Cimbrian

Cimbrian (Tzimbrisch)

Cimbrian is a Germanic language spoken by about 2,230 people in northeast Italy
in the Sette and Tredici Comuni (Sieben and Dreizehn Gemainde) south of Trent,
in some towns of Giazza (Glietzen, Ljetzen), Roana (Rabam), Lusern and in
Venetia Province.

Cimbrian is taught in primary schools, but it is in danger of becoming extinct
because it is being displaced by the neighbouring Venetian language, which
is increasingly used as a domestic language and by Italian, which is used in
public.

The first text written in Cimbrian, a religious hymn, appeared at the
end of 16th century. The first evidence of Cimbrian presence in northern Italy
dates back to 1287. The Cipolla brothers picked up and transcribed some local tales and
songs. Local legends attribute the modern Cimbrians’ lineage to the Cimbrian
marauders that the Roman general Gaius Marius defeated in 102 BC at Campi
Raudii, near Vercelli, however it is more probable that today’s Cimbrians
are descended from Lombard invaders, who invaded Northen Italy in 588 AD.

Cimbrian alphabet

Cimbrian alphabet

Pronunciation

Cimbrian pronunciation

Sample text in Cimbrian

Christus ist au gestanden
Von der marter alle,
Daz sollen bier alle froalich sayn
Christus bil unser troast sayn.

A recording of this text by Crawford J. Bennett, Jr.

Translation

Christ is risen again
from all the tortures,
so we are rejoicing
Christ will be our consolation.
(Early Cimbrian hymn)

The information on this page was provided by G. Garella
(articioc@libero.it).

Links

Online Cimbrian course (in German and English)
http://titus.fkidg1.uni-frankfurt.de/didact/zimbr/cimbrian.htm

Further information Cimbrian language and culture (in Italian and Cimbrian)
http://www.cimbri.it

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