Il Dialetto Lucano - The Lucanian Dialect
The following was written by Professor Alfonso de Salvio in 1915. I
believe he was a professor of Romance Languages at Northwestern
University. He was born on July 15, 1873 in Orsara di Puglia [32
kilometers north of Basilicata]. Unfortunately, the special
characters do not display correctly on this web page.
XXIV. - STUDIES IN THE DIALECT OF
BASILICATA
Basilicata is the name of that territorial division of Southern
Italy which is now known as the province of Potenza and which formed a
part of the ancient Lucania. It is bounded on the north by the
province of Foggia, on the northeast by the provinces of Bari and
Lecce, on the east by the province of Cosenza, and on the weat by the
Mediterranean sea and the provinces of Salerno and Avellino. It has a
population of about 512,000 inhabitants and comprises the circondari
of Lagonegro, Matera, Melfi, and Potenza. The region is mountainous
and the population is given largely to agriculture and sheep-
raising. Although centrally located, the province possesses no
mercantile towns of any great importance. Many objects of antiquity
were discovered in this region: inscriptions, vases, fragments of
statues, medallions, and two bronze tables, known as the Heraclean
Tables, now in the Naples Museum.
Linguistically, the dialect of this province belongs to the
Neapolitan group. When we compare it with Neapolitan, we find that
the differences in accent and general modulation of the voice are
striking, but phonetically the two have much in common.
A peculiar phenomenon in this dialect is the tendency for
accented as well as pretonic a to become ua: nuase, cuane, cuanniliere
< Italian naso, cane, candeliere. The tonic vowels are not so
prolonged as in Neapolitan, and therefore post-tonic vowels are less
liable to weaken. Open e when not dipthongized gives close e: prete,
pedde, freve < Italian pietra, pelle, febbre; in Neapolitan it re-
788
STUDIES IN THE DIALECT OF BASILICATA 789
mains. Pretonic initial vowels show less tendency to disappear than
in Neapolitan. Pretonic e not initial becomes i: riceve, nipote <
Italian ricevere, nipote; in Neapolitan it remains when not in hiatus.
Pretonic ĭ non-initial remains: vinnette, nimique < Italian
vendetta, nemico; in Neapolitan it becomes e: letecare < Italian
leticare. Final vowels have become much more indistinct than in
Neapolitan. The confusion between b and v is less frequent than in
Neapolitan; the v never becomes a pure bilabial. Intervocalic d never
weakens to r as in Neapolitan. In the latter, initial g before e and
i develops as in Tuscan, but in this dialect it gives š: scienere,
scelà < Italian genero, gelare. We find also a w sound as in English
instead of the Tuscan gu: wardà, waie < Italian guardare, guaio.
Intervocalic l remains, while in Neapolitan it is sometimes confused
with r. Intervocalic dy gives sometimes š: osce < hodie, ausce <
gaudium, a development not found in Neapolitan. Ll generally gives
dd, which is altogether foreign to Neapolitan: cuavadde, capidde <
Italian cavallo, capello. In Neapolitan intervocalic mby gives gn:
cagnare < Italian cambiare; in this dialect it gives ngi: cagnià.
Unlike Neapolitan, intervocalic by may give at times š: curresce <
corigiam. The interrogatives chi and che become in this dialect ci
and ce, forms not found in Neapolitan. Cu before a, o, u, becomes qu:
quiddle, quiste < Italian quello, questo; but in Neapolitan we have
chillo and chisto. For Tuscan manco, dico, nemico we have manquo,
diquo, nimique, a development not found in Neapolitan.
The tendency for dialects to become Italianized, as well as the
variation of the same dialect in the towns of the same province, make
it impossible to undertake a thorough study of the speech of an entire
region. I have gathered my material from one town, Corleto Perticara,
8
790 ALFONSO DE SALVIO
which, being situated in a central location, may be considered to give
a fair example of the speech of Basilicata.
The pronunciation is the same as that of Italian, with the
exception that final vowels are very indistinct and in rapid speech
are scarcely audible. This, however, is not true of monosyllables
like ie,¹ nu, na, cu, etc. < Italian io, uno, una, con. The dd
developed from ll is a very difficult sound to pronounce; the tip of
the tongue must strike the upper gums, producing at the same time a
slight r sound.
I am indebted to Prof. Domenico Francolino and Mr. Franklin
Francolino of Hartford, Conn., both natives of Basilicata, for
valuable help rendered and for most of the selections given as
specimens.
I
TONIC VOWELS
a
1. Whether in position or not, a generally remains: sabbate <
sabbatum; balzame < balsamum; mare, funtane.
2. That a often remains in the speech of the majority is due to the
influence exercised by the study of Italian in the public schools and
very probably by neighboring dialects. However, among the more
unlettered classes and among the older generation one frequently finds
that the a becomes ua (the u before a and o being pronounced almost
like English w): suangue < sanguem; puane < panem; cuane < canem;
nuase < nasum; suacce < sapeo; suai < sapes; piuatte < *plattum.
¹The i is pronounced like English y in yes.
STUDIES IN THE DIALECT OF BASILICATA 791
3. -arium gives -are and -iere: scinnare < *jenuarium; caudare <
caldariam; varviere < *barbarium; cuanniliere < *candelarium.
ǐ, ē
1. Whether in position or not, ǐ, ē give close e unless
there is a u in the following syllable, in which case they become i:
verde < viridem; pepe < piper; sete < setam; cere < ceram; cannele <
candelam; piro < perum; pilo < pilum; tise < tensum.
2. Some words have e in the singular and i in the plural under the
influence of a following i: paese, paisi; turnese, tirnisi; ermice,
irmici. Also e instead of i in discete, descete.
Exceptions: cicere < cicer; vinte < viginti; diebete < debitum; iedde
< illam; tridice < tredecim; sidice < sedecim; femmina < feminam.
ĕ
Ĕ diphthongizes to ie when followed by u in the next syllable,
otherwise it gives a close e: liette < lectum; piette < pectum; fierre
< ferrum; tiempe < tempus; mierle < *merulum; but prete < petram;
pedde < pellem; freve < febrem.
Exceptions: iera < erat; iesse < esse; mete < metere (the e being
open).
ī
Long i remains: file < filum; lime < limam; amique < amicum; but dece
< dicere.
ǔ, ō
Whether in postion or not, ǔ, ō become close o when not
followed by u in the next syllable or by i, be it the
792 ALFONSO DE SALVIO
plural ending or resultant from latin s; in the latter case they give
u: voce < vocem; ora < horam; sole < solem; sopra < super; sotto <
subtus; vregogne < verecundiam; but surque < sulcum; munnu < mundum;
curte < curtum; nuie < nos; vuie < vos; raziuni < orationem.
Exceptions: juorne < diurnum; close o became open in Southern
dialects, whence uo; utre < uterem instead of otre; polve < pulverem,
in which the o is open instead of close, probably through the analogy
of words having a tonic open o; grutta < cruptam; spuorc < spurcum;
favuogne < favonium; sciure < florem.
ŏ
When followed by u in the next syllable ŏ gives uo, but if
followed by a, e, o, it gives open o: fuoque < focum; sciuoque <
jocum; uocchie < oculum; suonne < somnum; puorc < porcum; but omnine <
hominem; fore < foras; notte < noctem.
Exceptions: nove < novem; osce < hodie; in which the o is close.
ū
Ū remains: suque < sucum; luce < lucem; sciume < flumen; chiù <
plus. But rozze < ferruginem.
II
PRETONIC VOWELS
a
1. Pretonic a generally remains: cantà, calamare, canzone, pacienza.
2. Occasionally it gives ua: cuappiedde < *cappellum;
STUDIES IN THE DIALECT OF BASILICATA 793
gualantome < It. galantuomo; cuavadde < caballum; cuanniliere <
*candelarium.
3. Often we find forms compounded with ad, the ad being assimilated to
the following consonant: accussì < ad secum sic; accumenzà < *ad
cominitiare; arricuordo < It. ricordo; abbulà < ad volare.
4. Often an a is found in place of other vowels: accede < occidere;
affenne < offendere; canosce < cognoscere; quarera < querelam; addore
< odorem; cainata < cognatam.
ě
1. When not initial ě becomes i: riceve < recipere; finestre <
fenestram; cirase < *ceresiam; scinucchie < genuculum; nipote <
nepotem; simmane < septimanam; stirnutà < sternutare; scinestra <
genestra; risponne < respondere.
2. In a few cases it falls when initial: limosina < elemosynam;
cunomia < oeconomiam; pifania < epiphania; rumite < eremita; statie <
aestatem; ncignà < encœniare.
3. It seldom remains: vregogne < verecundiam; velene < venenum;
negozio < negotium.
4. In hiatus it becomes i: lione < leonem; criate < *creatum.
5. A few cases of substitution are: luvà < levare; arrore < errorem;
quarera < querelam; survizio < servitium; rumase < remansum.
ĭ
1. When not initial ĭ generally remains: vinnette, nimique,
pifania, vidè, spitale < hospitalem; vilanze < bilancem; diaulo <
diabolum; linzule < linteolum.
