?”

“Pappà, Amanda mi ha detto che sono un mammone.”

“Dad, Amanda called me a mamma’s boy.”

Example 2:

“A trent’anni lui è ancora un mammone.”

“He is thirty, but he is still tied to his mother’s apron strings.”

The above examples clearly show the difference between Italian and English language, since we use two words for the first example and five words for the second one. With that being said, distinctly is represented the difference between explanation vs. translation of the word. However, this brings us to the principles of translation; there is no direct equivalent between two languages. It is our task to render someone’s thoughts as if they have occurred in the target language.

Mammone or Mamma’s boy is a term applied to single Italian men who are still living at home. Socially, most of these men are professionals with careers, but not all of them necessarily. Statistically, in Italy two in three young adults currently live with their parents. This is how the stereotype of mammone has been reinforced — the Italian child who never grows up. From an Italian perspective, this is normal because the institution of the family is powerful and essential. Family is forever, and the mother is the main pillar.

In the end, this comes with a big price to pay; parents indirectly have emotional, social and financial control over their mammoni.