Calabrian languages
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The primary languages of the Calabria region are Standard Italian and many regional dialects of the Italo-Dalmatian group collectively known as Calabrian (Italian: calabrese). In addition, there is a significant Calabrian version of the Griko language and pockets of Franco-Provençal and Arbëresh.
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[edit] Calabrian (Calabrese)
Calabrian is the name given to a number of dialects spoken in the Calabria region of Italy. Calabrian dialects are strongly influenced by a Greek substratum and have been spoken in the region for centuries. The various dialects of Calabria are usually divided into two different language groups. In the northern one-third of the region, the Calabrian dialects are considered a dialect of the Neapolitan language called Northern Calabrian. In the southern two-thirds of the region, the Calabrian dialects are considered part of the Sicilian language and are grouped as Southern Calabro. It must be noted this is a broad generalization and many communities in the central parts of the region exhibit features of both language groups.
The primary roots of the Calabrian dialects are the two classic languages: Greek and Latin. Nonetheless, the Calabrian dialects have a rich and varied influence from other languages, thanks to the colonization and influx of many different peoples. French, Arabic, and in some communities, Spanish have left a strong imprint.
The Calabrian dialects may be classified as follows:
- Northern Calabrian (it: Napoletano-Calabrese) or just Cosentino, a variety of the Neapolitan language as spoken in Calabria;[1]
- Southern Calabro, a variety of the Sicilian language as spoken in Calabria, also called Southern Calabrian or simply Calabro, sometimes classified within the "Italiano meridionale-estremo" language group.;[2]
| English | Southern Calabro | Northern Calabrian | Italian |
|---|---|---|---|
| tomorrow | rumàni | crai / dumàni | domani |
| in the meantime | asciatàntu / shramènti | interimme | frattanto |
| the day before last | avantèri | nustierzu | ieri l'altro |
| to yawn | sbadigghjàri | alare | sbadigliare |
[edit] Other Languages in Calabria
- Greek-Calabrian dialect, a version of Italian-Greek used in Calabria, which is a subdivision of Griko language (Grecanic language), a general classification for the Italian-Greek languages in Italy. The Greek of Italy and that of Corsica are probably separate languages (R. Zamponi 1992).[3]
- Franco-Provençal language, a local variety of a Franco-Provençal language spoken in certain communities (such as Guardia Piemontese). [4]
- Arbëresh language, a dialect of the Albanian language. [5]
[edit] See Also
- List of Languages of Italy
- Map showing locations[[1]]
[edit] References
- ^ Ethnologue report for Napoletano-Calabrese;
- ^ Ethnologue report for Sicilian.
- ^ Ethnologue report for Greek;
- ^ Ethnologue report for Franco-Provençal;
- ^ Ethnologue report for Albanian, Arbëreshë;
![[1]](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Languages_spoken_in_Italy.svg){kind=link}