2. when initial it falls: nimique, ndò < in de ubi;
794 ALFONSO DE SALVIO
nnante < in ante; mbarà < *imparare; nginucchià < ingenuculare.
3. A few cases of substitution are : ancudine < *incudinem; salgile <
gingivam.
ē
1. Generally ē becomes i: cuanniliere, sicrete, sicure, dinare,
sciluse < *zelosum, difesa, sinsale < censualem, cipodde < *cepullam,
riale < regalum.
2. Very seldom it remains: vescique < *vessicam; secce < sepiam.
3. We find substitution in rumite < eremita.
ī
1. Not initial ī remains: vinnegna < vindemiam; fernì < finire;
figliole < filiolam; piccione < pipionem; cità < civitatem.
2. Initial it falls: mbierno < infernum; nfame < infamem.
ǒ, ō
1. When not initial ǒ, ō give u: cuvierchie, murì, cutugne,
purtà, cucciare, dulore, curresce, < corrigiam, funtane, cunsulà,
prumette < *promittere, pruvvene < provenire.
2. They fall when initial: razione, scure, spitale, riloge.
3. Some cases of substitution are: accede < occidere; dimenica <
dominicam; addore < odorem; cainate < cognatum; aulive < olivam;
riloge < horologium; affenne < offendere; canosce < cognoscere.
ŭ, ū
1. Ŭ, Ū remain: cuniglie, vuccone, curtiedde < cultellum,
lucrà, assugà < ex sucare; stirnutà, scutedde < scutellam.
STUDIES IN THE DIALECT OF BASILICATA 795
2. A few cases of substitution are: migliera < mulierem; pricine <
pullicinem; ancina < uncinum.
3. Initial u falls in nu < unum.
III
POST-TONIC VOWELS, NOT FINAL
a
A remains: fegate, sabbate, balzame.
ĕ, ē
1. Generally ĕ, ē remain: vipere, cicere, carcere, scienere
< generum, move < movere.
2. In a few cases they give i: tridice, sidice, voria < boream.
ĭ
1. Generally ĭ remains: dimenica, irmice < imbricem, debite,
femmina, miedique < medicum.
2. Cases of substitution are: niespole < *nespilum; cuofene <
cophinum; sinnaque < syndicum.
ŏ
1. Generally ŏ remains: wescowe < episcopum; quattuordici <
quattuordecim; cicorie.
2. Some cases of syncopation are: diaulo < diabolum; arbre < arborum.
ŭ
1, Ŭ gives o: wedowa < viduam; setola < situlam; pergola.
2. Cases of syncopation are: fibbie < fibulam; uocchie < oculum.
Most final vowels become so weakened that we have generally
indicated them by a mute e for both genders.
796 ALFONSO DE SALVIO
Whenever an a or an o is found, it means that the sound approaches the
Italian a or or, but they are still somewhat obscured in
pronunciation. The u found in monosyllables is pronounced as in
Italian. A and o are the results of Latin -am and um; only in
monosyllables does the u remain.
IV
CONSONANTS.--INITIAL
B
1. In most cases b gives a denti-labial v: vasce, varwa, voria,
vammace, vosco, vocca (Italian basso, barba, boria, bambagia, bosco,
bocca).
2. In a smaller number of words it remains: bedde, benedice, balzame.
F
Initial f remains: fiche, fatique, fierre, firnì (Italian fico,
fatica, ferro, finire).
V
1. Generally v remains: vinnette, vence, vessique, venne (Italian
vendetta, vincere, vescica, vendere).
2. Very rarely it gives b: bo', bene, bota (Italian vuole, viene,
volta); but vo', vene, and vota are also found.
P
P remains: puane, piro, pilo, pede (Italian pane, pero, pelo, piede).
D
D remains: dimenica, debite, duppie, duce (Italian domenica, debito,
doppio, dolce).
STUDIES IN THE DIALECT OF BASILICATA 797
T
T remains: tele, titte, tise, tesse, tuorte (Italian tela, tetto,
teso, tessere, torto).
L
1. Generally l remains: lime, liette, luoque, lione (Italian lima,
letto, luogo, leone).
2. The articles lu and la become ru and ra after the proposition a.
M, N
M, N remains: mitte, mierle, move, nide, nora, nimique.
R
R remains: riggine, riceve, ruzze, russe.
S
S remains: suangue, sicrete, surde, sive (Italian sangue, segreto,
sordo, sevo).
C
1. Before a, o, u, initial c gives k: cuavadde, caudare, cuvierchie,
cainate.
2. Before e, i, it gives č: cinc, ceste, cera, cedde, cicere.
3. It becomes qu in quiste < eccum istum; quidde < eccum illum;
quaglie < coagulum.
4. At times we find a g instead of a k: gatte < cattum; gamma <
cambam; govite < cubitum.
G
1. Initial g before a, o, u, generally remains: gode < gaudere:
gaddine < gallinam; gunnedde < gunna.
2. Before e, i, initial g gives š: scienere < generum; scinestra <
genestam; scinucchie < genuculum; scelà < gelare.
798 ALFONSO DE SALVIO
W
W gives a sound like the English w: wardà < *warda; warnì < warnjan;
waie < wai.
Z
Initial z before e becomes š: sciluse < *zelosum.
DE, DI
DE, DI becomes j: jinte < de intro; journe < diurnum; diaulo is a
learned form.
J
J becomes š: scinnare < *jenuarium; sciuoque < jocum; sciunque <
juncum.
V
INITIAL GROUPS OF CONSONANTS
1
Groups endling in l
BL gives j: jastemà < blasphemare; janque < blank.
CL gives chi: chiuove < clavum; chiamà < clamare; chiave < clavem.
FL gives fi, j, š: fiore < florem; jate < flatum; jume and sciume <
flumen; scioccà < *floccare.
GL gives j: jacce < *glacium.
PL becomes chi and seldom pi: chiù < plus; chiumme < plumbum; chiazze
< plaetam; piwatte < *plattum; piace < placere.
STL becomes sk: scuppetta < stloppus.
VL becomes j: jasque < vlascum.
2
Groups ending in r
Remain: brutte, croce, crai, fronte, prigà, scrive, trave.
STUDIES IN THE DIALECT OF BASILICATA 799
3
qu, cu
1. Qu generally remains: quannu < quando; quatte < quattuor; quarera <
querelam; quarche < qualis quam.
2. It gives č in ciunque < qui unquam; cerza < querceam.
3. Cu becomes qu: quiste, quidde, qua.
4
Groups beginning with s or x becoming initial
XB becomes sb: sbranà < *ex branare; sbatte < *ex-
battere.
SC, XC becomes sk before a, o, u: scola < scholam; scutedda <
scutellam; scumminicà < excommunicare; scangià < *excambiare. Before
e, i, they become š: scità < excitare; scieglie < exsolvere.
SD, XD give sd: sdegno < *disdignare; sdradicà < ex-
radicare.
SF, XF give sf: sfacciate < *ex-faciatum; sfoco < ex focum.
SP remains: spisse < spissum; spranze < *sperantiam.
ST, XT give st: stà < stare; stedde < stellam; strazzà < extractiare.
VI
MEDIAL CONSONANTS
B
1. In most cases intervocalic b becomes v: cuavadde, trave, sive,
ciriviedde.
2. In a few learned words it remains: subito, debole, diebete.
800 ALFONSO DE SALVIO
3. It falls in facia, dicia, diaulo (Italian faceva, diceva, diavolo).
4. It becomes p in veppeta < bibitam.
E
E remains: tufe, cuofene, bufele.
V
1. Generally v remains: chiuove < clavum; nove, pavone.
2. It gives j in: voje < bovem.
P
1. In most cases p remains: vipere, pepe, capidde, lupe, sapone.
2. It gives v or w in: riceve < recipere; wescowe < episcopum; cuvierchie < cuperculum.
D
1. Generally d remains: accede, pede, ancudine, vide, radeca.
2. It becomes t in: umite < humidum; sciapite < *in-
sapidum.
T
T remains: fatique, discete, strumente, veppeta.
L
L remains: pilo, tele, cuannela, fele, mele.
M, N
M, N remain: sciume, fume, nome; puane, cuane, dimenica.
R
1. R remains: piro, cera, sere, core, fore.
2. Infinitives lose final re: vence, accede, move.
STUDIES IN THE DIALECT OF BASILICATA 801
S
S remains: mese, piase, frese, cirase.
C
1. Before a, o, u, c often gives qu: amique, fatique, miedique,
pequore.
2. It remains in: vico, dimenica, sicure, radeca, spica, frabicà.
3. In a few cases we find a g: fegate < ficatum; assugà < exsucare;
prigà < precare.
4. Before e, i, it becomes č: riceve, vacile, tridice, dece,
noce.
G
1. Before e, i, g becomes ğ or ğ ğ: riggine, siggille,
rigistre.
2. It falls in: paise < pagensem; frie < frigere; quaremma <
quadragesimam.
3. Before a, o, u, g generally remains: castigà, agoste < augustum;
chiaga < plagam; augurie < augurium.
4. It gives v in: nivre < nigrum; fravole < It. fragola.
5. It falls in: riale < regalem.
VII
MEDIAL GROUPS
BB remains: sabbate, gabbà.
