Talk:Madama Butterfly
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There is something about this opera I have never understood. I refer to the use of the very word "Butterfly".
The heroine's Japanese name is rendered in English transliteration as "Cho-Cho-San", and in Italian transliteration as "Cio-Cio-San". Her name translates to "Butterfly" in English, and whatever the Italian word for "butterfly" is, in Italian. Why then, is she called by the English word "Butterfly" in an Italian opera? All of Pinkerton's other words are translated into Italian in the context of the opera, so why not this word?? It's not as if "Butterfly" was the name she was given at birth - "Butterfly" is simply Pinkerton's name for her.
Also, if we are going to use an English title, it should be "Madam Butterfly", and if we are going to use an Italian title, it should be "Madama (whatever the Italian word is)". But what we do have is a bit of a foot in both camps.
To me, this is equivalent to talking about "La Bohemian" or "The Barber di Siviglia" or "Lucy di Lammermoor" or 'Die Zauber Flute" or ..... you know what I mean. Can anybody enlighten me on this profoundly important question? Cheers JackofOz 06:58, 10 Dec 2003 (UTC)
You are right. Madama Butterfly (original title) also seems to be most common in English, although Madame Butterfly is used by a quite significant minority. But Madama surely would be most correct. I move the page. Nico 07:12, 10 Dec 2003 (UTC)