Friulian language

Bandiere_dal_Friûl

Ascoli

Friulian_vowel_chart

Road_sign_in_Friulian

Udine-targaUniversitatdalFriul

Friulian

Pronunciation
Native to
Region	Friuli
Ethnicity
Speakers	600,000
Language family	Indo-European
Early forms
Writing system
Official status
Regulated by

The Friulian language (furlan) is a Romance language belonging to the Rhaeto-Romance subgroup. It is primarily spoken in the Friuli region of northeastern Italy. Friulian is one of the minority languages of Italy and has approximately 600,000 speakers.

History

The Friulian language has its roots in the Vulgar Latin spoken in the region after the fall of the Western Roman Empire. Over the centuries, it has been influenced by neighboring languages, including Venetian, Slovene, and German. The first written records in Friulian date back to the 12th century.

Geographic Distribution

Friulian is predominantly spoken in the Friuli region, which includes the provinces of Udine, Pordenone, and parts of Gorizia and Venice. There are also Friulian-speaking communities in other parts of Italy and abroad, particularly in Argentina, Canada, and the United States.

Dialects

There are several dialects of Friulian, which can be broadly categorized into four main groups:

• Central Friulian (spoken in Udine)
• Northern Friulian (spoken in the Carnia region)
• Eastern Friulian (spoken in the Gorizia area)
• Western Friulian (spoken in the Pordenone area)

Phonology

Friulian phonology is characterized by a series of vowel and consonant sounds that are distinct from those in Italian. Notable features include the presence of nasal vowels and the palatalization of certain consonants.

Grammar

Friulian grammar shares many features with other Romance languages but also has unique characteristics. It has a system of noun declensions, verb conjugations, and uses definite and indefinite articles. The language also employs a subject-verb-object (SVO) word order.

Writing System

Friulian uses the Latin alphabet, with some additional diacritics to represent specific sounds. The orthography was standardized in the 20th century, although variations still exist.

Literature

Friulian has a rich literary tradition, with works ranging from medieval poetry to contemporary novels. Notable authors include Pier Paolo Pasolini, who wrote in both Italian and Friulian.

Status and Preservation

Friulian is recognized as a minority language in Italy and is protected under national and regional laws. Efforts to preserve and promote the language include educational programs, media broadcasts, and cultural initiatives.

Related Pages

• Romance languages
• Rhaeto-Romance languages
• Friuli
• Minority languages of Italy
• Pier Paolo Pasolini