BL gives ll in: sullieve < *sublevio; and gli in: neglia < nebulam.
BR remains: wuttobre < octobrem; frabicà < fabricare and freve <
febrem show methathesis.
BY becomes ğ ğ: agge < habeo; ragge < *rabiam.
BT becomes tt: sotte < subtus.
FF remains: affenne < offendere, affaccià, affittà.
FFL gives cchi in: acchià < afflare.
802 ALFONSO DE SALVIO
FR, FFR remain: soffrì < *suffrire.
VV gives bb: abbilì < It. avvilire; ebbiva < It. evviva.
VY gives ğğ: caggiola < ceveola.
PP remains: cuappiede, stoppe, cappotte.
PY gives čč: acce < apium; piccione < pipionem; suacce <
sapio.
PL, PPL give cchi: cocchia < cupulam; ristocce < *re-
stipula; but ppi in duppie < duplum.
PR, PPR remain: proprio, aprì; it gives bbr in lebbre < leporem; it
shows methathesis in crapa < capram; the r falls in sopa < supra.
PS gives š in cascia < capsam; ss in stesso < *iste-ipsum.
PT gives tt: sette, accattà, scritte.
DD remains: adduce, addormì.
DR gives tr in piddietro < *poledrum.
DY gives š in: osce < hodie; ausce < gaudium; ğğ in appoggià
< *appodiare; ff in abbaffà < *ad-badiare; it remains in odio; zz in
ruzze < *rudium.
TT remains: mitte, piwatte.
TR remains: patrone, utre, lettre; r drops in quatte < quattuor;
drete, prete show methathesis.
TY becomes zz or zi: chiazze < plateam; puzze < puteum; prezze <
pretium; negozio < negotium; cunsulazione < consolationem.
TC gives ğğ: dammagge < damnaticum.
TL gives ll: spalle < spatulam.
LL generally gives dd: cuavadde, capidde, idde, stedde, quidde; in a
few cases the ll remains: sollione, allegre, ballà.
LC becomes rc or rqu: carcagne < calcaneum; surque < sulcum; cuorcà <
collocare; it remains in balcone; the l falls in duce < dulcem.
LD remains in suldate, solde; the l becomes u in caudare, caude.
STUDIES IN THE DIALECT OF BASILICATA 803
LY gives gli: figlie, migliere, foglie, pariglia, piglià.
LG before e gives gli: sceglie < *ex-eligere; coglie < colligere.
LM remains: salma.
LP remains in vulpe < vulpem; it becomes rp in tarpunare < talpa.
LF remains in sulfe; it becomes rf in surfariedde.
LS gives uz: puzo < pulsum; sauzizze < It. salsiccia.
LT gives ut in aute < altum; aute < alter; autare < al-
tarum; the l falls in vutà < It. voltare; vota < *voltam.
LV remains: polve, salviette, salvenne (Italian polvere, salvietta,
salvando).
MM remains: scumminicà, mamma.
MB becomes mm: gamma < cambam; tammurre, vammace; it remains in
umbrelle.
MBY gives ngi: cangià < *excambiare.
MY gives gn: scigne < simia; vinnegna < vindemiam.
MP remains in cumpagne < *companio; zampogne < symphoniam; tiempe <
tempus; campagne < campaneam.
MPL gives ngh: anghì < implere.
MPTY gives nz: scunzà < *excomptiare.
MN gives mm or nn: dammagge, suonno; gn in ogne < omne.
NN remains: cannite, penne.
NC before a, o, u, either remains or gives nqu: ancudine, janque <
blank; sciunque < juncum.
NC before e, i, gives nč or nz: vilanze < bilancem; ancina <
uncinum; vence < vincere.
NCY gives nz: onze < *unciam.
NCL gives nchi in carvunchie < carbunculum; and gn in gnostre <
*inclaustrum.
NCT gives nt: sante< sanctum.
ND becomes nn: quannu, stinnarde, appenne, cuanniliere.
804 ALFONSO DE SALVIO
NDY gives gn: vregogne < verecundiam.
NFL gives ff in gruffulà < *runflare.
NG before e, i becomes nğ chiange < plangere; nginucchià <
ingenuculare.
NG before a, o, u remains: sangue, luonghe, lenga.
NGL gives gn: ogne < ungulam.
NY becomes gn: castagne < castaneam; rugna < *roneam; vigna < vineam..
NS gives nz in zanzale < censualem; nzonga < It. sugna; more often the
n falls; scipite < insipidus; paise < pagensem; frese < forensem.
NT remains: vinte, gente, diente, lenticchie, fronte.
NTR gives nt in jinte < de-intro; it remains in cintredde, cantre.
NTY gives nz: canzone, linzule, accumenzà.
RR remains: terre, fierre, arrivà.
RB gives rv: varviere, cuorve, survizio.
RC before a, o, u, gives rk: puorche, uorche.
RC before e, i gives rč: sorce, carcere.
RCL becomes rchi: cuvierchie, circhie < circulum.
RD remains: verde, perde, surde.
RDY gives rš: uorsce < hordeum; also z in veze < *viridiatam.
RG remains before a, o, u: purgatorio; it gives rğ before e, i;
argiente.
RM, RN, RP remain: verme, forma, vierne, juorne, cuorpe.
RS remains: vorse < *bursam; forse, vierso.
RT remains: sporta, uorte, fuorte, sorte.
RTY gives rz: scorza, terze.
RY gives r: ferrare, scinnare < *jenuarium.
SS remains: iesse, gruosse, russe, vessique; it gives also š: vasce <
bassum; casce < cassam; abbasce < It. abbasso.
STUDIES IN THE DIALECT OF BASILICATA 805
SC before e, i gives š: cresce, fasce.
SP remains: vespe, niespole, risponne.
ST remains: pastore, battistero, inneste.
STR remains: finestre, maestre, gnostre; also st: nuoste, vuoste.
SY gives s: vase < basium; cirase < *ceresiam.
CC before a, o, u remains: sicche, vocca, accoglie.
CC before e, i gives čč: accede, succede.
CL becomes cchi: aurecchie, becchie < *veculum; uocchie; rarely gli:
tinaglie < tenaculum; cuniglie < cuniculum.
CR generally gives gr: sogra < soceram; agruno < acrem; allegre <
*alecrum; it remains in lucrà < lucrare.
CS gives ss: lissia < *lixivam; tuossique, lassà, assì < exire.
CT gives tt: piette, liette, vinnette.
CY gives zz: azzare, trezza, sauzizze, vrazze; in a few cases it gives
čč: crapicce, jacce < *glaciam.
GN loses the g: canosce < cognoscere; cainate < cognatum; aine <
agnellum; but lignum gives levone.
GY gives š in curresce < corrigiam; g in riloge < horologium.
GR gives vr in nivre < nigrum.
Final consonants develop as in Italian. Final s gives in
monosyllables ie: nuie, vuie, craie; voje < bos; but chiù < plus.
VIII
MORPHOLOGICAL PECULIARITIES
1. Cases of Methathesis: frabicà < fabricare; freve < febrem; prete <
petram; vernedie < veneris dies; vregogne < verecundiam; crapicce <
*capricium; crape < capram; firnì < finire; priesque < persicum.
9
806 ALFONSO DE SALVIO
2. Noun. - Caput gives the feminine capa instead of capo as in
Italian. Vomerem gives gommera instead of the masculine; also we
find scherza instead of scherzo; la razione becomes masculine in the
plural: li raziuni. Likewise we find li pequore, li descete, li
scinucchie for Italian le pecore, le dita, le ginocchia. Some
masculine nouns which become feminine in Italian remain masculine in
this dialect: lu lebbre, lu fronte, lu carcere.
3. Comparison of Adjectives. - The comparative is formed with chiù <
plus. The comparative of inferiority with meno is not found.
Migliore and peggiore have been replaced by the adverbs meglie <
melius and pesce < *pejus. Manquo is used for the Italian nemmeno.
The superlative absolute in issimo is expressed by assai before the
positive.
4. Personal Pronouns. - Subject pronouns: ie, tu, idde, iedde, nuie,
vuie, lore.
Direct and indirect objects: mi, ti, lu, la, ci (or nci, nge), vi, li,
le.
Objects of prepositions: me, te, idde, iedde, nuie, vuie, lore.
5. Possessive Adjectives. - Mie, mia, tuve, tua, suve, suva, nuoste,
vuoste, lore; pl. mie, meia, tuve, toia, suve, noste, voste, lore.
Possessive adjectives are always placed after the noun: tatta tua (tuo
padre). Frateme, sorema, mammeta for Italian mio fratello, mia
sorella, tua madre.
The possessive pronouns are the same as the possessive adjectives, but
they take the definite article.
6. Demonstrative Adjectives. - Quiste (rarely stu), chesta (rarely
sta); pl. quisti, cheste, quidde, chedda; pl. quidde, chedde.
STUDIES IN THE DIALECT OF BASILICATA 807
Demontrative pronouns are the same as the demonstrative adjectives
excluding stu and sta.
7. Definite Article. - Lu, la, li, le. After the preposition a, the l
often becomes r.
Indefinite article: nu, na.
