Bari dialect

Bari dialect or dialetto barese is a variety of Romance languages which has developed over time, changing with the numerous linguistic influences in the Apulia region of Italy due to invasion and occupation throughout the centuries [1]. Influences range from Old French because of the historical Norman rule and the Angevin sovereignty to an ancient pre-Roman Illyrian substratum, lending a characteristic inflection to the dialect, and placing it amongst the most distinct of Italian dialects both from the point of view of phonetics and lexis.

Where Bari dialect is spoken

As assigning local dialects to strict geographical areas is often problematic, Barese may be seen, as with other local dialects, as a dynamic and changing language with regional differences determined by a range of geographical, historical and social factors. Nevertheless, Bari dialect may be identified predominantly within the province of Bari in central Puglia, and in the region of Barletta-Andria-Trani, which is characterized by variants such as Barlettano, Tranese and Andriese. The north of the Puglia region in the province of Foggia, where Foggian dialect is spoken, may be seen as a variant of Bari dialect, albeit heavily influenced by Naples dialects.

In Italian cinema of the Commedia all'Italiana, Barese has been made famous by actors such as Lino Banfi, Sergio Rubini, Gianni Ciardo, Dino Abbrescia, and Emilio Solfrizzi. There are also numerous films shot exclusively in Bari dialect: amongst the most notable including LaCapaGira which was recognised by critics at the Berlin Film Festival. Many local theatre companies produce light comedy shows in dialect, often focusing on the comic linguistic opportunities presented by the millions who left Puglia during the last century in search of work abroad.

Linguistic features

Within the Province of Bari many dialects exist which, while similar to Bari dialect, have various vocal differences. For example, the expression Che c'è? in standard Italian, meaning What's the matter? or What's up? is variously produced as:

Ci jié? (Barese)

Ciobbà? (Andriese)

Ce je? (Bitettese)

Ce d'è? (Grumese and Palese)

Ce jièy? (Bitontino)

Ce da? (Terlizzese)

Ci iò? (Barlettano)

Ce d'è? (Molfettese)

Meanwhile, the conjugation of verbs sees changes such as:

Essere (to be in standard Italian)

Person io tu lui noi voi loro
Indicative
Present sono sei è siamo siete sono

Essere (to be in Barese)

Person ji tu cudde nu vu chidd
Indicative
Present sò sì jè sim sit sò/sond (rare)

Fare (to do/make in standard Italian)

Person io tu lui noi voi loro
Indicative
Present faccio fai fa facciamo fate fanno

Fare (to do/make in Barese)

Person ie tu cudde nu vu chidde
Indicative
Present fazzche fasc fasc facime facite fascn

References