#siciliano

In Italy, we don't say "fat, white, overcooked dumpling" but we say "arancino con le gambe" and I think it's beautiful.

Translator's note: actually "arancino con le gambe" already is a translation of "arancin' ch'i peri" from my dialect.

In episode 8 of Blue Eye Samurai, they call Fowler a "fat, white, overcooked dumpling". In my language it was translated literally, but where I'm from we say "arancino coi piedi" ("arancino with feet").

Here he is in arancina version.

IL MARE DI SICILIA DISEGNATO DA IA - SICILIAN SEA DRAWN BY AI

Haiu n’amicu chi nun dici parola ma chi mutu parra a stu me cori su scutu, u tempu pari chi bola e ogni me duluri sinni mori

E’ n’amicu chi nun ti dugna cuntu ma ti scuta, ti spia, t’arricodda di to sbagghi nun fa nuddu scuntu ogni to fissaria, nun sa scodda

ma ti ripotta i jonna passati di facci i cu nun c’è o chi muriu di carizzi, di surrisa chi furu dati l’abbrazzi i cu ommai scumpariu

Cetti voti mi capita cu sognu i frunti, chinu i luci u vidu e mi cunta chiddu c’aiu bisognu i chiddu c’amai, i chiddu chi cridu

Stu me amicu, mai si stanca i scutammi, i dari cunsigghiu a so parola è chiara, è franca parra comi si parra a nu figghiu

Quannu a notti mi pigghiravi pi puttammi nto scuru o friddu ciccatimi nte paroli chi diravi picchì jo sugnu dà, d’intra d’iddu

Ho un amico che non parla, ma che muto, parla al mio cuore, se lo ascolto, il tempo sembra volare e ogni mio dolore se ne muore. E’ un amico che non ti considera, ma che ti ascolta, ti chiede, ti ricorda, non fa nessuno sconto ai tuoi sbagli e ogni tua scemata non se la dimentica, ma mi ricorda i giorni passati, quelle facce di chi non c’è o che è morto, quelle carezze, quei sorrisi che sono stati dati, gli abbracci di chi ormai è scomparso. Certe volte mi capita che lo sogno, di fronte a me lo vedo pieno di luce e mi racconta quello di cui ho bisogno, di quello che ho amato, di quello in cui credo. Questo mio amico non si stanca mai di ascoltarmi, di darmi consiglio, la sua parola è chiara, è gratuita, parla come si parla ad un figlio. Quando la notte mi prenderà per portarmi nel suo buio al freddo, cercatemi nelle parole che vi dirà perché io sarò li, dentro di lui.

Ero immersa nella lettura, avvolta in un silenzio denso che costruiva un fragile equilibrio di senso e respiro. Quando, all’improvviso, l’algoritmo, quella misteriosa intelligenza che orchestra il caso, ha fatto scivolare nella sequenza una poesia in musica. Una melodia ha attraversato lo spazio, limpida e remota, come un richiamo d’altro mondo. Tutto ciò che avevo intorno, il libro, la stanza, persino il mio pensiero, si è dissolto come nebbia al sole. Ero lì, rapita, in un tempo sospeso che non apparteneva più né alla lettura né all’ascolto, ma ad un varco. Rosalia cantava, e in quelle note c’era qualcosa di antico e ancestrale, una promessa che non si lascia spiegare, ma solo sentire. Così, senza volerlo, mi sono ritrovata a studiare ogni parola, cercando il disegno segreto che unisce voce, emozione e destino.

Ci sono brani che sembrano un esperimento di alchimia sonora, dove il gesto vocale diventa rito e la parola si fa epifania. Quando l’arte non si limita a unire musica e parola costruisce ponti tra mondi, lingue e tradizioni, portando nel presente la vertigine di ciò che è ancestrale.

Con “Focu ranni”, la cantante catalana attraversa una nuova soglia, il siciliano, una lingua di pietra e sale, di antiche preghiere e quotidiani silenzi, per incarnare una poesia che si muove tra sacro e carnale, dolore e splendore. Il dialetto siciliano è una lingua che non si canta, ma si evoca. Rosalía la piega alla sua voce come si piega un filo d’oro, e da questa torsione nasce un canto che sembra appartenere a un altrove arcaico, dove la fede si confonde con la materia e la bellezza con la ferita. Nel brano la cantante attinge alla potenza arcaica della lingua siciliana per raccontare una tensione interiore che arde e spinge oltre i limiti:

“Tu u me focu ranni”

La persona amata è come un grande fuoco dentro di lei: un’energia intensa, potente che può scaldare, ma anche bruciare.

