Top Retellings of Classic Tales
Laura Lewakowski asked this question about My Brilliant Friend (My Brilliant Friend, #1):
What does it mean when someone"spoke in dialect", or in "thick dialect"? I understand that the book was originally written in Italian, but I'm not getting the importance of noting that the character was speaking in dialect at random times.
Wicca Naples has it's own dialect and it is very different than classic Italian. They have different words, and speak with a different style. The language i…moreNaples has it's own dialect and it is very different than classic Italian. They have different words, and speak with a different style. The language is Neapolitan - Here is something I found that might help:

Neapolitan is a Romance language spoken by about seven or eight million people in southern Italy, especially in the city of Naples (Nàpule/Napoli) and in Campania and southern Lazio. Neapolitan is part of a continuum of dialects spoken in most of southern Italy, though many would only use the term "Neapolitan" only to refer to the dialects spoken in and around Naples.

Neapolitan developed from Vulgar Latin, like most of the other languages and dialects spoken in Italy, and also contains some influences from Oscan and Greek.

Today Neapolitan is used mainly as a spoken language, though it has been used in literature since the 15th century. It has no official status and is not used in education, but is often used in popular songs.

Think of it as French Canadian is related to French. Many people from France do not understand Quebecois - the language the French Canadians speak. But they are both "french".
(less)
flag
More questions about My Brilliant Friend…
Image for My Brilliant Friend
My Brilliant Friend
by Elena Ferrante
Rate this book
Clear rating
1 of 5 stars2 of 5 stars3 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars

About Goodreads Q&A

Ask and answer questions about books!

You can pose questions to the Goodreads community with Reader Q&A, or ask your favorite author a question with Ask the Author.

See Featured Authors Answering Questions

Learn more