Griko
Griko is a dialect spoken in the Salento peninsula of Apulia, southern Italy, and in a few scattered villages in Calabria. It is considered a Greek dialect, descended from Koine Greek and influenced by later Byzantine Greek. The origins of Griko are debated, with some scholars tracing its roots to Magna Graecia, the ancient Greek colonization of Southern Italy, while others suggest a later settlement by Byzantine Greeks fleeing Turkish invasions.
The language exhibits distinct phonological, morphological, and lexical features that differentiate it from standard Italian and
Efforts to preserve and revitalize Griko are underway. Cultural associations, educational initiatives, and linguistic research projects