barese

Barese refers to the regional speech variety spoken in Bari, the capital of the Apulia (Puglia) region in southern Italy. The term is used both as the demonym for people from Bari and as the name of the local language variety. Linguistically, Barese is part of the Italo-Dalmatian branch of Romance languages and is commonly treated as a dialect within the Neapolitan language continuum, though some linguists regard it as a distinct southern Italian dialect or language.

Barese is primarily spoken in Bari and the surrounding towns in the Metropolitan City of Bari, with regional varieties found across the Apulia region. In daily life, Barese coexists with Standard Italian; Italian is the official language used in education, media, and formal contexts, while Barese is used in informal settings, family interactions, and local culture.

As with other southern Italian dialects, Barese features phonological and lexical differences from Standard Italian, reflecting its long regional development and contact with various languages over time. Variation exists among neighborhoods and generations, contributing to a dynamic linguistic landscape.

Culturally, Barese is an element of Bari’s local identity, appearing in literature, music, and local media. There are ongoing efforts to document and study the dialect within broader discussions of Italian regional varieties, highlighting its role in regional heritage and everyday communication.