What are the Corsican expressions to know before going on vacation?
Camping corse / What are the Corsican expressions to know?
Of course, French is spoken in Corsica. However, this traditional territory has kept its dialect and it can be good to know the basics before going there. Very attached to their culture, the Corsicans speak and defend their language (just like their gastronomy or their vineyards, for that matter), which they place at the heart of their identity. So, what are the Corsican expressions to know before going on vacation? Here is a short summary that will undoubtedly be useful to you.
A Romance language
As is the case for French, Italian or Spanish, Corsican is a Romance language whose bases are close to the others. But, before you start conversing, it is important to have some tips on the mode of pronunciation.
Here are a few pointers:
- The "U" is pronounced "OU",
- the "T" turns into "D",
- the "TT" into "T",
- the "V" is pronounced "B" (except in southern Corsica)
- In the South, "LL" is pronounced "DD".
- The consonants K, W, X do not exist in the Corsican language.
- As for vowels, "A" and "I" are pronounced as in French, "U" is pronounced "OU", "E" is never silent and "Y" does not exist.
Words and expressions to know
Here is a list of words that will be useful to you on a daily basis during your stay on the island of beauty:
- Yes: iè
- No: Innò
- Welcome: Benvenuti
- It's okay: va bè
- How are you? : Cumu và ?
- Hello: Bonghjornu or salute
- Good evening: Bona sera
- Good night: Bona notte
- Cheers: Salute!
- Goodbye: Avvedeci
- Please: Pè piacè
- Thanks: Grazie
- Thank you (Vi ringraziu)
- Excuse me: Scusatemi
- Can I eat? : manghjà, possu?
- Machja: the maquis (local vegetation)
- Paghjella: traditional polyphonic singing
- Amicu: friend
- I'm looking for: Cercu
- Enough: Basta
- See you soon: À dopu
- See you later: À prestu
- It's Hot: Face u caldu
- Wait! : Aspetta!
- Come Here: Veni qui
- Kisses: Basgi
- Coffee: Caffè
- Money: I soldi
- Boat: U battèllu
- Hotel: Osteria
- Car: A vittura
- Tour: Giru
- Front: Davanti
- Behind: Daretu
- Straight: Dirittu dirittu
- Left: À manca
- Right: À dritta
How to pronounce and write numbers?
- Zero (zeru),
- one (unu),
- two (duie),
- three (trè),
- four (quattru),
- five (cinque),
- six (sei),
- seven (sette),
- eight (ottu),
- nine (nove),
- ten (dece).
Some additional information
In Corsica, travellers from the mainland are called "Pinzuti", meaning "pointy", in reference to the accent (of Parisians most often).
A pretentious person will be called "monta sega". The words "Avà", "piombu" or "va bè" are interjections used to express astonishment or to punctuate a sentence. "Alo!" is used to express impatience, and "chè" to call out to someone.
Finally, someone who disturbs or is unpleasant can be qualified as "stregna or stragna", that is to say "witch".
