Understanding Tuscan: The Roots of Modern Italian

Tuscan, spoken primarily in the picturesque region of Tuscany and parts of Umbria, holds a special place in the world of languages. Tuscan is more than just a regional dialect—it’s the very foundation upon which the modern Italian language is built. This makes it arguably the closest language to standard Italian, with its rich history and unique characteristics.

Where Tuscan is Spoken

While Tuscany is its heartland, the Tuscan language also extends into parts of Umbria, showcasing a fascinating linguistic bridge between these two regions. Its similarities with Corsican add another layer of intrigue, hinting at historical and cultural exchanges across the Tyrrhenian Sea.

Unique Words and Expressions

Tuscan is peppered with charming words that often surprise those familiar only with standard Italian. Here are some gems:

Mi garba

Meaning I like it. Unlike the standard Italian mi piace, this expression is unique to Tuscany and gives off an older, literary charm that dates back to early Italian literature.

Babbo

Means dad. While papà is more common in other regions, babbo is standard in Tuscany and is famously used in Babbo Natale (Santa Claus). Dante and other classical writers used babbo as well.

Bischero

A mild, playful insult meaning stupid person. It’s not harsh or deeply offensive, often used teasingly among friends. Florence even has a historic legend tied to the term and a local family name.

Bischerata

Something silly or nonsensical, like a foolish act or trivial mistake. Derived from bischero, it’s often used to dismiss something unimportant.

Icche

A colloquial form of what. It replaces the standard che cosa or cosa and is deeply rooted in spoken Tuscan: Icche tu fai? (What are you doing?)

Grullo

Similar to bischero, meaning silly person. It’s another affectionate or humorous insult, commonly used in rural Tuscany: 'Un fare il grullo! (Don’t be silly!)

Quattrini

Money. This old-fashioned but charming term survives in Tuscan and literary Italian. It originally referred to small coins and is still used to mean cash in general.

Ganzo

Means cool or awesome today, but originally referred to a lover or suitor. Its modern usage has evolved, especially among younger Tuscans, to express excitement or admiration.

Cencio

Cleaning cloth. Common in Tuscan households, this word denotes an old rag used for cleaning, similar to “straccio” elsewhere in Italy.

Cannella

Tap or faucet. While rubinetto is the standard word in Italian, Tuscans often say cannella, from the Latin root meaning little pipe"—a more old-world term still in everyday use.

Granata

Broom. In most of Italy, it's scopa, but in Tuscany, granata is frequently used. It derives from the verb granare (to sweep), emphasizing its function rather than its shape.

Distinctive Linguistic Features

Tuscan doesn’t just differ in vocabulary; its grammar and pronunciation carry unique traits:

Pronouns are not omitted

Unlike standard Italian, where subject pronouns are often dropped because the verb endings indicate the subject, Tuscan speakers often retain them for emphasis or clarity. For example: O che TU fai? (Hey, what are you doing?) or Come TU stai? (How are you?). The explicit pronoun adds a personal tone or even mild emphasis in conversation.

The letter C is pronounced like an English H

This is one of the most distinctive phonetic traits of Tuscan. For example, coca-cola con la cannuccia sounds like hoha-hola hon la hannuccia. The soft 'c' (before e or i) turns into an 'h' sound, giving the dialect a breathy, almost aspirated feel. This phenomenon is known as gorgia toscana.

Double pronouns for emphasis

Tuscan often uses both indirect object pronouns and stressed pronouns together, even though this is considered redundant in standard Italian. Example: A me mi garba literally translates to To me, I like it, but is used to strongly stress the speaker’s personal preference.

Contractions

Common words are often shortened in informal speech. For example, non becomes un (as in Un lo so for I don't know), faccio becomes fo, and vado becomes vo. These contractions reflect a natural ease and rhythm in Tuscan speech, rooted in centuries of oral tradition.

Infinitives lose the final -re

In spoken Tuscan, infinitive verbs often drop the -re ending. For instance, mangiare (to eat) becomes mangià, and andare (to go) becomes andà. This simplification adds to the musical, flowing quality of the dialect.

Why Tuscan Matters

Tuscan is not just a dialect; it is a linguistic treasure. The standardized Italian language we learn today owes its origins largely to the Tuscan dialect, especially the literary works of Dante Alighieri, Petrarch, and Boccaccio, who wrote in Tuscan. This makes it a crucial link between Italy’s past and present, preserving the melodic and cultural essence of the region.

For language enthusiasts and travelers alike, getting to know Tuscan is like unlocking the soul of Italy’s rich heritage—one “bischero” or “mi garba” at a time.