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Spartan
12-18-2005, 01:23 AM
Here is some interesting information on the language spoken by the Italians of Greek descent living in souther Italy.

The language they speak is called Griko there is also another Greek version spoke in Sicily.

Here is a small list of Griko words. These words are from ancient Greek. This also shows that the Modern Greeks speak the same language still just an evolved form, unlike what is claimed by the FYROM's who say that it has nothing to do with ancient Greek.

From the site:

http://www.molossia.org/griko2.html



ENGLISH - GRIKO DICTIONARY

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Note: This dictionary is translated from an Italian - Griko Dictionary. Not speaking much Italian, I have translated it using an online translator and a good Italian - English dictionary. Nevertheless, and in spite of my best efforts, I am certain that there are many mistakes, and translation errors. Certain words defied my best efforts at translation. It is, therefore, a work in continuous progress.

I would especially like to thank Francesco Penza for invaluable assistance in this project.

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a lot, very poddhì, adj.
a lot, so much, as much tosso, adj.
a lot tòssonna, adv.
abound, to bbiundèo, v.
about (a) tze, cong.
abscess mbriÃ*kula, adj.
accident kòccia, f.
accumulation of stones kirimìtzi, n.
acid tzinò, adj.
acorn velÃ*ni, n.
adorn, to, to prepare parèo, v.
after depòi, adv.
again ma(ta)pÃ*le or pale, adv.
ahead, in front ambrò, adv.
ahead, straight tartèa, adv.
aid visìa, f.
air ajèra, f.
alfalfa trifiddho, n.
almond mèndula, f.
almond tree mendulèa, f.
along, distant, far away makrèo, adj.
also puru, adv.
always panta, adv.
ambassador mandatÃ*ri, m.
and ce, cong.
animal damÃ*li, ftinò, n.
annex chronÃ*i, n.
anthill furmikarèa, f.
anyone, the one who is pu, pron.
appear, to, to distinguish iteslf from others chorìzzo, v.
appear, to, it is made to see, to seem fènome, v.
apple milo, n.
apple preserves (quince) citòni, n.
apple tree milèa, f.
apricot tree parnakòkkia, f.
April abrìli, m.
apron mantìla, f. mantìli, n.
Aquila Ã*kula, f.
architrave mbòjiko, m.
argue tzitzimbrìe, f. pl.
arm like measure pichi, f.
arm vrachiòna, m.
armpit vaskÃ*li, n.
aroma mirodìa, f.
arrive, to ttazzo(stazzo), v.
as long as, until rispu, rissòpu, cong.
as long as rissòpu, cong.
as far as, until, up to ris, conj.
ash statti, f.
ask, to jurèo, v.
ask, to rotò, v.
ask for, to jurèo, v.
ass kolo, m.
astound, to smamméo, v.
at all makÃ*, adv.
attention skupò, m.
August agùsto, m.
aunt tia, f.
awake, woken up tzùnnito, adj.
axe scioparni, n.
baby bird pikulÃ*i, n.
back kutùrsi, n.
back, dorsal thorn stavrì, n.
bad fiÃ*kko, kakò, adj.
badly (misfortune), disease, harm, evil kakò, n.
badly Ã*scima, adv.
bag sakkùli, sakko n.
baker furnÃ*ri, m.
balance veddhÃ*ntzia, n.pl.
ball guÃ*ri, n.
ball paddha, f.
baptism vÃ*ttima, n.
barley kÃ*feddha, n. pl.
barley krisÃ*ri, n.
barn owl paparasciÃ*nni, m.
barrel varèddhi, n.
barrel vutti, f.
basil misserikòi, n.
basket kanìstri, m.
bat pondikò gresto, m.
bathe, to, to wash greno, palèno, v.
bathed, wet agrò, adj.
bay (branch) dÃ*fini, f.
bay (tree) dafinèa, f.
be left over, to vantzèo, v.
be passionate, to, to taste nkarnèome, v.
be similar, to mmiÃ*zzo, v.
be struck dumb, to, to fall silent muttìzzo, v.
be, to, to stay steo, v.
beams rai, n. pl.
bean pasùli, n.
beard rasa, f.
beast ftinò, pròato, n.
beat, to kopanìzzo, v.
beautiful òrrio, adj.
become blurred kamulùso, adj.
become damp, to tzefrìome, v.
become hoarse, to mbrafèo, v.
become ill, to dinatò, v.
become stiff, to ntrutzèo, v.
become thin, to lettièno, v.
become, to jènome, v.
bed gratti, n.
bee milìssi, n.
before proi, adv.
before pronÃ*, adv.
before proppi, conj.
begin to, to rummiÃ*zzo, v.
begin, to ntzignò, v.
behind ampì, adv.
behind pumpì, adv.
behind there ecimpì, adv.
being necessary (necessary things) telìmmata, n. pl.
believe, to pistèo, v.
bell kampÃ*na, f.
beloved, dear, expensive kinipò, adj.
belt lurì, n.
bend, to sciumbèo, straònno, v.
berry gra, f.
better kaio, adj.
within three days atzìnta-mesÃ*vvri, adv.
Biagio Vlasi, m.
bird pikùli, n.
bird, chick puddhÃ*i, n.
bird puddhìmata
bitch sciddha, f.
bite, to dakkÃ*nno, v.
bitten dakkamÃ*, f.
bitter prikò, adj.
bitterness prikÃ*ta, f.
black mavvro, adj.
blackberry bush skorpo, m.
blacken, to mavvrìzzo, v.
blacken, to, to dye of black kakkaònno, v.
blanket, cover sciòpi, f.
blasphemy jastìma, kÃ*tara, f.
blaze lÃ*mpara, f.
bless, to vloò, v.
blessed, holy jÃ*mu, escl.
blessed, holy vloimmèno, adj.
blessing avloìa, f. vlòima, n.
blind cekÃ*o, tiflò, adj.
blind person tiflò, adj.
blind, to, to become blind cekèo, v.
blister ampùddha, n.
blush, to rodignÃ*zzo, v.
body soma, n.
bone steo, n.
border podèa, f.
border of the skirt podarèddha, f.
border podèa, f.
Borgagne Vrani, m.
Borgagnese vranìto, adj.
born, to be jennìome, v.
bower pergulèa, f.
brace, to ftinno, v.
braced vrazzÃ*, f.
brain mialò, n.
bran pìtero, n.
branch of olive tree stroma, n.
brazier vroscèra, f.
bread pappa, f. (inf.)
bread tzomì, n.
break a branch, to stromèo, v.
breast pocket punghèddha, f.
breast vizzì, n.
breed, to, bring up, to nastìnno, v.
Brindisi Vrìndisi, m.
broom for the furnace skupÃ*ri, n.
brother aderfò, m.
bruised mmarangiÃ*o, adj.
boil, to vrazzo, v.
boiled vrammèno, adj.
bud lastùna, skiattùli, n.
bud vìttulo, m.
bug cìmiko, m.
bug in the flour pònnula, f.
bump (on head) kulòtzo, m.
bun, stuffed with olives vujÃ*, f.
bundle, little demÃ*i, n.
burn, to ceo, v.
burn, to, to bubble purmizzo, v.
burnt kamèno, adj.
burst, to, to pour sburrèo, v.
but ma, cong.
butcher vuccèri, m.
butcher's wife vuccèrena, f.
butterfly ajarÃ*i, n.
button nostùli, n.
buy, to vorÃ*zzo, v.
cabbage mùgnulo, n.
calculation, measure, meter metro, n.
calimerese kalimerìto, adj.
call, to fonazzo, v.
calm, carefree skuscetÃ*o, adj.
camomile fiurèddhi, n.
campaign korÃ*fi, n.
cancel, to tzelèo, v.
candle cerì, n.
cane kalÃ*mi, n.
cannolese kannulìto, adj.
cappa mantle, m.
caprice, whim strigno, m. zella, f.
caress musciulèddha, f.
carob tree (fruit) tzelucèrato, n.
carob tree tzelucerèa, f.
carob tzelucèrato, n.
carpignanese karpignanò, adj.
Carpignano KarpignÃ*na, m.
carry away, to rrokkèome, v.
carry, to, to lead perno, v.
Casarano KasarÃ*na, m.
case (conjuncture) ndemmÃ*, f.
casing mai, n.
castle kastèddhi, n.
Castrì Kastrìa, n. pl.
cat musci, n. mùscia, f.
caterpillar kÃ*mpia, f.
certain, a sure one quaissatto, pron.
chaffinch (bird) frangìddha, f.
change, to ddhasso, v.
charm to, to cast a spell vaskèno, v.
charm, to, to cast an evil eye mmaghèo, v.
charm, witchcraft, evil eye vÃ*skama, n.
chatter, to, to quarrel strolekèo, v.
cheat, swindler trabulùna, m.
cheerful cherùmeno, adj.
cheese tirì, n.
cherry cerÃ*si, n.
cherry tree cerasèa, f.
chestnut tree kastagnèa, f.
chew a bone, to rokanìmma, n., rokanizzo, v.
chew, to machìzzo, v.
chew, to vanganìzzo, v.
chick puddhì, n.
chilblain tzichraddhìta, f.
child pedÃ*i, n. redo, m. (also "son")
Christ Kristò, m.
christen, to vattìzzo, v.
Christmas Kristù, m.
church aglisìa, f.
clapper kutùni, n.
clay griddha, f.
clay vase from the tight neck for the wine piro, m.
clay washbowl limbo, m.
clay water jug mukÃ*la, f. stangatì, n. ambiùli, n.
cleaned up (with water) pastrikò, adj.
clearing rocha, f.
clergyman papa, m.
clock torlòci, n.
close (by), very near ecisimÃ*, adv., also peri-peri
close up, to, viddhìnno, v.
close, to klinno, v.
cloth pannì, n.
clothes rucho, n.
cloud sìnneko, n.
club kòpano, n.
cluster rukùmi, n.
coal krÃ*uno, n.
coal, live vròscia, f.
cockroach skrafÃ*io, m.
cod lutzo, ni.
cold (cold time) tzichra, f.
cold tzichrò, adj.
cold, to be riÃ*i (me) (impers.), v.
collapse, to kumbiÃ*zzo, v.
collect, to sianònno, v.
colored tissue, fabric pìnto, m.
communion cinònima, n.
companion asìmi, n,
complaint rùngulo, m.
compose poetry, to, to compose love poetry traudìzzo, v.
confess, to, to confess themselves tzemoloò, v.
confession tzemolisìa, f.
confusion terrisbìjo, m.
contain, to chorò, v.
content alòcharo, adj.
convene, to, also it is advisable (for me) to... confarsi previ (mu) (impers.), v.
convent kumènto, m.
cook, to marèo, v.
cooked food marìo, m.
cool, to tzichrèno, v.
core of cabbage trutza, f. torsolo
coriglianese korianò, adj.
Corigliano d'Otranto KoriÃ*na, m.
cotton vambÃ*i, n.
count, to, also to tell, sometimes to speak kuntèo, v.
country, also village paìsi, n.
countryside, in ttotzu (ettòtzu), adv.
courtyard avvlì, f.
cousins atzaderfi, f.
cousins atzaderfò, in.
cover, esp. lid timpÃ*ni, n.
cover, to sciopanno, v.
covered (all that it covers) sciòpi, f.
covered entry of a house to a courtyard sampòrto, m.
covered made of stoffe of turns out rakanèddha, f.
covered mantili, m.
crab kaùri, n.
crack, to scizzo, v.
crack, to tzofò, v.
crack, to, to die tzofò, v.
cradle naka, f.
cramp ranko, m.
crease kalÃ*stra, f.
crest grista, f.
crib grattÃ*i, n.
cricket griddho, m.
cross stavrò, n.
crow krÃ*ulo, m.
crowd, group, league lia, f.
crucifix stavromèno, adj.
crucifixion stavromèno, adj.
crucify, to stavrònno, v.
cry, to, sing in mourning reputèo, v.
cunning fellow maùna, m.
