For Italians it's the most natural thing in the world. Turin is Torino, Milan is Milano, Rome is Roma, and Naples is Napoli and the list goes on. In general I think it's a good custom to use the local names for places, after all it's the official name. So when Torino 2006 decided to stick with the Torino name and not go for the englishified Turin, I was actually very pleased. In a country where they have adapted so many English words into to language, it was a surprise.

Not that they have a lack of words. They are here in an abundance, in all shapes and forms and Italians love to use them. But as a some kind of twisted tribute to what is considered the efficient English language of international business a lot of words have been replaced. Words like 'part time', 'meeting room', 'manager', 'a must','partnership', 'consultant', 'network', 'magazine', 'pullover', 'travel agency', 'shop' are just a few of the English words used in daily language. All these words have Italian equivalents which for foreign ears have a much better ring to them. 'Tempo parziale', 'sala riunioni', 'direttore', 'un dovere', 'relazioni commerciali' etc. ! I mean WHY? Just the joy and poetivc ring you get by saying these words out loud make the former translations dull like the English weather.

So needless to say, I was astonished (and very happy) to say the least that they ended up with Torino, and not had to caugh up a version for the English language like Athens 2004 did. Enough about this ranting - if you want to read some more about this, have a look at SF Gate's amusing article "You say Torino, I say Turin" (although I completely disagree in what they're saying.)