“Mi jittavu nta lu nenti / Pi nun perdiri a libbirtà”

Preferisce allontanarsi, piuttosto che restare intrappolata in un amore troppo forte o totalizzante.

“E l’amuri senza liggi / È l’unicu ca accittassi”

L’unico amore che lei accetta è quello senza regole, senza imposizioni, senza possessività. Un amore libero.

“Mi jettu nta lu nenti / Prima d’abbruciari.”

Per evitare di “bruciare” in questo amore troppo intenso, sceglie ancora una volta di gettarsi nel nulla, cioè di allontanarsi, prima di essere consumata dalla passione.

Il testo mette in scena il conflitto eterno tra desiderio e autodeterminazione, tra l’istinto che trascina e la necessità di rimanere integri. È una dichiarazione di forza, libertà personale, rifiuto delle convenzioni e passione intensa. Nel brano, Santa Rosalia diventa simbolo ed emblema di protezione, rinascita e resistenza identitaria. A Palermo e per i cattolici, rappresenta la figura che salva, che libera dal male, che cammina nella solitudine per ritrovare sé stessa. In un brano che mette in scena il conflitto tra desiderio e autodeterminazione, Santa Rosalia diventa un’immagine perfetta: una santa che non si sacrifica per compiacere, ma per fedeltà a sé stessa; una donna che sceglie la solitudine come forma di purezza e libertà; un simbolo amato dal popolo, vicino alla terra e alla gente, non distante o irraggiungibile. In questo modo, il dialetto siciliano e santa Rosalia diventano più che riferimenti culturali: diventano segni poetici. Un ponte tra la tradizione mediterranea e il percorso artistico della cantante, sempre in bilico tra radici e rivoluzione, tra antico e ultramoderno.

Il siciliano è una lingua profondamente espressiva, aspra e poetica allo stesso tempo, capace di portare con sé un immaginario immediato: fuoco, radici, passione e resistenza. È un dialetto che non attenua, anzi, amplifica. Per un’artista abituata a esplorare linguaggi sonori che parlano alla carne e all’istinto, il siciliano diventa uno strumento potente, perché restituisce corpo, musicalità e un senso di autenticità. Usarlo significa attingere a una tradizione mediterranea condivisa: una zona di incontri, mescolanze, rituali, dove il sacro e il carnale convivono da sempre. È un modo per amplificare il tema centrale della canzone, il desiderio che diventa liberazione, attraverso una lingua che ha in sé la stessa energia.

(switching up the style so its easier for me 🙂)

Sicilian!Yuu General Reactions:

Grim: “WAIT, YOU GUYS HAVE VESPAS?!” Grim is immediately intrigued by the idea of Italian scooters and tries to convince Yuu to take him for a ride. He also wonders if Sicily’s volcanoes have magical properties. “Is Etna like, a giant fire dragon or something?”

The NRC Student Body: “Wait, so your island has everything? Mountains, beaches, volcanoes, and mafia? That’s so cool!” They immediately start asking if Sicily is as wild and chaotic as it sounds. “You’ve got a volcano that literally erupts every now and then?!” They’d also want to know if Sicilian food really lives up to the hype.

Crowley: “Oh, Prefect, Sicily! Rich in history and culture. I’m sure you must have many stories to share!” Crowley is fascinated by the ancient history of Sicily, but forgets that Sicily is an island, so he might end up talking about it like it’s part of mainland Italy. “If I say Sicily is just part of Italy, will you curse me like those myths I’ve heard about?” Sweats nervously

Heartslabyul Reactions:

Riddle Rosehearts: “Sicilian! So your family has a long, proud history, yes?” Riddle would respect Sicilian culture’s strong sense of family. “Don’t even think about putting anything except lemon in your tea, okay?” He's also very fascinated by Sicilian pastries like cannoli and cassata.

