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This phrase is the source of endless intercultural misunderstandings.
While in some languages (e.g. German) it is used metaphorically in a range of different contexts, in Italian it is only ever used for schoolkids. So when translated, it comes across as very patronising. https://twitter.com/heimbergecon/status/1359036985483161601
While in some languages (e.g. German) it is used metaphorically in a range of different contexts, in Italian it is only ever used for schoolkids. So when translated, it comes across as very patronising. https://twitter.com/heimbergecon/status/1359036985483161601
...so the fact that Italian media typically translate this phrase literally into "fare i compiti a casa" has made some damage to the perception of Germany IMO
It is difficult to translate such phrases & I am not an expert, but my impression is that the German "deine Hausaufgabe zu machen" (do your homework) is often used where "fare la tua parte" ("do your part") or "fare il tuo dovere" ("do your duty") would be used in Italian
...that is, it is often used among peers/colleagues, to point to "what's rightfully expected from each other". As opposed to the clear power imbalance and infantilisation ("I know better than you do") implied in the Italian "fare i compiti a casa"
If it wasn't so frustrating, it would be fascinating to observe how much intra-EU antipathy can hang on a mere linguistic "false friend".
But seriously, perhaps EU politicians & political correspondents would benefit from some more intercultural training?
But seriously, perhaps EU politicians & political correspondents would benefit from some more intercultural training?
...and the cherry on the top of this cultural misunderstanding is that Italian *students* actually have more homework than most OECD countries, nearly twice as much as German students 
Perhaps this helps explaining why "homework" has such negative connotations in Italian
Perhaps this helps explaining why "homework" has such negative connotations in Italian
