Sicilian · Sicily
Palermo
The Sicilian dialect, word by word: what it means, where it comes from and who checks it. Meanings are in English where we have them, otherwise in Italian.
The dictionary
The words of Palermo
The list shows the English meaning where we have it; each word page is in Italian.
4,455 words, from A to Z
How to read it
Reading the Sicilian
ḍḍ
It is not a plain double d: you say it with the tip of the tongue curled back. It is written «dd» or «ḍḍ»: beddu, beautiful; coḍḍu, neck.
tr, str
Here too the tongue goes back, and t and r almost melt into one sound: trenu, train; stricari, to rub.
-i, -u
Unstressed, there are only a, i and u: that is why so many words end in «i» or «u» where Italian has «e» or «o»: pani, bread; vinu, wine.
cchiù
Some words start with a double consonant, and you hear it: cchiù, more; cca, here.
dâ
The little hat on the vowel means two words have merged: «di la» becomes «dâ», as in vermu dâ sita, silkworm.
Source: Wikipedia · Lingua siciliana; Sicilian language (CC BY-SA)
The keepers
The keepers of Palermo
Three people from the town who really speak the dialect. They confirm the words, correct them and add the missing ones. Their name stays on this page, only if they want.
The supporter
This bell tower is looking for a supporter
A shop, a bakery or an association from Palermo: a single sign per bell tower, here, with no pop-up ads.
Coming after the site opens: if you are interested, write to us.
Nearby bell towers
The whole page in Italian
Phrasebook, quiz, «si dice così?» and the poster are on the Italian page of Palermo.