Robis di no crodi: L’astronaute Greg Linteris al è lât intal spazi cu la bandiere furlane [1]

PART 1. The astronaut Gregory Linteris and the Friulian flag (l’astronaute Gregory Linteris e la bandiere furlane).

T 0.00-1.00

Un... doi... cincuantevot... cent e vincjedoi... Oh, vêso mai notât? In cualsisei puest tal mont che tu ledis, un furlan tu lu cjatis simpri; e spes chel furlan nol dismentee di puartâsi daûr la bandiere de Patrie, e nancje di fâsi une biele foto cun jê. Ma al è un furlan che, cu la bandiere, al à fat tant di plui. Le à poiade su la piche de piramide di Gjiza? Risposta errata! Te cupule dal Taj Mahal? Falât! Sul Everest? No! O sai che no mi crodarês, ma un furlan le à puartade adiriture intal spazi. Eh sì. Un uomo, una leggenda... O fevelìn di Gregory Thomas Linteris. Il prin astronaute furlan.

One... two... fifty-eight... one hundred and twenty-two... Oh, have you ever noticed? Wherever you go in the world. you’ll always find a Friulian; and often that Friulian neither forgets to bring along the flag of the Patrie, nor to take a nice of himself photo with it. But there’s a Friulian who, with the flag, did so much more. Did he put it on the tip of the pyramid of Giza? Wrong answer! On the dome of the Taj Mahal? Incorrect! On Everest? No! I know you won’t believe me, but a Friulian has even taken it into space. Oh yeah. A man, a legend... We are talking about Gregory Thomas Linteris. The first Friulian astronaut.

Un astronaute: an astronaut. In the plural: i astronautis. Examples: the astronauts went to space (i astronautis a son lâts intal spazi); the astronauts explored the cosmos (i astronautis a àn esplorât il cosmi).

Cualsisei = cualsisedi (any, whichever, whatever); both forms are commonly used. Che tu ledis: that you may go; present subjunctive, second-person singular. In cualsisei puest tal mont che tu ledis: wherever you go in the world (literally, in whatever place in the world that you may go). More examples: at any moment (in cualsisedi moment); for whatever reason (par cualsisei reson); whatever he says, I don’t believe him one bit (cualsisei robe ch’al disi, no i crôt piç).

Dismenteâ: to forget. Examples: he drinks to forget (al bêf par dismenteâ); to forget one’s keys (dismenteâ lis clâfs); to forget one’s family (dismenteâ la famee); to forget one’s passport (dismenteâ il passepuart). We can also use: dismenteâsi di. Examples: to forget one’s keys (dismenteâsi des clâfs); to forget one’s family (dismenteâsi de famee); to forget one’s passport (dismenteâsi dal passepuart).

Puartâsi daûr: to bring along (literally, to bring behind oneself). Example: don’t forget that you have to bring along all these documents (no sta dismenteâ che tu âs di puartâti daûr ducj chescj documents).

No mi crodarês: you will not believe me, second-person plural. To say it in second-person singular, we use: no tu mi crodarâs.

The speaker uses some Italian: (i) for wrong answer, she says: risposta errata, which in Friulian is: rispueste falade; (ii) una leggenda, to qualify a man as exceptional; but in Friulian he would instead be mythical: un mît. Chel om al è un mît: that man is a legend.

La fumate dal Signôr, ce robe ise?

We have learnt (o vin imparât) in these last few days (in chescj ultins dîs) that the Friulian word fumate (che la peraule furlane fumate) in English means (par inglês e vûl dî): fog. For instance (par esempli), we can say (o podìn dî) that heavy fog limits visibility (che la fumate penze e limite la visibilitât).

Let’s look at the photo below (cjalìn la foto chi sot). Due to the heavy fog (par cause de fumate penze), visibility is not good (la visibilitât no je buine):

But the word fumate (ma la peraule fumate) also indicates anger (e indiche ancje la rabie). For instance (par esempli), we can speak of the wrath of the Lord (o podìn fevelâ de fumate dal Signôr). We just have to look at the image below (nus baste cjalâ la imagjin chi sot) to understand why (par capî parcè) we can use the word fumate (che o podìn doprâ la peraule fumate) to speak also of anger (par fevelâ ancje de rabie):

We can use this word (o podìn doprâ cheste peraule) in everyday language (tal lengaç di ogni dì). Let’s do an example (fasìn un esempli): today’s latest news makes my blood boil (lis ultimis gnovis di vuê mi fasin vignî sù la fumate). Fâ vignî sù: to make to come up, to cause to rise.

Madone di Avost, la fieste celebrade ai 15 di Avost in dute Italie

Yesterday (îr), in Italy (in Italie), a holiday was celebrated (e je stade celebrade une fieste). In the Italian language (in lenghe taliane), this holiday is known as Ferragosto (cheste fieste e je cognossude come Ferragosto), but in Friulian it is called (ma par furlan si clamile): la Madone di Avost, whose name in English would be translated as (non che par inglês al vignarès voltât come): the Madonna of August. This holiday (cheste fieste), celebrated on the fifteenth of August (celebrade ai cuindis di Avost), coincides with the Assumption (e coincît cu la Assunzion) of the Blessed Virgin Mary (de Beade Virgjine Marie), which is to say (ven a stâi), the Madonna’s ascent into heaven (la elevazion in cîl de Madone).

La Assunzion di Marie si celebre ai cuindis di Avost:

The period surrounding the day of the Madone di Avost (il periodi sot de zornade de Madone di Avost) is a holiday time (al è un timp di vacance). We use the name of this holiday (o doprìn il non di cheste fieste) to speak not only of the fifteenth of the month (par fevelâ no dome dai cuindis dal mês), but also of the entire holiday period which includes that day (ma ancje di dut il timp di vacance che al cjape dentri chel dì). For example (par esempli), we can say (o podìn dî): the Madone di Avost fell this year on a Friday (la Madone di Avost e je colade chest an di vinars), or even (o ancje): for the Madone di Avost we went to the mountains for four days (par Madone di Avost o vin stât in mont cuatri dîs). Careful (atenzion): (i) o sin stâts = we were, we have been; (ii) o vin stât = we went, we have gone; (iii) o vin stât = o sin lâts. Let’s do another example (fasìn un altri esempli): For the Madone di Avost long weekend (pal puint de Madone di Avost), I went to Tumieç (o soi lât a Tumieç / o ài stât a Tumieç).

Even if citizens suspend their work activities (ancje se i citadins a sospindin lis lôr ativitâts lavoritivis) to go on holiday (par lâ in vacance), few are the robbers who will do the same (a son pôcs i laris che a fasaran chel tant)! There could even be (pò ancje dâsi che e sedi) a whole host of robberies (dute une schirie di robariis) during the day of the fifteenth of August (dilunc de zornade dai cuindis dal Avost). The owners are away from home (i parons a son fûr cjase) and will discover the robbery (e a scuvierzaran la robarie) only when they come back from holidays (dome cuant che a tornaran indaûr des feriis).

Here is the expression used (ve chi la espression doprade) around this holiday (sot di cheste fieste) to wish good things to come to someone (par augurâi a cualchidun che i vegni dal ben): Buine Madone di Avost, which is to say (ven a stâi): Happy Madone di Avost.