8. Numerals. - Une, duji, tre, quatte, cinc, seje, sette, otte, nove,
dece, unnici, dudidi, tridice, quattuordici, quinnici, sidice,
dicisette, diciotte, dicinnove, vinte.
9. The Italian relative pronoun che as well as the conjunction che
become ca in this dialect.
10. The Italian interrogatives chi and che become ci and ce; ci iè?
(Italian che è?).
11. Verb. - The future is seldom found; when used it denotes
probability. Futurity is expressed by the present indicative of the
verb to have and the infinitive of the verb in question. The present
subjunctive is not found except in stereotyped phrases like nun sia
mai! The infinitive loses its ending but no ne is added. The
pluperfect subjunctive often replaces the imperfect subjunctive. Agge
< habeo when followed by an infinitive becomes aggia.
(a) First conjugation in à: parlà, parlanne, parlate.
Present Indicative: parle, parle, parle, parlame, parlate, parlene.
Imperfect Indicative: parlave, parlave, parlave, parlàvame, parlàvate,
parlavane.
Preterite: parlai, parliste, parlavo, parlemme, parliste, parlarene.
Conditional: parlarrie, parlarrisse, parlarrie, parlarriemme,
parlarriste, parlarriene.
Imperfect Subjunctive: parlasse, parlasse, parlasse, parlassime,
parlassive, parlassene.
808 ALFONSO DE SALVIO
Imperative: parle, parlate.
(b) Second conjugation in è or 'e: crede, credenne, cridute.
Present Indicative; crewe, crenzi, crewe, cridime, cridite, credene.
Imperfect Indicative: cridie, cridivi, cridie, cridíeme, cridiévete,
cridíene.
Preterite: cridietti, cridisti, cridive, cridiemme, cridieste,
crederene.
Conditional: criderrie, cridirristi, criderrie, cridirriemme,
cridierrissive, cridirrienne.
Imperfect Subjunctive: cridesse, cridiessi, cridesse, cridesseme,
cridiessive, cridessere.
Imperative: cride, cridite.
(c) Third conjugation in ì: sintì, sintenne, sintute.
Present Indicative: sente, siente, sente, sintime, sintite, sentene.
Imperfect Indicative: sintie, sintive, sintie, sintíeme, sintiévite,
sintíene.
Preterite: sintivi, sintiste, sintive, sintiemme, sintiéstere,
sinterene.
Conditional: sintarrie, sintarrissi, sintarrie, sintarriemme,
sintarrissive, sintarrienne.
Imperfect Subjunctive: sintesse, sintisse, sintesse, sintessime,
sintissive, sintessere.
Imperative: siente, sintite.
The present indicative of firnì is: firnisquo, firnisci, firnisce,
firnime, firnite, firniscene. The other tenses follow sintì.
(d) Stà, stanne, state.
Present Indicative: stawe, stai, staje, stame, state, stanne.
Imperfect Indicative: stave, stave, stave, stávame, stávate, stavane.
STUDIES IN THE DIALECT OF BASILICATA 809
Preterite: stietti, stisti, stette, stemme, stiste, stezere.
Conditional: starrie, starrissi, starrie, starriemme, starresseve,
starrienne.
Imperfect Subjunctive: stesse, stisse, stesse, stessime, stesteve,
stessere.
Imperative (the reflexive is used): statti, statevi.
(e) Dà, danne, date.
Present Indicative: dave, dai, daje, dame, date, danne.
Imperfect Indicative: dave, dave, dave, dàvame, dàvate, davane.
Preterite: diette, diste, dette, demme, disteve, dezere.
Conditional: darrie, darrissi, darrie, darriemme, darrissive,
darrienne.
Imperfect Subjunctive: desse, disse, desse, dassime, dasteve, dassere.
Imperative: dà, date.
(f) Scì, scenne, sciute or giute (Italian andare).
Present Indicative: vawe, vai, vaje, sciame, sciate, vanne.
Imperfect Indicative: scia, scivi, scia, scíame, scívete, scienne.
Preterite: scive, sciste, scette, scemme, scisteve, scerene.
Conditional: sciarrie, sciarrisse, scarrie, sciarriemme, sciarriste, sciarrienne.
Imperfect Subjunctive: scesse, scisse, scesse, scesseme, sciste,
scessere.
Imperative: va, sciate.
(g) Fà, facenne, fatte.
Present Indicative: fazze, face, face, facime, facite, facene.
Imperfect Indicative: facia, facivi, facia, facienne, faciévete,
faciane.
810 ALFONSO DE SALVIO
Preterite: fice, faciste, fece, faciemme, facisteve, fecere.
Conditional: farrie, farisse, farrie, farriemme, farrisseve,
farrienne.
Imperfect Subjunctive: facesse, facisse, facesse, facessime,
facisteve, facessere.
Imperative: fa, facite.
(h) Sapè, sapenne, sapute.
Present Indicative: suacce, suai, sape, sapime, sapite, sapine.
Imperfect Indicative: sapia, sapive, sapia, sapíeme, sapiévete,
sapiene.
Preterite: sapiette, sapiste, sapive, sapemme, sapisteve, saperene.
Conditional: saperrie, saperrisse, saperrie, saperriemme, saperriesseve, saperrienne.
Imperfect Subjunctive: sapesse, sapisse, sapesse, sapessime, sapisteve, sapessere.
Imperative: sai, sapite.
(i) Volè, volenne, vulute or bulute.
Present Indicative: voglie, vuo', vo', vulime, vulite, volene.
Imperfect Indicative: vulia, vulivi, vulia, vuliéveme, vuliévete,
vuliene.
Preterite: vuzi, vuliste, voze,vulemme, vulisteve, vozere.
Conditional: vulerrie, vulerrisse, vulerrie, vulerriemme,
vulerrisseve, vulerrienne.
Imperfect Subjunctive: vulesse, vulisse, vulesse, vulessime,
vulisteve, vulessere.
(k) Potè, putenne, putute.
Present Indicative: pozze, puoje, pote, putime, putite, potene.
STUDIES IN THE DIALECT OF BASILICATA 811
Imperfect Indicative: putie, putive, putie, putíeme, putiévete,
putiene.
Preterite: putiette, putiste, putette, putemme, putisteve, puterene.
Conditional: putrie, putrisse, putrie, putriemme, putrisseve,
putrienne.
Imperfect Subjunctive: putesse, putisse, putesse, putessime,
putissive, putessere.
(l) Iesse, essenne, state.
Present indicative: so, si, iè, sime, site, so.
Imperfect Indicative: iere, ire, iere, ierme, jírvete, ierene.
Preterite: It is replaced by the preterite of scì (andare).
Conditional: sarrie, sarrissi, sarrie, sarriemme, sarriessive,
sarriene.
Imperfect Subjunctive: fusse, fuste, fosse, fossime, fusteve, fossere.
Imperative: si, site.
(m) Avè, avenne, avute.
Present Indicative: agge, aie, ave, avime, avite, anne.
Imperfect Indicative: avia, avive, avia, avíeme, avívete, aviene.
Preterite: ebbe, aviste, ebbe, aviemme, aviste, ebbere.
Conditional: avrie, avrisse, avrie, avriemme, avriesseve, avrienne.
Imperfect Subjunctive: avesse, avissi, avesse, avesseme, avisteve,
avessere.
Imperative: aie, avite.
(n) Vedè, videnne, vidute.
Present Indicative: vewe, vide, vede, vidime, vidite, vedene.
812 ALFONSO DE SALVIO
Imperfect Indicative: vidie, vidive, vidie, vidíeme, vidiévete,
vidiene.
Preterite: vidde, vidiste, vedde, videmme, vidisteve, viderene.
Conditional: vidarrie, vidarrissi, vidarrie, vidarriemme,
vidarriesteve, vidarrienne.
Imperfect Subjunctive: videsse, vidisse, videsse, videssime,
vidisteve, videssere.
Imperative: vide, vidite.
(o) Dece, dicenne, ditte.
Present Indicative: diquo, dice, dice, dicime, dicite, dicene.
Imperfect Indicative: dicia, dicivi, dicia, dicíeme, diciévete,
diciene.
Preterite: disse, diciste, dicive, dicemme, dicisteve, dicerene.
Conditional: dicirria, dicirrisse, dicirria, dicirriemme,
dicirrissive, dicirriene.
Imperfect Subjunctive: dicesse, dicissi, dicesse, dicessime,
dicisteve, dicessere.
Imperfect: di, dicite.
IX
SPECIMENS
Inedited
I
Ierano le nuvole a pecuredde,
Lu sole annammarate ne scaffava,
La terre com'a lu fumiere modde,
La vaccaredda frasche se rumava.
E nuie sedute a re prete toste,
Wardanne le crapecedde noste.
STUDIES IN THE DIALECT OF BASILICATA 813
Pe mienza a curnale
E scannapuddece,
Ndo le macchie se pascienne
Pover' animale.
Nu cagnuliedde tengo ca iè fedele,
Se meritarrie lu zucchere e lu mele.
Ma ce putie fà?
Se mette a abbaffà,
E come vutame l'uocchie
Eccute nu lupo mberucite
Ca s'è menato ndo lu ruocchie,
Tanto lu currivo e l'appetite.
