Exploring the Regional Variations of Italian: From the Tuscan Dialect to the Neapolitan Language!

Exploring the Regional Variations of Italian: From the Tuscan Dialect to the Neapolitan Language!

If you’ve ever traveled to Italy, you may have noticed that the Italian spoken in one region sounds quite different from that spoken in another. This difference is because Italy has developed many regional dialects and languages over centuries of cultural and linguistic exchange. 

From the rolling hills of Tuscany to the sunny shores of Naples, Italy is full of linguistic diversity. In this blog, we’ll explore some of the regional variations of Italian, including the Tuscan dialect and the Neapolitan language.

But first, let’s briefly examine what standard Italian is. 

 

What even is Italian?

Standard Italian, also known as Italiano standard, is the official language of Italy and is based on the Tuscan dialect. It was first established as a literary language in the 13th century, and over time it has become the most widely spoken language in the country. 

Despite its status as the official language of Italy, standard Italian is not the only language spoken in the country. Many regions of Italy have distinct dialects and languages still spoken today. 

Now, let’s dive into some of the regional variations of Italian:

Sicilian

Sicilian is a Romance language spoken on the island of Sicily and in parts of southern Italy and Malta. It has over 5 million speakers and is considered by many to be the most critical regional language in Italy. Sicilian has a unique vocabulary and grammar and is known for its musicality and poetic expression. Basic 

Sicilian Phrases:

• Salutamu – Hello
• Bonasira – Good evening
• Ni videmu – See you latter
• Comu si? – How are you?
• Grazij – Thank you

Venetian

Venetian is a Romance language spoken in the northeastern region of Veneto, including the cities of Venice and Verona. It has over 2 million speakers and is known for its distinct vocabulary and pronunciation. Venetian has a long literary tradition, with works dating back to the 13th century. 

Venetian Phrases:

• Como xela? – How are you?
• Che nòme gatu? – What is your name?
• Bonu jornu – Good morning 
• Par piaser – Please 
• Nenti pruabbliemi – No problem 

Sardinian

Sardinian is a Romance language spoken on the island of Sardinia and in parts of Corsica and southern Italy. It has over 1 million speakers and is known for its unique phonetics and grammar. Sardinian has multiple dialects, each with its distinctive features.

Sardinian Phrases:

• Cumènti stas? – How are you?
• Deu seu béni – I am fine
• Cumènti ti tzèrrias? – What is your name?
• Mi tzerriu _ – My name is _
• Cussì est sa vida – That’s life 

Lombard

Lombard is a Romance language spoken in the Lombardy region of northern Italy, including Milan. It has over 3 million speakers and is known for its distinct pronunciation and vocabulary, and Lombard has multiple dialects, each with unique features. 

Lombard Phrases:

• Coma la va? – How are you?
• Bona noeucc! – Good night!
• El mè nom a l’è… – My name is…
• G’hoo 24 sgn – I am 24 years old 
• A l’è un sit majeg – It’s a magical place 

Friulian

Friulian is a Romance language spoken in the Friuli region of northeastern Italy and parts of Slovenia and Austria. It has over 600,000 speakers and is known for its unique phonetics and vocabulary. Friulian has multiple dialects, each with its distinctive features. 

Friulian Phrases:

• Ce non âstu? – What’s your name?
• Il gno non al è… – My name is…
• Di dulà sêstu? – Where are you from?
• O ven di – I am from
• Plasê di cognossiti – Pleased to meet you

Conclusion

Learning a regional dialect or language can be a fun and rewarding experience for anyone interested in Italian culture and language. By exploring these regional variations, you can gain a deeper understanding of the rich linguistic history of Italy and connect with locals more meaningfully. Whether you’re ordering a plate of pasta in Tuscany or chatting with a local in Naples, knowing a few basic phrases in the local dialect can go a long way. So why not try it and see where your Italian language-learning journey takes you? A great place to start is with our Italian Instructors here at LangaugeBird, who can lead you to anywhere you want on your Italian journey!