Proverbi furlan: Parsore il nûl al è simpri seren

These past few days (in chescj ultins dîs), we have spoken about numerous weather conditions (o vin fevelât di cetantis cundizions meteorologjichis) in the Friulian language (in lenghe furlane). Let’s continue on the theme (anìn indenant cul teme), but from a different perspective (ma cuntune prospetive divierse).

When the sky is without clouds (cuant che il cîl al è cence nûi), it is said that the sky is (si dîs che il cîl al è): seren, which is to say (ven a stâi): clear. For example (par esempli), we can say (o podìn dî): today the sky is clear (vuê il cîl al è seren). If you take a peek at the forecast (se tu dâs un cûc a lis previsions), maybe you will read something of the sort (forsit tu leiarâs alc dal gjenar): mostly clear sky in Secuals (cîl pal plui seren a Secuals).

The Friulian word seren also means (la peraule furlane seren e vûl ancje dî): serene, calm. For example (par esempli), to speak of a state of inner peace (par fevelâ di un stât di pâs interiôr), we can say (o podìn dî): I have peace of mind (o ài il spirt seren). We use the Friulian word spirt (o doprìn la peraule spirt) to speak of the condition of one’s mind (par fevelâ de cundizion dal anim). Another example (un altri esempli): I’m not in the right spirit {frame of mind} to read this book (no ài il spirt just par lei chest libri).

Let’s speak now of proverbs (fevelìn cumò di proverbis). A proverb is a short saying (un proverbi al è un sproc curt) of folk origin (di divignince popolâr) that reveals a rule (che al pant une regule), an idea (une idee) or practical life guidance (o une indicazion pratiche di vite) drawn from experience (tirade fûr de esperience).

Here is a Friulian proverb (ve chi un proverbi furlan): parsore il nûl al è simpri seren, which word for word in the English language is (che peraule par peraule in lenghe inglese al sarès): it’s always clear above the cloud. We can also say it like this (o podìn ancje dîlu cussì): parsore il nûl al è simpri bon timp, which word for word in the English language is (che peraule par peraule in lenghe inglese al sarès): it’s always nice weather above the cloud.

These proverbs mean (chescj proverbis a vuelin dî) that we will always find peace of mind (che o cjatarìn simpri la calme dal spirt) beyond the problems of the moment (di là dai fastidis dal moment). These proverbs also bring about (chescj proverbis a fasin ancje) that we lift our eyes up to God (che o alcìn i voi viers Diu) who is the heavens (che al è tai cîi), high above (là sù adalt).

Sorpàs improibît! Stradis plui siguris cu lis strichis che a sunin

Last year (l’an passât) along a motorway in Friûl (dilunc di une autostrade in Friûl), the double central line (la dople linie centrâl) that indicates the prohibition (che e segnale la improibizion) of overtaking between the two lanes (dal sorpàs tra lis dôs corsiis) was redone (e je stade rifate). These stripes are special (chestis strichis a son speciâls) because they make a sound (parcè che a sunin) if the driver tries to overtake (se il vuidadôr al cîr di sorpassâ) by entering the oncoming lane (lant in chê altre corsie). / Riferiment: La Vôs dai Furlans.

The two white stripes (lis dôs strichis blancjis) indicate that the driver must not overtake (a segnalin che il vuidadôr nol à di sorpassâ); if he tries to do so (se al cîr di fâ chel tant) by entering the oncoming lane (lant in chê altre corsie), the stripes make a sound (lis strichis a sunin) due to those bits that stick out (par vie di chei tocs che a dan infûr). If a car passes over those bits (se une machine e passe parsore di chei tocs), they make a sound (a fasin un sun).

These stripes make the roads safer (chestis strichis a fasin plui siguris lis stradis), especially at night (soredut vie pe gnot) and when there is fog (e cuant che e je fumate). If the fog is thick (se la fumate e je penze), the roads are more dangerous (lis stradis a son plui pericolosis) because visibility is not good (parcè che la visibilitât no je buine). Visibility is also limited at night (la visibilitât e je ancje limitade vie pe gnot), but it could also be (ma pò ancje dâsi) that a tired driver falls asleep behind the wheel (che un vuidadôr strac si indurmidissi al volant). As for those who are sozzled drunk (par ce che al tocje chei che a son cjocs in bale) when they invade the oncoming lane (cuant che a invadin chê altre corsie), those drivers will have to have a saint in heaven (chei vuidadôrs a varan di vê un sant in cîl).

Traffic law (codiç de strade): If the stripes are continuous (se lis strichis a son continuis) and carry on without interruption (e a van indenant cence interuzion), overtaking is prohibited (il sorpàs al è improibît). If the stripes are short (se lis strichis a son curtis), the one after the other (une daûr di chê altre), overtaking is permitted (il sorpàs al è permetût).

Reminder (pro memoria): In the Friulian language (in lenghe furlane), a pedestrian crossing is also known as (un passaç pedonâl al è ancje cognossût come): lis strichis, which is to say (ven a stâi): the stripes. For that reason (par chel), if one crosses the street using the pedestrian crossing (se un al travierse la strade doprant il passaç pedonâl), we can say that he is crossing the street at the stripes (o podìn dî che al travierse la strade li des strichis).

Semôt ch’a si çacara a Dograva: I ài sçavassât un prât plen di caligo

Now I will use Friulian (adès i dopri il furlan) in the variant of Dograva (ta la variant di Dograva). In the YouPalTubo videoclip from yesterday (tal filmât di YouPalTubo di jêr), we learnt this word (i vin imparât chista peraula): fumatele, which is to say (ven a stâi): mist. But did you know (ma savevitu) that at Dograva (che a Dograva), in the municipality of San Zors da la Richinvelda (tal comun di San Zors da la Richinvelda), they say (a disin): caligo? A few examples (cualchi esempli) of how people speak there (di semôt ch’a si çacara ulì):

1. I crossed a meadow full of mist: (Dograva) i ài sçavassât un prât plen di caligo; (standard) o ài scjavaçât un prât plen di fumatele.

2. The heat of June and the mist of October: (Dograva) il çalt di zuin e il caligo di otobre; (standard) il cjalt di Jugn e la fumatele di Otubar.

3. The November mist hides things outside: (Dograva) il caligo di novembre al plata li robis di fôr; (standard) la fumatele di Novembar e plate lis robis di fûr.

Right (ben), enough of this word (avonda cun chista peraula). In the variant of Dograva (ta la variant di Dograva), they also say things like (si çacara ença cussì):

4. The sky was blue, without a cloud: (Dograva) il sêl al era selest, sensa una nula; (standard) il cîl al jere celest, cence un nûl.

5. A nice clear sky, without clouds: (Dograva) un biel sêl net, sensa nulis; (standard) un biel cîl net, cence nûi.

La glesia di San Laurins Martar, a Dograva, sot di un sêl selest, sensa una nula:

6. The sky is getting darker and darker: (Dograva) il sêl al è sempri pi neri; (standard) il cîl al è simpri plui neri.

7. For now it is not raining: (Dograva) par adès a nol plôf; (standard) par cumò nol plûf.

8. In the harshness of a December sky: (Dograva) tal gherp di un sêl di dicembre; (standard) tal garp di un cîl di Dicembar.

