Dictionary Thesaurus Word Dynamo Quotes Reference Translator Spanish

Calabrian languages

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 Occitan and Arbëresh.

Calabrian (Calabrese)

Calabrian (it: Calabrese) is the name given to a number of dialects spoken in the Calabria region of Italy. The various dialects of Calabria are part of a strong continuum that are generally recognizable as Calabrian, but that are usually divided into two different language groups. In the northern one-third of the region, the Calabrian dialects are often classified typologically with Neapolitan language (it: Napoletano-Calabrese) and are called Northern Calabrian or just Cosentino. In the southern two-thirds of the region, the Calabrian dialects are more closely related to Sicilian language and are grouped as Southern Calabro or simply Calabro, and are sometimes classified within the "Italiano meridionale-estremo" language group.

The linguistic division roughly corresponds with the historic administrative division already in place since medieval times: Calabria Citeriore (or Latin Calabria) and Calabria Ulteriore (or Greek Calabria). It must be noted this is a broad generalization and many communities in the more central parts of the region exhibit features of both language groups.

The dialects of Calabria have been extensively studied, catalogued and commented upon by German philologist Gerhard Rohlfs. From the mid-1920s to the mid-1970s, he traveled the region extensively and assembled a very extensive, multi-volume dictionary.

The primary roots of the Calabrian dialects are the two classic languages: Greek and Latin. Calabrian dialects are strongly influenced by a Greek substratum and have been spoken in the region for centuries. Nonetheless, the Calabrian dialects have a rich and varied influence from other languages, thanks to the colonization and influx of different cultures. French, Arabic, and in some communities, Spanish have left a strong imprint.

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

Cosentino

The dialects spoken in most of the Province of Cosenza, known as Cosentino, are similar to other southern Italian dialects and are significantly different from the dialects of the rest of Calabria. One great aspect is that the use of the preterite is almost absent, in great contrast to the Sicilian type dialects of the south. In Cosentino, the norm is haju pigliatu or signu jutu (literally "I took" and "I went"]; whereas the preterite (distant remote tense) pigghiai or ivi would be more common in the rest of Calabria.

Comparisons of Calabrian dialects

Universal Declaration of Human Rights:

All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood.

Standard Italian:

Tutti gli esseri umani nascono liberi ed eguali in dignità e diritti. Essi sono dotati di ragione e di coscienza e devono agire gli uni verso gli altri in spirito di fratellanza.

Province of Reggio:

Tutti i cristiàni nàsciunu libberi e ntâ stessa manèra ill'authri pi dignità e diritti. Iddhi ndànnu ognunu u so ciriveddhu mi 'rraggiùnunu e 'ndannu mi càmpunu unu cull'authru comu mi sùnnu fràti râ stessa matri.

Province of Catanzaro:

Tutti l'Omani nascinu libbèri e â stessa manera dil'atri pe dignità e diritti. Tutti ndànnu ognunu u so cervèllu pemmu reggiùnanu e ndànnu pemmu càmpanu unu cu l'atru comu frati figgji dâ stessa mamma.

Province of Cosenza:

Tutti i ggìenti nascianu libberi e 'gguali all'àtri ppì ddignità e diritti. Ognunu tena cirbìeddru, raggiune e cuscìenza, e s'ha de cumbortà cull'atri cumu si li fòssaru frati.

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).
Occitan language, a local variety of the Occitan language spoken in certain communities (such as Guardia Piemontese).
Arbëresh language, a dialect of the Albanian language.