cure, to kkitèo, v.
curl, to rritzèo, v.
curved sciumbÃ*o, adj.
cut with a scythe, to trapanìzzo, v.
dance, to chorèo, v.,
dark skotinò, adj.
daughter kiatèra, f.
daughter-in-law grambì, f.
dawn, to tzemerònni (impers.), v,
day emèra, mere,
day before yesterday protté, adv.
December decèmbri, m.
deep (field) fundo, m.
deep sfundÃ*o, adj.
defect machÃ*gna, f.
deflate, to tzeprìscio, v.
demolish, to sgarrèo, v.
desire spilo, m. ankavù1a, f.
detach a branch, to skonèo, v.
detach, to tzekoddhò, v.
devil demòni, n. diÃ*valo, m.
devour, to skafuddhèo, v.
die, to pesèno, v.
died (Death, personified) tÃ*nato, m.
din derrÃ*sso, frantièddhi m.
dip, to mbuttò, v.
dirt kròbbia, n. pl.
dirty and disorderly man pulándro, n.
dirty and disorderly woman pulándra, f.
dirty and disorderly young man pulandrùddhi, m.
dirty water pilÃ*, n. pl.
discover, to tzesciopÃ*nno, v., discover with the eyes: "skuperèo"
disease dinamìa, l.
disease of the head (crazy?) ciofalìte, f., also cefalea
disentangle, to tzenònno, v.
dislocate, to spalèo, v.
displeasure kakofèni (impers.), v., (mu) kakofèni (or "kakofènete") = It displeases (me), it seems to me a bad thing
divide, to merÃ*zzo, tzeschorìzzo, v.
divide, to skorìzzo, v.
divide, to, to separate tzeschorìzzo, v.
doctor messère, m.
dog sciddho, m.
door porta f.
double diplò, adj.
down there ecì kau, adv.
doze off, to mbasunèo, v.
drawer tiratùri, n.
drink pinno, v.
drink a toast, to Vrìndisi, m.
drink, beverage, drink pinno, v.
drink, to pi (inf. da pinno), v.
drip, to rantìzzo, v.
drizzles purgulìzzi (impers.), v.
drop ranta, f.
druggist speziÃ*li, m.
dry pod farÃ*tzo, m.
dry stannò, adj.
dry tzerò, adj.
dry, to stannònno, v.
dry, to tzerònno, v.
dry, to, to become dry tzerèno, v.
dry, to, to clean up ssunghìzzo, v.
dung kropo, m.
dung of the ox skafÃ*tza, f.
dung skatò, n.
dunghill cipùri, n.
dye vamma, n.
dye, to vafo, v.
each pa' (passo), adj.
ear attì, n.
early riser pornìto, adj.
earthenware vase grasta, f.
earthworm lumbrìko, m.
eat a lot, to skafuddhèo, v.
eat eagerly, to skarufònno, v.
eat meat, to (in days of abstinence) marizzo, v.
eat, to troo, v.
eh, what?, uh? a, excl.
eight hundred ottokòsce, adj.
eight ottò, ettò, adj.
eighteen dekottò, adj.
eighty quattru-vinti, adj.
elbow guìto, m.
elsewhere addhù, adv. addhùtte, adv.
enough, to be kanò, v.
enter, to mbenno, v.
entice, to ngulèo, v.
equally isa, adv.
escape, to feo, v.
even makÃ*ri, adv.
evening vrai, n.
every so often, sometimes quaitòssonna, adv.
every passo (pa'), quai, adj.
every quai, adj.
everyone passonèna, pron.
everywhere pukalùtte, pukané, adv.
everywhere pukané, adv.
evil eye vÃ*skama, n.
except fore, adv.
extinguish, to sbinno, v.
extreme unction dògliuma, n.
eye ammÃ*i, n.
fade, to tzevÃ*fo, v.
failure klamma, m.
falcon jerÃ*i, n.
fall, to, to send petto, v.
fanello (bird?) franèddhi, n.
far away larga, adv.
fart pordo, n.
fast nistikò, adj.
fast nìstio, n.
fat (soil) lippo, m.
fat lipo, m.
fat, large pachèo, adj.
father-in-law petterò, m.
fatten, to lipariÃ*zzo, pachèno, v.
fatten, to skarufònno, v.
fava (plant) kucciÃ*ra, f.
fava kuccì, n.
fear, great tremÃ*ra, f.
February fleÃ*ri, m.
fennel quer mÃ*lachro, n.
fern fiddhìtti, n.
festivity jortì, f.
field, countryside korÃ*fi
fifty pettìnta, adj.
fig (fruit) siko, n.
fig, dry askÃ*di, n.
fig siko, n.
fig, that is not mature più guèddha, f.
fig, that matures late zonto, m.
fig, tree sucèa, f.
fig, mature zonto, m.
fig, withered on the tree kokulèddha, f.
fig, young sucèddha, f.
fill with smoke, to kannìzzo, v.
find, to vrisko, v.
finger dÃ*ttilo, n.
fire fotìa, lumèra, f.
fire, mine fotìamu, escl.
first pronò, adj.
first wine (of the year) pròmmio, adj.
fist tÃ*faro, m.
five hundred pentakòsce, adj.
five pente, adj.
fix, to stiazzo, v.
fix, to, to prepare stiazzo (ttiazzo), v., also "to come to an agreement" for the reflexive form
flame lampa, f. pira, f.
flame, heat pira, f.
flare up, to bbampèo, v.
flash, to astrèi, strei, derlampèi (impers.), v.
flatter, to kalopiÃ*nno, v.
flour levri, n.
flour mill milo, m.
flower fìùro, m.
flute frÃ*ulo, m.
fly mia, f.
fly, to petò, v.
flying petanò adj.
focaccia (a kind of pizza) pitta, i.
peak pitta, f.
fog kamùla, f.
food offered to the persons in mourning parasomìa, f.
foolish ngònghito, adj.
foolish tÃ*ngaro, m.
foot poda, m.
forehead frontìli, n.
foreign tzenìa, f.
foreign tzeno, adj.
foreign, foreign country tzenìa, f.
foreigner tzeno, adj.
forest, wood daso, n.
forget, to limonò, scerrèo, v
forget, to tzemattènno, v.
fork furcìna, E
forty sarÃ*nta, adj.
four hundred tessarakòsce, adj.
four tèssara, adj.
fragment of pottery grastì, n.
frame of a wall pezzùli, n.
Friday prasseì, f.
friend, companion filo, m.
friend kumpagnìssa, f.
friendship, peace filìa, f.
fright spramènto, m.
from apù, pu, prep.
from behind pumpì, adv.
from here puttù, adv.
from pu, prep.
from this part etturtèa, adv.
from when Ã*poti, adv.
from where apùtte, adv.
from where putte, adv.
frost pao, m.
fry, to tianìzzo, v.
funnel vutèddhi, n.
Galatina Aspèdro, m.
garbanzo beans ruitti, n.
garden cipo, m.
garlic skordo, n.
gash scimma, n.
gate of the courtyard portùna, m.
ghost mommo, m.
gift, on the occassion of a baptism or wedding veterÃ*ggio, m.
golden krusafègno, krusò, adj.
girl kiaterèddha, f.
give or to take the communion, to cinonìzzo, m.
give, to dio, v.
glances akkiÃ*ja, n. pl.
gland mendulèddha, f.
glass miùli, n.
glue koddhò, v.
go, to pao, v.
goat itza, f.
God teò, m.
godmother nunna, f.
gold krusÃ*fi, n.
good day, hello kalimèra, excl.
good kalò, adj.
gossip nekko, m.
grace chari, f.
graceful charitomèno, adj.
grain stack in cone shape pignùna, m.
grain stack pignùna, m.
grain, wheat sitÃ*ri, n.
granary granarèa, f.
grandfather nonno, m.
grandfather tata mmea, m.
grandmother mali, f.
grandson anitzìa, f. anitzìo, m.
grape kokko, n.
grass chorto, n.
grass snake morèna, f.
grasshopper vrùkulo, m.
grasshopper, green and large tzitzupìu, m.
grasshopper, green vrùkulo porceddhÃ*ru, m.
gray ceramègno, adj.
graze, to vosciò, v.
great-grandfather mbropÃ*ppo, m,
great-grandmother mbronÃ*nni, f.
Greek griko, adj.
grow dark, to skotignÃ*zzi (impers.), v.
grow moldy, to mucidiÃ*zzo, v.
grow, to, to increase vantzèo, v.
guard, to filÃ*sso, v.
guess, to mantèo, v. mbestèo, v.
guilty, to be fteo, v.
gum sangì, n.
gurgle, to, to mutter ruscèo, v.
Hail Mary patrimÃ*-nittù, n. pl.
hair maddhì, n.
hairpin for hats ruccètto, m.
half imisìa, f.
half ìmiso, mìscio, adj.
hammer martèddhi, n.
hamper cista, f.
hand chera, f.
handful cherÃ*ta, frankÃ*, f.
handkerchief for the head makkalùri, n.
handkerchief makkalurÃ*i, n.
handle manìci, n.
handle of hoe margiÃ*li, n.
handle of the basket panÃ*ri, n.
hang, to kremò, v.
happen to go, to ntinni (impers.), v., also ndenno, evò ndenno quai ti = I (go towards) something = something happens to me
happy makÃ*rio, adj.
hard sandstone pèntuma, f.
hard tzelorò, adj.
hardly hardly ecì-pu-cì, adv.
hare alaò, m.
haste fuddha, f.
hat asciÃ*di, n.
hate, to misò, v.
have a cold, to riÃ*i (me) (impers.), v.
have silks, to sikkèo, v.
have, to echo, v.
have, to ndiÃ*zzete (impers.), v.
have to, to ènna (na, impers.), v.
headache ponocèfalo, m.
heap kulùmi, n.
heap of manure kropèa, f.
heart kardìa, f.
hearth kantùna, m.
heat kama, n.
heat, to termèno, v.
heavy varèo, adj.
hedge sapÃ*li, n.
help, to visò, v.
hem (of the dress or the handkerchief) rafèddha, f.
hemp kÃ*nnemi, f.
hen house puddhÃ*ri, n.
hen òrnisa, f.
here (as in French "voilÃ*") na, excl.
hidden krifò, adj.
hide, to klinno, v.
high atzilò, adj.
him on pron. (acc.)
hit, to kiafèo, v.
hive milissÃ*ri, n.
hoe tzinÃ*ri, n.
hoe, to skatto, v.
hold, to (also to have) vastò, v.
hole tripi, f.
Holy Mass lutrìa, f.
holy water Ã*imma, f.
honey meli, n.
horn cèrato, n.
hornet vòmbiko, m.
horse ampÃ*ri, n.
horseshoe sulinèa, f.
hospital spidÃ*li, n.
hour ora, f.
house spiti, n.
house, small spitÃ*i, n.
how pos, adv., pos estei? how are you?
how much, as much as pòsso, adj.
hunchback kutùrsi, n.
hunger pina, f.
hunger, to have pinÃ*i (me) (impers.), v.
hunt, to guÃ*ddho, v.
hurry up, to sianònnome (reflexive), v.
hurt, to, to ache ponò, v.
husband andra, m.
hut, open on one side suppìnna, f.
I am hungry pinÃ*i (me) (impers.), v.
I evò, pron.
I went pirta, epìrta (pass. from pao), v.
ice citro, m.
ices, frost pao, m.
idea adèa, f.
ignite, to, to light, to catch fire natto, v.
ignoring nÃ*tzero, adj.
immersion mbuttimÃ*, f.
in es, prep.
in front púmbrò, adv.
in middle stamèsa, adv.
in mind, to memory of stannù, adv.
in no place, nowhere pùpeti, adv.
in order not na mi, cong.
in order that na, cong.
in, at sta , prep. art.
in, at stus, prep. art.
in, to the stes, prep. art.
in, to the stin, prep. art.
in, to the sto, prep. art.
in, to the ston, prep. art.
in the middle, on the ground stamèsa, adv.
increase, to chrondièno, v.
increase, to vantzèo, v.
infiltrate, to trapanèo, v.
injury, wound piaga, f.
injustice, wrong straò, n.
injustice, unsuitable thing, bad thing Ã*deko, n.
ink of the small cuttlefish melÃ*na, f.
inn, pub, saloon putèka, f.
innkeeper putekÃ*ri, m.
innumerable amètrito, adj.
intelligence nòisi, f.
interlace, to fiettèo, v.
intestines dÃ*ntera, n. pl.
iron (made of iron) siderègno, adj.
iron sìdero, n.
iron, to stirèo, v.
