Mentonasc dialect
Mentonasc is a Romance dialect historically spoken in and around Menton, France. It is classified as a dialect of Occitan
Classification
Mentonasc is considered to be a transitional language; it is an intermediate language between Occitan and Ligurian, which is why the classification of Mentonasc is often debated. However, it is traditionally assigned to the Occitan language by french scholars and to Ligurian dialects by Italian scholars.The Mentonasc dialect bears strong similarities with the common alpine dialects, such as, Royasque or Pignasque. It differs quite significantly especially in the ear from Ligurian coastal dialects, like those of Ventimiglia or Monaco.
History
When the area of Menton was part of the Republic of Genoa and later of the Kingdom of Sardinia, Mentonasc was used in all of the coastal area between Monaco and Ventimiglia, and in the hinterland.In the 19th century Mentonasc was used in the territories of the Free Cities of Menton & Roquebrune, an independent statelet created in connection with the Italian Risorgimento.
When France annexed the Free Cities in 1861, Mentonasc began its decline, substituted by the French language.
Geographic distribution
The Mentonasc dialect is currently spoken by about 10% of the population in Menton, Roquebrune, and the surrounding villages. Now the language is being taught within the French educational system, as a variety of Niçard, so this may change.Official status
No countries currently have Mentonasc as an official language.Vocabulary/Lexis
Below is a chart of some nouns and verbs found in French, translated into Mentonasc.French | Mentonasc |
accôtement | bor dou camen, riba |
accouchement | part |
accoucher | partouri |
accoucheuse | baila, couchusa, coumà |
accouder | acoudâ, pountelâ |
accoudoir | bras |
accouplement | acoubiament |
accoupler | acoubiâ |
accourir | veni vitou |
accoutrer | gimbrâ, arnesca |
accoutumer | acousturiâ, abituâ |
accrediter | acreditâ |
accroc | set, sgarahura :sgarran |
accrocher | acrouchâ, pendè, aganità |
accroissement | creishament |
accroitre | creishe |
accroupir | acougounâ, cougounà |
accueil | acueilh |
accueillir | aculhi |
acculer | aculà |
accumulateur | acumulatoù |
accumulation | amourounament, acumulacian |
accumuler | amourounà, acumulà |
accuser | acusà |
acerbe | pougnent, aspre |
aceré | pounchû |
achalander | ashalandà |
acharnement | acharnament |
acharner | encagnâ, acharnâ |
achat | acat, coumpra |
acheminer | encaminà, stradâ, adraiâ, enstradà |
acheter | acatà, catà |
achever | feni |
acide | aigre âchidou |
acidité | aigrou, aigrura, achidità |
acolyte | coumpars |
acompte | acuenti |
acoquiner | s’acouquinà |
acoustique | acoustica, acousticou |
acquérir | catâ, aquistà |
acquisition | aquîst |
acquitter | aquitâ, pagà |
âcre | àsperou |
acrobate | acroubat |
acropole | acroupolà |
acte | atou |
acteur | atoû, atrisse |
actif | ativou |
action | assian |
actionner | assiounâ |
activité | atività |
actualité | atualitâ |
Literature
There are some texts and songs that have been published recently in MentonAmong the various publications: A Lambrusca de Paigran by Jean-Louis Caserio, illustrations by M. and F. Guglielmelli, SAHM, Menton, 1987. Brandi Mentounasc, Livret de Poésies Bilingue by Jean Ansaldi, 2010. Ou Mentounasc per ou Bachelerà, le Mentonasque au Baccalauréat, by JL Caserio, 5th edition, 2008., etc.