Parri Sicilianu? Voi mparari lu Sicilianu? Do you speak Sicilian? do you want to learn Sicilian?
As a minority language, la lingua Siciliana is its own unique language detached from standard Italian because Sicilian didn't evolve from Italian but with Italian, a romance language in and of itself, Sicilian was the language of poets and writers like Dante who wrote "First let us turn our attention to the language of Sicily, since the Sicilian vernacular seems to hold itself in higher regard than any other, because all the poetry written by the Italians is called "Sicilian"...
— Dante Alighieri, De Vulgari Eloquentia, Lib. I, XII, 2
Sicilian today was standardized in the 19th century by Vincenzo Mortillaro who published a comprehensive dictionary of the Sicilian language to capture the language of Sicily and Guiseppe Pitre, who published Grammatica Siciliana in 1875, in the 20th century, Gaetano Cipolla published the Learn Sicilian series and finally, the 5 series Vocabolario Siciliano, a lexicon created by Giorgio Piccitto, Salvatore Tropea and Salvatore Carmelo Trovato. Arba Sicula publishes a journal and their website is full of guides to help capture the Sicilian language.
We can break down these influences in a brief history of Sicily.
Sicily: A Tapestry of History, Culture, and Influence.
Sicily, the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea, boasts a rich and diverse history that spans millennia. From the ancient Greeks and Romans to the Arab conquests and Norman rule, Sicily has been a melting pot of civilizations, each leaving an indelible mark on its culture, architecture, and identity. This article delves briefly into the captivating history of Sicily, tracing its journey through time and exploring the interplay of various cultures that have shaped its unique character.
The ancient Roots.
The history of Sicily dates back to ancient times, with evidence of human settlement on the island dating as far back as the Neolithic period. However, it was the Phoenicians who established some of the earliest known colonies on Sicilian soil around the 8th century BCE. These trading outposts laid the foundation for the island's future as a strategic hub for commerce and cultural exchange. The earliest known inhabitants of the island are the Sicels for which the island is named after, the Elymians and the Sicanians. The Sicels are thought to have migrated to the island from mainland Italy, possibly from the Amalfi coast or Calabria across the strait of Messina around the second millennium BCE. The Elymians are thought to have migrated to Sicily from one of the Aegean islands, south-central Anatolia or Calabria, the Sicanians are believed to have migrated to Sicily from the eastern Spanish coast around, Castellon, Cuenca, Valencia and Alicante, the Sicanians ar believed to be the oldest inhabitants of Sicily.
Greek Influence.
The most significant chapter in Sicily's ancient history began with the arrival of Greek settlers in the 8th century BCE. They founded a series of powerful city-states, including Syracuse, Agrigento, and Selinunte, which flourished as centers of Greek civilization in the western Mediterranean. Sicily's Greek period witnessed remarkable advancements in art, architecture, philosophy, and governance, leaving a lasting legacy that can still be seen in its archaeological sites and cultural traditions. The Greeks are thought to be the originators of the Trincria flag to show their allegiance to Sicily over Greece.
Roman Conquest.
In the 3rd century BCE, Sicily fell under Roman domination after a series of wars between the burgeoning Roman Republic and the Greek city-states. The island became a key Roman province, prized for its fertile land and strategic location. Roman rule brought about significant changes, including the spread of Latin culture, the development of infrastructure, and the integration of Sicily into the wider Roman Empire.
Byzantine Era.
Following the fall of the Western Roman Empire in the 5th century CE, Sicily came under the rule of the Byzantine Empire. This period saw the spread of Christianity and the construction of numerous churches and monasteries, many of which still stand as architectural marvels today. Byzantine influence left an enduring imprint on Sicilian art, language, and religious practices.
Arab Conquests.
One of the most transformative periods in Sicily's history occurred with the Arab conquests of the 9th century CE. Muslim forces from North Africa invaded the island, introducing new agricultural techniques, scientific knowledge, and architectural styles. The Arab rule of Sicily, known as the Emirate of Sicily, ushered in a golden age of prosperity and cultural exchange, as Muslims, Christians, and Jews coexisted and contributed to Sicilian society.
Norman Rule and the Kingdom of Sicily.
In the 11th century CE, Sicily came under Norman control following the conquests of Roger I of Sicily. The Normans, originally of Viking descent, established the Kingdom of Sicily, which encompassed not only the island but also parts of southern Italy and Malta. Under Norman rule, Sicily experienced a period of relative stability and prosperity, characterized by the coexistence of Latin, Greek, Arabic, and Norman cultures. This era saw the construction of magnificent cathedrals, palaces, and castles, blending various architectural styles into a unique Sicilian aesthetic.
Later History.
Over the centuries, Sicily would pass through the hands of various rulers, including the Hohenstaufen dynasty, the Angevins, the Aragonese, and the Spanish Habsburgs. Each successive wave of conquest and colonization added new layers to Sicily's cultural mosaic, shaping its identity as a crossroads of civilizations.
Modern Era.
In the 19th century, Sicily became part of the newly unified Kingdom of Italy, marking the end of centuries of foreign domination. However, the island continued to face challenges such as poverty, political unrest, and organized crime, exemplified by the infamous Sicilian Mafia. Despite these difficulties, Sicily has emerged as a vibrant region with a rich cultural heritage, attracting tourists from around the world to explore its archaeological sites, picturesque landscapes, and culinary delights.
