Cesare Pavese the Americanist translator: a chronology of the myth

Cesare Pavese (1908-1950) is celebrated as a major figure in contemporary English-into-Italian (literary) translation, and as the one who introduced Twentieth-century American authors into Italy. However, although he translated between 1931 and his death, in 1950, he only did so regularly between 1931 and 1942. This essay sets out to propose a more objective chronological positioning of Pavese’s translating work within the cultural phenomenon known as americanismo. It does so by reviewing, firstly, Italian ‘Americanism’ as it was ignited, spread and promoted by successive generations of translators, who brought contemporary American literature into Italy. It then moves on to evaluate Pavese’s role in this cultural episode and, finally, proposes a re-positioning of his undisputed relevance within it. According to this chronological analysis of his translating activity, then, what emerges is that Pavese’s part in the Americanist phenomenon was as pivotal as it was limited in time and scope. Therefore, while he cannot possibly be ignored when studying l’americanismo, neither can he be considered the sole figure behind its beginning and, especially, its end, as has been suggested by some critics.