MichelRE wrote: ↑12 Aug 2023, 14:36
the problem with the Italian "standard" terminology is, how do you determine where it means "continue to use the pedal as normal until the end" and when it actually means "hold your foot down on the pedal constantly without lifting it until the very end of the piece"?
these are two VERY different effects.
Sure. That’s why I proposed that “wordy” marking. If one wants to make sure the player understands they must keep the pedal down till the end without lifting it, that is the only marking which would work.
As for “fine”, yes, in modern italian we use it as a masculine substantive, “il fine”, to mean “the purpose, the aim”; and as a feminine substantive, “la fine”, to mean “the end”.
However, until the half or end of XIX century the masculine was used for meaning “the end” as well. For example see Don Giovanni’s final chorus: “Questo è il fin di chi fa mal”.
Or see “Da capo al fine”, used even when there isn’t a “fine” marking so we are sure it means “the end”and not “the ‘fine’ marking”.