Monegasque dialect

Monegasque dialect (Monegasque; self-name - Munegascu ) - the native language of Monegasques - subjects of the Principality of Monaco . The exact number of speakers is unknown, however, the Monegasques themselves number 7634 people, or 21.6% of the total population of the principality (data from the 2008 census ^[1] ).

Monegasque
Self name	Munegascu
Countries	Monaco
Total number of speakers	OK. 7 thousand people
Classification
Category	Languages ​​of Eurasia
Indo-European family Roman branch West Romanian group Gallo-Italian subgroup Ligurian language
Writing	latin
Linguasphere
IETF
Glottolog

Monegasque belongs to the Romance group of languages and is a dialect of the Ligurian language , close to the Genoese dialect . He was heavily influenced by the Nice dialect (Niçard) of the Occitan language , which is, among other things, the original native language in some areas of the principality. The Nice dialect was the language of the Nice Italians (Nice) until the annexation of the county of Nice by France in 1860.

The first book published in Monegasque is considered to be The Legend of the Holy Devot ( A legenda de Santa Devota , 1927) by Louis Notari . He also owns the text of the Anthem of Monaco in Monegasque (1931).

In addition to Monegasque, all Monegasques speak French. Given that the Monegasques themselves make up a smaller part of the population of the principality, the language was threatened with extinction back in the 1970s. However, the necessary measures were taken to save him: now the language is taught in schools and lyceums, in order to obtain a certificate it is necessary to pass an exam in Monegasque. It is believed that now his position is more stable. In the old part of Monaco, along with French, Monegasque is also used on road signs.

Also, the language is sacred (on the feast of St. Devota (January 26–27) and on the National Princely Day (November 19), the Mass is served in Monegasque) and ceremonial (the oath and speech of the prince upon entering the throne are also pronounced in Monegasque).