Returning to Italy: The Shift in English-Italian Vocabulary
English words that take on different meanings in Italian, sparking moments of realization and connection.
After spending 15 transformative years in the ever-evolving San Francisco Bay area, returning to Italy has been an extraordinary personal and professional growth journey. It’s hard to believe a year has passed since my homecoming. This past year, I’ve gained valuable insights into the fascinating contrasts between Italy and Europe and their views on work and life.
There is so much to explore in this realm. I’ll begin with a small yet curious topic: the evolving Italian language. Having been born in Italy, speaking Italian is second nature to me, and my proficiency in English—honed over more than 30 years abroad—allows me to navigate between cultures effortlessly. Language is a living entity, constantly transforming, especially in the tech world, where English terms often supplant traditional Italian ones. I've encountered English words that take on different meanings in Italian, sparking moments of realization and connection.
For example, you might all know that "football" means American football in the S, while in the UK, it refers to what Americans call soccer. In Australia, "football" can mean Australian Rules Football (AFL), a different sport, but it can also refer to soccer, depending on the context. Thankfully, in Italy, we still use "Calcio" for football, so there’s no confusion!
Here are some English terms that I am still struggling with, especially in the tech field:
Governance
In Italian, terms like "governo" or "gestione" exist, but they don’t fully capture the meaning of "governance."
Governance means managing a project in tech projects. This includes controlling the scope and budget and making decisions. Governance helps engage stakeholders, reduce risks, and ensure results meet organizational goals. It also ensures that tech projects achieve business objectives, follow regulations, manage stakeholders well, and control risks.
In the U.S. tech sector, people often use different terms instead of "governance" to describe processes and management systems. While governance is important, here are some other common terms in U.S. tech:
Management: Often used in place of governance to describe the general administration or overseeing of operations, projects, or systems. Examples: Project, IT, Risk Management.Oversight: This refers to supervising or monitoring activities to ensure compliance with standards or objectives, such as data Oversight and Compliance Oversight.Control: More focused on enforcing rules, standards, or practices within an organization or system, for example, Access, Change, and Quality Control.Strategy: Used when referring to the high-level planning and direction-setting aspects of technology or business systems. Including IT, Digital, and Cloud Strategy.Compliance: It ensures that systems, processes, and operations adhere to legal, regulatory, or industry standards, such as compliance Programs, Security Compliance, and Data Compliance.Framework: A structured set of guidelines or best practices to support decision-making and operations. Like the IT, Governance, and Security Framework.Policy: Refers to the principles or guidelines that shape decision-making and behavior in a system or organization, such as Security, Privacy, and Data Management Policies.Administration: Like management, system administration focuses on the practical aspects of running systems or processes, particularly in the tech and IT domains. Examples include system and network Administration.Regulation: Refers to establishing and enforcing rules and standards, often in legal or compliance contexts—examples: Regulatory Compliance, Data, and Financial Regulation.Risk Management: Identifying, assessing, and mitigating organizational or system risks. Examples include Cybersecurity and Operational Risk Management.Though these terms are similar, they have specific meanings for managing technology in the U.S. tech industry. In Italy, “governance” is the preferred term for all areas of IT, data, cloud services, cybersecurity, and digital governance. This choice reflects the structured nature of Italy's tech landscape.
From what I have noticed so far, “Governance" Is Preferred in the Italian tech sector for the following reasons:
Global Consistency: The term "governance" is commonly used in the tech sector worldwide. Using it in Italy helps align with global frameworks, standards, and terminology, which is especially important for multinational organizations or those aiming for international compliance.Formal and Technical Connotation: "Governance" suggests a structured, formal, and technical approach to managing complex IT and digital systems. Unlike more general terms such as "management" or "oversight," it implies a higher level of strategic decision-making and accountability.Regulatory Alignment: Italy has stringent compliance requirements related to data privacy (e.g., GDPR) and cybersecurity. Consequently, governance is essential to ensure organizations manage their IT systems according to legal and ethical standards.Clarity and Efficiency: In professional settings, the English word "governance" provides more precise and efficient communication than longer Italian phrases like "gestione delle risorse informatiche" (management of IT resources).Software Factory
I find it hard to accept the term "software factory" because I spent most of my career in the US. This view comes from different historical and cultural backgrounds. In Italy, the word "fabbrica" was translated to "factory" to describe teams or departments that create software. The software industry has taken on industrial terms.
