Language Learning

1. Comu si dici "grazzii" in sicilianu?

   How do you say "thank you" in Sicilian?

   Usage

   The basic pattern for asking how to say a word in Sicilian. Swap "grazzii" for any other word

   Grammar Note

   Si dici is the impersonal "one says", with dici the 3rd person singular of diri (to say). Language names are written in lower case. Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

2. Parrati cchiù adaciu, pi favuri

   Please speak more slowly

   Usage

   A polite way to ask someone to slow down when you cannot keep up

   Grammar Note

   The ending -ati is the 2nd person plural imperative, also the polite form to one person; to a friend say Parra cchiù adaciu. Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

3. Mi lu putiti scrìviri?

   Can you write it down for me?

   Usage

   Used to have a word, name or price written down when you cannot catch it by ear

   Grammar Note

   The pronouns mi lu (to me, it) go before the verb putiti. Scrìviri has its stress on the third syllable from the end, so the accent mark is written. Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

4. Chi voli diri sta palora?

   What does this word mean?

   Usage

   Used to ask the meaning of a word you have heard or read

   Grammar Note

   Literally "what does this word want to say". Sta is the short form of chista, used before the feminine noun palora. Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

5. Staiu mparannu u sicilianu: putemu parrari nzèmmula pi fari pratica?

   I'm studying Sicilian — can we practice together?

   Usage

   Used to ask a local to be your Sicilian conversation partner

   Grammar Note

   Staiu plus the gerund (-annu) means "I am doing". Mparari is "to learn", while "to teach" is nzignari. Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

6. Comu si prununzia chistu?

   How do you pronounce this?

   Usage

   Used to ask how a written word or place name is pronounced

   Grammar Note

   The noun "pronunciation" is prununza. The verb form here is composed, so if it is not understood say Comu è a prununza di chista palora? instead. Native review is advisable

7. Sugnu principianti — aviti pacenzia cu mia!

   I'm a beginner — please be patient with me!

   Usage

   Used to say you are only starting out and to ask for patience

   Grammar Note

   "Be patient" is aviri pacenzia (to have patience), and aviti is the plural / polite imperative of aviri. Principianti has the same form for men and women. Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

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