napoletano

Napolitano, or napoletano in Italian, designates things related to Naples, the city and capital of the Campania region in southern Italy. It is used for the people of Naples—the napoletani—as well as for the Neapolitan language and the city’s distinctive culture.

The Neapolitan language, or lingua napoletana, is a Romance language spoken mainly in Campania and surrounding areas. It is part of the Italo-Dalmatian subgroup and is often treated as a separate language from Standard Italian, though it shares a common Romance heritage. Neapolitan has its own dialects and a long oral and literary tradition, including songs, theater, and folk poetry. It uses the Latin alphabet and has been influenced by historical contact with Greek, Spanish, and French.

Naples has a strong cultural identity within Italy, reflected in its cuisine, music, and arts. Notable culinary contributions include pizza napoletana, sfogliatella, and ragù, all associated with the city’s culinary heritage. Neapolitan music, with famous songs such as those in the Neapolitan repertoire, has had a wide influence beyond the city. The term napoletano is also a common Italian surname and toponym, used in reference to people from Naples, including public figures such as Giorgio Napolitano, a former Italian president.