There has been a substantial erosion in the use of regional languages, but in a few regions such as the Veneto, Sardinia and Sicily, the dialect still constitutes a viable means of communication although it has become ever more restricted to specific situations.
Generally, Sicilians will not use the Sicilian language when they go to the bank to cash a check, unless they know the teller, they will not use it to apply for a document in a public office, or when they speak to someone they do not know.
But the language is not dead nor is it in the throes of death. The critic Lucio Zinna once made a statement about Sicilian that I like to believe is true.
He said that the Sicilian people are more jealous of their language than they are of their women. Knowing how Sicilians view such things, I think Sicilian is safe for the time being. And the idea that Sicilian interferes with the learning of Italian that many parents use as an excuse to stop children from learning the language is not only false, but deleterious.
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Thank you. Your article really touched a nerve and my heart. As a first generation Canadian now living in the US, I feel validated. I grew up in Toronto and Vancouver speaking Friulian, which is now considered a language. My way of honoring my ancestors and their culture. As a professor, Sr. Cipolla, you should know your history far better than you do. Ferdinand II was born in Palermo, and spoke Sicilian as a primary language.
Many thanks and my compliments Mr. Cibolla on your very insightful and informative treatise. I would appreciate greatly if you would convince me that I am wrong. I think that I read somewhere that Sicilian was beginning to be taught in Sicily, or did I just hopefully imagine it? In England there are still dialects that are not mutually intelligible. In Spain, there is Basque and Catalonian.
My favorite saying is that a language is a dialect with an army. Several thoughts on Italian and Sicilian. This might appear to demote the language to a dialect status.
Such is hardly the case when there is a direct back-and-forth dialog. In this respect I greatly admire Sicilian, Neapolitan, Barese, etc. These languages are lean, spartan and to the point.
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User Name. Remember Me. View detailed profile Advanced or search site with. Search Forums Advanced. Page 1 of Last ». Location: The western periphery of Terra Australis 24, posts, read 50,, times Reputation: Advertisements I know Sicilians probably have the strongest provincial identity of all Italians, many consider themselves Sicilians first, Italians second or don't even like being called Italian.
Quote: Originally Posted by Trimac20 I know Sicilians probably have the strongest provincial identity of all Italians, many consider themselves Sicilians first, Italians second or don't even like being called Italian.
Location: Milan, Italy posts, read , times Reputation: Quote: Originally Posted by robertpolyglot I don't recommend that anybody who goes to Italy for the first time goes to Sicily, especially with a limited time schedule.
Quote: Originally Posted by virulentpeach Sicilian temperment is more like that of people further east -- the loud, boisterous aspect of their behavior is similar to that of Greeks. Quote: Originally Posted by robertpolyglot I agree in personal style, but definitely not in appearance.
City-Data Forum Message. Cancel Changes. Quick Reply. Behind the table was a woman holding a little girl--his wife and daughter. The woman had a bright red bindi on her forehead and wore a deep purple salwaar kameez , the outfit of long, loose flowing shirt worn over matching pants native to North India. The woman also wore a nose ring, a stud of the bright yellow-gold out of which much Indian jewelry is fashioned. I immediately read her as Indian in this Sicilian landscape.
As I stood at the table talking to the man and his wife, he began to speak comfortably and rapidly in Italian. I must have looked confused or frustrated, because he stopped. At that point, it seemed like he understood that I, too, am Indian.
No, I replied sadly. I understand a few words, but not enough to carry a conversation or even fully understand. In between all of this, I smiled at their little girl, who looked about two, attempting to engage her. At about this time, we also discovered the language we had most in common was English. Since English is one of the official languages of India, this was not surprising.
I lifted my camera and asked if I could take a picture of their little girl. Yes, yes, he said. Then he conferred with his wife, who turned around to their car and fished out a thermos. Thank you, " I said. I was surprised then, to see his wife pouring what looked like a slightly yellow-ish milk from the thermos into a plastic cup for me. The couple looked at me and smiled. I smiled back, nervously. Well, I had gotten myself into this mess.
I took a small sip. I took another and swallowed. It was surprisingly good. Overjoyed and relieved to find out that I could be both polite and enjoy a hot drink, I smiled. The couple smiled back and offered me a biscuit as well. The man, named Sokhi, and I continued to talk in English. He told me had lived and worked in Dubai for several years. After I finished my snack, I asked if I could have a picture of the three of them together. They were happy to oblige.
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