Ace Trappola: “Wait, wait—do you guys really have a mafia?!” Ace gets a little too excited about Sicilian family dynamics and might be very interested in Sicilian pride. “Wait, no way, you have a bunch of cool folklore too?” He’s also curious about the traditions surrounding Sicilian food and celebrations.

Deuce Spade: “Your family is really important, huh?” Deuce is really curious about how Sicilian families stick together. He’s definitely impressed by Sicilian strength and unity. “Is it true you guys fought like real warriors for your land?”

Trey Clover: Will immediately want to make Sicilian food after hearing about it. “What’s a cannoli? I’ve got to try it!” He might get into cooking some of the dishes, starting with pasta alla Norma. Trey’s always up for learning new dishes from different cultures.

Cater Diamond: “Wait, you’re from Sicily?! You have to teach me how to make cannoli!” Cater is all about the fun, Instagram-worthy side of Sicilian culture. He’ll start calling Yuu “Bella” and take way too many pictures of them with the food they make together.

Savanaclaw Reactions:

Leona Kingscholar: “Your family’s that important? Sounds exhausting.” Leona respects Sicilian tenacity but is too lazy to bother with most family drama. However, he would be interested in Sicily’s more rugged side. “Sicilian warriors fought in intense heat, huh? Not bad.” He’ll appreciate the strength and resilience of the people.

Ruggie Bucchi: “So, you guys really are all about the food, huh? And you’ve got all the flavors?” Ruggie will happily talk about how much he loves Sicilian street food. He’ll probably ask Yuu to teach him how to make a good arancini.

Jack Howl: "Wait, what? Your people fought the Greeks and Romans and still ended up with their land?" Jack admires the endurance and strength of Sicilian history. “Are the volcanoes real dangerous? That’s pretty wild…” He’s low-key fascinated by Mount Etna.

Diasomnia Reactions:

Malleus Draconia: “Sicily, a land of myth and legend, yes? I wish to see its many wonders, including the majestic volcanoes.” Malleus would be enchanted by Sicily’s deep connection to history and myth, especially the idea of Etna’s legendary eruptions.

Lilia Vanrouge: “I met a Sicilian warrior once! Ah, what a time that was.” Lilia will happily regale Yuu with stories of his travels, likely comparing Sicilian warriors to some of his most memorable battles. “Cannoli? How do you say it? Cah-noh-lee?”

Silver: “Hmm… You’ve had to deal with the mafia?” Silver’s low-key interested in Sicilian history but would rather nap through any long-winded discussions about it. “What’s so special about Etna? Is it just the lava?”

Sebek Zigvolt: “Your island was always a battlefront, and you still made it through with pride?” Sebek is extremely impressed with Sicily’s fighting spirit and the cultural pride passed down through generations. He might get loud and excited about their warrior culture.

Pomefiore Reactions:

Vil Schoenheit: “Wait, Sicilian beauty standards? Fascinating…” Vil is intrigued by the connection between Sicily’s natural beauty and their culturally rich beauty rituals. He might ask Yuu about Sicilian skincare regimens. “Cannoli… I will need to try that. Make sure it’s the finest.”

Epel Felmier: “Wait, you have warriors and food that’s actually good? Sign me up!” Epel will be fascinated by Sicilian culture’s mixture of toughness and culinary finesse. He might ask Yuu about Sicilian war heroes.

Rook Hunt: “Ah, the land of fiery passion and legends, Sicily!” Rook would be thrilled by the way Sicilian culture intertwines with art and history. He’d ask Yuu to give him a tour of Sicily’s most picturesque landmarks. “Such fiery passion! Truly, the soul of Sicily is unmistakable.”

Sicilian!Yuu General Reactions:

Grim: “WAIT, YOU GUYS HAVE VESPAS?!” Grim is immediately intrigued by the idea of Italian scooters and tries to convince Yuu to take him for a ride. He also wonders if Sicily’s volcanoes have magical properties. “Is Etna like, a giant fire dragon or something?”

The NRC Student Body: “Wait, so your island has everything? Mountains, beaches, volcanoes, and mafia? That’s so cool!” They immediately start asking if Sicily is as wild and chaotic as it sounds. “You’ve got a volcano that literally erupts every now and then?!” They’d also want to know if Sicilian food really lives up to the hype.