it becomes night nittonni (impers.), v.
itself satto, pron.
jamb stÃ*ntaro, m.
January jennÃ*ri, m.
Oh My God! Kristèmu òrriomu!, escl.
joy alocharìa, f.
joy charÃ*, f.
jug for wine pisÃ*ta, f.
juice fiskiulo, m.
July alonÃ*ri, m.
jump tzumpo' m.
jump, to tzumpèo, v.
june tero, n.
just just isa isa, adv.
kelp milissùna, m.
kernel melÃ*i, n.
key klidì, n.
kick, track podimÃ*, n.
kick (maybe also soccer?) lattèa, f.
kidskin itzarèddha, f.
kill, to sfazzo, v.
king ria, m.
kiss filì, n. filimÃ*, f.
kiss, to fìlò, vucciò, v.
kiss, to vucciò, v.
kitten muscèddha, f. musciÃ*i, n.
knead, to plazzo, v.
knee gònato, n.
kneel down, to gotanìzzo
knife machèri, n.
knot kombo, pron.
know, to nnorìzzo, v.
know, to tzero, v.
laborious polemÃ*nto, adj.
lace krusciùli, n.
ladder, little staircase skalìddha, f.
ladle katzìddha, f.
ladybug ornisèddha, f.
lamb arnì, n.
language, tongue glossa, f.
large case kasciùna, m.
large chrondò, adj.
large clay vase for oil or conserves petÃ*li, n.
large heap of stones sekla, f.
large needle akucèddha, f.
last breath sakko, m.
latch varrùna, mÃ*ndalo, m.
layer, founded pÃ*to, m.
lead, to perno, v.
leaf fiddho, n.
lean, thin, fine, slim lettò, nigrò, adj.
learn, to, to teach mattènno, v.
leather kÃ*ssima, f.
leave, to finno, v.
leave, to, to go away tarÃ*sso, v.
Lecce Luppìu, m.
Leccese luppiòto, adj.
leg anka, f.
lemon lumìa, f.
Lent sarakostì, f.
lentil facì, f.
less pleon alìo, adj.
letter gramma, n.
liar tzematÃ*ra, f., tzematÃ*ri, m.
lie tzema, n. tzematarìa, e.
life zoì, f.
light (airhead) nèmuro, adj.
light lafrò, adj.
light lustro, m.
lightning stremma, n.
like it sia ka, sia ti, cong.
like kundu, sa (san), cong.
like pos, adv.
like sekùndu, adv.
like sia ka, cong.
like sia ti, cong.
like this, so, this way iu, adv.
lime asvèsti, n.
linen, flax linÃ*ri, n.
lip chilo, n.
listen, to kuo, v.
little brother aderfÃ*i, n.
small cheese kasulÃ*i, n.
little flower fiurÃ*i, n.
little lamb arnÃ*i, n.
little sheep pratinèddha, f.
little sheep proatùddhi, n.
live coal vròscia, f.
liver fìkato, n.
lizard stavrìkula, f.
load, to fortònno, v.
lose weight, to lettièno, v.
love agÃ*pi, f.
love, to agapò (gapò), v.
loved, dear agapitò, adj.
lower, to kuèo, miscèome, v.
lower, to skalèo, v.
lowland fundì, n.
lucky you makariòssu, escl.
lukewarm termùddhi, adj.
mace kòpano, n.
magpie mita, pikalòja, f.
maize, ear (of corn) pipitùli, n.
make a hole, to tripò, v.
make a mistake, to strapatò, v.
make bitter, to, to render bitter prikèno, v.
make, to kanno, v.
marble mÃ*rmaro, m.
March marti, m.
marjoram tzÃ*ntziko, n.
marker, sign simÃ*i, n.
marrow mialò, n.
marry, to rmazzo, v.
marry, to stefanònno, v.
Martanese martanò, adj.
Martano MartÃ*na, m.
Martignanese martignanò, adj.
Martignano MartignÃ*na, m.
martyrdom mÃ*rturo, n.
mask majo, m.
master (craftsman), also teacher mÃ*scia, m.
mature (than one set offs to mature) mmilÃ*o, adj.
mature janomèno, urmo, adj.
mature, to (to begin to) rummiÃ*zzo, v.
mature, to urmìazzo, v.
May mai, m.
measure, to metrò, v.
meat krea, n.
meet, to ffruntèo, v.
Melendugnese malandugnòto, adj.
Melendugno Malandùgnu, m.
melon pipòni, n.
meter mètro, n.
midnight imisinìtta, f.
mile (length measure) mijo, n.
milled mile mèlina, f.
milk gala, n.
milk, to armèo, v.
mill, to leso, v.
millepede trantapòddia, m.
miller mulinÃ*ri, m.
million chijùna, in.
millstone petrÃ*da, f.
mine dikòmmu, adj.
mire moja, f.
miser stirèo, adj.
mistake, to, to lack skapiddhèo, v.
molar vangÃ*li, n.
moldy mùcito, adj.
mole neùddhi, n.
Monday deftèra, f.
monk, small monekùddhi, m.
month mina, m.
moon fengo, m.
more ahead pleon ambrò, adv.
more behind pleon ampì, adv.
more better kaio, adv.
more pleo, adv.
morning pornò, n.
mortar mortÃ*ri, n.
mosquito tzintzÃ*la, f.
mother mana, f.
mother-in-law petterÃ*, f.
moustache mustÃ*i, n.
mouth lemò, m.
mouthful mortzo, m.
move, to sio, v.
much more pleo ppoddhì, adj.
mucus mukko, in.
mud moia, f.
mud, dirty water pila n. pl.
murmur, to murmurìzzo, v.
mustard sinÃ*pi, n.
mutton krio, m.
nail from shoe ciÃ*ppa, f.
nail with the wide head tÃ*ccia, f.
name noma, n.
name, to nomatìzzo, v.
nape koddhÃ*ri, n. lakkunèddha, f.
napkin sparìddha, f.
necessary, to be ndiÃ*zzete impers), v.
neck of the bottle vùkkulo, m.
neck sfòndilo, n.
necktie zacharèddha, f.
needle velòni, n.
neither, neither...nor... dé, dé...dé...
nest foddhèa, f.
net retza, ditti, f.
new cinùrrio, neo, adj.
niche, little icon akonèddha, f.
nickname paranòma, parònoma, n.
night nitta, f.
nine ennèa, adj.
nine hundred enneakòsce, adj.
nineteen dekannèa, adj.
ninety annovìnta, quattru-vinti deka, adj.
nipple graèddha, f.
no, not deje, (d)en, adv.
nobody kammìa, adj. f.
nobody kanèna, adj. m. tispo, pron.
nobody, someone tinò, pron., ex: ide tinò? have you seen someone?
noise of wind, also other noises, like that of the sea rùscio, m.
noon misciamèra, f.
nose mitti, f.
nostril rusùni, n.
not deje, èje, nde, adv.
not den (en, 'e), adv. mi, cong.
nothing kannÃ*meno, n.
nothing tipo, pron.
notice, to, to discover skuperèo, v.
nourish, to nutrikèo, v.
November noembri, m.
now, right now arte, Ã*rtena, adv.
nude junnò, adj.
nun mòneka, f.
nun, small (also a kind of orchid) monakèddha, f.
nurse, to vizzÃ*nno, v.
oaf lantzo, m.
oak alìtza, f.
oak velanèa, f.
oakum stuppì, n.
October ottòbri, m.
of a month minÃ*riko, adj.
of a year chronègno, chronèo, adj.
of course! achÃ*, excl.
of the tis, art.f. sing. (gen.)
of the tos, art. pl. (gen.)
of there pucì, adv.
of tze, prep.
of who, to who tinos, pron.
of, about (him, her, them) dé, cong.
of, from tze, prep.
offend, to oftendèo, vrizzo, v.
offense, wrong straò, n., ex: esù echi straò = you're wrong, also adj.= twisted, crooked, left, left-handed
often pinnÃ*, pinna, penna adv., f.
often, double, too much full pinnò, adj.
ogre nanni-orko, m.
oh, dear! oimmèna!, excl.
oil alÃ*i, n.
oil bottle kutrùpi, n.
oil-lamp linno, m.
old palèo, adj.
olive Ã*chriddho, m.
olive alèa, f.
olive tree porÃ*ti, n.
on all fours musci-musci, adv.
on horseback ankÃ*ddhu, adv.
on purpose deputÃ*o, adv.
one by one eccèna eccèna, adv.
one hundred akatò, adj.
onion krimbìdi, n.
open, to nitto, v.
opened nittò, adj.
or o, oj, cong.
orange rangi, n.
orange tree arangèa, f.
oregano ariÃ*ni, m.
other addho, adj.
otherwise andé, kandé, cong.
Otrantino terentinò, adj.
Otranto Terentò;, m.
ours dikòmma, adj.
over, on panu, adv.
over, from above pupÃ*nu, adv.
overall of leather of the harvesters pittÃ*li, n.
overflow, full kùlimo, adj.
overtake, to, to open wide the legs skankònno, v.
owl, flirt kukkuÃ*scia, f.
ox vui, n.
pack-saddle ncinÃ*ri vardèddhi, n.
pain lipi, f. pono, m.
pain of head (headache) ponocèfalo, m.
painted clay vase stangÃ*o, m.
pair zuguÃ*ri, n.
palace palÃ*i, m.
palm pisamì, f.
palm, blessed vaì, n. (ta vaìa = Sunday of the palms)
pant, to lachagnÃ*zzo, v. sakkèo, v.
pant, to, to gasp sakkèo, v.
paper chartì, n.
parsley petrusèlino, n.
part of the field where the plow does not pass skertzÃ*ta, f.
paschal rubber ring kuddhura, f. gaddhùtzi, m. panarÃ*i, n.
paste, to (bread dough) zimònno, v.
patch, to petzònno, v.
path, track stralìddha, f.
Paul PÃ*vlo, m.
peach perkòko, m.
peach pèrsiko, n.
peach tree persikèa, f.
peacock pavùna, m.
pear tree appidèa, f.
peasant gualÃ*no, m.
pebble paddhùtzula, f.
peck, to pitzulìzzo, v.
peel, to kasèrno, v.
peels kasÃ*rmata, n.pl.
pen, enclosure mandrì, n.
people jeno, n.
pepper pipèri, n.
pepper (tree) piperèa, f.
perforate, to tripò, v.
perhaps soggèste, telèste, adv.
piece of tree branch takkarùddhi, n.
pig rekko, n., also kurùni or grùni
pigeon picciùni, n.
piglet rekkuddhÃ*i, n.
pile up, to nkulumònno, v.
pill pìgnulo, m.
pine pigno, m.
pit fossì, n.
place topo, m.
plait, braid (of onions & garlic), pile pretzìta, f.
play, to pezzo, v.
please, to, it pleases me a lot, I like it a lot (mu) koddhÃ*, v.
plow, to latrèo, v.
plow Ã*latro, n.
plowing aladrÃ*da, f.
plug, to viddhò, v.
pocket punga, f.
pod of fava luìdi, n.
poke the fire, to skalìzzo, v.
poker fisatùri, n.
pomegranate rudi, n.
pot tzukkÃ*li, n.
pot, small tzukkalÃ*i, n.
powder pùrgula, f.
practical plÃ*ttiko, adj.
praise, to lardèo, v.
pray, to prakalò, v.
pregnant ètimi, adj.
prepare the bed stronno, v.
pretty kalèddha, adj.
pretty kalùddhi, adj.
priest patèra, m.
prickly pear (fruit) sikalìndi, n.
prickly pear (tree) sikalindèa, f.
provocation, devil tantatziùna, f.
prune, to putèo, v.
pull, to, to go, to head for sirno, v.
puncture pitzimÃ*, f.
put itself, to valònnome, v.
put out of order, to, to ruin, to demolish, to miscarry katalò, v.
put terìmmata, n. pì. tero, n.
put, to vaddho, v.
quarry tajÃ*, f.
rag, piece of cloth petzì, n.
rain, to vrechi (impers.), v.
rain nerò, n.
raise, to jèrno, skonno, v.
rat, mouse pondikò, m.
raw amò, adj.
read, to meletò, v.
reap, harvest, to terìzzo, v.
recover, to jeno, v.
red rodinò, adj.
reel matassÃ*ri, n.
remainders minòmata, n. pl.
repent, to pentèome, v.
reservior jistèrna, f.
rest itself, to rifiskèo, v.
rest rifisko, m.
restless tristarùddhi, nèmpasto, adj.
riddle manta, f.
right pinnÃ*, adv., f.
right, right-handed dorsìo, adj.
ring dattilìti, n.
road stra, f.
rock, to nannarìzzo, v.
Rome Romi, f.
rooster gaddho, m.
root rizza, f.
rope antzÃ*rti, scinì, n.
rope scinì, n.
rosary patrimò, n.
