Co vala in Val Gardena? In this area, today the Ladin language is still in daily use
Nowadays Ladin is spoken by 90% of the population in Val Gardena. This old Rhaeto-Romanic language dates back more than 2000 years and developed out of the Rhaetian language and the Latin language, brought to South Tyrol by Roman conquerors. Even though in the past the Ladin language was widely spread, today it is limited to few areas, such as Val Gardena (Gherdëina), Val Badia (Badiot), Val di Fassa (Fascian), Livinallongo (Fodom), Cortina, the canton of Grisons and Friuli and Ampezzo (Anpezan).
In addition to Italian and German, Ladin is one of the three languages spoken in South Tyrol. Moreover, it has become an obligatory subject in all schools of Val Gardena. Some books and magazines are published in this language too and there are few daily programmes on radio and TV.
Want to learn some Ladin expressions?
- good morning! = bon dí!
- good night! = bona nuet!
- how are you? = co vala?