In Italy, "software factory" is commonly used in its original English form. It means a structured environment for software development that uses standardized tools and frameworks. This approach aims to improve efficiency, quality, and scalability.
Unlike the US, where the development approach is more flexible, software factories in Italy have strict frameworks and clear roles. Creating software is treated like a manufacturing process. The term represents a systematic way to develop software in Italy, focusing on repeatable processes and scalability. There are fewer software product companies in the US. In Italy, many software projects, especially large or government ones, are outsourced. This reflects a need for predictability and standardization, showing an industrial engineering view of software development. This contrasts with the agile, startup-focused culture in the US tech scene.
So, in Italy, "software factory" refers to a more formal, structured, and industrial approach compared to the flexible and casual US environment.
Smart Working
Although the term "smart working" is not commonly used in English, it reflects how languages adapt borrowed terms to local cultures and laws. I don't mind this term; I'm starting to like it and find it entertaining.
In Italy, "smart working" describes flexible work arrangements that do not depend on location, such as remote, hybrid, and telecommuting options. After the pandemic, "smart working" became popular after the legislation called Lavoro Agile gave it legal recognition. Now, it is viewed as modern and innovative.
In English-speaking countries, "remote work" is the standard term, but Italy prefers "smart working," especially after the pandemic. This term shows a cultural change toward productivity, collaboration, and the use of technology beyond just working from home.
Product Owners and Product Managers
Overlap in job titles is not just an Italian issue; I have seen it across Europe.
The Product Owner and Product Manager in Europe have different and specific duties. In the U.S., the Product Owner is a Scrum team member, while the Product Manager is the primary job title for leading product strategy.
The Product Manager role is broader and includes both strategy and execution tasks. U.S. companies often use the PM title to combine these roles, while European companies usually keep them separate. This distinction can be confusing if you are used to the U.S. system.
For example, companies like Google and Amazon use "Product Manager" for both strategic and tactical roles but use "Product Owner" for focused execution. In Europe, organizations like Spotify typically separate these roles, with PMs focusing on strategy and POs managing execution.
To my understanding, the key Differences Between Product Manager and Product Owner are:
Product Manager (PM):
Scope: Oversees the product’s vision, strategy, and lifecycle.
Focus: Aligns business objectives, customer needs, and market opportunities.
Responsibilities:
Defines product strategy and roadmap.
Engages with stakeholders and executives.
Balances priorities to maximize value for the business and customers.
Context: A high-level, strategic role found across industries, regardless of methodology.
Product Owner (PO) in Europe:
Scope: Tactical role focused on execution within Agile or Scrum frameworks.
Focus: Manages and prioritizes the product backlog to maximize value delivery.
Responsibilities:
Maintains and refines the backlog.
Acts as the primary point of contact for the development team.
Ensures alignment with the Product Manager’s vision.
Context: Recognized as a distinct job title in Agile organizations, often reporting to a PM.
Product Owner (PO) in the U.S.:
Scope: A role within a Scrum team rather than a formal job title.
Focus: Prioritizes tasks and manages the backlog as part of their Scrum responsibilities.
Responsibilities:
Works collaboratively with stakeholders and developers.
Focuses on execution rather than high-level strategy.
Context: Typically, a responsibility is assigned to someone already in another role, such as a Product Manager or Business Analyst, rather than a dedicated position.
Why the title of "Product Manager" is more common in the U.S.:
Broader Applicability: PM is a universal title used across industries and methodologies.
Strategic Focus: U.S. companies often prioritize strategic roles like PM over execution-focused roles like PO.
Agile Nuances: Many U.S. companies blend Agile with other methodologies, making PM a more adaptable title.
Market Familiarity: PM predating Agile has been entrenched in U.S. business terminology for decades.
Welfare
In Italy, "welfare" often refers to employee benefits that improve workers' well-being. These benefits help create a happier workplace and boost productivity. Examples include health insurance, meal vouchers, childcare support, gym memberships, transportation help, and access to cultural or recreational activities. Italian welfare aims to support a good work-life balance, often influenced by government programs or labor agreements.
