italian-studies: Scholarly discussions in any field of Italian studies
Dear colleagues,
if the following is to be of practical interest, it is likely to be relevant
only to scholars based in the United Kingdom. But if you like an unusual
story, in which knowledge of Italian may play a key role, please read this
story that appeared in yesterday's *Times* newspaper.
I would not normally post a message of this nature, but its unusual nature,
combined with the slim possibility that one of us on the list may actually
be of assistance, have convinced me that it should be known.
George
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George Ferzoco
Lecturer and Director of Italian Studies
School of Modern Languages, University of Leicester,
University Road, LEICESTER LE1 7RH, UNITED KINGDOM
office telephone ++ 44 (0)116 252 2654
secretaries' tel ++ 44 (0)116 252 2683 / fax ++ 44 (0)116 252 3633
e-mail [log in to unmask]
list owner, italian-studies:
http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/lists/italian-studies.html
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A YORKSHIRE accent and a passion for sonnets and cups of tea are among the
few clues to a mystery man's identity.
After being mugged while backpacking in Toronto 18 months ago, the man
claims that he lost his memory. He cannot leave Canada because he does not
have a passport or birth certificate and is unable to persuade a foreign
embassy to help him until he can prove his nationality. An international
appeal was made yesterday to find anyone who may hold the key to his past.
He has been given the name of Philip Staufen because he blurted that out
while unconscious. It has not been confirmed that it is his real name. It
has also been discovered that he is a vegetarian who likes classical music
and understands Italian, French and Latin. Speaking from Vancouver, where he
lives in sheltered accommodation, Mr Staufen said that he felt like a
prisoner whose life had become senseless.
"My situation has left me prey to too many abuses and humiliations," he
said. "I have found myself having to live on the streets or with violent and
vulgar people. I spend a lot of time in the public library reading sonnets."
Mr Staufen, in his mid 20s, woke up in a Toronto hospital in November 1999
after being in a coma for several days. He was initially unable to walk or
talk. Canadian police believe that he was travelling in the country when he
was attacked and robbed of his belongings. As his faculties slowly returned
it appeared that he may have suffered post-concussion global amnesia.
Manuel Azevedo, part of Mr Staufen's legal team, said that his accent was
"public school-sounding" with a hint of Yorkshire. "He says jumpers instead
of sweater and pavement instead of sidewalk," he added. "He could have come
from a wealthy English family. He clearly had a very good education."
Anyone with information about Mr Staufen should call the National Missing
Persons Helpline on 0500 700700.
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PS: A photograph of 'Philip Staufen', along with the original article,
appears at:
http://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/0,,2-2001194964,00.html
George Ferzoco
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