Avess' avute na scuppettedde,
Le facia subito la pedde.
Mo nge vo' lu permesso d'arma
Pe sparà lu lupo ndo la manra.
E ie restaie com'a quidde c'a bippite,
Senza di civiedde ca iera proibbite.
Cu l'angina mmane
Me chiame l'ate crape
Chiane chiane,
E la vaccaredda sape
La via e se ne vene.
A ra pagliara tutte ne trasime,
E lu cuane abbaffa ancora
E iè rimaso addafora,
Ca na crapa mancante nuie vedime.
II
Quannu lu pastore vaie a sente messa,
Vede l'acquasentera: - ce bella scutedda a mangià latte!
814 ALFONSO DE SALVIO
Vede lu battistere: - ce belle papaglione a tenè robba!
Vede li femine nginucchiate: - ce bella morra di pequore figliate!
Vede lu confissiunile: - ce belle pagliare pi quannu chiove!
Vede l'autare maggiore: - ce bella chianca a pisà sale!
Vede lu core: - ce belle mungiature a duje vadi!
Vede la sacristia: - ce belle casutaro nge vinerria!
Vede lu campanaro: - ce bell' ammagnone ca sarrie!
III
Quannu lu pastore vaje'n Puglia,
Lassa na cinc rana a ra migliera:
- Migliera mia accattati lu puane,
Lu rimanente ti cuompri la luane.
Te fai na suttana a sette panni,
Quannu venguo ie te trove na muntagna.
- Marito mie ti puozzi necà,
Ce puane e luane aggia accattà pe cinc rana?
IV
Tu nu buo' dece quanta si filone,
La gente ca ti sape ti canosce.
E sape pure quanta so minghione,
Ca ie nu diquo a mente-cuncta-posce.
Potesse confessà lu peccatone
Ca mi pesa a re carne meia flosce,
Forse ca pure Dio darria perdone
A ci nnanti l'uocchi ave le catosce.
V
Maritimi iè pastore,
Si ni vene ogne doie sere
E si mette mussu a mussu
STUDIES IN THE DIALECT OF BASILICATA 815
Cu li tizzuni.
-Marite mie, vatti corche,
T'agge misi li janchi linzule!
-Migliera mia, come mi voglia corche?
Ie agge rimasi li pequore sole.
Oh Dio, quant'è mprono lu pastore!
Pensa chiù li pequore di la migliera.
Amprone pastore, manquo a lu liette ti suai cuorcà,
Manquo la cammisa suai di ti luvà.
VI
Lu pastore a ra capanne
Si face lu cunto cu la penne,
L'aine ninnu cu quidde granne,
Ca diaulo aggia venne?
VII
Nge vurrie nu catacuosto,
Nge vurrie na. migliera,
Na migliera nge vurrie
Pe mangià ndo na piattedda,
Tutt'e duie 'n armonia.
Ie me sewo tuosto tuosto,
Iedde com'a na quarera,
O ca se si la pigliarrie
Lu diaulo sta wagnedda
Ie starrie 'n allegria.
VIII
Bedde figliole nu sciate chiù a leune,
Ciafarielle s'è date ncampagna:
La scoppetta caricata d'atregna,
Bedde figliole nu sciate chiù a leune.
816 ALFONSO DE SALVIO
IX
A.-Buongiorno cummara, come ti la passe?
B. E ce bo' iesse. cummara mia, ne ncielo e manquo nterre, ce ti pozze
parlà, nu pozze fa lu sfoco mie. Iè quidde dulore ca m'accede chiano
chiano, e nu mi passe; mi potene adaccià a picca a picca, ie pozze
murì e quidde dulore iè sempe vive e mi daie pen' amare. Pover 'a me.
Meglio ca nunge fosse maie venuta a ru munno.
A.-Be, nge vo' la pacienza, bene mia; tu lu suai ca senza la pacienza
a nudda si pruvvene. E Gesu Cresto e la Madonna t'anne saudì e aiutà
chiano chiano e t'anne dà quedde cunsulazione c'aspiette. Le grazie
nu benene tutte na vota, e certe vote venene quannu nunne lu credime.
B.-O ca ti pozza sereve l'angelo mmocca e ca l'anime de lu Purgatorio
preghessene sempe pe te, cummara mia, te l'aggia dece proprio, ogne
vota ca ti vewo tu mi daie nu sullievo; e come te lu pozze renne iene:
te lu renne Dio, quant' aiuto mi daie a me ca stawe ndo le pene amare,
ndo nu fuoque ardente; tu sola anguna vota ca trase e mi puorte mo la
cestaredde de fiche e mo lu panariedde de pere, e mo n'ata cosa e mi
dice quedde bedde parulecchie, tu sullieve ogne bota n'anema da lu
mbierne, e Dio, ca Dio ng'è, e pe fede nun si perde maie, Dio t'ave
pruvvisto de lu bene e ti pozza sempe pruvvede.
A.-Ie lu suacce ca mi vuo' bene e quannu iesquo da la casa mia nummene
pozze passà a aggia trasì a vedè come te la passe e ce face. Ie
t'agge sempe purtate ammore e sempe tenne porte, e se Dio vole, tu aie
sta chiù cuntente e chiù meglie de me. Be, ie menne vawe e tu nun
t'annammarà; statt' allegra, suai come
STUDIES IN THE DIALECT OF BASILICATA 817
dicie na femine: pezzient' allegre peduccie a branche.
B.-Ca proprio, we, puozze sta bona: pezzien' allegre, Dio l'aiute.
A.-Hu, e accussì ti voglie. Sapissi quanta n'agge passate ie: e tu
pure aie piglià lu curagge come na briganda e ie suacce ca nun t'ave
mancà. Statte bona, cummara mia, ie menne vawe fora, la vi la
zapparedde. Si dece: la fatica leva l'omene da lu vizio. Ie fazze
pure l'omene quannu nge vo'. Nun mi chiamà saccente.
B.-Quesse cose, la lenguzze mia, nun sia maie! Pigliame lu munnu come
vene e facime la vuluntade di Dio.
A.-Nun ti fa male patì.
X
GLOSSARY
Words which differ most from modern Italian.
Abbafà <*ad-babare; Neap. ab- maccare carne o pestare
bafare; It. bava, trafelare. lardo.
Abbaffà <*ad-badiare; abbaiare. Addafora, fuori.
Abbilà < It. bile; inquietare. Addonà < *adunare, Neap. addo-
Abbuscà, buscare. nare; andare a vedere.
Accattà, Neap. accattare; com- Adersce < *ad-directiare, drizzare,
perare. sollevare.
Accede, uccidere. Agruno, Neap. agrumma (limo-
Acchià < afflare, Neap. asciare; ni, cedri, etc.); It. agrume;
trovare. amaro.
Acchiantate < ad-plantare, sedu- Aguanne, Neap. aguanno; quest'
to. anno.
Accio, sedano. Allifà < allevare, Neap. allifare;
Accrianzate, Neap. accrianzato; azzimare.
costumato. Alluccà < ad-loqui, Neap. alluc-
Accussì, così. care; gridare.
Accuvià < *ad-cubare, nascondere. Ammagnone, spauracchio.
Asquasentera, found also in Ne- Ammoccià, Neap. ammucciare
apolitan, fonte battesimale. (tacere di mala voglia); na-
Addaccià, Neap. addacciare; am- scondere.
818 ALFONSO DE SALVIO
Amprone, balordo. Catosce, lucciola.
Anginaglie, anguinaia. Catuosce < *cata-ostium, pian
Anguna, alcuna. terreno.
Annammarà, It. inamarire (ob- Ce, che (interrogative and ex-
solete), intristire. clamative).
Appannà, It. appannare (offu- Cerme, It. cerme (obsolete)
scare); socchiudere. means tutto il capo; here it
Appaurà, Neap. appaurare; im- means cornicione.
paurire. Chianca, in Neap. it means bec-
Apprettà, Neap. apprettare; cheria; here it means lastra.
querelarsi. Chiascione < jacere, lenzuolo.
Appilà, Neap. appilare; tappare. Ci, chi (interrogative).
Arranchelenude, totalmente po- Ciarlasane, it is said of a per-
vero e ignudo. son who stands always erect
Asche < *asclam, also in Neap., and is unable to move freely.
scheggia. Cimica < cyma, testa, cervello.
Ate, altro. Cince, focaccia.
Atteveglie, pipistrello. Cingula, in Neap. it means fron-
Ca, in Neap. it means per- zolo; here it means ramo.
ciocchè; here perciocchè and Ciuccio, ciuco, asino.
also che, both relative pro- Civiedde < civis in illo; nessuno,
noun and conjunction. niente.
Cacaglie, Neap. cacaglio; scilin- Craie < cras, domani.
guato. Crewe, io credo.
Cacciafumo, cammino. Criduzze criduzze, lungo la spina
Calanca, in Italian it means dorsale.
seno di mare; here it means Crogne, conchiglia.
frana. Cuccemunnedda, Neap. coccia-
Camastra, catena per il focolare. vannella; cutrettola.