In the U.S., "welfare" has a different meaning. It usually refers to government programs that assist low-income individuals or families with their basic needs. These programs include food stamps, Medicaid, unemployment benefits, and housing support. In this context, welfare acts as a safety net, giving financial aid, healthcare, and other essential services to those in need.
Key Differences:
Scope of Benefits:
Italy: Focuses on enhancing employees’ well-being and productivity through company-provided programs.
U.S.: Provides essential support to those in financial hardship through government assistance.
Provider:
Italy: Welfare is typically employer-driven and tied to workplace policies or labor contracts.
U.S.: Welfare is managed and funded by federal, state, or local governments.
Perception:
Italy: Seen as a positive, forward-thinking initiative to attract and retain talent and promote corporate social responsibility (CSR).
U.S.: Often viewed as a lifeline for individuals in need, but also a topic of political debate around its role, scope, and impact.
Cultural Implication:
In Italy, the term welfare aziendale reflects the country’s strong focus on employer responsibility and social cohesion within the workplace.
In the U.S., welfare evokes broader societal issues around poverty and inequality and the government’s role in addressing them.
The different meanings of the term "welfare" show how it can change based on a country's social and economic needs and culture. In Italy, welfare focuses on improving well-being in the workplace. In contrast, in the U.S., it emphasizes the government's responsibility to support vulnerable groups.
Competence Center
Competence Centers are specialized hubs in Italy that focus on expertise, innovation, and research. They play a key role in technology, academia, and business and act as central resources for advanced knowledge and development. The term became popular through government programs like Industria 4.0, which established Centri di Competenza to help businesses adopt new technologies. These centers often work through public-private partnerships and are considered prestigious institutions representing modernity, specialization, and collaboration.
The term “Competence Center” is rarely used in the U.S. In American English, “competence” refers more to individual skills than an organization's expertise. Americans typically use terms like “Center of Excellence, “Innovation Hub,” or “Research Center” to describe similar entities. These terms better fit U.S. cultural and linguistic norms, focusing on innovation and collaboration without the ambiguity of “competence.”
The difference between the terms reflects European influences on the Italian language. In Italy, "competence" suggests collective organizational expertise, similar to "Kompetenzzentrum" in Germany. Italians often adopt translations from EU policies, shaping their local language. The Competence Center conveys modernity, specialization, and professionalism in Italy, making it appealing in tech and industrial fields.
While Competence Center is a respected term in Italy and Europe, Americans prefer alternative names like Center of Excellence, Innovation Lab, or Research Center.
The use of the Competence Center in Italy shows its connection to global trends and a professional outlook. However, the different terms highlight how language evolves in various cultures worldwide.
Wrapping it up…
Italy closely follows global technology trends, even though it has some unique terminology. Job titles such as software engineer, developer, and data scientist are common and easily recognized in Italy, just as in the U.S. and Europe.
Here are some general reasons why English terms are used in Italy:
Global Industry Standard: English terms are often adopted in tech to align with global trends and are recognized internationally. Even if they do not always have the same meaning elsewhere.
Professional Appeal: Using English terms makes the field sound modern and aligned with cutting-edge practices.
Brevity and Clarity: Unlike longer Italian translations, the original term is concise and easily understood in the tech industry.
Cultural Adaptation: English terms are often used in technology and innovation due to their association with Anglo-American practices.
The good news is that Italian engineering teams are as skilled as those in Silicon Valley or Germany. After many years of experience in both places, I can confirm Italy is strong in the technology industry. Italian teams' mix of creativity, social skills, and entrepreneurial spirit makes them unique.
Even though we use terms like “software factories,” I like that our work is not just a simple assembly line process. Italian teams are very skilled and are not restricted by strict rules. Freedom and creativity are essential in an industry that relies on innovation.
After a year of returning, I appreciate being part of Italy’s lively work scene again. Although the language around work has changed—terms like governance, “Fabbrica,” and smart working are now common—the heart of Italian culture is still creativity, passion, and a strong sense of community. It feels great to be back home, and I hope this message encourages you to consider returning or moving to Italy.
If you’re still with me, it’s clear you find this topic intriguing. I’d love to hear your thoughts! Do you have your own experiences to share? Do you see things differently, or is there more you’d like to dive into? Let’s chat!
If you need help, feel free to contact me anytime! Have I mentioned that TeamSystem is looking for new talent?