rose rodo, n.
rosebush rodèa, f.
rotten (egg) klìdio, adj.
rough chrondùna, m.
rough, hard zonto, adj.
roulade of meat voiikatèddha, f.
round sandwich puccèddha, f.
rub, to trifulèo, v.
rubble langÃ*, f.
ruined katalimmèno, adj.
ruminate, to rumbèo, v.
run into, to, also to happen ndenno, v., ex: evo ndenno quai ti (I go into something)= something happen to me
run, to trecho, m.
rush avrùddho, n.
rush vruddho, n.
sacred image, icon akòna, f.
saddlebag visÃ*cci, n.
saddler vardÃ*ri, m.
salt, to salèo, v.
sandwich tzomÃ*i, n.
Saturday samba, n.
save, to sarvèo, v.
say, to leo, v.
say, to pi (inf. of "leo"), v.
scare, to spramentèo, v.
scissor tzalìdi, n.
scorpion, spider skorpiùna, m.
scorranese skurranò, adj.
Scorrano SkurrÃ*na, m.
scoundrel kaiòta, m.
scratch, to rranfònno, v.
scratch (without injuring) tzio, v.
scream, to, also to call fonÃ*zzo, v.
scream, to skiddhèo, v.
scythe trapÃ*ni, n.
sea tÃ*lassa, f.
seam rafi, f. ramma, n.
seat of stone or wood pezzùli, n.
see, to torò, v.
see, to vlepo, v.
seed sperma, n.
seed sporo, m.
seed, to sperno, v.
segment skulìta, f.
seize, to tzikkònno, v.
sell, to pulò, v.
selvage ùscia, f.
send, to mbietto, petto, v., also "mbièo" for "mbiètto" and "arìzzo", "petto" can be pronounced "pèfto"
sensitive to cold tzichrammèno, adj.
separation tzeschorìa, f.
September settèmbri, m.
serpent, poisonous vasilìsko, m.
serranese serranò, adj.
Serrano SerrÃ*na, m.
serum skero, n.
set the table, to parasònno, v.
seventeen dekattÃ*, adj.
sew, to ratto, v.
shabby skalakÃ*zzi, m.
shadow ascìo, m.
shadow scio, n.
shake, to tinÃ*sso, v.
shake, to, shiver, tremble tramasso, v.
sheaf manòkulo, n.
sheep pratìna, f.
sheep, beast pròato, n.
sheet plaùna, m.
shirt, blouse kÃ*miso, m.
shoemaker skarpÃ*ri, m.
short, low kondò, adj.
shorten, to kondièno, v.
shoulder plai, f.
show itself, to spaddhèome, v.
show themselves, to, to show off spaddhèome, v.
show, to ditto, v.
sick dìnato, adj.
silks matÃ*tzi, f.
silks, to have sikkèo, v.
silver asimègno, adj.
similar kumpagnìssa, f.
sing, to kantalò, travudò, v.
singe, to flaìzzo, v.
sketch, to nfiamèo, v.
skill tenni, f.
skillful, straight tartèo, adj.
skirt fustiÃ*no, m.
skull kòkkalo, n.
sky ajèra, m.
slap, to skiaffèo, v.
sleep, to plonno, v.
sleep, to, to spread plonno, v.
slice komma, n.
slide, to reo, v.
sling sfendòna, f.
slip, to skulufrò, v.
slowly slowly, under under vÃ*scia-vÃ*scia, adv.
slowly ssadìa, adv.
small almond mendulèddha, f.
small apple milÃ*i, n.
small bud skiattulÃ*i, n.
little children kulusciòbbia, n.
small courtyard avvlèddha, f.
small hand cherùddha, f.
small hole tripèddha, f.
small horn ceratùddhi, n.
small house spitÃ*i, n.
small knife macherÃ*i, n.
small nail from shoe simèntza, f.
small painted clay vase stangatèddhi, n.
small rags petzùddhia, n. pl.
small scroll marrukèddha, f.
small stone tuddhi, n.
small tube kannulÃ*i, n.
smallish kondùddhi, adj.
smear, to mburdèo, v.
smell mirodìa, f.
smell, to mirìzzo, v.
smell bad vromò, v.
smoke kannò, m.
smoke, to kannìzzo, v.
snail marrùka, f.
snail monekùddhi, n.
snore, to roffulìzzo, v.
snow chiòni, n.
snow, to chionìzzi (impers.), v.
soak, to sponzèo, v.
soaked palò, adj.
soap sapùni, n.
sob sindùkkio, m.
sod paddhòtta, f.
soft apalò, adv.
softly treferÃ*, adv.
Soglianese suianò, adj.
Sogliano SujÃ*na, m.
some kammia, adj. f., also "kanena" for m. and n., or "quai" (adj.) (+ plural) for all
someone quaissÃ*tto, pron., kanèna, adj. m. tispo, pron.
son, child pedì, n.
son in law grambò, m.
song traùdi, n.
soot puddhìscino, n.
sour, wild arvo, gresto, adj.
sour lÃ*nfio, adj.
sow (female pig) rekka, f.
spark spitta, f.
speech amilìa, f.
spend, to spendèo, v.
spin, to nneso, v.
spindle ratti, n.
spirit, soul tzichì, f.
spite skiÃ*tto, m.
split scimmatùra, f.
spoon kutÃ*li, n.
spread, to stronno, v.
spur of the rooster sperùni, n.
squeeze, to, in order to dry stranghìzzo, v.
staggering vÃ*ndulo, m.
starve, to, to fast nistikònno, v.
steel stoma, m.
steel, steel part of the hoe stoma, m.
stem of the fruit kudètzi, n.
stench vromerìa, f. vromo, m.
stench vromìa, f.
step on, to, to tread on stompò, v.
step skalùna, m.
stepmother matrìa, f.
stepped on, treaded stompimèno, adj.
sternatese stamasèo, adj.
Sternatia Starnaìtta, f.
stick (for mixing) roddho, n.
sticky koddharò, adj.
stinging nettle kinìta, f.
stinking vromerò, adj.
stinking vromistò, adj.
stomach stomachò, n.
stone hut kalì, furnì, n. furno, m.
stone slab, cliff, pebble plaka, f.
stool skannì, n.
stool, small skannÃ*i, n.
stoop, to mputzèo, v.
stopper vìddhima, n., also vùddhima
straight tartèa, adv.
straight tartèo, adj.
strangle, to strangulèo, v.
strike, to kiafèo, zafo, kopanìzzo, v.
strike, to, to beat pelekò, v. to percuotere
string bean pasulÃ*i, n. pasùli, n.
string sfìkomma, n.
stroke with an arm, for instance when you swim bracciata
strong dinatò, fermo, adj.
strongly dinatÃ*, ferma, adj.
stubborn ciofalùto, adj.
stuff, things rucho, n.
stump (of a tree) kolÃ*kkio, m.
stupid woman stolÃ*ra, f.
succeed, to rescèo, v.
suffering patìmata, n. pl.
suit, to dèchete (impers.), v.
sulky expression rusùni, n.
summer kalocèri, n.
sun beam, beam of bicycle rÃ*scio, m.
Sunday ciuriacì, f.
sure poka, excl.
swallow, to katapìnno, v.
swear, to jestimèo, v.
sweat tromÃ*, f.
sweat, to tronno, v.
sweep, to skupìzzo, v.
sweet glicèo, adj.
sweeten, to glicèno, v.
sweet-smelling miristò, adj.
swell, to prìscio, v., also prìsko
swelling, tumor prisma, n.
swim, to narèo, v.
swiss chard seklo, n.
table tavla, f.
tail kuta, f.
tailor sartùri, m.
take, to pianno, v.
take, to, to sieze tzikkònno, v.
talkative fanfallùna lachanÃ*ri, m.
tantrum, whim strigno, m.
tape zacharèddha, f.
tape, necktie zacharèddha, f.
tear dammi, n.
tear, to spÃ*nno, n.
teared spammèno, adj.
teaspoon kutalÃ*i, n.
ten deka, adj.
tender apalò, treferò, adj.
Terimmata Terentò, m.
than pi(ri) or pi(ra), cong.
that ka, pu, cong. and pron.
that pu, cong.
that ti, cong.
the day after tomorrow mesÃ*vvri, adv.
the next year fetispòrkete, adv.
the past year pèrtzi, adv.
the ta, art. n. pl. i.
the ta, pron. p. n. (acc.)
the tes, art. f. pl. (acc.)
the tes, pron.p. f. pl. (acc.)
the tin, art. f.sing. (acc.)
the tin, pron.p. f. (acc.)
the tis, pron. p. f. (gen. - dat.)
the to (ton), pron.
the to, art. n. sing.
the ton, art. m. sing. (acc.)
the ton, pron. p. (acc.)
the tus, art. m. pl. (acc.) i.,
the u, pron. p.
the us, art. m. pl. (acc.)
the, art. e (m.), ta (n.)
the, art. f. e
the, art. f. pl. e
the, art. o (m.), to (n.)
their dikòtto, adj.
them tus, pron. pers. m. pl. (acc.)
then toa, adv.
there ecì, us, adv.
they tos, pron.p. (gen. - dat.)
thief klettÃ*ri, m.
thimble dattilìstra, f.
thin person lettùddhi, adj.
thing prama, n.
things guata, n. pl.
think, to pentzèo, v.
thirst sikka, f.
thirty triÃ*nta, adj. num.
this uso (m.), usi (f.), utto (n.) -nominative- (this guy is...) tunù (m), tunìs (f.), tunù (n.) -genitive- (to this, of this) utton (m.), ùttin (f.), ùtto (n.) -accusative- (I've seen this guy)
thousand chijÃ*, f.
thousand chije, adj.
thread nnema, n.
three hundred trisakòsce, adj.
three in the afternoon tokke, f. pl.
three tri (tria), adj.
threshing floor alòni, n.
throw, to pelò, v.
thrush tzìkulo, m.
thunder pappanghìnghili, n. (inf.)
Thursday petti, f., also pèfti
tie, to denno, v.
tightened stenò, adj.
to, at, on es, prep.
today sìmmeri, adv.
tomato pimitòro, m.
tomorrow avvri, adv.
tooth donti, n.
torn spammèno, adj.
touch, to, feel with the hands tantèo, v.
towards rtea, prep.
track potimÃ*, f.
track, kick potimÃ*, f.
training, lessons masìmata, n. pi.
tread on, to patò, v.
tree Ã*rgulo, m.
trip, to, to stumble truppèo, v.
try, to jurèo, v.
tube kannùli, n.
Tuesday triti, f.
turn, to kuruddhèo, v. votò, v.
turn, to votò, v.
turnips rapi, f.
twelve dòdeka, adj.
twig tzuppÃ*li, n.
twist, to, to bend (also "to make wrong") straònno, v.
twisted, left, left-handed (also "wrong") straò, adj.
two diu, adj.
two hundred diakòsce, adj.
two years ago pròpertzi, adv.
ugly áscimo, adj.
uncle tio, m.
uncultivated (land) nikkiÃ*riko, adj.
underpants kazzunètti, m. pl.
understand, to noò, v.
undo, to tzekÃ*nno, v.
undress, to tzepudìnno, v.
unearth, to tzechònno, v.
unearth, to, to dig tzechònno, v.
unleavened Ã*zzimo, adj.
unload, to tzefortònno, v.
unpick, to tzerÃ*fo, tzerÃ*tto, v.
unravel, to, to melt tzekÃ*nno, v.
until ris (ros), cong.
up there ecì panu, adv.
uproar derrÃ*sso, m.
urine kuturìmma, n.
use, custom pannÃ*tika, f.
useful, to be felò, v.
veil velo n.
Vernole Vèrnula, m.
Vernolese vernulìto, adj.
very many poddhì poddhì, tosso tosso, adj.
very many tosso tosso, adj.
vest kurpètto, m.
vinegar atzìti, n.
viper vìvera, f.
vomit, to vombikèo, tzerò, v.
vortex of wind skarkanìtzi, n.
walk, to pratò, v.
wall ticho, m.
walnut (tree) karidèa, f.
walnut karìdi, n.
wandering vendor pannacciÃ*ri, m.
want, to tèlo, v.
warehouse of a liquid kÃ*tula, n. pl.
warm termò, adj.
wart of the hand spraso, m.
wash, to (laundry) kofignÃ*zzo, v.
wash, to pleno, v.
watch, to kanonò, v.
water nerò, n.
water nerùddhi, n.
water, to potìzzo, v.
wave bbiùndo, m.
wax cirì, n.
we emì, pron.
weasel dòndula, f.
wedding armasìa, and stefÃ*noma, n.
Wednesday tetrÃ*di, f.
weigh, to varò, v.
well kalÃ*, adv.
wet, to, to soak palèno, v.