Campescia, un tratto di terreno Cuffiature, vaso di legno.
per pascolo. Cunsuprine, cugino in secondo
Cancariata, Neap. cancareata; grado.
paternale. Cuosto, fianco.
Cannarute, Neap. cannaruto; Curnale, corniolo.
goloso. Cuttinera < cutem negram, gon-
Capisciole, Neap. capesciola; na.
nastro. Dece, dire.
Carosa, il luogo dove si tosano Devacà < de vacare, Neap. deva-
le pecore. care; vuotare.
Carosielle, Neap. carosiello; sal- Diquo, io dico.
vadanaio. Driviglià < *de revigilare, sve-
Casorà, Neap. carosare; tosare. gliare.
Casutaro, deposito di cacio. Farinazze, farinata, polenta.
Catacuoste < *cata-costam, com- Fascetedde, Neap. fascetillo;
pagno. fascetto di legna.
STUDIES IN THE DIALECT OF BASILICATA 819
Filone, It. fellone; here, min- Mbarà, imparare.
chione. Mberucite, inferocito.
Frese, It. forese (contadino); Mbierno, inferno.
here, contadino impiegato a Mbortà, importare.
anno. Mbriache, ubbriaco.
Fricena, Neap. frecola; minuz- Melope, Neap. nveloppa; busta.
zolo. Mente-cuncta-posce < mente-cunc-
Fucazza, focaccia. tat-poscere; perdonami.
Fumiere, It. fumiere means Merque, Neap. merca; segno.
l’acido del letame; here, le- Mesaruolo, mesaiolo, che lavora
tame. a mese.
Garamedda, It. caramella; here, Mienza, in mezzo.
midolla. Miere, vino.
Gazale, mascella. Migliera, moglie.
Ghianà < *planare; Neap. nchia- Modde, molle.
nare; salire. Morra, Neap. mmorra; folla.
Ghette, treccia. Mpunteddà, puntellare.
Gruffulà, It. gruffolare (mangia- Mungiaturo, il luogo dove si
re in modo indecente come i munge.
porci; a more archaic mean- Murgia < *muricem; rupe.
ing is grugnire); here, rus- Musce, moscio, lento.
sare. Muzzico, morso.
Gualane, Neap. gualano (gar- Naca, culla.
zone di campagna); here co- Ncincilonne < in coelo coelorum,
lui che guarda animali vac- in alto.
cini. Ndo, dentro, nel.
Igli < ilia, fianchi. Necà < necare, annegare.
Jaccà < flaccare; Neap. sciaccare; Nfonne, Neap. nfonnere; ba-
rompere la testa. gnare.
Lammordo, di colore oscurro. Nfute < infultum, folto.
Latuorno, Neap. taluorno; fa- Ninnu, Neap. ninno; It. nini;
stidio, seccatura. vezzeggiativo dei bambini;
Lenguzza, lingua. giovine.
Lotano < Lotium; It. letame; here, Ntrace, It. antrace (obsolete);
stagno. carboncolo.
Leune, legna. Ommole < amphoram, brocca.
Lupegna, di lupo. Pantaschi, fianchi.
Luvà, levare. Papaglione, ripostiglio.
Manquo, nemmeno. Papusso, figura; perhaps con-
Manra, mandra. nected with Neap. papuscio
Mara < mala hora; mara me! (pianella).
povero me! Pennelare, ciglio.
Masciare < *magare, fattucchie- Pescera, peschiera, vivaio di
ro. pesci.
Mauro, all’ecesso. Picca or pic, poco.
820 ALFONSO DE SALVIO
Pigna, Neap., Pistojese ed altre aura); here, cesta di legno.
parti della Toscana; grap- Stiavucche, salvietta.
polo. Stintine, Neap. stentino; budello.
Pischione, pietra grande. Stizze, goccia.
Pitrosine, Neap. petrosino; vari- Suonno, tempia.
ous obsolete Italian forms Supala, siepe.
are: petrosello, petrosellino, Tanne, Neap. tanno; allora.
petrosemole; prezzemolo. Tatta, padre.
Poc, Neap. pocca; allora, poichè. Tempe, rialto.
Presiente, regalo. Terza, di -------, ier l’altro.
Quarera, querela; hence, uggioso Tizzone, tizzo.
Rampogna, in Italian it means Tomo, lento.
rimprovero; here, metafora. Tonza, vasca.
Revetale, rovo. Toste, f. pl. of tuosto, duro.
Rizzulo, orciuolo. Trasì, entrare.
Rommole, sasso. Uffile, Neap. uffa; anca.
Rumà, It. rumare (obsolete), ru- Uomele, morbido.
minare. Useme, Neap. uosemo; fiuto.
Rumate, letame. Vade, guado, entrata.
Ruocchio, rocchio. Vantera, grembuile.
Sarcene, virgulto di legno. Vitranedde, vaiuolo.
Scannapoddice, rovo. Wagnedda, fanciulla.
Scarature, pettine. Wagnone, Neap. guaglione; fan-
Schitte, It. schietto; here, solo. ciullo, giovanotto.
Sciummute, gobbo. Wulisce, Neap. golio; desiderio.
Scunzà, Neap. sconcecare; di- Zagaredde, Neap. zagarella; na-
sturbare, guastare. stro.
Sembe, sempre. Zanche, zanna.
Serra, Neap. and archaic It.; Zenca, Neap. zenna; poco.
sega. Zilona, tartaruga.
Spranzone, vagabondo. Zoca, fune.
Stare, Neap. staro (antica mi-
Italian povero mi! is expressed in various ways: travaglie mie
(Corleto); sciglie mie (Laurenzana); scante mie (Montemurro);
trimintone mia (Guardia); tasse nui (Viggiano).
Un morso di pane becomes: nu murso di puane; nu muzzico di puane;
na zenca di puane; nu vuccone di puanne.
Nu rusce e nu musce, Italian non è buono a nulla.
Ausce di chiazza e trivole di casa, Italian gioia di piazza e
tribolo di casa.
La catena di lu cuodde, Italian la nuca.
La tabacchera di lu scinucchie, Italian la rotella del ginocchio.
Lu pesce di la gamma, Italian polpaccio.
La chianta di la mano, Italian la palma della mano.
ALFONSO DE SALVIO.
Lucanians
The people of Basilicata are called Lucanians since their region used
to be called Lucania in Roman times.
Italo Talia wrote about their language: "The same Basilicata dialects
distinguish themselves from those of Campania and Puglia by a more
accentuated conservation of archaic residues: in the Potenza
territory the long Norman, Swabian and Angevin dominations, have
barely grazed the Latin lexical patrimony, and in the Matera
territory the Greek-classical heritage is more evident than the
Byzantine (Talia, 1976, p. 146).
