Sardinian

Sardinian is a Romance language spoken on the island of Sardinia, Italy, and by Sardinian communities abroad. It is distinguished from Italian and other Romance languages and has several regional varieties. Estimates of speakers vary, but it remains the native language for many Sardinians, while Italian is widely used in schooling and media.

The language comprises major varieties such as Campidanese in the south and Logudorese in the center and north, with subdialects and related forms like Gallurese and Sassarese. Linguists generally treat Sardinian as a distinct branch of Romance, notable for its relative conservatism compared with other languages and for weaker influence from Italian.

Historically, Sardinian developed in relative isolation, preserving features that disappeared in many other Romance tongues. Medieval documents such as the Codex of Logu attest to a long literary tradition. Over the centuries, Sardinian has absorbed some Catalan, Spanish, and Italian influences, but it remains recognizable for its unique phonology and vocabulary.

Today Sardinian is written with the Latin alphabet. There are several orthographic standards; the Limba Sarda Comuna is one prominent initiative to promote a unified spelling. In contemporary Sardinia, the language faces challenges from Italian in education and media, while revival movements seek to strengthen transmission in homes and schools.