Calabrese dialect translators

[Cathynap]

I know (from my cousin's experiences) that different areas in Calabria have dialects so different from proper Italian that you may as well speak english to them because they do not understand proper Italian. I am ready to write to my Grandmother's church in Cortale (I know which Church was heers) but I need a translator that would write in her dialect. She came from Catanzaro province in a small town of Cortale. Can anyone help me find someone?
Thanks.

[wishyou]

Don't worry, the priest will understand italian.

[nuccia]

Hi There..

I'm Calabrese and yes we have our own dialect as does every part of Italy but to clear up any misconceptions you might have...in Italy people are taught to read and write in Italian not in dialect as you assume so the priest is more than capable of understanding a letter written in proper Italian.

Calabrese is a dialect...not a language! And many Calabrese people are perfectly capable of understanding proper Italian myself included regardless of the jokes we often make about butchering the language.

Regards
nuccia

[MauroMags]

Its my understanding and experience, that most dialects are now disappearing.

So in alot of cases, immigrants and their descendants are more proficient in the old dialects than the actually people who live in the original cities.

[wldspirit]

This is true.....when my Aunt last visited the family in Italy they did not understand all of what she said because she speaks in dialect, they even corrected her and said that is not Italian!!! 8O
wldspirit

[wishyou]

well, in truth some old people in some areas do not understand italian or don't talk it at all. They know and understand only their dialect and they are illeterate.
But I'm talking of old people which rarely has and will relate with other than their neighbour.
And however this peopel, if they will receive letters they go to let read them to the priest or any othe trusted person.

[Micklw]

My mother in law is calabrese and quite old. As a result she is illiterate and partially deaf. This makes communication near impossible. I speak some Italian but she only understands dialect. Hand signals and gestures seem the only way forward. This and a lot of patience. Good luck.