what? ti, pron.
wheat sitÃ*ri, n.
when, as soon as osso, cong.
when? poa, adv.
when tappu, cong.
where epù, pu, adv.
where pu, adv.
which pleo, adj. and pron.
while ecì pu, cong.
whim pìccio, m.
whim, bald head zella, f.
whimper, to rungulèo, v.
whining, spoiled varruto, adj.
whip vujìna, f.
white aspro, adj.
whiten, to (with lime) chrio, v.
whiten, to asprìzzo, v,
whitewashing of the house chrimmÃ*ta, f.
who pu, pron.
who knows? Ã*remo, adv.
who who is is, pron.
whom tinon, pron. (acc.), (t)is, (nom)
whom, to whom, which, who ka, pu, cong. and pron.
wide awake, to wake up, to wake themselves tzunnò, v.
wide platèo, adj.
wife of the miller mulinÃ*rena, f.
wife, of the butcher vuccèrena, f.
wild garlic skordari, n.
wild mint mentÃ*ini, f.
wild mustard prosinÃ*pi, n.
wild oats skarfavìna, f.
wild onion lampaùna, m.
wild turnip rapùna, m.
will tèlima, n.
wind into a ball, to tzekombònno, v.
window portèddhi, n.
wineskin (bucket of skin) askò, m.
winter scimòna, n.
winter scimonÃ*riko, adj.
wish vula, f.
witch stiÃ*ra, f.
with ma, prep.
with the mo, prep. art.
within (a house) essu, adv.
without sentza, prep.
wolf liko, m.
woman jinèka, f. kristianì, f.
wood tzilo, n.
wool-winder anèmi, f.
wooly maddhègno, adj.
work day katapernì, m.
work, to polemò, v.
world kosmo, m.
worm skulìci, n.
wrap, to fasciònno, v.
wraps of the babies fascèa, f.
year chrono, m.
yeast prozzìmi, n.
yellow cìtrino, sciÃ*leno, adj.
yellow sciÃ*leno, adj.
yellow, to luriÃ*zzo, v.
yellowed ngalunÃ*o, adj.
yes umme, adv.
yesterday etté, adv.
yoke zio, m.
you esù, pron. sing., esì, pron. pl.
you sa, pron. p. (acc.)
you sas, pron. p (gen- dat.)
you se, pron. p. (acc.)
you sena, pron. p. (acc.)
your, to you su pron. (gen. sing.)
young spouse, bachelor paddhikÃ*ri, n.
zollinese tzuddhinò, adj.
Zollino Tzuddhìnu, m.
zone, land for manufacture zona, f.