The history of Sicily is a testament to the enduring resilience of its people and the dynamic interplay of diverse cultures throughout the ages. From its ancient Greek and Roman roots to its Arab, Norman, and subsequent influences, Sicily has evolved into a captivating tapestry of history, culture, and influence. Today, as a region of Italy, Sicily continues to cherish its heritage while embracing the modern world, inviting visitors to immerse themselves in its storied past and vibrant present.
Many people say and think that Sicilian is just a dialect of Italian but that couldn't be further from the truth, if we look at Latin, Sicilian and Italian, we can see that Sicilian evolved from Latin and not Italian, take the word for apple for example, in Latin it's Pomum, in Sicilian it's Pumu and in Italian it's Mela, or the word for empty, the Latin spelling is Vacuus, the Sicilian spelling is Vacanti and the Italian spelling is Vuoto, the word above in Latin it Supra, in Sicilian it's also Supra but in Italian it's Sopra, the word for below in Latin, Subtus, in Sicilian it's Suttu and in Italian it's Sotto and even more evident is the verb to mean "to go", in Latin it's ire, in Sicilian is Jiri but Italian it's Andare, there are many other words to almost prove that Sicilian evolved from Latin, possibly even before Italian did, I'm no linguist and may be biased because i have Sicilian ancestry but clearly one can argue that Sicilian is a language independent from Italian.
The Sicilian vowels and how to pronounce then are A (ah), E (eh), I (ee), O (long oh), and U (pronounced like oo. The English sound of I as in eye is given by the combination of ai, Sicilian has a written J but it's a form of the letter i but pronounced like a y, take the verb Jiri "to go" for example, it is pronounced like YIH-RIH. The letter c if followed by the vowels A O or U is pronounced like the English K but if followed by i or e, it's pronounced like CH as in church or cheek. The double cc is pronounced like K, as is a C followed by a consonate like the word for what "chi" Kee. Likewise, the letter G if followed by a o or u is pronounced like the letter G in good, but if followed by i or e the g is pronounced like the letter J in English like we would say "George". The G sound at the beginning of words is usually swallowed, the letter G is silent if followed by the consonant I.
Here's some words and phrases to get started.
Ogni- each, every.
Nsufficienti- insufficient.
Ca- which, that. Pronounced like Ka.
N'antra- another.
Capaci- capable, able.
Dda- there/that. feminine
Ddi- those. plural.
Ddu- that. masculine.
Dilicatu- delicate, sensitive.
Basci- low. the Sci is pronounced like she.
Benvinutu- welcome.
Cca- here. Also pronounced like Ka.
Veni cca- come here. This is kind of slangish on the actual phrase which is viniti cca.
Pi Favuri- please.
Caiu or Salutamu- hi, hello. Pronounced the same as the Italian Caio (chow)
Bon Jornu- good day, good morning, pronounced like bon-yournoo
Bonasira- good evening.
È- it's and is.
Un/Na- a, "È na bedda jurnata"- it's a beatuful day.
La/ L'/il- the.
Nun sacciu/ Nun lu sacciu- i don't know.
Lu sacciu- i know.
Nun vogghiu- i don't want to.
Pozzu fari- i can do it.
Auitami!- help me!
Auitu- help.
La bona vita- the good life.
Si mi servi, pozzu auitari- if you need me, i can help
Unni e la bagnu? where is the bathroom?
Unni?- where?.
Chi?- what? or Chi cosa? Chi is pronounced like key
Chisti sunnu boni- these are good.
Quantu?- how much? as in cost or how many.
Unu, dui, tri, quattru, cincu, sei, setti, ottu, novi, deci, unnici, dudici, tredici,quatrordici, chinnici, setticentu, diciottu, diciannovi, venti- 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17,18,19,20.
Chi ura e?- what time is it?
Quannu e prontu?- when will it be ready?.
Quannu?- when?.
Manciari- eat.
Bonu pitittu- good appetite.
Veru- true.
nun parru Sicilianu o Talianu bonu- i don't speak Sicilian or Italian very well.
Aspettu ancora- i'm still waiting.
Mi piaci- i like it.
Mi piaci chissu- i like this/that.
Mi chiamu, E beddu canusciri a tia- my name is(your name), it's nice to meet you.
Sugnu filici- i'm happy.
Sugnu tristi- i'm sad.
Sugnu raggiata- i'm angry.
Chiudi la vucca/ Zittuti- shut your mouth/ shut up.
Poi dirimi unni sta stazioni di polizzia?- can you tell me where the police station is?.
Minchia- minchia has a few meanings which can be the same as the F- word "Cazzo" or "Fanculo" in Italian, it's actual meaning translates to meaning the male genital organ but Sicilians mostly use it as an exclamation of surprise, expressions of emotion like worry, excitement, contentment, fear, gratitude, joy, anger, etc.
Chi Cazzu- what the F***?
We will add more words and phrases periodically to build a bigger vocabulary and dictionary, to improve and keep the Sicilian language alive, allura putemu mparari lu Sicilianu(so we can learn Sicilian). Grazzi pi leggiri la Sicilia e la lingua Siciliana! Thanks for reading about Sicily and the Sicilian language!.