9. The rain is starting to get us wet: (Dograva) la ploia a taca a bagnâni; (standard) la ploie e tache a bagnânus.

10. I had to go out, rain or shine: (Dograva) i vevi di zî fôr, soreli o ploia ch’a fos; (standard) o vevi di lâ fûr, soreli o ploie che e fos.

Foto: Pro Loco di San Zors da la Richinvelda

Ce timp fasial? Al è dut un veri, no podaressino piâ il riscjaldament? [5]

PART 5. What’s the weather like? (Ce timp fasial?)

T 1.44+

—Scolte, Desiree. No podaressino piâ un ninin di riscjaldament? I ài i sgrisui di frêt. —Cemût frêt? Tu starâs pôc ben? —A je une criùre chi dentri. —Sù mo, nancje ch’al fos dute une glace. —Al è dut un veri! // —Notaitsi al canâl. —E viodêt di fâi plovi i poleârs. —E mi racomandi: lait planc, ch’al è dut un veri!

—Listen, Desiree. Can’t we turn on a wee bit of heat? I’m shivering with cold. —What do you mean cold? You’re not sick, are you? —There’s a chill in here. —Come on, it’s not as though it’s total ice. —It’s total glass! // —Subscribe to the channel. —And be sure to make your thumbs rain down there. —And a word of caution: go easy, ’cos it’s total glass!

1. no podaressino: might’nt we be able; first-person plural, present conditional, negated interrogative.

2. i ài = o ài — i ài i sgrisui di frêt = o ài i sgrisui di frêt: I’m shivering cold (lit., I have the shivers of cold).

3. a je = e je — a je une criùre = e je une criùre: there’s a chill, it’s cold.

4. il veri: glass; used figuratively here on account of its similar appearance and texture to ice.

5. il poleâr: thumb; the YouPalTubo crew tend to just use poleâr, which means thumb, to indicate a thumb of approval on the YouTube scoring system. For instance, they can be heard saying in other videoclips: fracait il poleâr (click the thumb). But we can also say things like: dâ un poleâr sù (to give a thumbs-up), o ài dât un poleâr jù (I gave a thumbs-down), sù i poleârs! (put your thumbs up!), metêt un biel like! (drop a big like!), amongst other formulations. Related: sù lis mans! (put your hands up!), said by a policeman.

« Part 1

« Part 2

« Part 3

« Part 4

Ce timp fasial? Vuê al è un tuf incredibil, no je fâs plui [4]

PART 4. What’s the weather like? (Ce timp fasial?)

T 1.12-1.44

—No, vuê propit no je fâs... ce raze di scjafoiaç! —Tu puedis dîlu. Vuê al è un tuf incredibil. O vevi pensât di lâ sù in mont a viodi se si respire un ninin di plui. Ce ditu, ventu cun me? Anìn? —Par dî il vêr, o vevi miôr lâ a butâmi te aghe, par scjampâ di cheste canicule. —Sì, te aghe, sù mo! Come a lâ a fâ il bagn tal brût al puest dai tortelins.

—No, today I really can’t take it... what a scorcher! —Tell me about it. Today there’s an incredible swelter. I’d thought of going up into mountains to see if you can breathe a wee bit more. What do you say, are you coming with me? Let’s go? —To tell the truth, I wanted instead to go jump in the water, to get away from this heat wave. —Yes, in the water, let’s do it! Like going to bathe in broth in the place of tortellini.

1. fâje: to take it, to handle it, to be able to do it — no je fâs: I can’t take it, I can’t handle it, I can’t do it.

2. tu puedis dîlu = tu âs dite propite ben (from part 1): you can say that again, you’ve got that right, tell me about it, spot on, no kidding.

3. ce ditu? = ce disistu?: what do you say?

4. ventu cun me? = vegnistu cun me?: are you coming with me?

5. vê miôr: to prefer, to want instead (lit. to have better).

« Part 1

« Part 2

« Part 3

Part 5 »

Ce timp fasial? Viôt ca ce raze di sglavin, al ven jù a selis [3]

PART 3. What’s the weather like? (Ce timp fasial?)

T 0.45-1.12

—Davide, mancumâl ch’al jere dome un nûl, eh? Viôt ca ce raze di sglavin! —Eh, in efiets, al ven jù a selis, eh? Spiete ch’o doi un cûc a lis previsions dal Osmer. Savevitu che ogni dì a vegnin fûr par furlan? —Oh sì, Davide, sì, l’impuartant però, al sarès cjalâlis prin di partî. —Eh bon, dài, fasìn come a San Denêl cuant ch’al plûf... i lassìn plovi!

—Davide, good thing it was just one cloud, eh? Look at what a downpour! —Eh, indeed, it’s coming down in buckets, eh? Hold on while I take a look at the Osmer forecast. Did you know that every day it comes out in Friulian? —Oh yes, Davide, yes, but the important thing is to look at them before leaving. —Oh alright, come on, let’s do as in San Denêl when it rains... we let it rain!

1. Une raze: kind, sort; cognate with English race. Une raze di cjans: a dog breed. Desiree pronounces it ratse; others pronounce it rasse. Viôt ca ce raze di sglavin: lit., look here what race {kind, sort} of downpour, which is to say, look at what a downpour, just look at what a downpour it is.

2. Une sele: pail, bucket.

3. savevitu? = savevistu? — savevitu ch’al veve plot dute la gnot? = savevistu che al veve plot dute la gnot?: did you know that it had rained all night?

4. i lassìn = o lassìn — i lassìn plovi = o lassìn plovi: we let it rain.

« Part 1

« Part 2

Part 4 » 

Part 5 »

Ce timp fasial? Viôt ch’al sbivicje, ruvinâts i plans par vuê [2]

PART 2. What’s the weather like? (Ce timp fasial?) 

T 0.15-0.45

—Oh no, Davide. Viôt ch’al sbivicje. Ruvinâts i plans par vuê... —Ce robe? Ce âtu dite? Ce? —Al sbivicje. Se al continue cussì, no lìn di nissune bande vuê. —Ah, al plovisigne, tu intendevis. Sì, ma no sta mighe preocupâti, eh! Sì, al è un nûl ch’al cor vie subit. Al mole, al mole, no sta preocupâti.

—Oh no, Davide. Look how it’s mizzling. Plans are ruined for today... —What? What did you say? What? —It’s mizzling. If it keeps up like this, we won’t be going anywhere today. —Ah, it’s drizzling, you meant. Yes, but you hardly need to worry, eh! Yes, there’s a cloud that’ll blow away fast. It’ll let up, it’ll let up, don’t worry.

1. sbivicjâ = plovisignâ: to drizzle. Desiree and Davide have two different ways of referring to drizzle: la sbivicje for Desiree, and la plovisigne for Davide. This is no different to English with its regional variants. Desiree in fact says sbivice rather than sbivicje.

2. âtu = âstu — ce âtu fat?, ce âtu viodût?, ce âtu scrit? = ce âstu fat?, ce âstu viodût?, ce âstu scrit?: what have you done?, what have you seen?, what have you written?

3. dite = dit — ce âtu dite? = ce âstu dit?: what have you said?

