Griko dialect: The language of Southern Italy with Greek roots

A few kilometers away from Greece, in southern Italy, in the well-known Magna Grecia, the Griko or Greko dialect is spoken.

Despite the passage of time and the difficulties involved, this form of the Greek language remains alive. One of them is located at the southern tip of Calabria and is called Bovesia. The other is located in Puglia in Salento near the city of Lecce.

Griko people also known as Grecanici in southern Italy

There are two theories about the origin of the Griko dialect. The first (Morosi and other Italian linguists) argues that the dialect originates from the language of the Byzantine settlers of the 9th century who settled in southern Italy.

Southern Italy in 1000 AD (Byzantine territory in yellow).

The second theory (Gerhard Rohlfs and other Greek linguists, such as Hadjidakis) says that the roots of the dialect are much earlier, namely during the colonization of southern Italy in the 8th century BC, and that its development was fostered simply by its arrival during the Byzantine era, but also later by Greek monks and other exiles. The second explanation seems to be the most accurate, as it justifies the many different forms that still exist today in the dialect.

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Map of Greek settlements in Italy in antiquity and Greek dialects

However, there are dialectical differences from village to village and between the Greek dialects spoken in the Puglia region and those of Calabria.

Griko area: speaking with locals in Sternatia (Apulia)

The latter have retained more foreign influences, but at the same time they manage to maintain several archaisms compared to the former. In any case, the distance of the Greek colonies from the Greek motherland has undoubtedly meant that the Griko dialect has preserved several archaisms. Also, because of its contact with the Italian language, it has adopted some elements from it.

Kalinifta - griko song of Salento - Magna Graecia

In 1999 the Italian Parliament recognized the Greek-speaking population of Southern Italy as a Greek national and linguistic minority. However, it is worth mentioning that the Greeks of Southern Italy were naturalized as Italian citizens with an Italian national consciousness.

Today the Griko or Greko dialect is unfortunately threatened with extinction, as its speakers are now significantly reduced. Moreover, due to the lower economic growth in the region, they are migrating either to Northern Italy or to the rest of Europe and the world.

The Greko Language of Calabria, Italy - Salvatore Siviglia:

As a result, the environments in which the dialect is used are becoming increasingly few. In fact, the speakers of the Greek dialect in the region of Calabria use the dialect only within the family. In recent years, however, considerable efforts have been made to increase the prestige of the dialect. These efforts concern its promotion either through tourism and culture or even through teaching in schools.

Griko Latin alphabet

Notes

The Latin alphabet for Griko is based on Italian.

Q (cu), w (vi/vu dípla), x (ics) and y (ípsilon) are only used in foreign words and names.

G = [dʒ] before e and i, [g] elsewhere.

Gh = [g] before e and i, [γ] elsewhere.

Kh = [x] before e and i, [ç] elsewhere.

Griko Greek alphabet

Notes

Ξ and ψ are only used in Greek words and names.

γ = [j] before ε, η, ι, οι, and υ, [ɣ] elsewhere.

χ = [ç] before ε, η, ι, οι, and υ, [x] elsewhere.

ΓΚ (gk) appears to be another way to represent the sound /g/, as in Γκρίκο (Griko).

Sample text in the Latin alphabet

Evò pànta sè sèna pensèo, jatì sèna fsikhì mou gapó, cè pù pào, pù sìrno, pù stèo stìn kardìa, mu pànta sèna vastò.

Sample text in the Greek alphabet

Ἐβὼ πάντα σὲ σένα πενσέω, γιατὶ σένα φσυχή μου γαπῶ, κ́αὶ ποῦ πάω, ποῦ σύρνω, ποῦ στέω στὴν καρδία, μου πάντα σένα βαστῶ.

Translation (Good night)

I always think of you because I love you, my soul, and wherever I go, wherever I drag myself into, wherever I stay, inside my heart I always hold you.