potra Jul 16, 2012:

Sono ragazzi More context is needed, it is not clear to me either.

BdiL Jul 14, 2012:

100% with Barbara. Off hand I burst: "What the f*** does that mean, in MY language?!". If I may say, Tom in London, a long observation of your answers has made me think that, mostly, you look obvious to yourself, but this is absolutely acceptable and "legal". What I find amazing is that you should force upon Barbara (and me) the idea that that (transcript) sentence makes sense in Italian. THE TWO OF US are native. In fact you answer yourself with YOUR translation "AND they're JUST kids". "E sono (solo) ragazzi" would be meaningful, but where's the "e" (and)?? But that's exactly Barbara's point. Maybe a slip of the pen?? OK, let's put it this way. Maurizio P.S: And, BTW, if you say it is obvious, the natural consequence is that "what a performance (for such young opera singers)!" is not only fit, but logical. I say. Further, it is my personal policy to never disagree anybody else answering, when I submit myself; vice versa I prefer to (even strongly) dissent by a discussion entry. Avoiding the need to neuter an unlikely "disagree" by a "diplomatic" agree. Just what happened here, if you accept my headshrinking interpretation. Of course my dissent is plain linguistic, nothing personal! Cheerio.

Tom in London Jul 14, 2012:

Obvious to me It's entirely obvious to me.

Wolf Draeger Jul 14, 2012:

Agree with Barbara There is nothing obvious about this expression without further information, which is why we have such varying interpretations here.

Barbara Carrara Jul 14, 2012:

Hi, Tom! If this were the case, I think an Italian would have gone for sth closer to your EN rendition, i.e. E dire che si tratta solo di/sono solo dei ragazzi!, or Che ragazzi!, or the like.
That's why I find this shorthand style difficult to interpret here.
But maybe it is just me...

Tom in London Jul 14, 2012:

CLear to me The meaning is clear to me. The writer is amazed at the skill and ability of these young performers. Sono (solo) ragazzi!

Barbara Carrara Jul 14, 2012:

Clueless As an Italian native, I have to admit I fail to see how that 'Sono ragazzi!' fits into what comes before it. There must be some sort of clue elsewhere in the interview that helps understand this reference to the younger set. Anything else you can share with us, Charles? Thanks.

Tom in London Jul 14, 2012:

obviously a WHAT? obviously a complement? I think you mean "compliment".