Italian Dialects and the Languages of Italy

Arriving in Naples and ordering a pizza in perfect Italian is perfectly acceptable. However, to truly amaze those around you, try ordering a local dish such as octopus in broth, and do it in the Neapolitan language: o’ bror’ e purp’.

This guide will cover key points for visitors to Italy, highlight several languages (often called dialects) you might encounter, and provide a selection of Sicilian and Neapolitan phrases useful for your travels in those regions.

What Learners Should Know About the Many Languages of Italy

According to Ethnologue's tally, Italy has 28 indigenous languages and six non-indigenous ones.

That's correct, these are recognized as languages, not merely dialects. However, it's common for Italians to refer to Neapolitan and others as "i dialetti," a label many linguists consider misleading.

Using the word "dialects" suggests these forms of speech are not formally written or taught, often leading to the perception that they are inferior to "real languages."

The difference between dialects and languages

So, what truly separates a language from a dialect? In practical terms, the distinction is not clear-cut.

The term "dialect" often carries more political weight than linguistic meaning. It indicates which languages—and by extension, their speakers—are officially recognized and supported by a government or society.

While many linguists steer clear of this debate, when a distinction is made, it usually revolves around mutual intelligibility, a concept that is itself complex and subjective.

Even by that measure, the languages of Italy stand as full languages. For instance, a Sardinian speaker understands Friulian to a similar extent that a French speaker understands Spanish.

They share Latin roots, and speakers might grasp basic ideas in certain contexts. However, significant differences in grammar and vocabulary often lead to considerable misunderstandings.

Languages spoken in Italy

The majority of Italy's languages are Romance languages, meaning they evolved directly from Common Latin, parallel to Italian (similar to French, Spanish, and Portuguese). They did not develop from Italian itself.

Italy is also home to non-Romance languages, including some from the Slavic, Germanic, and Albanian language families.

Certain European Romance languages, including Italian, gained prominence due to factors like royal patronage and political influence, leading to their standardization in writing and education.

In contrast, many others remained largely oral—but from a grammatical or linguistic standpoint, Italian holds no inherent superiority over Neapolitan.

The fluidity of languages

Without the formal structure provided by education and written standards, drawing clear boundaries between languages can be difficult and often contentious.

For example, on a journey through southern Italy, where exactly does Neapolitan stop and Calabrian begin? And where does Calabrian transition into Sicilian? While people may have strong opinions on these matters, a universal agreement is rare.

In reality, a linguistic continuum exists, with each town and even family possessing its own unique version. The absence of formal standardization means that as a learner, you will likely encounter multiple variations of what locals consider "correct."

But in many ways, that is part of the adventure.

The 5 Main Italian Dialects

While listing every single language spoken in Italy isn't feasible here, the following are some of the more notable and interesting ones for a traveler to know.

It's important to note that all of these can vary significantly in grammar and vocabulary from one town to another, or even between neighborhoods.

Neapolitan

This language, in its various forms, is spoken throughout much of southern Italy.

Due to historical Spanish influence in the region, the language contains numerous Spanish loanwords that might be recognizable to some visitors.

Sicilian

This is spoken, in its different varieties, on the island of Sicily. A variant also exists in the southern part of Calabria.

Friulian

This language is spoken in the northeastern region of Friuli.

Catalan

The language of Barcelona is spoken in Alghero, Sardinia, which was once part of the Catalan domain.

In my view, it shares a notable degree of mutual intelligibility with Occitan, which is still spoken to some extent in Italy's northwest.

Sardinian

Spoken across the central and southern areas of Sardinia.

A Smidge of Neapolitan for Foreigners

Learning Neapolitan is enjoyable because it is still widely and proudly used, including by younger generations.

Here are a few phrases I find useful. Be aware that spelling can vary.

Jamm checazz’. — We’re doing great, things are going swimmingly (typically used sarcastically).

Azz! — This is related to the Italian word "cazzo" and is a common exclamation expressing surprise, frustration, or excitement.

Nun sacc’ niente. — I know nothing. (It's always useful to know a humble phrase to express defeat in any language.)

Liev’t a miezz’! — Get out of the middle! (A common shout on the chaotic and intense streets of Naples.)

A Dash of Sicilian for Foreigners

Sicilian is similarly enjoyable to learn and use, and it varies considerably across the island. Its spelling is also not standardized.

Auguri e figghi masculi! — Congratulations, and may you have male children! (This traditional wedding toast is now used in a variety of celebratory contexts.)

Avà! — Really! (Used to express surprise.)

Paninu ca meusa. — Sandwich with spleen. (A local delicacy not to be missed! If you visit Palermo, try it at the port.)

How to Learn Italian Dialects

The phrases above are meant to give you a sample of interesting local expressions from different parts of the country. Want to learn more? Here are additional tips for exploring the languages and dialects of Italy.

• You can expand your knowledge by asking local people, particularly older generations who often have a stronger command of these languages. Why not learn directly from the source?
• For some languages, like Neapolitan and Sicilian, bilingual dictionaries in Italian are available. With some luck, you might find resources for others as well.
• If you already have a basic understanding, learning guides can be somewhat helpful (such as those found on Omniglot and I love Sicilies for Sicilian). These are generally aimed at Italians who heard the language from their grandparents and may be less effective if you're starting from scratch.
• You can also practice listening to various Italian dialects with authentic Italian videos on the Lingflix language learning program. If you find the pronunciation or speed challenging, you can turn on interactive captions in Italian or English (or both) while watching. Lingflix transforms real-world videos—like music videos, movie trailers, news, and inspiring talks—into personalized language lessons. You can try Lingflix for free for 2 weeks. Check out the website or download the iOS app or Android app. P.S. Click here to take advantage of our current sale! (Expires at the end of this month.)
• A more effective approach is to search for online classes on italki and find teachers who originate from the regions you're interested in. I've successfully used this method to find instructors for both Neapolitan and Sicilian.

Cultural Etiquette and Considerations

One crucial point to remember as you learn various Italian dialects is that very few people, including Italians, make a dedicated effort to do so. While many will find it amusing and charming, in some situations, your attempts might unintentionally cause offense.

For instance, some older locals in places like Bari might feel self-conscious about speaking what they perceive as an outdated or provincial "dialect." Your attempt to use it could be misinterpreted as mockery, regardless of your good intentions.

Another piece of advice: Move beyond just learning curse words! I know it's tempting, but there is a wealth of other valuable vocabulary.

When I start with a new language, I always try to learn words and phrases that offer insight into cultural values, as well as the names of local dishes. These are ultimately more rewarding and practical.

However you decide to proceed, remember to enjoy the process. The lack of rigid rules means that no one can definitively claim what is "correct" for most of these languages.

Whether your goal is to learn a few handy phrases or to achieve fluency for deeper connections, you'll find that exploring any of these Italian dialects is a worthwhile endeavor.