Gallurese

Gallurese, or Galluresu, is a Romance language spoken in Gallura, the northeastern part of Sardinia, Italy. It is considered part of the Corsican–Sardinian language group and is often described as a distinct language with Corsican affinities, rather than a mere Sardinian dialect, though classifications vary among scholars.

Origins and classification: Gallurese developed from contact between Corsican and Sardinian varieties during the Middle Ages, when Corsican-speaking settlers moved into the area. Some linguists classify it as a separate language within the Corsican–Sardinian family; others view it as a Sardinian variety with notable Corsican influence. It shares substantial vocabulary and phonological features with both Corsican and Sardinian.

Geographic distribution and use: It is traditionally spoken in communities of Gallura and is used in daily speech, folklore, and local communication alongside Italian. Many speakers are bilingual, with Italian serving as the dominant language in education and media.

Orthography and standardization: There is no universally accepted standard orthography for Gallurese. Writers typically base spelling on Italian or Corsican conventions, and written use varies by community and context.

Status and preservation: Gallurese is regarded as a minority language of Sardinia. Its vitality depends on intergenerational transmission, local cultural initiatives, and opportunities for use in education and media, as Italian remains the dominant language in public life.

See also: Corsican language, Sardinian language, Languages of Italy.