4. al continue: it continues; tonic stress on second syllable (con-tì-nu-e).

5. cori vie: lit., to run away — il nûl al cor vie: the cloud is blowing away (lit., the cloud is running away, the cloud is running off).

6. subit: at once, immediately, straight away; tonic stress on final syllable (su-bìt).

« Part 1

Part 3 »

Part 4 »

Part 5 »

Ce timp fasial? Fumatele e umit, il timp just par stâ tal jet [1]

PART 1. What’s the weather like? (Ce timp fasial?)

 T 0.00-0.15

—Ma cjale ca! A vevin dite ch’al veve di sei tant soreli vuê. Invezit, cjo. Cjale ce robis. —Sì, propit. Fumatele e umit. Il timp just par stâ tal jet. —Tu âs dite propite ben.

—Now look here! They’d said there’d be a lot of sun today. Instead, look. Look how it is. —Yes, exactly. Misty and damp. The perfect weather to stay in bed. —You can say that again.

1. dite = dit — a vevin dite = a vevin dit: they had said.

2. sei = jessi — al à di sei tant soreli = al à di jessi tant soreli: there’s supposed to be a lot of sun.

3. propite = propit — tu âs dite propite ben = tu âs dit propit ben: you can say that again, you’ve got that right (lit., you’ve said just right).

4. la fumatele: mist — la fumate: fog — fumate penze: thick fog. La matine e jere cjalde ma cuntun tic di fumatele: the morning was warm but with a bit of mist. La fumate penze e limite la visibilitât: thick fog limits visibility.

Part 2 »

Part 3 »

Part 4 »

Part 5 »

Vecje bombe a man cjatade intun toblât

In the month of January (tal mês di Zenâr) of this year (di chest an) an old hand grenade was found (une vecje bombe a man e je stade cjatade) in a barn in Pagnà (intun toblât a Pagnà).

A woman in Pagnà (une siore a Pagnà), while she was tidying up her family’s old stable (intant che e stave metint a puest la vecje stale de sô famee), managed to find (e à rivât a cjatâ) a hand grenade from the Second World War (une bombe a man de Seconde Vuere Mondiâl), made in Italy (fate in Italie).

The carabinîrs responded to the scene (sul puest a son intervignûts i carabinîrs). Seeing as the explosive inside the hand grenade (viodût che l’esplosîf dentri de bombe a man) was in very poor condition (al jere in cundizions par nuie buinis), the soldiers* took the device away (i militârs a àn puartât vie l’argagn) and detonated it in a safe area (e lu àn fat tonâ intune aree sigure) before the end of the day (prime de fin de zornade). / Riferiment: Telefriuli.

Une vecje bombe a man:

*Though the carabinîrs have civil policing duties (ancje se i carabinîrs a àn compits di polizie civile), they are one of the four Italian armed forces (a son une des cuatri fuarcis armadis talianis). That is why (par chel) they are sometimes called soldiers (si clamiju a voltis militârs). We read (o leìn): the soldiers took the device away (i militârs a àn puartât vie l’argagn) — but it does not mean that the regular army intervened (ma nol vûl dî che al sedi intervignût l’esercit regolâr). We are just dealing with the carabinîrs (si trate dome dai carabinîrs) and their bomb disposal experts (e dai lôr artificîrs).

The Italian Armed Forces (lis Fuarcis Armadis Talianis) comprise four main components (a cjapin dentri cuatri components principâi) under the Ministry of Defence (sot dal Ministeri de Difese):

1. Italian Army (Esercit Talian);
2. Italian Navy (Marine Militâr);
3. Italian Air Force (Aeronautiche Militâr);
4. Corps of Carabinîrs (Arme dai Carabinîrs).
   

As for the Friulian words polizai/poliziot (par ce che al tocje lis peraulis furlanis polizai/poliziot), which mean (che a vuelin dî): policeman/police officer, these indicate an officer of the Italian State Police (chestis a indichin un agjent de Polizie di Stât). An officer of a local police force (un agjent de polizie locâl), which is to say (ven a stâi) of a municipal police force (de polizie municipâl), is an urban watchman (al è un vigjil urban).

L'om che i vevin dite di no movisi al è stât montât sul elicotar

In Friulian (par furlan), the verb dî means (il verp dî al vûl dî): to say, to tell. We can also use (o podìn ancje doprâ): disi.

cence nancje dî gracie
cence nancje disi gracie
without even saying thanks

or even (o ancje):

cence nancje dî graciis
cence nancje disi graciis
without even saying thanks

Using the Friulian of Dograva (doprant il furlan di Dograva), we also have (i vin ença): sensa nença disi grassie.

As for the past participle (par ce che al tocje il participi passât), it is (al è): dit. We can also use (o podìn ancje doprâ): dite.

al à dit propit cussì
al à dite propit cussì
that is exactly what he said

Using the Friulian of Dograva (doprant il furlan di Dograva), we also have (i vin ença): al à dita propit cussì.

Right (ben). Let’s read now a few simplified sentences (leìn cumò cualchi frase semplificade) taken from the newspaper (gjavade fûr dal gjornâl):

A hiker was rescued by helicopter (un escursionist al è stât socorût cul elicotar). He had asked for help (al veve domandât jutori) because he could not find the trail (parcè che nol rivave a cjatâ il troi) and because he felt very tired (e parcè che si sintive une vore strac). The helicopter rescue techicians arrived (i tecnics dal elicotar a son rivâts) a short distance from the man (a pocje distance dal om) whom they had told not to move (che i vevin dite di no movisi). / Riferiment: La Vôs dai Furlans.

l’om che i vevin dit di no movisi
l’om che i vevin dite di no movisi
the man whom they had told not to move

Let’s keep going (anìn indenant)...

la femine che i vevin dit di no movisi
la femine che i vevin dite di no movisi
the woman whom they had told not to move

i oms che ur vevin dit di no movisi
i oms che ur vevin dite di no movisi
the men whom they had told not to move

lis feminis che ur vevin mostrât il document
the women to whom they had showed the document

l’om che i ài dât il libri
the man to whom I gave the book

i fantats che ur darìn i vistîts
the lads to whom we shall give the clothing

L’om che i vevin dite di no movisi al è stât montât sul elicotar.
The man whom they had told not to move was put onto the helicopter.

Stelis che a colin: Osservazion dal cîl stelât te gnot di Sant Lurinç

A newspaper article published by La Vôs dai Furlans (un articul di gjornâl publicât de Vôs dai Furlans) reminds us of the night of Saint Lawrence (nus ricuarde de gnot di Sant Lurinç).

We read (o leìn): “There are numerous initiatives (a son cetantis lis iniziativis) carried out in Friûl for the night of Saint Lawrence (inmaneadis in Friûl pe gnot di Sant Lurinç), which, according to tradition (che, secont de tradizion), is on the tenth of August (e je ai dîs di Avost), although this year (ancje se chest an) most will be carried out (la plui part a saran inmaneadis) on the night of the ninth (vie pe gnot dai nûf), between Saturday and Sunday (tra la sabide e la domenie).” / Riferiment: La Vôs dai Furlans (edizion di cjarte, ai 8 di Avost dal 2025).

