Ladins

Ladins refers to the Ladin-speaking people and the language they speak, native to the Dolomites in northern Italy. They constitute a recognized linguistic minority and are concentrated mainly in the valleys of the provinces of Bolzano (South Tyrol), Trento, and Belluno in Veneto, with communities in areas such as Val Gardena, Val Badia, Val di Fassa, and Ampezzo. The Ladin language and culture are preserved through regional institutions, education, and cultural activities in these valleys.

Ladin is a Romance language in the Rhaeto-Romance branch. It has three major dialect groups: Gherdëina (Gardena), Fasce or Fas (Fassa), and Badiot (Badia). A standardized written form, often referred to as Ladin Dolomitan, is used in schools, media, and literature alongside local dialects. Ladin uses the Latin alphabet and employs digraphs and diacritics to reflect its phonology. In daily life, many speakers also use Italian or German in different contexts, and bilingual signage is common in some areas.

History and status: The Ladin-speaking communities date to the medieval and early modern periods in the Dolomites. The region’s complex history included periods under the Holy Roman Empire and later Austria-Hungary before being incorporated into Italy after World War I. Since the establishment of autonomous provincial governance, Ladin has enjoyed protected status in education, administration, and public life in the Ladin-speaking valleys, with efforts to promote language transmission and cultural heritage.

Culture and demographics: Ladin culture includes traditional music, crafts, festivals, and cuisine tied to mountain life. While most Ladins live in Italy, smaller diasporic communities exist abroad.