Cimbrian

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A language of Italy

ISO 639-3
cim
Alternate Names
Tzimbro, Zimbrisch
Population

2,230. 500 in Lusernese Cimbrian in Trentino Alto Oolige 40 km southeast from Trento, plus 1,500 Sette Comuni Cimbrian (40% of Roana (Rowan), 70% of Messaselva di Roana Rotzo) in Veneto around 60 km north of Vicenza (Kloss 1978), and 230 or 65% of Giazza (Ijetzan) Veneto, 43 km northeast of Verona (1992 R. Zamponi). 22,700 were in Sieben Gemeinde and 12,400 in Dreizehn Gemeinde in 1854.

Location

Northeast, Sette and Tredici Comuni (Sieben and Dreizehn Gemeinde) south of Trent, Giazza (Glietzen, Ljetzen), Roana (Rabam), Lusern towns; some in Venezia province.

Language Status

6a (Vigorous).

Classification
Indo-European, Germanic, West, High German, German, Upper German, Bavarian-Austrian
Dialects

Lusernese Cimbrian, Sette Comuni Cimbrian, Tredici Communi Cimbrian (Tauch). Based on structural and intelligibility differences, the 3 dialects could be considered separate languages. Lusernese Cimbrian is heavily influenced by Italian. Heavily influenced by Bajuwarisch dialects. Sometimes considered a dialect of South Bavarian [bar]. Different from Bavarian [bar], Walser [wae], and Mocheno [mhn].

Language Use

A number of children still learn Cimbrian in Luserna. Some presence in school and media. More active attempts to promote it in recent decades (2007). Middle-aged or older in Sette, all ages in Luserna. Also use Italian [ita], Venetian [vec] (Trentine), or German [deu].

Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Cimbrian
Writing
Latin script.