Crowley: “Oh, Prefect, Sicily! Rich in history and culture. I’m sure you must have many stories to share!” Crowley is fascinated by the ancient history of Sicily, but forgets that Sicily is an island, so he might end up talking about it like it’s part of mainland Italy. “If I say Sicily is just part of Italy, will you curse me like those myths I’ve heard about?” Sweats nervously

Heartslabyul Reactions:

Riddle Rosehearts: “Sicilian! So your family has a long, proud history, yes?” Riddle would respect Sicilian culture’s strong sense of family. “Don’t even think about putting anything except lemon in your tea, okay?” He's also very fascinated by Sicilian pastries like cannoli and cassata.

Ace Trappola: “Wait, wait—do you guys really have a mafia?!” Ace gets a little too excited about Sicilian family dynamics and might be very interested in Sicilian pride. “Wait, no way, you have a bunch of cool folklore too?” He’s also curious about the traditions surrounding Sicilian food and celebrations.

Deuce Spade: “Your family is really important, huh?” Deuce is really curious about how Sicilian families stick together. He’s definitely impressed by Sicilian strength and unity. “Is it true you guys fought like real warriors for your land?”

Trey Clover: Will immediately want to make Sicilian food after hearing about it. “What’s a cannoli? I’ve got to try it!” He might get into cooking some of the dishes, starting with pasta alla Norma. Trey’s always up for learning new dishes from different cultures.

Cater Diamond: “Wait, you’re from Sicily?! You have to teach me how to make cannoli!” Cater is all about the fun, Instagram-worthy side of Sicilian culture. He’ll start calling Yuu “Bella” and take way too many pictures of them with the food they make together.

Savanaclaw Reactions:

Leona Kingscholar: “Your family’s that important? Sounds exhausting.” Leona respects Sicilian tenacity but is too lazy to bother with most family drama. However, he would be interested in Sicily’s more rugged side. “Sicilian warriors fought in intense heat, huh? Not bad.” He’ll appreciate the strength and resilience of the people.

Ruggie Bucchi: “So, you guys really are all about the food, huh? And you’ve got all the flavors?” Ruggie will happily talk about how much he loves Sicilian street food. He’ll probably ask Yuu to teach him how to make a good arancini.

Jack Howl: "Wait, what? Your people fought the Greeks and Romans and still ended up with their land?" Jack admires the endurance and strength of Sicilian history. “Are the volcanoes real dangerous? That’s pretty wild…” He’s low-key fascinated by Mount Etna.

Diasomnia Reactions:

Malleus Draconia: “Sicily, a land of myth and legend, yes? I wish to see its many wonders, including the majestic volcanoes.” Malleus would be enchanted by Sicily’s deep connection to history and myth, especially the idea of Etna’s legendary eruptions.

Lilia Vanrouge: “I met a Sicilian warrior once! Ah, what a time that was.” Lilia will happily regale Yuu with stories of his travels, likely comparing Sicilian warriors to some of his most memorable battles. “Cannoli? How do you say it? Cah-noh-lee?”

Silver: “Hmm… You’ve had to deal with the mafia?” Silver’s low-key interested in Sicilian history but would rather nap through any long-winded discussions about it. “What’s so special about Etna? Is it just the lava?”

Sebek Zigvolt: “Your island was always a battlefront, and you still made it through with pride?” Sebek is extremely impressed with Sicily’s fighting spirit and the cultural pride passed down through generations. He might get loud and excited about their warrior culture.

Scarabia Reactions:

Kalim Al-Asim: “Wait, Sicily has volcanoes AND beaches? That’s so cool!” Kalim immediately gets excited about the idea of visiting Sicily and living out a dream vacation there. He wants to throw a huge party and invite Yuu to help him with it. “Can you make me cannoli? I wanna try everything!” He’s definitely all about Sicilian food, and he’ll keep asking Yuu to make him dishes to share with everyone.

Jamil Viper: “Family traditions are really important to you, huh?” Jamil respects Sicilian culture’s strong connection to family and community but wonders how Yuu balances it with their responsibilities. “Are all those mafia stories true, or just exaggerated for the sake of drama?” He’s interested but also a little skeptical, not totally trusting those wild tales.

