spiccata personalità

07:27 Mar 18, 2012 

However, both "a strong/distinct character" and "the unique style" are perfectly suitable for any divan-peddling hype. At this point I ask myself a question why the client used "una spiccata personalità" ('a distinct personality', really) and not "lo stile unico", which is as well known and as much cliché in English as it is in Italian. Whenever I translate my cliché backwards and arrive at a cliché equally well-known in the source language, I conclude that the client – who is certainly aware of such a cliché as well – did not use it deliberately, hence it's not up to me to impose it on him. But what I really object to in this translation is a shift rendering a relative into the absolute. Treat it cabbages or treat it kings, I find it illegitimate. Should Oliver have suggested "a DISTINCT style", I would've stayed good and quiet.

13:47 Mar 17, 2012 

It isn't a contract, they are trying to convince people to buy the sofa. Given the choice between a "distinct personality" and a "unique style" I'm afraid I'd go for the unique style.

12:06 Mar 17, 2012 

non è che voglio fare i fatti tuoi, ma spiccata non è unica: è semplicemente ben pronunciata, notevole, rilevante. La differenza è come tra una patata più grande del mondo e una patata di notevole grandezza! :)