As most of you will notice there are many words that you will recognize but just pronounced a little different due to dialectical differences as well as Time and Isolation.

Ptolemy
12-18-2005, 03:43 AM
http://www.geocities.com/Athens/9479/griko.html

Griko


Komunitate greziarrak Italian / Greek minorities in Italy



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Grekera Italian

Grekeraz mintzo diren bi komunitate desberdin badira Italiako hegoaldean. Han, grekeraren presentzia Erromako inperioa baino lehenagokoa da; orduan ere Magna Grecia esaten baitzitzaion eskualdeari. Orain, hartatik, bi uharte linguistiko geratzen dira, bata Apulian, Grecia Salentina deritzona eta Griko dialektoz mintzo dena; eta bestea Bovesia eskualdean, Calabrian, non Calabriako Grekera edo Grekanikoa hitz egiten duten.
Greek in Italy

There are two distinct Greek-language communities in southern Italy, where Greek presence is older than the Roman empire itself. Then, the whole region was called Magna Grecia. Nowadays, there are two Greek pockets in the area, the Grecia Salentina area in Apulia where they speak the dialect called Griko; and the Bovesia area, in Calabria.

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Griko

Apulian (italieraz Puglia, Italiako zapata horren takoian, ulertzeko), Grecia Salentina delakoan, 15.000 lagun mintzo dira Griko hizkuntzan (1994).
Herri batzuetan gutxiengoa dira (Soleto, Sternatia...) baina tristeena da hiztun gehienak oso zaharrak direla eta hizkuntza hilzorian dagoela. Nolabaiteko lege babesa ere badu orain hizkuntzak, baina beranduegi da beharbada. Hala ere, badira ikasten ari diren gazteak, gure laguntzaile Francesco Penza bezala.
Griko

In Apulia (Puglia in Italian), in the Grecia Salentina area, there are 15,000 people who speak Griko (1994). In some towns they are now a minority (Soleto, Sternatia...) but the ugly thing is that they are generally old speakers, so Griko is "seriously endagered".There is now a new law that protect this language, but maybe it's too late. Anyway, there are young people learning like our informer Francesco Penza. We display here 3 distinct tables for Griko.


* Gaur egunean Griko-grekeraz mintzo diren herriak / Ellenophone towns today
* Italieraz
* Griko

Calimera
Kalimera

Castrignano
Kastrignana

Corigliano
Koriana

Martano
Martana

Martignano
Martignana

Soleto
Sulitu

Sternatìa
Starnaìtta

Zollino
Tzuddhino


* XIX. mendera arte grekeraz mintzo ziren / Ellenophone till 19th century
* Italieraz
* Griko

Cannole
Kannula

Caprarica
Kraparaka

Carpignano
Karpignana

Cursi
Kurze

Cutrofiano
Kutrofiana

Sogliano
Sujana


* Eskualdeko beste hiri eta herri batzuk / Other towns and cities of the area (non ellenophones)
* Italieraz
* Griko

Brindisi
Vrindisi

Galatina
Aspedro

Gallipoli
Kaddhipuli

Lecce
Luppiu

Leuca
Levike

Maglie
Maddhie

Otranto
Derentò


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Grekanikoa

Bovesia eskualdean, Calabrian (italiako zapataren puntan, esateko), Calabriako Grekera edo Grekanikoa hitz egiten du bertako komunitate batek. Duela 200 urte 20 bat herri ziren greziarrak hemen, baina orain 5,000 hiztun geratzen dira, gure taulan zerrendatutako bost herrietan, gehienak 50 urtetik gorakoak. Calabrian, beste Apulian ez bezala, eliza ortodoxoa ere bizirik dago. Beste gutxiengo batzuk (uharte linguistiko bitxiak) ere badira Calabrian: Valdestarrak (okzitanieraz mintzo dira) eta Albaniarrak.
Graecanic, Calabrian Greek

In the Bovesia area, in Calabria, they speak Calabrian Greek or Graecanic in five towns. 200 years ago, there were some 20 greek-speaking towns there, but now there are around 5,000 speakers, mostly over 50 years old, in the five towns listed in our table. Unlike in Grecia Salentina in Calabria the orthodox church is alive, with its see at Bova. Calabria is also home to other minorities, actual language islands: Valdesian Occitans and Albanians.


http://www.grikamilume.com

Ptolemy
12-18-2005, 03:44 AM
2.2. Geographical and language background

The Greek language spoken in Italy, known by the names grico, griko, greco-bovese or greco-calabro, is written in Roman characters and is a highly corrupted form of modern Greek. Griko is not a unitary language since it is spoken in two geographically and linguistically distinct enclaves, one in the area known as Bovesia near Reggio di Calabria and the other near Lecce, in the area known by the name of Grecia Salentina.