Below are some Lucanian words I found from various internet sources:
Lucano Italiano English Fonte/Source
------ -------- ------- ------------
a la alla to the userhome.brooklyn.cuny.edu/bonaffini/DP/nigro.htm
abbasce abbasso down (with) "Studies in the Dialect of Basilicata" by Alfonso de Salvio
abbilì avvilire to discourage "Studies in the Dialect of Basilicata" by Alfonso de Salvio
accatta' comprare to buy www.powernet.it/gingen/dialetto.htm
accede uccidere to kill "Studies in the Dialect of Basilicata" by Alfonso de Salvio
accessì così thus, so userhome.brooklyn.cuny.edu/bonaffini/DP/nigro.htm
accio sedano celery www.powernet.it/gingen/dialetto.htm
adda gallo rooster userhome.brooklyn.cuny.edu/bonaffini/DP/nigro.htm
addi'na gallina hen www.powernet.it/gingen/dialetto.htm
addo'nga allungare to extend www.powernet.it/gingen/dialetto.htm
addu'ce galletto cockerel www.powernet.it/gingen/dialetto.htm
agli aglio garlic www.powernet.it/gingen/dialetto.htm
aine agnello lamb www.powernet.it/gingen/dialetto.htm
alice acciuga anchovy www.memex.it/premio/Blasi2.htm
amme'sca mescolare to mix www.powernet.it/gingen/dialetto.htm
ammudda' ammollare to soften www.powernet.it/gingen/dialetto.htm
ammunna' sbucciare to peel www.powernet.it/gingen/dialetto.htm
ani'edde anello ring www.powernet.it/gingen/dialetto.htm
arracarsi trascinarsi drag, pull www.memex.it/premio/Blasi2.htm
arravuoglia'nne ravvolgere to wind www.powernet.it/gingen/dialetto.htm
arreffredda' raffreddare cooling www.powernet.it/gingen/dialetto.htm
arrusula' rosolare brown www.powernet.it/gingen/dialetto.htm
asceni chicchi grains www.powernet.it/gingen/dialetto.htm
asciutta' asciugare to dry www.powernet.it/gingen/dialetto.htm
assaie abbondante abundant www.powernet.it/gingen/dialetto.htm
aulive oliva olive www.powernet.it/gingen/dialetto.htm
bacce vacche cows www.memex.it/premio/Blasi2.htm
bastonciedde bastoncini canes www.powernet.it/gingen/dialetto.htm
bracciale bracciante workman, laborer www.memex.it/premio/Blasi2.htm
brascioledde involtini bundle www.powernet.it/gingen/dialetto.htm
brore brodo broth www.powernet.it/gingen/dialetto.htm
bucchiere bicchiere glass www.powernet.it/gingen/dialetto.htm
buoglie bollire to boil www.powernet.it/gingen/dialetto.htm
buoie bue ox www.powernet.it/gingen/dialetto.htm
ca che that userhome.brooklyn.cuny.edu/bonaffini/DP/nigro.htm
cajnata cognata known www.memex.it/premio/Blasi2.htm
cannele candele candles www.basilicata.cc/artistilucani/mazzeo/etnograf/06.htm
capa testa head www.memex.it/premio/Blasi2.htm
carn carne meat www.basilicata.cc/artistilucani/mazzeo/etnograf/06.htm
carosa tosatura shearing, clipping www.memex.it/premio/Blasi2.htm
casce formaggio cheese www.powernet.it/gingen/dialetto.htm
casorà tosare to shear/to clip "Studies in the Dialect of Basilicata" by Alfonso de Salvio
castidd castello castle userhome.brooklyn.cuny.edu/bonaffini/DP/nigro.htm
cavra calda warm www.powernet.it/gingen/dialetto.htm
cavra-cavra caldissima hot www.powernet.it/gingen/dialetto.htm
cchiù più more userhome.brooklyn.cuny.edu/bonaffini/DP/nigro.htm
cerasu ciliegio cherry tree www.memex.it/premio/Blasi2.htm
cevodda cipolla onion www.powernet.it/gingen/dialetto.htm
chiane piano slowly userhome.brooklyn.cuny.edu/bonaffini/DP/nigro.htm
chiang macelleria butcher shop www.powernet.it/gingen/dialetto.htm
chianghèr macellaio butcher www.powernet.it/gingen/dialetto.htm
chiatrare gelare to freeze www.memex.it/premio/Blasi2.htm
chiazz piazza plaza, square userhome.brooklyn.cuny.edu/bonaffini/DP/nigro.htm
chien pieno full www.powernet.it/gingen/dialetto.htm
chiove piove rain www.basilicata.cc/artistilucani/mazzeo/etnograf/06.htm
ciammotta verdure fritte fried vegetables www.powernet.it/gingen/dialetto.htm
ciampa zampa paw userhome.brooklyn.cuny.edu/bonaffini/DP/nigro.htm
cifaricchio peperoncino chili www.powernet.it/gingen/dialetto.htm
cignato inaugurato inaugurated www.memex.it/premio/Blasi2.htm
ciota, ciuota sciocca silly, foolish www.memex.it/premio/Blasi2.htm
cirasedda peperoncino chili pepper both www.memex.it/premio/Blasi2.htm & www.powernet.it/gingen/dialetto.htm
ciuccio asino ass, donkey www.memex.it/premio/Blasi2.htm
ciucculata cioccolata chocolate www.powernet.it/gingen/dialetto.htm
cocozza zucca pumpkin www.memex.it/premio/Blasi2.htm
congiare condire season www.powernet.it/gingen/dialetto.htm
coppola berretto cap, beret www.memex.it/premio/Blasi2.htm
corie cotiche pigskins www.powernet.it/gingen/dialetto.htm
crai/craie domani tomorrow www.powernet.it/gingen/dialetto.htm
craj ieri yesterday www.memex.it/premio/Blasi2.htm - I think this is incorrect
creature bambini babies www.memex.it/premio/Blasi2.htm
crocco forchettone big fork www.powernet.it/gingen/dialetto.htm
crure crudo raw www.powernet.it/gingen/dialetto.htm
cu con with userhome.brooklyn.cuny.edu/bonaffini/DP/nigro.htm
cuane cane dog "Studies in the Dialect of Basilicata" by Alfonso de Salvio
cuanniliere candeliere candle stick "Studies in the Dialect of Basilicata" by Alfonso de Salvio
cucchiare cucchiaio spoon www.powernet.it/gingen/dialetto.htm
cucuzziedde zucchina Italian squash www.powernet.it/gingen/dialetto.htm
cunc maccheroni spaghetti www.powernet.it/gingen/dialetto.htm
cungia condire season www.powernet.it/gingen/dialetto.htm
cunserva concentrato di pomodoro assembled of tomato www.powernet.it/gingen/dialetto.htm
cuo'gliere cogliere gather www.powernet.it/gingen/dialetto.htm
cuosce cuocere cook www.powernet.it/gingen/dialetto.htm
curreshia cinghia belt www.powernet.it/gingen/dialetto.htm
curtiedd coltello knife www.powernet.it/gingen/dialetto.htm; www.basilicata.cc/artistilucani/mazzeo/etnograf/06.htm
curu quel that userhome.brooklyn.cuny.edu/bonaffini/DP/nigro.htm
cuverchie coperchio cook www.powernet.it/gingen/dialetto.htm
d di of userhome.brooklyn.cuny.edu/bonaffini/DP/nigro.htm
d l' dell' of the userhome.brooklyn.cuny.edu/bonaffini/DP/nigro.htm
d lu del of the (masculine singular) userhome.brooklyn.cuny.edu/bonaffini/DP/nigro.htm
da la dalla from the userhome.brooklyn.cuny.edu/bonaffini/DP/nigro.htm
damm portati carry (2nd person singular) www.basilicata.cc/artistilucani/mazzeo/etnograf/06.htm
dann errore crime, error? userhome.brooklyn.cuny.edu/bonaffini/DP/nigro.htm
darde lardo lard www.powernet.it/gingen/dialetto.htm
diaulo diavolo devil "Studies in the Dialect of Basilicata" by Alfonso de Salvio
diavulicchi peperoncino rosso red peperoncino www.powernet.it/gingen/dialetto.htm
dieva' togliere to remove www.powernet.it/gingen/dialetto.htm
dimenica domenica Sunday "Studies in the Dialect of Basilicata" by Alfonso de Salvio
doie due two www.powernet.it/gingen/dialetto.htm
donghi lunghi long www.powernet.it/gingen/dialetto.htm
d'u del of the (masculine singular) userhome.brooklyn.cuny.edu/bonaffini/DP/nigro.htm
duce dolce sweet "Studies in the Dialect of Basilicata" by Alfonso de Salvio
ebbiva evviva long live... "Studies in the Dialect of Basilicata" by Alfonso de Salvio
faceme facciamo we make, we do userhome.brooklyn.cuny.edu/bonaffini/DP/nigro.htm
fagliare sbagliare to make a mistake www.memex.it/premio/Blasi2.htm
fasuli fagioli beans www.powernet.it/gingen/dialetto.htm
fasuline fagiolini string beans www.powernet.it/gingen/dialetto.htm
fazz faccio I make, I do userhome.brooklyn.cuny.edu/bonaffini/DP/nigro.htm
fedda fetta slice www.powernet.it/gingen/dialetto.htm
fe'ghete fegato liver www.powernet.it/gingen/dialetto.htm
fenz recinzione fence www.powernet.it/gingen/dialetto.htm
fiche fichi fig trees www.memex.it/premio/Blasi2.htm
fierre ferro iron "Studies in the Dialect of Basilicata" by Alfonso de Salvio
fonge funghi mushrooms www.powernet.it/gingen/dialetto.htm
forcina forchetta fork www.powernet.it/gingen/dialetto.htm
frà fratello brother www.memex.it/premio/Blasi2.htm
fraate fratello brother www.powernet.it/gingen/dialetto.htm
fravole fragola strawberry "Studies in the Dialect of Basilicata" by Alfonso de Salvio
freve febbre fever userhome.brooklyn.cuny.edu/bonaffini/DP/nigro.htm & "Studies in the Dialect of Basilicata" by Alfonso de Salvio
frittil' ciccioli fried scraps of pork fat www.powernet.it/gingen/dialetto.htm
fronna foglia leaf www.powernet.it/gingen/dialetto.htm