What are the activities? (Ce sono lis ativitâts?) Walks (cjaminadis), readings (leturis), shows (spetacui), and, needless to say (e, nol covente dîlu), observation of the starry sky (osservazion dal cîl stelât). The most widespread tradition (la tradizion plui slargjade) is the observation of the night sky (e je la osservazion dal cîl di gnot) for the Perseid meteor shower (pal scuam meteoric des Perseidis), which represents the tears or the sparks (che al rapresente lis lagrimis o lis faliscjis) of the martyrdom of Saint Lawrence (dal martueri di Sant Lurinç). This saint was burnt on a gridiron (chest sant al fo brusât suntune gridele) in the year two hundred and fifty-eight (tal an dusinte e cincuantevot). To be able to see the falling stars in Friûl (par rivâ a viodi lis stelis che a colin in Friûl) and so make a wish (e cussì esprimi un desideri), it is a good idea to go up the mountains (al è ben lâ su la mont), to flee the light pollution (par scjampâ l’incuinament lusorôs).

Given that I live in Montreal (par vie che o soi a stâ a Montreâl), I conclude with a photo of the St Lawrence River (o conclût cuntune foto dal flum S. Lurinç), on whose shores Montreal is found (che su lis sôs rivis si cjate Montreâl).

Il sindic di une citât in Floride al à vinçût intune competizion di spudade di sepis

Last time (la ultime volte), we read from the gospel of Mark (o vin let dal vanzeli di Marc), where the verb spudâ came up (dulà che al è saltât fûr il verp spudâ), which is to say (ven a stâi): to spit. The reading is here (la leture e je culì): Jesù al vuarìs un om sort e mut. We will continue now with this verb (o larìn indenant cumò cun chest verp), along with its nouns (dutun cui sostantîfs).

Spudâ, meaning number one (significât numar un): to spit out saliva from the mouth (butâ fûr salive de bocje). In the city (te citât), spitting in the street (sputâ par strade) is really rude (al è pardabon maleducazion). Of such a citizen (di un citadin cussì), we can say that he is a pig (o podìn dî che al è un purcit) because he behaves rudely (parcè che si compuarte in maniere maleducade) in the public spaces of the city (tai spazis publics de citât). Other examples (altris esemplis): he spat on the ground three times (al à spudât par tiere trê voltis); he spat on the sidewalk (al à spudât sul marcjepît); he spat into a snotty handkerchief (al à spudât intun façolet snacaiôs); he spat on his own fingers (al à spudât sui dêts); he spat on the other’s fingers (i à spudât sui dêts); he spat in the other’s face (i à spudât in muse).

Spudâ, meaning number two (significât numar doi): to spit out something forcefully from the mouth (butâ fûr alc de bocje cun fuarce). During the summer months (vie pai mês dal Istât), if you eat a slice of watermelon (se tu mangjis une fete di angurie), you will maybe have to spit out the seeds (tu varâs forsit di spudâ lis sepis). That said (dit chest), watermelons are often seedless now (lis anguriis dispès a son cence sepis aromai). Other examples (altris esemplis): al à spudât il tabac che al mastiave (he spat out the tobacco he was chewing); al spudave lis sepis de ue (he was spitting out the grape seeds); I quickly spat out the worm that was in the mouthful of rotten apple (o ài spudât di corse il vier che al jere tal bocon di miluç frait).

Last year (l’an passât), the mayor of a city in Florida (il sindic di une citât in Floride) won in a seed-spitting competition (al à vinçût intune competizion di spudade di sepis). The watermelon seed was spit (la sepe di angurie e je stade spudade) twenty-seven feet (par vincjesiet pîts):

To be precise (par dîle juste), Tim Marden won in the competition (Tim Marden al à vinçût inte competizion) when he was municipal commissioner (cuant che al jere comissari comunâl) of the city of Newberry (de citât di Newberry). He became mayor (al è deventât sindic) a few months back (cualchi mês indaûr). In Friulian (par furlan), the mayor of a city (il sindic di une citât) is also known as (al è ancje cognossût tant che): il prin citadin. We can say (o podìn dî): the mayor of this city (il prin citadin di cheste citât) knows how to have a little fun (al è bon di divertîsi un pôc).

Spudâ, meaning number three (significât numar trê): We can also use the verb spudâ (o podìn ancje doprâ il verp spudâ) in a figurative way (in mût figuratîf). For example (par esempli): nobody would spit on all that money (su ducj chei bêçs nissun nol spudarès parsore).

Right (ben), so much for the verb (vonde cul verp). Let’s look now at the nouns (passìn cumò ai sostantîfs). These are (chescj a son): un spudacj, une spudade, which is to say (ven a stâi): spittle. It could happen (pò dâsi) that someone takes a spittle to the face (che un al cjapi un spudacj in muse) from someone who is black with anger (di un che al è rabiôs neri). For example (par esempli), I’m just now reminded of that hospital worker (mi è vignût iniments cumò chel lavoradôr ospedalîr) who got a spittle in his face (che al à vût un spudacj in muse) from a patient who was fed up (di un pazient che al jere sustât) with the long wait (pe lungje spiete). Other examples (altris esemplis): careful not to step in that spit (atent di no pescjâ chel spudacj); my new proposal was just spat on (la mê gnove propueste e à vût indaûr dome spudadis); il sassin al à molât un spudacj, che di chel l’espert de sene dal crimin al à podût tirâ fûr il DNA dal om (the murderer let out a spit, from which the crime scene expert was able to extract the DNA of the man). DNA: di-ene-a.

Vanzeli di Marc VII: Jesù al vuarìs un om sort e mut

Praised be Jesus Christ! (Laudât seial Jesù Crist!) In the gospel of Mark (tal vanzeli di Marc), Jesus heals a man (Jesù al vuarìs un om) who is deaf and mute (che al è sort e mut). To do so (par fâ chel tant), Jesus puts his fingers into the man’s ears (Jesù i met i dêts tes orelis), then he spits on his own fingers (po al spude sui dêts) and touches the man’s tongue (e i tocje la lenghe). These things happen in chapter seven of the gospel (chestis robis a sucedin tal cjapitul siet dal vanzeli), where the evangelist Mark tells us so (dulà che il vanzelist Marc nus conte cussì):

[T 5:45] They brought {to Jesus} (i puartarin {a Jesù}) a deaf and dumb man (un om sort e mut) and besought him (e lu prearin) to put his hands on the man’s head (di metii lis mans sul cjâf). So he (alore lui), after having taken him aside (dopo di vêlu tirât in bande), away from the crowd (lontan de fole), put his fingers in the man’s ears (i metè i dêts tes orelis) and (e), with his own saliva (cu la salive), touched the man’s tongue (i tocjà la lenghe); then he lifted his eyes to heaven (po al alçà i vôi viers dal cîl), sighed (al suspirà) and said (e al disè): Efatà, which means (che al vûl dî): Be opened (vierziti). And immediately his ears were opened (e a colp lis sôs orelis si vierzerin) and the knot of his tongue was unknotted (e il grop de lenghe si disgropà), so that he spoke right (si che al fevelave benon). {Jesus} commanded them to tell no one of it ({Jesù} ur comandà di no dîjal a di nissun); but the more he forbade them it (ma plui lui ur al inibive), the more they published it (e plui lôr lu publicavin); and at the height of astonishment (e tal colm de maravee), they said (a disevin): He hath done all things well (al à fat propit dut ben). He maketh the deaf to hear (al fâs sintî i sorts) and the dumb to speak (e fevelâ i muts).

