Translation is never easy. There are so many words and expressions in any given language that reflect something peculiar to its culture, that finding an equivalent in a different tongue becomes nigh on impossibile.

Sometimes, though, one finds an expression whose sense is obvious, but which must be modified for local norms.

Translating an article on Viva Zapatero! (for the upcoming edition of Three Monkeys Online), the anti-censorship documentary by Sabina Guzzanti, I came across the following: “La critica a Berlusconi sarebbe stata troppo scontata, anche perch