A common question I see in many Facebook groups about Sardinia is: “What language is spoken here? Is English enough?” The answer really depends on your goals. Whether you’re visiting Sardinia for a short vacation or planning to settle here, the role of language can vary. Here’s a breakdown to help you understand what to expect!
English in Sardinia:
If you’re just visiting Sardinia for a short vacation, English will likely be sufficient for most of your needs. However, if you’re in a remote village, especially in the island’s interior, you may have to rely on Google Translate to ask for directions. English is generally understood by younger people, but older generations may not be as familiar with it.
Living in Sardinia:
If you’re planning to live in Sardinia and integrate into the local community, speaking Italian is a must. While many people do speak Italian, in some areas, especially in more traditional villages, you’ll also hear Sardinian—a regional language with various dialects depending on the area. Even within Sardinian itself, there are different variations, such as Logudorese in the north-central part of the island and Campidanese in the south-central part.
Sardinian Language:
Sardinian is a Neo-Latin language with influences from pre-Roman languages, Byzantine Greek, Catalan, Castilian, and Italian. It was officially recognized by the Italian government in 1997 as the language of a historical minority. UNESCO classifies it as “definitely endangered.” While Sardinian has two main varieties—Logudorese and Campidanese—there are also numerous dialects across the island, including Sassarese, Gallurese, Catalan-Algherese, and Ligurian. This means that learning one dialect doesn’t guarantee you’ll understand another!
Do You Need to Know Sardinian?
While you don’t need to be fluent in Sardinian to live here, in certain areas, especially in small, rural villages, people will speak Sardinian. This is more likely to happen in remote regions like Barbagia or the northern parts of Gallura, but it’s not common everywhere. Sometimes people will switch to Sardinian, of they don´t want you to understand them but that happens rarely.Â
Have you visited Sardinia or lived here? What language experiences have you had? Share in the comments below!
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