—Vanzeli di Marc VII,32-37

It must be remembered that (si à di visâsi che), in the gospels (tai vanzelis), the simple past is used (al ven doprât il passât sempliç): al alçà, al suspirà, al disè... and so on (e cussì vie). But in everyday language (ma tal lengaç di ogni dì), we use the recent past (o doprìn il passât prossim) to speak of those things which have already happened (par fevelâ di chês robis che a son za sucedudis): al à alçât, al à suspirât, al à dit, al à vuarît, al à metût, si son vierts/vierzûts...

Final reflection (riflession finâl):

he spat on his own fingers (al à spudât sui dêts)
he spat on the other’s fingers (i à spudât sui dêts)

Gnove Scozie: Improibizion di cjaminâ tal bosc, multe pesantone

Let’s go now to Nova Scotia (anìn cumò in Gnove Scozie), a Canadian province (une provincie canadese), to continue with the Friulian language (par lâ indenant cu la lenghe furlane). The Nova Scotia government (il guvier de Gnove Scozie) has recently banned (al à improibît che nol è tant) public forest access (l’acès dal public tai boscs) due to the risk of fires (par vie dal risi di fûcs) brought on by hot and dry conditions (provocâts des cundizions cjaldis e secjis).

The restrictions (lis restrizions), which will remain in effect until the fifteenth of October (che a restaran in vore fin ai cuindis di Otubar) or until conditions improve (o fin che no van in miôr lis cundizions), prohibit hiking, camping, fishing (a improibissin escursions, camping, pescje) and the use of all-terrain vehicles (e l’ûs dai quad) in the woods of Nova Scotia (tai boscs de Gnove Scozie). All these activities are prohibited (dutis chestis ativitâts a son improibidis) not only on the public grounds of the province (no dome sui terens publics de provincie) but also on private ones (ma ancje su chei privâts). Violators will have to pay (i trasgressôrs a varan di paiâ) a very hefty twenty-five thousand dollar fine (une multe pesantone di vincjecinc mil dolars).

Critics have opposed the measures (i critics ur àn fat cuintri aes misuris), which they see as a climate lockdown (tignintlis par un lockdown climatic) reminiscent of covid restrictions (che al ricuarde lis restrizions dal covid).

Let’s speak now of open-air activities (fevelìn cumò di ativitâts tal aiar libar), but especially of those named above (ma soredut di chês nomenadis chi sore). In Friulian (par furlan), we can say (o podìn dî): I walked along the trail (o ài cjaminât daûr dal troi), he has gone out for a walk in the woods (al è lât fûr a fâ une cjaminade tal bosc), he slipped during a hike (al è sbrissât dilunc di une escursion), I want to go fishing (o ài voie di lâ a pescje), he has gone to the woods for firewood (al è lât tal bosc par fâ lens), we went camping in the mountains (o sin lâts a fâ camping in mont), let’s pitch our tent by the lake (plantìn la nestre tende dongje dal lât).

To conclude (par concludi), let’s return now (tornìn cumò) to the subject of Nova Scotia (al teme de Gnove Scozie). Typical of this province (tipic di cheste provincie) is the lighthouse (al è il fâr). Lighthouses illuminate the coasts (i fârs a iluminin lis cuestis) for seamen (pai navigants). The red and white stripes (lis strichis rossis e blancjis) of the lighthouse above (dal fâr chi sore) make it stand out (lu fasin risaltâ) against the background of the sky (cuintri dal fonts dal cîl).

No stait a lassâ lis clâfs sot dal netepîts, mi racomandi

Let’s learn now (imparìn cumò) even more words related to the robberies (ancjemò plui peraulis leadis cu lis robariis) that occur in Friûl (che a sucedin in Friûl). You can read (si pues lei) the latest news (lis ultimis gnovis) regarding the salami robbers (a rivuart dai laris di salams) who targeted a restaurant (che a àn cjapât di smire un ristorant) by clicking here (fracant culì): Daitmi i salams o i copi duçus!

In Vildivar (a Vildivar), robbers entered a house (i laris a son jentrâts intune cjase), stealing two watches (puartant vie doi orlois) and gold jewellery (e zoiis di aur) worth three thousand and five hundred euros (par un valôr di trê mil e cinccent euros). Unfortunately (magari cussì no), the criminals did not have to work too hard (i delincuents no àn scugnût lavorâ masse) because the keys had been left (parcè che lis clâfs a jerin stadis lassadis) under the doormat (sot dal netepîts). When the owner got back home (cuant che il proprietari al è tornât cjase), the entire house was upsidedown (dute la cjase e jere sotsore). / Riferiment: La Vôs dai Furlans.

In Udin (a Udin), a wheelchair was stolen (une carocele e je stade puartade vie) but later found (ma cjatade plui indenant) thanks to a citizen (in graciis di un citadin) who had spoken of a suspicious place (che al veve fevelât di un lûc suspiet) not far from the robbery (pôc lontan de robarie). The wheelchair was found (la carocele e je stade cjatade) in good condition (in buinis cundizions) in that very place (propit in chel lûc), along with other items of value (dutun cun altre robe di valôr). / Riferiment: La Vôs dai Furlans.

Not far from Pulfar (pôc lontan di Pulfar), a sculpture was targeted by robbers (une sculture e je stade cjapade di smire dai laris). The work of art (la opare di art) was two metres tall (e jere alte doi metris) and weighed seventeen quintals (e pesante disesiet cuintâi). The crooks came with a tractor (i malvivents a son rivâts cuntun tratôr) and tried to steal the sculpture (e a àn cirût di puartâ vie la sculture), worth sixty thousand euros (dal valôr di sessante mil euros). Given its enormous weight (viodût il pês enormi), the sculpture was moved (la sculture e je stade movude) by only thirty centimetres (di dome trente centimetris). / Riferiment: La Vôs dai Furlans.

un cuintâl (1 q) = cent chilos (100 kg)
disesiet cuintâi (17 q) = mil e sietcent chilos (1.700 kg)

Daitmi i salams o i copi duçus! Laris a puartin vie salams par 70 euros di valôr

Give me the salami or I’ll kill everybody! (Daitmi i salams o i copi duçus!)

Last year (l’an passât), in Pontebe (a Pontebe), thieves robbed a restaurant (i laris a àn robât intun ristorant). What did they steal? (Ce àno puartât vie?) Salami worth seventy euros (salams par setante euros di valôr) and thirty euros in banknotes (e trente euros di biliets di bancje).

A salame on the cutting board (un salam sul taulîr):

A Friulian journalist said about it (su chel cont un gjornalist furlan al à dit): “Once upon a time (une volte) we used to speak of ‘chicken robbers’ (si fevelave di laris di poleçs) when we wanted to say (cuant che si voleve dî) that someone was a petty criminal (che al jere un delincuent di pôc), but maybe from now on (ma forsit di doman) we can call them ‘salami robbers’ (o podarìn clamâju laris di salams).” / Riferiment: La Vôs dai Furlans.

