159. Primo Levi a Herbert Plügge, 28 gennaio 1967

28 gennaio 1967

Caro Signor Plügge,

due parole soltanto per confermarLe che oggi Le ho spedito, tramite pacco raccomandato, il Suo saggio sull’inibizione esistenziale, come desiderava. Devo confessarLe umilmente che ho penato molto a leggerlo, e per tre[1] ragioni: 1) ignoro completamente la terminologia tedesca in fatto di filosofia e psicologia, di norma mal tradotta nei dizionari generici; 2) non sono abbastanza versato nella materia, al punto che temo che comprenderei poco il Suo saggio quand’anche fosse scritto in italiano; 3) in questo periodo il mio tempo è limitatissimo, e per un motivo che potrebbe interessarLe: sto preparando un film tratto da La tregua.[2] Ciò nonostante, sarebbe gentilissimo a inviarmi prima possibile l’“estratto”: l’argomento m’interessa tanto che ho deciso di venirne a capo. Se necessario, mi farò aiutare da amici “esperti”. Grazie molte e buona fortuna per la Sua tournée in Svizzera.

Sempre Suo

January 28, 1967

Dear Mr. Plügge,

just a note to confirm that I sent you today, by registered mail, your essay on Befangenheit, as you wished. I must humbly admit to you that I had a lot of difficulty reading it, for three[1] reasons: 1), I have no knowledge of the German terminology for philosophy and psychology, and it is very badly translated in ordinary glossaries; 2) my knowledge of the subject itself is quite limited, so I am afraid that I would understand your essay very little even if it were written in Italian; 3) my time is very limited right now, for a reason that may interest you: I am planning a film based on The Truce.[2] Despite all this, it would be very nice of you to send me the “Sonderdruck” as soon as possible: the subject interests me so much that I am determined to see it through. If necessary, I will get help from “Sachverständige” friends. Thank you, and best wishes for your tour of Switzerland.

Yours as ever

28 Janvier 1967

Cher Monsieur Plügge,

deux mots seulement pour vous confirmer que je vous ai envoyé aujourd’hui, par colis recommandé, votre essai sur la Befangenheit, comme d’après votre désir. Je dois humblement vous avouer que j’ai eu bien de la peine à le lire, et ça pour trois[1] raisons: 1), j’ignore complètement la terminologie Allemande pour la philosophie et la psychologie, et elle n’est que très-mal traduite dans les vocabulaires ordinaires; 2) je suis assez peu versé dans la matière elle même, de sorte que j’ai peur que je comprendrais peu votre essai même s’il était écrit en Italien; 3) mon temps est très mésuré dans cette période, et ça pour une raison qui va peut-être vous intéresser: je suis en train de préparer un film tiré d’Atempause.[2] Malgré tout ça, vous seriez bien gentil de m’envoyer le “Sonderdruck” sitôt possible: la matière m’intéresse tellement que je suis décidé d’en venir à bout. Si nécéssaire, je me ferai aider par des amis “Sachverständige”. Merci bien, et mes voeux les meilleurs pour votre tournée en Suisse.

Toujours à vous

January 28, 1967

Dear Mr. Plügge,

just a note to confirm that I sent you today, by registered mail, your essay on Befangenheit, as you wished. I must humbly admit to you that I had a lot of difficulty reading it, for three[1] reasons: 1), I have no knowledge of the German terminology for philosophy and psychology, and it is very badly translated in ordinary glossaries; 2) my knowledge of the subject itself is quite limited, so I am afraid that I would understand your essay very little even if it were written in Italian; 3) my time is very limited right now, for a reason that may interest you: I am planning a film based on The Truce.[2] Despite all this, it would be very nice of you to send me the “Sonderdruck” as soon as possible: the subject interests me so much that I am determined to see it through. If necessary, I will get help from “Sachverständige” friends. Thank you, and best wishes for your tour of Switzerland.

Yours as ever