Manduriano

The Manduriano is an Italian dialect. It is currently spoken by the majority of the inhabitants of Manduria.

Pre-classical period

The words with a prehistoric Mediterranean derivation often refer to plants native to the Mediterranean region or to other natural features. Bearing in mind the qualifiers mentioned above (alternative sources are provided where known), examples of such words include:

• racioppu (stalk or stem, e.g. of a fruit, ancient Mediterranean word rak), (Giarrizzo)

Greek influences

The following Manduriano words are of a Greek origin (including some examples where it is unclear whether the word is derived directly from Greek, or via Latin):

• babbari - to fool around (from babazo, which also gives the Manduriano (and in general sicilian) words: babbazzu and babbu - stupid; but Latin babulus and Spanish babieca)
• bucali - pitcher (from baukalion), (Giarrizzo)
• carusu/carosa - boy (from kouros; but Latin carus - dear, Sanskrit caruh - amiable)
• cirasa - cherry (from kerasos; but Latin cerasum), (Giarrizzo)
• crašta - flower pot (from gastra; but Latin gastra), (Ruffino)

Arab words

• cupeta

Norman French influence

• ccattari - to buy (from Norman acater, Modern French acheter), (Ruffino)
• raggia – anger (from rage), (Giarrizzo)
• testa - head (from teste), (Hull)

Spanish period to the modern age

The following words are of Spanish derivation:

• cojirsi - to return home; (from arrecogerse; but Catalan recollir-se)
• pignata – pan (from pinada)