Tłumaczenie - Włoski-Angielski - Se non pensi alle tue cose.. Sara' qualcun'altro...

@Alexfatt

I consider this translation completely right (and “green” ), but, couldn't it be perhaps slightly improved by writing: "in your place"; just for literality’s sake…?
What’s your opinion, Alex?

Hi dear Lev!

I agree, yeah, but is there any difference between "instead of you" and "in your place", besides literality? Just out of curiosity

Dear Alex!

No and yes; depending on the context.
Regarding the etymology, no, because “stead” comes from Old English “stede”, signifying precisely “place”. But this clear, direct meaning has become a little veiled with time (although not as much in words like “steadfast”, for instance).

In this particular case, the Italian original implies some kind of menace: you --your whole person-- will be substituted, somebody will occupy “your place” whatever it is… I believe that “in your place” keeps better this emphasis to the modern ear (or mind); this noticeable thread. It sounds to me more severe.
Anyway, if the Italian text says: “al posto tuo”; why do not say in English exactly the same…, using similar terms?
(Do you remember when we were discussing the adequacy of “mobile” vs. “instabile”…? C’est l’esprit de géométrie which I always like to keep; be it in science or in any other matter

Best regards!

I see, gràcies for the exhaustive explanation!
Let's see what Lilian decides