Ladini

Ladini refers to the Ladin-speaking people of the Dolomites in northern Italy and to their language, Ladin. The Ladins, as they are called in Italian, inhabit several valleys in the autonomous region of Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol, notably in South Tyrol’s Val Gardena and Val Badia, and in the Fassa and Ampezzo valleys in adjacent areas. They constitute a small ethnic community with a distinct culture shaped by alpine farming, crafts, and Catholic traditions.

The Ladin language is a Romance language in the Rhaeto-Romance group, with several regional varieties and a standardized orthography used in schools, media, and publications. Estimates of speakers commonly range around 30,000 to 40,000, though exact numbers vary. Ladin enjoys regional protection as a minority language in Italy; in many Ladin-speaking areas it is taught in schools and used in public life alongside Italian and German.

Historically, Ladin-speaking communities have lived in the Dolomites since the Middle Ages, preserving their language through relative isolation and a shared culture. In the modern era, autonomy arrangements in South Tyrol have supported language rights and cultural institutions, including linguistic associations, media outlets, and educational programs that promote Ladin.

Ladin culture includes traditional music, costumes, festivals tied to agricultural cycles, and distinctive cuisine such as polenta dishes, sausages, and speck. The language and culture continue to be sustained by local schools, cultural associations, and tourism that highlights Ladin heritage.