Caso Sangiuliano: Bocchino a Boccia, "Il suo" è il punto chiave
The investigation into the alleged plagiarism by Minister of Culture Gennaro Sangiuliano continues to heat up, with the focus now on the phrase "il suo" ("his") in a passage from his 2008 book, "Il Popolo della Notte" ("The People of the Night").
The Accusation
The accusation stems from a passage in the book, where Sangiuliano describes a meeting between the then-Prime Minister, Silvio Berlusconi, and a prominent journalist. The passage reads: "Berlusconi, as was his custom, arrived late. He was escorted into the room by his bodyguard, who, as was his custom, kept a watchful eye over the room. He immediately turned to the journalist and said…"
The allegation is that this passage is plagiarized from a 2005 book by journalist and author, Paolo Bocchino ("L'Italia di Berlusconi"). Bocchino's book includes a similar passage, but instead of describing Berlusconi's bodyguard, it describes Berlusconi's then-fiancée, Veronica Lario.
The Key Phrase: "Il suo"
The crucial point of contention lies in the use of the phrase "il suo" ("his") in both passages. In Bocchino's book, "il suo" refers to Veronica Lario, while in Sangiuliano's book, it refers to the bodyguard. This subtle shift in meaning is what is fueling the plagiarism allegations.
Sangiuliano's Defense
Sangiuliano has denied the accusations, arguing that the similarities between the two passages are simply coincidental. He claims that he was not aware of Bocchino's book and that the phrase "il suo" was simply a generic expression that could be used to describe anyone.
The Ongoing Debate
The debate surrounding the Sangiuliano plagiarism case is far from over. While some commentators believe that the similarities between the passages are too significant to be mere coincidence, others argue that the use of the phrase "il suo" is not sufficient to establish plagiarism.
The Future of the Case
The investigation into the Sangiuliano case is ongoing. It remains to be seen whether the authorities will conclude that plagiarism has occurred. The outcome of this case will have implications for the future of plagiarism investigations in Italy and beyond.
Key Takeaways
- The use of the phrase "il suo" ("his") in Sangiuliano's book is the central point of contention in the plagiarism allegations.
- Sangiuliano denies the accusations, arguing that the similarities between the passages are coincidental.
- The debate surrounding the case is ongoing, with no definitive conclusion yet reached.
The Sangiuliano plagiarism case highlights the complexities of plagiarism detection, particularly when dealing with seemingly minor similarities between texts. The outcome of the case will be closely watched by writers and academics alike.