The Greek-speaking territory of Bovesia lies in very mountainous terrain and is not easily accessible. In recent times, many descendants of the early inhabitants of the area have left the mountains to set up home by the coast. The Grico speakers of Calabria live in the villages of Bova Superiore, Bova Marina, Roccaforte del Greco, Condofuri, Bagaladi, Polizzi and Gallicianò. The villages of Chorio and Roghudi were abandoned after the floods of 1971 and 1972, and their inhabitants were resettled in Mélito di Porto Salvo.

In Grecia Salentina, the Grico speakers are to be found in the villages of Calimera, Martignano, Martano, Sternatia, Zollino, Corigliano d'Otranto, Soleto, Melpignano and Castrignano dei Greci, although Grico seems to be disappearing from Martignano, Soleto and Melpignano.

The number of Grico speakers is very limited in Bovesia. Some authors speak of 3,900 speakers at the end of the seventies, principally in Roghudi and Gallicianò. The number of Greek speakers also appears to have fallen by around 70% since the fifties.

Bovesia has lost large numbers of its indigenous population, especially from its mountainous areas. Around 10% of the population born there have left the area in a wave of emigration that peaked during the sixties because of the job shortage, the industrial crisis, the crisis in agriculture, crafts and trades and the redundancies that followed the closure of a factory. This contrasts with the fact that around 80% of the present population of Bovesia came to the area as a result of the development of the tourist industry, the establishment of second homes for the retired and the creation of new industries. Around 30% of the population are employed in agriculture, 35% in the construction industry and service sector and a substantial percentage, although no precise figures are available, in forestry and related occupations. Bovesia also has a very high unemployment rate.

The situation in Grecia Salentina is fairly similar, since until recently the economy of the province of Lecce depended more or less directly on the size of the harvest of grapes, olives, tobacco, tomatoes, etc. Moreover, the existence of numerous huge landed estates (masserie) was one of the main reasons for the underdevelopment of agriculture that persisted into the sixties. Nowadays there is still a marked tendency among the rural population to emigrate to the urban centres. It is this very situation of economic underdevelopment, added to the fact that, until the agrarian reforms of 1950-51 took effect, the Grico-speaking peasants lived out a virtually self-sufficient existence on the masserie, that has enabled them to preserve their language for such a long time.

2.3. General history and history of the language

Towards the end of the 13th century, the political and cultural decline of the Byzantine Empire engulfed the Hellenism of Calabria in a crisis, which it withstood very effectively until the 15th century. From that time on, the various Romance dialects began to prevail in everyday interaction, especially in the urban centres that were open to external influences. There were even scattered pockets of bilingualism in the more remote towns and villages.

Italian and its regional dialects spread like wildfire among the population, due to their far superior social and cultural standing to that of Calabrian Greek. The results of this were a reduction to about twelve in the number of villages where Grico was still in common use at the start of the 19th century and the emergence of a situation of general bilingualism. Thus the first general census conducted in Italy after unification identified only seven Greek-speaking communes in Calabria, which represented some 8,000 people.

Universal schooling in Italian after the Second World War, compulsory military service, the law of 1901 granting freedom to emigrate (which caused serious depopulation throughout southern Italy) and the growing influence of the Italian mass media put an end to the bilingualism that had existed since the 17th century and reduced Greek to a dead language as far as social intercourse between communities was concerned.

Initiatives designed to promote the language were launched in the late fifties, thanks to the growing awareness of some intellectuals from the middle classes in Reggio di Calabria and Bova Marina and the interest shown by foreign researchers such as Rohlfs. A group of university students from Bovesia, for example, published a pamphlet entitled La Ionica.

In 1970, the group reconstituted itself as the La Ionica Cultural Circle, and the pamphlet became a periodical, in which poetry and prose in Italian and Greek are published.

The La Ionica Cultural Circle establishes contacts with the Greek speakers of Grecia Salentina, which brought about the creation of the UGIM (Unione dei Greci dell'Italia Meridionale). That association unsuccessfully petitioned the Regional Tourist Office for the introduction of bilingual road signs and five minutes' broadcasting time on Radio Cosenza. The private radio stations Radio Bova, Radio Mélito and Radio San Paolo in Reggio di Calabria proved to be more sympathetic.

The Greek Government, through the International Association of Greek Speakers (SFEE), has established close links with La Ionica and invites the Grico children from Calabria every year to attend summer camps in Greece. At the present time there are several Grico cultural groups: ZoÃ* ce glossa (Life and Language) in Reggio di Calabria, Cinurio Cosmó (New World) and Jalò tu Vúa in Bova Marina, CUMELCA in Gallicianò and Roghudi and Apodiafázi (Daybreak) in Bova Superiore.

These groups have organized various different activities to promote the language: conferences on the Calabrian Greek language - one of which spawned the Istituto Regionale Superiore di Studi Ellenofoni in August 1993 - poetry prizes in 1990, 1991 and 1992, cultural exhibitions and the publication of the periodicals I Riza and CUMELCA.

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2.4. Legal status and official policies

The Calabrian Autonomy Statute accords recognition to the historical cultural heritage of the ethnic Albanian and Greek populations and makes provision for the promotion of instruction in both languages in the places where they are spoken. In 1993 the Calabrian regional authorities also set up the Istituto Regionale Superiore di Studi Ellenofoni, which is based in Bova Marina.

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3. The use of the language in various fields

3.1. Education

A regional law of 1980 allows Greek-speaking school teachers or university lecturers to offer courses in the regions where the language is spoken, but there are no teachers or lecturers with sufficient command of Grico to be able to give such courses.

The Grico courses that are held in the schools of Bovesia are due to the initiative of the aforementioned Grico cultural groups. At a local level, the municipal authorities of Bova Marina provide a little economic help for the efforts of the Grico cultural groups to set up courses in the Greek language and training courses for teachers.

Although Calabrian Greek is not used as a classroom language anywhere, optional regional courses in Greek language and culture have been held for the past ten years or so in certain nursery and primary schools in Bovesia, thanks to funding from the regional and religious authorities and the EC. Although the number of pupils who choose to attend these courses is limited (fifty at the very most), there seems to have been a resurgence of interest in learning the Greek language and learning about Greek culture.

Greek is totally absent from the secondary curriculum. Only a handful of particularly motivated pupils attend the extracurricular courses offered by some Grico cultural groups. The same applies to the realm of technical education. The cultural group Jalò tu Vúa organizes Greek courses for adults. For some years now, thanks to European Community aid, Jalò tu Vúa has been organizing training courses in the Calabrian Greek language for teachers.

At the end of the eighties, the Jalò tu Vúa group formed a committee to lay down methodological standards for teaching Greek in each community and to draw up a Calabrian Greek grammar book for the schools in the region. The municipal administration in Bova published a Calabrian Greek grammar in 1979 and an informative pamphlet, La Glossa di Bova, some time later. As far as the Greek-speaking communities of Salento are concerned, there are also several educational publications designed for very young children.

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3.2. Judicial authorities

The language has never been used in the administration of justice since the need has never arisen.

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3.3. Public authorities and services

The language does not feature at all within the public services. Only the municipalities of Bova and Bova Marina have bilingual road signs.

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3.4. Mass media and information technology

There are two periodicals in Grico: I Riza, which is trilingual and is published by Jalò tu Vúa, and CUMELCA, published by the organization of the same name.

The periodical I Riza is published once every four months and half of it is written in Grico, while CUMELCA is a quarterly publication which is also 50% Grico, but in actual fact it appears at very irregular intervals.

The regional authorities award small grants to the Grico cultural groups to enable them to publish these periodicals.

At the time of writing the language is not used for radio broadcasting, although between 1977 and 1984, years that coincide with the zenith of private radio broadcasting in Italy, some stations did broadcast programmes in Greek, among them Radio Antenna Don Bosco in Bova Marina, Radio San Paolo in Reggio di Calabria and RTM in Mélito di Porto Salvo. Grico is never used on television.

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3.5. The Arts

Literary output is very restricted and is limited to some anthologies of poetry, books about the history of the region and a trilingual calendar in Italian, Grico and Greek.

There is a local traditional music group within the Jalò tu Vúa organization which sings at local festivities. The group produced a record in 1982.

Grico is not used in theatre productions, with the exception of two plays performed some years ago by an amateur company, La Clessidra.

An annual festival of Calabrian Greek music and song is held in Bova Marina, but it is now less prestigious than in bygone years.

The municipal authorities in Bova Marina provide a little economic assistance for the activities of the Grico cultural groups.

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3.6. The business world

Grico is never used in commercial and professional transactions as it is not spoken spontaneously by anyone.

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3.7. Family and social use of the language

It seems at the present time that nobody in Bovesia speaks Grico spontaneously, except for a few people will do so if encouraged - especially shepherds and farmers. Grico, in other words, has given way to Italian and the region's various Italian dialects. There has been a total breakdown in oral tradition, especially since the fifties, on account of economic changes, depopulation of the region and the growing percentage of the population who have attended school. The Grico speakers attribute the decline of the language and their lack of interest in it to the following factors: its inferior social status, its lack of usefulness as a vehicle of communication, linguistic and geographical fragmentation, the difficulty involved in learning it and the use of Italian and the other Romance dialects for social advancement.

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3.8. Transnational exchanges

Since the early seventies there have been cultural exchanges with Greece, and these have subsequently been reinforced, especially through the various Greek Ambassadors to Italy and through the universities of southern Italy.

There are also some twinning arrangements between Calabrian and Greek villages, such as those between Bova and Paleio Fáliro and between Condofuri and Alimós, and a partnership between the Jalò tu Vúa cultural group and the Filologhiki Stéghi association in Piraeus.

