Italian is one of the most popular languages in the world, and its influence can be seen in many different languages. For example, Italian is the official language of Italy, and is also spoken in San Marino and Switzerland. Italian is known for its beautiful, poetic phrasing and its mellifluous sound. It is also one of the Romance languages, along with French, Spanish, Portuguese, and Romanian. Although Italian is a distinct language, there are many languages that are quite similar to it. If you are looking for a language that is close to Italian in terms of pronunciation, grammar, and vocabulary, then you may want to consider learning one of the following languages in year 2023.
Table of Contents
1. Sicilian
Sicilian is an Italian dialect spoken in Sicily, an island located off the southern coast of Italy. It is spoken by around five million people, and is the closest dialect to Italian. Sicilian is also mutually intelligible with Italian, meaning that Italian speakers can understand Sicilian, and vice versa. Sicilian is also the oldest Romance language still in use today. It is known for its unique sound, as well as its use of Arabic, French, Greek, Latin, and Spanish influences.
2. Sardinian
Sardinian is another Italian dialect spoken in Sardinia, an island located off the western coast of Italy. It is spoken by around two million people, and is the second closest dialect to Italian. Sardinian is also mutually intelligible with Italian, meaning that Italian speakers can understand Sardinian, and vice versa. Sardinian is known for its unique sound, as well as its use of Catalan, French, Latin, and Spanish influences.
3. Neapolitan
Neapolitan is an Italian dialect spoken in the region of Campania, located in southern Italy. It is spoken by around four million people, and is the third closest dialect to Italian. Neapolitan is also mutually intelligible with Italian, meaning that Italian speakers can understand Neapolitan, and vice versa. Neapolitan is known for its unique sound, as well as its use of Catalan, French, Latin, Spanish, and other influences.
4. Venetian
Venetian is an Italian dialect spoken in the Veneto region, located in northern Italy. It is spoken by around two million people, and is the fourth closest dialect to Italian. Venetian is also mutually intelligible with Italian, meaning that Italian speakers can understand Venetian, and vice versa. Venetian is known for its unique sound, as well as its use of French, German, Latin, and other influences.
5. Piedmontese
Piedmontese is an Italian dialect spoken in the region of Piedmont, located in northwestern Italy. It is spoken by around two million people, and is the fifth closest dialect to Italian. Piedmontese is also mutually intelligible with Italian, meaning that Italian speakers can understand Piedmontese, and vice versa. Piedmontese is known for its unique sound, as well as its use of French, Latin, and other influences.
6. Lombard
Lombard is an Italian dialect spoken in the region of Lombardy, located in northern Italy. It is spoken by around five million people, and is the sixth closest dialect to Italian. Lombard is also mutually intelligible with Italian, meaning that Italian speakers can understand Lombard, and vice versa. Lombard is known for its unique sound, as well as its use of French, German, Latin, and other influences.
7. Emilian-Romagnol
Emilian-Romagnol is an Italian dialect spoken in the regions of Emilia-Romagna, located in northern Italy. It is spoken by around two million people, and is the seventh closest dialect to Italian. Emilian-Romagnol is also mutually intelligible with Italian, meaning that Italian speakers can understand Emilian-Romagnol, and vice versa. Emilian-Romagnol is known for its unique sound, as well as its use of French, Latin, and other influences.
Whether you are a native Italian speaker or are just learning the language, these dialects can be a great way to practice your Italian. Each dialect has its own unique sound and influences, making them a great way to diversify your language learning. If you are looking for a language that is close to Italian in terms of pronunciation, grammar, and vocabulary, then any of these dialects could be a great choice for you in the year 2023.
