Ladin language and culture

This language displays differences from valley to valley

The Ladin language is a Rhaeto-Romance language, which today is still spoken by about 30,000 native speakers. This language, which has once been one of the most widespread throughout the alpine area, is today spoken by a language minority. In South Tyol it is still spoken in two valleys: the Val Badia and the Val Gardena. Other areas where the ladin language is in use are the Val di Fassa (province of Trentino), Livinallongo, Ampezzo (province of Belluno) as well as the Grigioni canton. In each area the ladin language is characterised by a local colour.

For a long period of time this language has been dismissed as dialect. Today, however, in South Tyrol it is approved as third official language beside Italian and German. Moreover it is taught at school in order that the language and culture are passed on to the children. Furthermore there are different publications as well as radio and television broadcasts in ladin language.

The ladin language can be differentiated into five idioms:
Maréo/Badiot (Val Badia)
Gherdëina (Val Gardena)
Fascian (Val di Fassa)
Anpezan (Ampezzo)
Fodom (Livinallongo)

And how do you say…?
> good morning = bon dí
> good night = bona nuet
> How are you? = co vala?
> What do you do today? = ce fesa ncuei ?