fuo-o fuoco fire www.powernet.it/gingen/dialetto.htm
galiota galeotto galley slave, convict userhome.brooklyn.cuny.edu/bonaffini/DP/nigro.htm
gn'è c'è it is www.memex.it/premio/Blasi2.htm
iazz recinto railing www.powernet.it/gingen/dialetto.htm
ie io I userhome.brooklyn.cuny.edu/bonaffini/DP/nigro.htm
ie so io sono I am userhome.brooklyn.cuny.edu/bonaffini/DP/nigro.htm
ind li nei in the (masculine plural) userhome.brooklyn.cuny.edu/bonaffini/DP/nigro.htm
ind u nella in the (feminine singular) userhome.brooklyn.cuny.edu/bonaffini/DP/nigro.htm
iurne, iurn giorno day userhome.brooklyn.cuny.edu/bonaffini/DP/nigro.htm
iss lui him http://userhome.brooklyn.cuny.edu/bonaffini/DP/furtivelingue.htm
la la the (feminine singular) userhome.brooklyn.cuny.edu/bonaffini/DP/nigro.htm
laneatur matterello rolling pin www.powernet.it/gingen/dialetto.htm
Lavidd Lavello city in Basilicata www.basilicata.cc/artistilucani/mazzeo/etnograf/06.htm
lenguzza lingua tongue, language "Studies in the Dialect of Basilicata" by Alfonso de Salvio
li, i i the (masculine plural) userhome.brooklyn.cuny.edu/bonaffini/DP/nigro.htm
lione leone lion "Studies in the Dialect of Basilicata" by Alfonso de Salvio
luoque luogo place "Studies in the Dialect of Basilicata" by Alfonso de Salvio
lurd sporchi dirty userhome.brooklyn.cuny.edu/bonaffini/DP/nigro.htm
macarun maccheroni macaroni www.basilicata.cc/artistilucani/mazzeo/etnograf/06.htm
maccatur fazzoletto handkerchief www.powernet.it/gingen/dialetto.htm
magna' mangiare to eat www.powernet.it/gingen/dialetto.htm
marruche lumache snails www.powernet.it/gingen/dialetto.htm
matena mattina morning userhome.brooklyn.cuny.edu/bonaffini/DP/nigro.htm
mazzetie'dde mazzetti small bundles www.powernet.it/gingen/dialetto.htm
mbarà imparare to learn "Studies in the Dialect of Basilicata" by Alfonso de Salvio
mbierno inferno hell "Studies in the Dialect of Basilicata" by Alfonso de Salvio
mbriache ubbriaco drunk "Studies in the Dialect of Basilicata" by Alfonso de Salvio
melope busta envelope "Studies in the Dialect of Basilicata" by Alfonso de Salvio
menestra minestra soup www.powernet.it/gingen/dialetto.htm
menza meta' half www.powernet.it/gingen/dialetto.htm
miccole lenticchie lentils www.powernet.it/gingen/dialetto.htm
mièr vino wine www.powernet.it/gingen/dialetto.htm
migliera moglie wife "Studies in the Dialect of Basilicata" by Alfonso de Salvio
mo ora now userhome.brooklyn.cuny.edu/bonaffini/DP/nigro.htm
morra folla crowd "Studies in the Dialect of Basilicata" by Alfonso de Salvio
mùmmule vaso, orcio vase, jug, pitcher www.memex.it/premio/Blasi2.htm
muscate moscato muscat www.powernet.it/gingen/dialetto.htm
muscrun funghi fungus www.powernet.it/gingen/dialetto.htm
naca culla cradle "Studies in the Dialect of Basilicata" by Alfonso de Salvio
n'auta un'altra another http://userhome.brooklyn.cuny.edu/bonaffini/DP/furtivelingue.htm
'ndo dove where http://userhome.brooklyn.cuny.edu/bonaffini/DP/furtivelingue.htm
neglie nebbia o neve fog or snow www.basilicata.cc/artistilucani/mazzeo/etnograf/06.htm
neglia nebbia fog userhome.brooklyn.cuny.edu/bonaffini/DP/nigro.htm
ngasa in casa at home www.memex.it/premio/Blasi2.htm
nu uno one www.powernet.it/gingen/dialetto.htm
nuase naso nose "Studies in the Dialect of Basilicata" by Alfonso de Salvio
nzogna/nzonge strutto/sugna lard www.powernet.it/gingen/dialetto.htm & "Studies in the Dialect of Basilicata" by Alfonso de Salvio
osce oggi today http://userhome.brooklyn.cuny.edu/bonaffini/DP/furtivelingue.htm & "Studies in the Dialect of Basilicata" by Alfonso de Salvio
padde tuorli yolks www.powernet.it/gingen/dialetto.htm
pan panne bread www.basilicata.cc/artistilucani/mazzeo/etnograf/06.htm
pariedda padella frying pan www.powernet.it/gingen/dialetto.htm
paròcci bastone baguette www.powernet.it/gingen/dialetto.htm
partù partito gone www.memex.it/premio/Blasi2.htm
pecurine pecorino pecorino cheese www.powernet.it/gingen/dialetto.htm
pedde pelle skin "Studies in the Dialect of Basilicata" by Alfonso de Salvio
petrisi'ne prezzemolo parsley www.powernet.it/gingen/dialetto.htm
piccile piccolo small www.powernet.it/gingen/dialetto.htm
pillicci cafoni boors, peasants www.memex.it/premio/Blasi2.htm
pilo pelo hair "Studies in the Dialect of Basilicata" by Alfonso de Salvio
pittare dipingere paint, portray www.memex.it/premio/Blasi2.htm
pìzzeche pugno fist userhome.brooklyn.cuny.edu/bonaffini/DP/nigro.htm
prete pietra stone userhome.brooklyn.cuny.edu/bonaffini/DP/nigro.htm & "Studies in the Dialect of Basilicata" by Alfonso de Salvio
putìa io potevo I was able www.memex.it/premio/Blasi2.htm
quatteà quattro four https://members.tripod.com/~rjschellen/SthItalianNums.htm
ri le the (feminine plural) userhome.brooklyn.cuny.edu/bonaffini/DP/nigro.htm
rùccòlo focaccia tart, bun www.memex.it/premio/Blasi2.htm
sauzzize salsiccia sausage "Studies in the Dialect of Basilicata" by Alfonso de Salvio
segge sedia chair www.basilicata.cc/artistilucani/mazzeo/etnograf/06.htm
sicrete segreto secret "Studies in the Dialect of Basilicata" by Alfonso de Salvio
so nu sono there are userhome.brooklyn.cuny.edu/bonaffini/DP/nigro.htm
spuntone angolo corner userhome.brooklyn.cuny.edu/bonaffini/DP/nigro.htm
ste queste this (feminine plural) userhome.brooklyn.cuny.edu/bonaffini/DP/nigro.htm
sti questi this (masculine plural) userhome.brooklyn.cuny.edu/bonaffini/DP/nigro.htm
strumble trottola (spinning) top www.memex.it/premio/Blasi2.htm
sturt storti crooked userhome.brooklyn.cuny.edu/bonaffini/DP/nigro.htm
suangue sangue blood "Studies in the Dialect of Basilicata" by Alfonso de Salvio
sunn sonno sleep userhome.brooklyn.cuny.edu/bonaffini/DP/nigro.htm
surde sordo deaf "Studies in the Dialect of Basilicata" by Alfonso de Salvio
tavìute bara coffin userhome.brooklyn.cuny.edu/bonaffini/DP/nigro.htm
tele tela cloth "Studies in the Dialect of Basilicata" by Alfonso de Salvio
tesse tessere to weave "Studies in the Dialect of Basilicata" by Alfonso de Salvio
tiretto cassetto drawer www.memex.it/premio/Blasi2.htm
titt/titte tetti roof-tops userhome.brooklyn.cuny.edu/bonaffini/DP/nigro.htm & "Studies in the Dialect of Basilicata" by Alfonso de Salvio
tuoppe altura height, high ground www.memex.it/premio/Blasi2.htm
tuorte torto wrong, fault "Studies in the Dialect of Basilicata" by Alfonso de Salvio
u il the (masculine singular) userhome.brooklyn.cuny.edu/bonaffini/DP/nigro.htm
ucchie occhi eyes userhome.brooklyn.cuny.edu/bonaffini/DP/nigro.htm
uind vente wind userhome.brooklyn.cuny.edu/bonaffini/DP/nigro.htm
urt orto vegetable garden userhome.brooklyn.cuny.edu/bonaffini/DP/nigro.htm
vaddone vallate valleys userhome.brooklyn.cuny.edu/bonaffini/DP/nigro.htm
varwa barba beard "Studies in the Dialect of Basilicata" by Alfonso de Salvio
vasce basso low "Studies in the Dialect of Basilicata" by Alfonso de Salvio
vence vincere to win "Studies in the Dialect of Basilicata" by Alfonso de Salvio
venne vendere to sell "Studies in the Dialect of Basilicata" by Alfonso de Salvio
vennerei venerdì Friday www.basilicata.cc/artistilucani/mazzeo/etnograf/06.htm
vocca, vocc bocca mouth userhome.brooklyn.cuny.edu/bonaffini/DP/nigro.htm & "Studies in the Dialect of Basilicata" by Alfonso de Salvio
voria boria arrogance, conceit "Studies in the Dialect of Basilicata" by Alfonso de Salvio
vosco bosco woods "Studies in the Dialect of Basilicata" by Alfonso de Salvio
vote giro I turn userhome.brooklyn.cuny.edu/bonaffini/DP/nigro.htm
vusk, vuschera boschi woods userhome.brooklyn.cuny.edu/bonaffini/DP/nigro.htm
vutà voltare to turn "Studies in the Dialect of Basilicata" by Alfonso de Salvio
zacqualo zotico rough, uncough www.memex.it/premio/Blasi2.htm
zi zio uncle www.basilicata.cc/artistilucani/mazzeo/etnograf/06.htm
zinne angolo, spigolo corner www.memex.it/premio/Blasi2.htm
zizza mammella breast, udder www.memex.it/premio/Blasi2.htm
Links
History of Rionero in Vulture, Basilicata: (in English)
Language of Rionero in Vulture, Basilicata: (in Rionerese, Italian, & English)
Language of San Fele, Basilicata: (in Sanfelese, Italian, & English)
Some Sanfelesi families: genealogical research
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