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4. Conclusion

Since Grico no longer has any social influence and is not spoken spontaneously as a language of everyday communication, the general impression of all observers and, most significantly, of people from the ethnic Greek communities of Calabria, is that it will disappear within a generation, despite the fact that the initiatives taken by the various Grico cultural groups to introduce the language into the education system seems to have aroused a degree of interest in Grico among young people. This rekindling of interest, however, relates more to the value of the language as a relic of the region's past than to its value as a means of communication.

The fact is that throughout the entire territory only 2,500 people know and understand the language. Among young people and adults below the age of 35, there are only about 50 who understand the language and even fewer who can speak it, despite the fact that several Greek courses are run each year. The main cause of this terminal crisis of the Greek language in Italy have been the constant depopulation of the area since the early 20th century, universal compulsory schooling and the growing influence of communications and the mass media. This situation has been exacerbated by the lack of interest in the language among young people.

http://www.uoc.edu/euromosaic/web/document/grec/an/i1/i1.html#2.1

Ptolemy
12-18-2005, 03:45 AM
From the book Polyglot Italy
by Dr. Geoffrey Hull

In ancient times Sicily and the Italian Peninsula south of Naples were known collectively as Magna Graecia - 'Great Greece' because of the number and importance of the Greek settlements there. The coasts of Apulia, Lucania, Campania, Calabria and eastern Sicily were first colonized by mainland Greeks in the eighth century before Christ. Such celebrated figures as Empedocles, Theocritus and Archimedes were natives of 'Great Greece'. Sicily had already been settled by Phoenician colonists from Carthage in North Africa, and the western districts remained in their hands. Despite several attempts by the Sicilian Greeks (Siceliots) to gain control of the whole island. In both Sicily and Italy the Greeks preferred to live on or near the coasts, where they established their city-states and emporia. They left the less attractive inland regions to the indigenous peoples mainly Italici (in eastern Sicily, Calabria and Lucania) and in Apulia, Messapians, an Indoeuropean people from Illyria. These autochthonous tribes maintained their own languages for a time, but at the dawning of the Christian age they were largely hellenized.
The expanding Roman Empire had annexed the whole of Magna Graecia and Sicily by 241 B.C., and while the Romans planted Latin colonies here and there, on the whole they treated the Italian Greeks as confederates, respecting their language and culture. In Rome itself Greek was employed as a second language and in the first Christian centuries the city had a large Greek-speaking minority. Latin spread through the Greek cities of the South as an administrative language but Greek held its own as a literary medium and the speech of the common people in many areas. At the height of the Empire Vulgar Latin had inplanted itself as the vernacular only as far south as the Apulian towns of Tarentum and Brundisium, and the river Crati in Bruttium (present-day Calabria), the Salentine peninsula, lower Calabria and eastern Sicily remained for the time being strongholds of the Greek language.

In the last centuries of the Empire Latin began to encroach upon literary Greek in Magna Graecia, and it is possible that the Greek vernacular itself might have given way to early Romance had it not been for the Byzantine (= Eastern Roman Empire) conquest of 535. Once Constantinople had replaced Rome as the centre of government, Greek was restored as the official language of southern Italy and Sicily and cultural ties with the Hellenic mainland were reaffirmed. The seventh century saw an influx of Greek-speaking refugees from Syria and Egypt, recently occupied by the Moslems. These immigrants strengthened the reviving Hellenity of the Byzantine Themes (territories) of the South.

Before the coming of the Byzantines, Italian and Sicilian Greek (Italiot), known to the local Italian tribes as Gricus, had been a variant of the Doric (western) dialect of the mainland. The Byzantines now introduced the Neo-Hellenic koine based on the speech of Athens (Attic). The influence transformed the structure of Italiot, though some of the original Doric features survived, and constitute living proof of the unbroken continuity of the Greek language in Italy from ancient times.

Linguistic conditions in Sicily were to be drastically altered by the Saracen invasion of 832. By the tenth century Greek had receded into the south-eastern corner of the island. Then came the Norman conquest of the eleventh century, which struck a serious blow at the roots of Hellenity both in Sicily and on the mainland. The cultural policy of the Normans was ambiguous: while officially tolerating all languages and creeds within their realm they also promoted the use of contemporary south Italian koine (based on the contact language that had evolved in Naples, Amalfi, Salerno and other ports), and favoured the Latin-rite Catholicism of the Holy See, their political ally. The Byzantine Christians among their subjects were severed from the jurisdiction of the Greek Church, by now in schism from Rome, and throughout the kingdom the eastern liturgy began to be replaced by the Roman rite with Latin rather than Greek as the language of worship.

Soon in full decline, the Byzantine rite lingered on in some parishes of the traditional Greek areas of Apulia, Calabria and Sicily until the seventeenth century, when it fell victim of the centralizing policies of the Counter Reformation. From the fourteenth century South Italian began to spread at the expense of Greek in the Messina-Taormina, Milazzo triangle (definitively Italianized by the 1500's) and in southern Calabria and Salento. However there is evidence that Greek continued to be widely spoken in Calabria (at least by the lower classes) until the Renaissance period. The anonymous author of a French chronicle of the late thirteenth century noted that "through the whole of Calabria the peasants speak nothing but Greek". In 1368 Petrarca recommended a stay in the region to a student who needed to improve his knowledge of Greek.

In the early sixteenth century Calabrian Greek was still vigorous in the inland districts south of Palmi and Cittanova but by the close of the seventeenth century it had receded into the Aspromonte mountains of the southern tip of the peninsula, an area comprising hte towns of Cardeto, Bagaladi, Motta San Giovanni, San Lorenzo, Melito, Condofuri, Roghudi, Bova, Palizzi, Africo and Sant'Agata. For the next century and a half the Calabrian Grecia (Greek-speaking zone) remained fairly stable, until the Risorgimento and Unification unleased a new tide of Italian linguisitic influence which accelerated the process of erosion. By the 1920's the ancestral language of South Calabrians could be heard only in the small rural communites of Bova, Amendola, Condofuri, Galliciano, Roccaforte, Roghudi and Ghorio.

Salentine Greek at first declined more rapidly than its Calabrian counterpart. Around 1400 it was already confined to a territorial strip bounded by Gallipoli and the Gulf of Taranto in the west, and Lake Limini near Otranto in the east, with Struda and Alliste as its respective northern and southern limits. By the twentieth century this Grecia had shrunk to a compact district south of Lecce/Luppiu made up of the villages of Calimera, Martignano, Sternatia, Soleto, Zollino, Martano, Castrignano dei Greci, Corigliano and Melpignano.

By the time they became citizens of the Kingdom of Italy in 1861, the Italo-Greeks, mostly poor peasants, had long been severed from the Byzantine religious traditions and from the mainstream of Neo-Hellenic civilization, The modern Italiot renaissance began in the Salentine Grecia through the efforts of Vito Domenico Palumbo (1857 - 1918), a native of Calimera, who endeavoured to re-establish cultural contacts with mainland Greece. Although excluded from the churches, schools and government offices, Greek began to be taught in some villages in the decade following World War II on the initiative of private individuals. In 1971 the Unione dei Greci dell'Italia meridionale was founded to foster relations between the Calabrian Greeks (today numbering only 5,000) and the 15,000 Salentine Greeks. At least three bilingual journals devoted to the Griko language are now in circulation, and a number of mainland Greek intellectuals and cultural bodies have taken an interest in the welfare of their trans-Ionian brothers. Nevertheless, in spite of these developments, Italo-Greek continues to be ignored the the Italian government. Furthermore the Calabrian Grecia, already in an advanced state of decay, suffered a serious setback when the floods of 1970 and 1972 forced the evacuation of Roghudi and Ghorio. The inhabitants of these villages have since been resettled along the Ionian coast and in Reggio where the language has little hope of survival.

Ample traces of the recent Greek past of Calabria, Salento and north-eastern Sicily remain in the local Neo-Italian dialects (the Romance speech that replaced Greek), and in regional surnames like Argurio ('Silver coin'), Calabro ('Calabrian'), Calo, Cala ('good'), Cefali ('head'), Chiriaco ('lordly'), Condro ('fat'), Dascoli ('Teacher'), Foti ('bright'), Lagana ('greengrocer'), Lico ('wolf'), Macri ('long'), Papandrea ('the priest Andrew'), Patera ('father'), Pangallo ('very good'), Schiro ('hard'), Sgro ('curly-headed'), Spano ('beardless'), Trano ('adult'), Tripodi ('tripod'). The Hellenisms in the modern South Calabrian dialect include such common words as ciaramide 'tile', ahjeri'dish-rag', crasentulu 'worm', capura 'pail', scifu 'trough', tripu 'hole', cudespina 'old woman', cuddaraci 'Easter bun', fusca 'bran', hasmiari 'to yawn', milinghi 'temples', spissida 'spark', cilona 'tortoise', petula 'butterfly', praia 'beach', rosacu 'frog', zafrata 'lizard', and zimmaru 'ram'. South Calabrian offers many examples of Greek syntax in Romance dress, for example the periphrastic construction that replaces the Italian infinitive, e.g. vogghiu mu vajo 'I want to go' (literally: "I want that I go") = Bova Greek thelo na pao (It. Voglio andare), vinni mi ti dugnu 'I came to give you' = irta na su dhosu (It. Venni a darti). Similarly, the use of the preterite tense instead of the Italian present perfect betrays a recent Greek substratum, e.g. comu mangiasti? 'how have you eatern?' = local Greek pos efaje? (It. Come hai mangiato?), ci facistivu? 'what have you done?' = ti ecamete (It. Che cosa avete fatto?).

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