Fear not (nuie pôre): in reality (te realtât), the robbers did not threaten to kill anybody (i laris no àn menaçât di copâ nissun)... they just wanted to go on a picnic (a volevin dome fâ un ghiringhel) with top-quality salami (cun salams di prime cualitât)!

Chei mosaiciscj furlans che a àn fat biel un museu canadês

In the thirties (tai agns trente) of the last century (dal secul passât), amongst the Friulian immigrants in Canada (tra i imigrâts furlans in Canadà) were numerous experts (a jerin cetancj esperts) in the marble, mosaic and terrazzo sectors (tai setôrs dal marmul, dal mosaic e dal teraç). A group of Friulian artisans (un grup di artesans furlans) made the first large-scale mosaic in Canada (a àn fat il prin mosaic su grande scjale in Canadà). It is found in Toronto, at the Royal Ontario Museum (si cjatilu a Toronto, tal Museu Reâl dal Ontario), where a glittering mosaic (dulà che un mosaic slusint) embellishes the vaulted ceiling (al fâs biel il sofit a volt) of the east-facing entrance (de jentrade che e cjale a soreli jevât).

The chief mosaicist was Ciro Mora from Secuals (il cjâf mosaicist al jere Ciro Mora di Secuals), a Friulian city (une citât furlane) with a centuries-long tradition (cuntune tradizion viere di secui) in the mosaic sector (tal setôr dal mosaic). The second artisan (il secont artesan) was Antonio Dell’Angela from Pocec di Bertiûl (al jere Antonio Dell’Angela di Pocec di Bertiûl). The third artisan (il tierç artesan) was Marino Colonello from San Zuan di Cjasarse (al jere Marino Colonello di San Zuan di Cjasarse), a Spilimberc-trained mosaicist (un mosaicist formât a Spilimberc). The last group of collaborators (l’ultin grup di colaboradôrs) were the De Carli brothers from Darbe (a jerin i fradis De Carli di Darbe). / Riferiment: ROM.

On the right (a drete), Ciro Mora:

Tai agns trente dal secul passât, tra i imigrâts furlans in Canadà a jerin cetancj esperts tai setôrs dal marmul, dal mosaic e dal teraç. Un grup di artesans furlans a àn fat il prin mosaic su grande scjale in Canadà. Si cjatilu a Toronto, tal Museu Reâl dal Ontario, dulà che un mosaic slusint al fâs biel il sofit a volt de jentrade che e cjale a soreli jevât.

Il cjâf mosaicist al jere Ciro Mora di Secuals, une citât furlane cuntune tradizion viere di secui tal setôr dal mosaic. Il secont artesan al jere Antonio Dell’Angela di Pocec di Bertiûl. Il tierç artesan al jere Marino Colonello di San Zuan di Cjasarse, un mosaicist formât a Spilimberc. L’ultin grup di colaboradôrs a jerin i fradis De Carli di Darbe. 

Tragjicomedie: Chest fusîl al è la uniche arme che o ài cun me, dentri al è dome un colp [2]

A bit of tragicomedy (un pôc di tragjicomedie) in Friulian (par furlan), second part (part seconde):

Chest fusîl al è la uniche arme ch’o ài cun me. Dentri al è dome un colp. E chel colp al è pal gno obietîf. Nissun al à di impaçâsi tra me e il gno obietîf. -Ch’al mi scusi se mi impaci, ma o vin un probleme cu la sô cjamare. -Ce probleme? -Mi displâs. Vuê al è un bordel cun chê manifestazion e chel altri client... -Chel altri cui? -O ài prenotade la cjamare trê setemanis fa, e o varès la precedence. -Ma ce precedence e precedence! Jo o soi chi za di miezore. Cheste e je la uniche precedence. Lui al pos vê prenotât un an fa, dîs agns fa. Nol interesse nie a di nissun. -A mi mi interesse. O ài prenotade la cjamare trê setemanis fa e cumò... -Sì, chest lu sai. Se Lui mi jude, i cjatìn une soluzion. -O ài capît cuale che e je la soluzion. La soluzion e je chê di parâmi fûr di ca. E jo o ài ancje di judâLu? Aio ancje di dâmi une pidade tal cûl? Jo o ài prenotade la cjamare trê setemanis fa, al è pôc di discuti, o ài reson e vonde, parcè che jo o ài prenotât... -Vonde! -O stoi vignint fûr di un grâf esauriment. Si à di tratâmi ben... cocolâmi...

This rifle is the only weapon I have with me. There’s only one shot in it. And that shot is for my target. No one must interfere between me and my target. -Excuse me if I’m interfering, but we have a problem with your room. -What problem? -I’m sorry. Today is a mess with that event and the other customer… -The other who? -I booked the room three weeks ago, and I should have priority. -Priority, my foot! I’ve already been here for half an hour. That’s the only priority. You could have booked a year ago, ten years ago. It doesn’t matter to anyone. -It matters to me. I booked the room three weeks ago, and now… -Yes, I know that. If you help me, we’ll find a solution. -I’ve figured out what the solution is. The solution is to kick me out of here. And I’m supposed to help you too? Should I also give myself a kick in the arse? I booked the room three weeks ago, there’s little to discuss, I’m right and that’s it, because I booked… -Enough! -I’m coming out of a nervous breakdown. I have to be treated well… cuddled...

« Part 1

Om cjatât cence sintiments, al è stât tirât sot di un pirate de strade

On the night of the twenty-fourth of July (vie pe gnot dai vincjecuatri di Lui), an unconscious man (un om cence sintiments) was found along the road (al è stât cjatât dilunc de strade) in Pordenon (a Pordenon). He was taken to hospital (al è stât puartât in ospedâl), where he died a short time after (dulà che al è muart pôc timp dopo).

The autopsy has confirmed (la autopsie e à confermât) that the man had been run over by a vehicle (che l’om al jere stât tirât sot di un veicul), the driver of which drove off (che il so vuidadôr si è slontanât) without helping the victim (cence judâ la vitime). The hit-and-run driver (il pirate de strade) has not been identified (nol è stât identificât). / Riferiment: La Vôs dai Furlans.

Om cence sintiments, vitime di un pirate de strade:

In Friulian (par furlan), a ‘road pirate’ (un pirate de strade) is a driver (al è un vuidadôr) who does not stop to help (che no si ferme a judâ) after having caused an accident (daspò di vê fat un incident). Such a driver (un vuidadôr cussì) drives dangerously (al vuide in maniere pericolose) and is also often drunk (e al è ancje dispès cjoc).

What we can say (ce che o podìn dî) of a driver who drives too quickly (di un vuidadôr che al vuide masse svelt) is that he drives ‘at full beer’ (al è che al vuide a dute bire), which is to say (ven a stâi), that he drives at a crazy speed (che al vuide a velocitât mate).

Mari dal fi fat a tocs: e à doprât un seghet di fier e un bleon par tignî il sanc

We read a few days back (o vin let cualchi dì indaûr) that a mother from Glemone (che une mari di Glemone) killed her thirty-five-year-old son (e à copât il fi di trentecinc agns) and dismembered him (e lu à fat a tocs): Om copât e fat a tocs.

