Lombard language

Lombard language is a member of the Cisalpine or Gallo-Italic group within the Romance languages. It is spoken natively in Northern Italy and Southern Switzerland. The two main varieties, which are mutually intelligible to some extent, are Western Lombard and Eastern Lombard.

History

The Lombard language developed from Vulgar Latin in the Middle Ages, with significant influence from Celtic and Germanic. The language was first mentioned in historical records in the 13th century.

Geographic distribution

Lombard is spoken in Lombardy, in the northern part of the Italian Peninsula, and in the Swiss canton of Ticino. There are also Lombard speakers in other regions of Italy, as well as in other countries, such as the United States, Canada, and Argentina, due to immigration.

Dialects

Lombard is not a uniform language. Its dialects, including the Western Lombard and Eastern Lombard, can vary significantly from one area to another. Other dialects include the Milanese dialect, Bergamasque dialect, and Como dialect.

Status

Despite its widespread use, Lombard is not officially recognized by Italy or Switzerland. It does not have any official status, and its use in public life is limited. However, there are movements advocating for the recognition and protection of the Lombard language.

Phonology

Lombard phonology is characterized by the presence of seven vowels and twenty-three consonants. It also features a number of phonetic phenomena not present in Italian, such as the lenition of intervocalic plosives.

Grammar

Lombard grammar shares many features with other Romance languages. However, it also has its own unique characteristics, such as the use of the definite article before possessive adjectives and the use of the subjunctive mood in certain contexts.

Vocabulary

The Lombard vocabulary is largely derived from Latin. However, it also includes words borrowed from other languages, such as Germanic, French, and Spanish.

Literature

There is a rich tradition of literature in Lombard, including poetry, prose, and drama. Notable Lombard writers include Carlo Porta, a poet who wrote in the Milanese dialect in the 19th century.

See also

• Languages of Italy
• Languages of Switzerland
• Romance languages

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