Sicilian language facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Sicilian |
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| Sicilianu | ||||
| Native to | Sicily, Calabria (Central and Southern), Campania (Cilento), Apulia (Salento, Lecce), Malta | |||
| Native speakers | 6.8 million (2010) | |||
| Language family | ||||
| Linguasphere | 51-AAA-re & -rf (mainland 51-AAA-rc & -rd) | |||
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The Sicilian language (called lu sicilianu by its speakers) is a special language. It is mainly spoken on the island of Sicily and in central Calabria, both regions in Italy. Many people who live in Sicily speak it. Also, many Sicilians who have moved to other countries still speak it.
About 6.8 million people speak Sicilian. It has different forms, sometimes called "stocks," like Sicilian, Calabro-Sicilian, and Salentinu.
Sicilian is different from the standard Italian language. It has been shaped by many years of different cultures influencing Sicily. Some people in Italy think Sicilian is just a type of Italian. However, many Sicilians believe their language is truly separate and unique.
Contents
What is the Sicilian Language?
The Sicilian language is a Romance language. This means it comes from Latin, just like Italian, Spanish, and French. However, Sicilian has its own history and sounds. Over time, many different groups of people lived in Sicily. These groups included Greeks, Arabs, Normans, and Spanish people. Each group left some words and influences on the Sicilian language.
Where is Sicilian Spoken?
Sicilian is spoken in several places. The main place is the island of Sicily. It is also spoken in parts of Calabria, which is a region in southern Italy. You can also hear it in some areas of Apulia, especially in a region called Salento. Even in Malta, a country near Sicily, the Maltese language has some Sicilian influences.
How is Sicilian Different from Italian?
Even though Sicilian and Italian both come from Latin, they are not the same. They have different words, grammar, and sounds. Imagine two cousins: they share a family, but they have their own personalities. Sicilian has many words that come from Arabic, Greek, and Spanish. These words are not found in standard Italian. For example, the word for "beautiful" in Italian is bello, but in Sicilian, it can be beddu.
Schools, television, and radio in Italy mostly use standard Italian. This has made it harder for Sicilian to be used everywhere. But many people in Sicily are proud of their language and want to keep it alive.
Pictures of Sicilian
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A sign in Sicilian at Santo Stefano di Camastra, Messina.
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An 1196 picture showing different scribes (people who write) for the different groups in the Kingdom of Sicily.
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How stressed vowels changed from Latin to Sicilian.
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Minchia: graffiti in Turin, January 2017.
See also
In Spanish: Idioma siciliano para niños