Ignihyde Reactions:

Idia Shroud: “Wait… you’re from Sicily? Isn’t that the land with all the cool history and mythical creatures?” Idia is super into the idea that Sicilian myths and legends have been passed down through generations. He loves hearing about the more fantastical elements of Sicilian folklore, especially stories about volcano gods and cursed treasures. “Wait, mountain villages? They have internet there, right?” He’s both fascinated and a little worried about Yuu living so close to an active volcano, especially since he knows nothing about volcanic eruptions.

Ortho Shroud: “Your people have such an intense connection to the land!” Ortho finds it incredible that Sicilian culture is so intertwined with their geography. Volcanoes, mountains, and oceans all mix together in their heritage. “Wait, did you say your ancestors fought the Romans and Greeks? That’s amazing!” Ortho is just as excited about Yuu’s warrior ancestors as he is about the advanced technology they have in the present.

Octavinelle Reactions:

Jade Leech: “Sicilian history, hmm? I’m fascinated by your island’s connection to the natural world.” Jade is intrigued by the way Sicilian culture intertwines with the land—especially the connection to volcanoes and the sea. He’d want to know more about any unique flora or fauna from the island, especially if it’s tied to mythological creatures or poisons. “Such a rich tradition of gourmet cuisine. I’m curious, do you have any unusual delicacies?” He might be planning a tasting event with Yuu.

Floyd Leech: “AHA! Sicilian?! You guys have crazy stories—tell me about them!” Floyd immediately gets hyped about all the wild, chaotic parts of Sicilian culture. He loves the idea of Sicilian family feuds and the dramatic intensity of the people. He’ll want to know everything about the island’s folklore, especially if it’s about monsters or gods. “Volcanoes? Sounds fun!” Floyd’s not worried about danger, but definitely interested in seeing a volcano erupt (at a safe distance, of course). He’ll probably want to explore it with Yuu, causing chaos along the way.

Azul Ashengrotto: “Sicily... an island of immense wealth, history, and family ties. Fascinating.” Azul admires the business potential of Sicily’s rich history, especially if there’s any connection to trade or valuable goods from the past. He’s intrigued by the concept of Sicilian family businesses and wonders if there’s a way to capitalize on it—maybe through contracts or negotiations. “Is it true that Sicilian hospitality is considered legendary? Perhaps we can collaborate on a venture or two...” Azul might try to involve Yuu in some sort of business arrangement, though he’ll also be fascinated by the powerful role family plays in their culture. He’s definitely intrigued by the mafia legends too.

Pomefiore Reactions:

Vil Schoenheit: “Wait, Sicilian beauty standards? Fascinating…” Vil is intrigued by the connection between Sicily’s natural beauty and their culturally rich beauty rituals. He might ask Yuu about Sicilian skincare regimens. “Cannoli… I will need to try that. Make sure it’s the finest.”

Epel Felmier: “Wait, you have warriors and food that’s actually good? Sign me up!” Epel will be fascinated by Sicilian culture’s mixture of toughness and culinary finesse. He might ask Yuu about Sicilian war heroes.

Rook Hunt: “Ah, the land of fiery passion and legends, Sicily!” Rook would be thrilled by the way Sicilian culture intertwines with art and history. He’d ask Yuu to give him a tour of Sicily’s most picturesque landmarks. “Such fiery passion! Truly, the soul of Sicily is unmistakable.”

RSA & Noble Bell Reactions:

Neige: “Wow! Sicily sounds like the most magical place! Your island is as charming as the sun!” Neige’s ideal vacation is to visit Sicily and learn everything about their festivals, food, and folklore.

Chenya: Steals Yuu’s lucky charms, but instead of just lucky charms, Chenya swipes the mythical trinkets Yuu has from their family. “Maybe I can use these to get some good luck!”

Rollo Flamme: “Mafia culture, you say? I find that highly unrefined.” Rollo might not understand the mafia’s appeal but would be intrigued by the more dignified aspects of Sicilian history. “Fire? Ah, your volcanoes have the same energy!”

More Sicilian!Yuu Chaos:

Casually mentions the mafia like it’s a family business and not a huge global issue.

Has the strongest opinions on pizza. Don’t even think about asking them to approve of pineapple.

A proud defender of their family’s spaghetti sauce recipe. No one else can make it better.

Wields cursed family heirlooms that everyone assumes are just decorative.

They’ve probably participated in some chaotic family “negotiations” at the dinner table.