Talk:Franco-Provençal language

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[edit] Re : Franco-Provençal (Francoprovençal) :

The label « Franco-Provençal » (or « Francoprovençal ») has been used since the late 19th century to identify this language in published articles. (Native speakers informally identify their language as « Patois » or « Sarde » if asked, in my experience working primarily in the Chautagne, Bugey, and Albanais areas.) However, many passionate regionalists strongly feel, with some justification, the label « Franco-Provençal » is unsatisfactory because the language is neither French (Oïl) nor Occitan (Oc) nor a hybrid. Many of these regionalists have adopted label « Arpitan », rooted in the native word for the Alps, to identify the language. (See the Swiss website: <http://www.arpitania.ch>.) However, the label « Arpitan » has yet to be adopted by scholarly journals, major publications on linguistics, or governmental organizations.

[edit] Why Calabria?

A question regarding the regions where the language is spoken: Why is Calabria on the list? Is there a historical reason? Curious...

Not the place, Calabria; "sarde", a local name for "patouès"
Several years ago, the mayor of Motz (Savoie) made use of few words with which I was unfamiliar during a conversation I had with him, including « cârta » and « mappa » for "carte". When I commented on this, he chuckled. Then he said, they were old "sarde" words and that he had spoken "sarde" as a child. This was his term for his Franco-Provençal patois (« patouès »). - - The dukes of Savoy, which ruled from Chambéry, and later Turin, acquired the title of "King of Sardinia" when they exchanged Sicily for Sardinia in the 18th century. The correct name of the nation became: "Kingdom of Sardinia, Cyprus, and Jerusalem, Duchy of Savoy, Principality of Piedmont." (The nation's title appears on its coinage. Buy it on E-Bay.) In 1860, Savoy and Nice were "annexed by" France. ("Reattached" is the word preferred by France.) Shortly after that time, Victor-Emmanuel II (1820-1878) of the House of Savoy, King of Sardinia (et al.) became the first king of unified Italy, and Turin became the first capital. - - The House of Savoy ruled the Chautagne, which includes the town of Motz, and all of the Savoy before 1860. Citizens became soldiers in the Sardinian (Savoy-Piedmont) army, headquartered in Turin. - - In light of this region's history, it is not surprising than the mayor labeled his patois "sarde", although it appears to be a misnomer to outsiders. - - Of course, Franco-Provençal patois was not spoken on the island of Sardinia.

[edit] Language Name

The Linguasphere Observatory (Observatoire Linguistique) has published a statement in The Linguasphere Register (Dalby, 1999/2000) on p. 402 about the name of the language: Franco-Provençal, "Gallo-Romance"-E., Arpitan, Romand under the code for "Notes on Nomenclature". It states (quote): "Romand is a potential new cover-name (by analogy with Suisse Romand=«Gallo-Romance Switzerland»), to replace the inappropriate compound 'franco-provençal'." - - Considering the international recognition Linguasphere receives for its work (and that the name Romand is being advanced for the language by working professionals), I feel that new redirect pages for "Romand" and "Romand language" should be added that point to "Franco-Provençal language." Does anyone have objections? If not, would someone more capable than I am please add them. - - Also, are there any objections to rewriting the Franco-Provençal Dialects section to conform to Linguasphere? This will be a somewhat significant change, however Linguasphere has the only scientific classification of the dialects of which I am aware. Please post comments (and please forgive my written English, which is not as good as it should be.) Charvex 10:25, 16 September 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Dialect List section prior to rewrite:

Franco-Provençal Dialect List: Classification of Franco-Provençal dialect divisions is challenging despite regional similarities. Each canton and valley uses its own vernacular without standardization. Difficult intelligibility among dialects was noted as early as 1807 by Grillet.

France Switzerland
  • Genevois
  • Fribourgeois
  • Neuchâtelois
  • Valaisan
  • Vaudois
 Italy
  • Faetar (Faitare)
  • Valdôtain (Valdoten)
 Transitional Dialects (France)
  • Charolais (Franco-Provençal → Langue d'Oïl)
  • Mâconnais (Franco-Provençal → Langue d'Oïl)

Charvex 07:36, 17 September 2006 (UTC)

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