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I Dialetti Italiani
Italy's rich linguistic tapestry
Italy isn't just one language—it's a mosaic of regional tongues, each with its own history, literature, and character. From Sicilian to Venetian, discover the voices of Italy.
When Italy unified in 1861, the Italian language was largely a literary language— most Italians spoke regional dialects unintelligible to people from other regions. Today, while standard Italian is universal, dialects remain an important part of regional identity, especially in the south and among older generations.
The voices of Italy's regions
One of Italy's oldest dialects with Arabic, Norman, and Spanish influences. Considered a separate language by UNESCO.
Famous in: The Godfather films, Montalbano TV series
Dialect:
Comu semu?
Italian:
Come stiamo?
English:
How are we?
One of the most melodic dialects, famous for Neapolitan songs and passionate expression. Rich literary tradition.
Famous in: "O Sole Mio", "Funiculì, Funiculà", Totò films
Dialect:
Comme staje?
Italian:
Come stai?
English:
How are you?
The language of the Venetian Republic, once an international trade language. Has official regional recognition.
Famous in: Goldoni plays, Venetian songs, gondolier calls
Dialect:
Come xétu?
Italian:
Come stai?
English:
How are you?
A Lombard dialect with French and Germanic influences. Was the language of Milan's literary tradition.
Famous in: Traditional Milanese poetry, cabaret tradition
Dialect:
Come te steet?
Italian:
Come stai?
English:
How are you?
The dialect of Rome, heavily influenced by Tuscan but with distinct Roman character. Famous for its colorful expressions.
Famous in: Roman comedy, Alberto Sordi films, Trilussa poetry
Dialect:
Come stai, a' bello?
Italian:
Come stai, amico?
English:
How are you, friend?
The basis for standard Italian thanks to Dante, Petrarch, and Boccaccio. Features the famous "gorgia toscana" (aspirated C).
Famous in: Dante's Divine Comedy, Renaissance literature
Dialect:
La mi' casa
Italian:
La mia casa
English:
My house
Same meaning, different words
| Standard Italian | Sicilian | Neapolitan | Venetian | English |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Che cosa? | Chi? | Che? | Cossa? | What? |
| Non lo so | Nun lu sacciu | Nun' o saccio | No so | I don't know |
| Andiamo | Amunì | Jamm' | Ndémo | Let's go |
| Bello/a | Beddu/a | Bell' | Beo/a | Beautiful |
| Mangiare | Manciari | Mangià | Magnàr | To eat |
How dialects are classified
• Piemontese
• Lombardo
• Ligure
• Emiliano-Romagnolo
• Veneziano
• Triestino
• Trentino
• Toscano
• Corsican (historically)
• Romanesco
• Umbro
• Marchigiano
• Napoletano
• Abruzzese
• Calabrese
• Pugliese
• Siciliano
• Sardo (Logudorese, Campidanese)
More voices of Italy
Piedmont
French and Occitan influences
Liguria
Genoese maritime tradition
Emilia-Romagna
Actually two related dialects
Friuli
Recognized minority language
Sardinia
Closest to Latin, separate language
Calabria
Greek and Albanian influences
Puglia
Multiple sub-dialects
Marche
Bridge between north and south
Fascinating facts about Italian dialects
Before Italian unification in 1861, only 2.5% of the population spoke "Italian"—everyone spoke dialects.
Sicilian and Sardinian are considered separate languages by UNESCO, not dialects.
Dante chose Tuscan for the Divine Comedy, effectively creating modern Italian.
Many Italian-Americans speak dialects their grandparents brought over, frozen in time from the 1900s.
Some dialects like Friulano and Sardinian have official protected status.
The "C" in Tuscan is aspirated—locals say "la hasa" instead of "la casa".
Where to hear regional Italian
Deepen your understanding of the Italian language and its regional richness.