Piedmontese

Piedmontese (Piemonteis)

Piedmontese is a Romance language spoken by about 3 million people
throughout the Piemonte (Piemont) region of northwest Italy, except in the province
of Novara and in the Provençal and Franco Provençal valleys. It is
also spoken in Australia, Chile and Argentina, where about 30% of people are of
a North Italian origin.

Piedmontese has never been an official language but in the last ten years it
has been recognized as a separate language by the European Union, the Piemonte
region and some linguists. It is not currently taught in schools but
some people are trying to have it introduced into primary schools. Piedmontese
is spoken mainly by older people and is not popular with the young, particularly
in the cities and towns. As a result, it is in danger of becoming extinct within
a couple of generations.

The first texts written in Piedmontese appeared during the 10th century, before
any Italian literary works were published. They were the Sermones Subalpini,
a collection of twenty religious pieces written in an archaic form of the language
which is now difficult to understand. The first grammar of Piedmontese was published
in the 17th century but no Piedmontese literature of note was produced until
the 18th century. The period from 1900-1960 was the gold age for Piedmontese theater
and song and there is currently a lively Piedmontese poetry scene. The most famous
living Piedmontese singer is Gipo Farassino.

Piedmontese alphabet
A a B b C c D d E e Ë ë F f G g H h I i J j L l
a bi ci di e e con
la diéresi
ef gi aca i i longa el
M m N n Ò ò O o P p Q q R r S s T t U u V v Z z
em en ò o pi qo er es ti u vi zeta
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