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Bari dialect or dialetto barese is a variety of Romance languages which has developed over time, changing with the numerous linguistic influences in the Puglia region of Italy due to invasion and occupation throughout the centuries [1]. Influences range from Spanish during the reign of the Kingdom of Spain to Balkan languages, lending a characteristic inflection to the dialect, and placing it amongst the most distinct of Italian dialects both from the point of view of phonetics and lexis.

Contents 1 Where Bari dialect is spoken 2 Linguistic features 3 Some common expressions 4 References

[edit] Where Bari dialect is spoken

As assigning local dialects to strict geographical areas is often problematic, Barese may be seen, as with other local dialects, as a dynamic and changing language with regional differences determined by a range of geographical, historical and social factors. Nevertheless, Bari dialect may be identified predominantly within the province of Bari in central Puglia, and in the region of Barletta-Andria-Trani, which is characterized by variants such as Barlettano, Tranese and Andriese. The north of the Puglia region in the province of Foggia, where Foggian dialect is spoken, may be seen as a variant of Bari dialect, albeit heavily influenced by Naples dialects.

In Italian cinema of the Commedia all'Italiana, Barese has been made famous by actors such as Lino Banfi, Sergio Rubini, Gianni Ciardo, Dino Abbrescia, and Emilio Solfrizzi. There are also numerous films shot exclusively in Bari dialect: amongst the most notable including LaCapaGira which was recognised by critics at the Berlin Film Festival. Many local theatre companies produce light comedy shows in dialect, often focusing on the comic linguistic opportunities presented by the millions who left Puglia during the last century in search of work abroad.

[edit] Linguistic features

Within the Province of Bari many dialects exist which, while similar to Bari dialect, have various vocal differences. For example, the expression Che c'è? in standard Italian, meaning What's the matter? or What's up? is variously produced as:

Ci jié? (Barese)

Ciobbà? (Andriese)

Ce je? (Bitettese)

Ce d'è? (Grumese and Palese)

Ce jièy? (Bitontino)

Ce da? (Terlizzese)

Ci iò? (Barlettano)

Ce d'è? (Coratino)

Meanwhile, the conjugation of verbs sees changes such as:

Essere (to be in standard Italian)

Person	io	tu	lui	noi	voi	loro
Indicative
Present	sono	sei	è	siamo	siete	sono

Essere (to be in Barese)

Person	ie	tu	cudde	nu	vu	chidde
Indicative
Present	so	si	jè	sime	site	so/sond (rare)

Fare (to do/make in standard Italian)

Person	io	tu	lui	noi	voi	loro
Indicative
Present	faccio	fai	fa	facciamo	fate	fanno

Fare (to do/make in Barese)

Person	ie	tu	cudde	nu	vu	chidde
Indicative
Present	fazzche	face	face	facime	facite	facene

[edit] Some common expressions

Capo! = Hey mister!

Statt' Citt'! = Shut up!

Ma vattinn'! Va! = Go away!

Madò = Madonna! Exclamation of surprise, either positive or negative roughly translated as Jesus! in English. For increased emphasis, the a and the o are prolonged (Maaadooò!!!).

Mé/emmé? = dialect form of Embè? (Ebbene?) meaning and so?

Ci/Cê jiorê sò? = What time is it?

Mocchê a chi te mmurt! = Damn your dead ones!! (a reasonably strong expression of anger)

Auuandê!/Auuandê a Peppinê! = Watch out!

Ou! = Hey! (local characteristic call to attract attention) .

Sì probrê du iun! = Oh, you are a one!

u' mest! = Hey, boss! (mest = mister/boss/owner)

ciuè? = What do you want?

c' s disc? ca l sard' s' mang'n l'alisc! = What's new? Nothing special. (literal= what's new ? that sardines eat anchovies)

oh, ciè? stà a fasc' brutt? = What's wrong? Are you getting angry?

aweee tonin, ma s pot' sapè c' cos' stà a fasc? = Antonio, is it possible to know what are you doing ?

Mchel'...ma tu addò stae? = Michele, where are you?

Juan u puerc = Giovanni the pig

ou ma c' t' sì, frâaat?! = particularly used by girls in response to wolf-whistles, roughly translated as "Have you been punctured and are losing air?!"

[edit] References

• D'Amaro, Sergio. "Apulia"
• Official page for LaCapaGira [2]at the Internet Movie Database