The mother has declared (la mari e à declarât) that it was she (di jessi stade jê) who killed her son (a copâ il fi). First she sedated him (prime lu à bonât), po lu à scjafoiât (then she strangled him) using shoelaces (doprant lis coreis des scarpis) and cut him into three pieces (e lu à sezionât in trê tocs) with an iron hacksaw (cuntun seghet di fier) and a bedsheet to contain the blood (e un linzûl par tignî il sanc).

The mother has said (la mari e à dit): “I used a hacksaw (o ài doprât un seghet) and a bedsheet to contain the blood (e un bleon par tignî il sanc) and I cut him up into three pieces (e lu ài taiât in trê tocs): there were no splatters of blood (scliçs di sanc no ’nd è stâts), so that’s why the carabinîrs found everything in order (par chest i carabinîrs a àn cjatât dut in ordin).”

The body was then put (podopo il cuarp al à stât metût) into a bin in the garage (intun bidon tal garage). The mother related (la mari e à contât) that she had acted with the intention of waiting (che e veve agjît cun chê di spietâ) until the remains had decomposed (che i rescj si fruiassin) and then leaving them in the mountains (par dopo abandonâju in mont).

The plan fell through (il plan al è sfumât) when her son’s Colombian companion (cuant che la compagne colombiane dal fi) rang 112 (e à clamât il 112), telling the carabinîrs (disintjur ai carabinîrs) that it had been the very son’s mother who killed him (che e jere stade la mari stesse dal fi a copâlu). / Riferiments: Telefriuli e La Vôs dai Furlans.

To listen (par scoltâ): il telegjornâl par furlan.

Fûc intun rimorchi, i pompîrs a doprin la sbrume par studâ lis flamis

Last week (la setemane passade), the trailer of a truck (il rimorchi di un camion) caught on fire (al à cjapât fûc) on motorway A4 (su la autostrade A4). To put out the flames (par studâ lis flamis), the firemen had to use (i pompîrs a àn vût di doprâ) firefighting foam (la sbrume antifûc). / Riferiment: La Vôs dai Furlans.

Not only will we find foam (no dome o cjatarìn la sbrume) in the firefighting activities of firemen (tes ativitâts antifûc dai pompîrs), but we will also find it (ma le cjatarìn ancje) on the surface of seawater (sul pêl de aghe dal mâr). Sea foam is created (la sbrume dal mâr e je creade) by the agitation of the waves (de agjitazion des ondis).

We will find foam (o cjatarìn la sbrume) also on the surface of a beer (ancje sul pêl di une bire). Using the adjective sbrumôs (doprant l’adietîf sbrumôs), we can say (o podìn dî): I drank a few frothy beers (o ài bevût cualchi bire sbrumose).

Reminder (pro memoria): not all Friulians say fûc (no ducj i furlans a disin fûc); some say fôc (cualchidun al dîs fôc).

Comun di Visc: parcè mo si cognossial cun chest non?

We recently read (o vin let che nol è tant) that bird trapping is the activity of catching wild birds (che la osealde e je la ativitât di cjapâ uciei salvadis), often for the purpose of using them (dispès cul fin di doprâju) as decoy birds (tant che uciei di riclam). Bird trapping is prohibited (oselâ al è proibît). Those who engage in bird trapping (chei che a fasin la oselade) use nets, birdlime and decoys (a doprin rêts, visc e riclams).

Birdlime is a sticky substance (il visc al è une sostance tacadice); it is extracted from mistletoe (al è gjavât fûr dal visc), which is a bushy shrub (che al è un arbossit a baraç). If a bird hunter (se un cjaçadôr di uciei) puts birdlime on the branches of a tree (al met il visc sui ramaçs di un arbul), a bird that rests (un uciel che si poie) on one of those sticky branches (suntun di chei ramaçs tacadiçs) will get stuck (al restarà tacât) and will no longer be able to fly away (e nol podarà plui svolâ vie).

In Friûl (in Friûl), there is a municipality (al è un comun) which in Friulian is called Visc (che par furlan si clame Visc). But this municipality (ma chest comun), why does it bear the name (parcè mo puartial il non) of the plant (de plante) or of the sticky substance (o de sostance tacadice) which is extracted from it (che di chê e ven gjavade fûr)?

To tell the truth (par dî il vêr), the name of this municipality (il non di chest comun) may come from a Slavic word (al vignarès di une peraule slave): višek, a word which (peraule che), in the context of geography (tal contest de gjeografie), would seem to indicate a high ground (e somearès indicâ une alture). That said (chest dit), Visc is located in the Friulian plain (Visc si cjate te plane furlane).

In Italian (par talian), the plant and sticky substance (la plante e la sostance tacadice) are indicated by the word (a son indicadis de peraule): vischio, but the name of the municipality in Italian is (ma il non dal comun par talian al è): Visco; so no confusion with names in Italian (alore nuie confusion cui nons par talian).

Sbaraiade une organizazion criminâl che e vuadagnave miârs di euros cul oselâ

According to the latest fake news in Friulian (secont lis ultimis gnovis falsis par furlan), law enforcement (lis fuarcis dal ordin) have busted a clandestine frico smuggling ring (a àn sbaraiât un trafic clandestin di frico). Joking aside (a part i scherçs), we will now examine (o esaminarìn cumò) a few more examples (cualchi esempli di plui) of the verb sbaraiâ (dal verp sbaraiâ).

In two thousand and twenty-two (tal doi mil e vincjedoi), police busted (la polizie e à sbaraiât) a major online trading scam (un maxi-imbroi di trading in linie). The Albanian gang was caught (la bande albanese e je stade cjapade) after hundreds of citadins (dopo che centenârs di citadins) had been defauded (a jerin stâts defraudâts). / Riferiment: La Vôs dai Furlans.

In the same year (tal stes an), a child pornography network was busted (e je stade sbaraiade une rêt di pedopornografie), active throughout Italy (ative in dute Italie), which led to the arrest of one person (che al à permetût l’arest di une persone) and the reporting of thirty others (e la denunzie di altris trente). / Riferiment: La Vôs dai Furlans.

Yet in two thousand and twenty-two (ancjemò tal doi mil e vincjedoi), a criminal organisation (une organizazion criminâl), which had managed to earn thousands of euros (che e veve rivât a vuadagnâ miârs di euros) by bird trapping (cul oselâ), was busted (e je stade sbaraiade). Bird trapping (la oselade) is the illegal activity (e je la ativitât no legâl) of capturing wild birds (di cjapâ uciei salvadis), often to use them as decoy birds (dispès par doprâju tant che uciei di riclam). / Riferiment: La Vôs dai Furlans.

I leave you (us lassi) with one last term in Friulian (cuntun ultin tiermin par furlan): un mandât di arest, which is to say (ven a stâi): an arrest warrant.

Ancjemò un omicidi: om copât, fat a tocs e metût intun bidon te cantine

A very horrendous affair (une vicende un grum orende) the one that comes told to us now (chê che nus ven contade cumò) in a neighbourhood of Glemone (intun borc di Glemone), which is a Friulian city of eleven thousand people (che e je une citât furlane di undis mil personis).

Yesterday morning (îr di matine), when law enforcement and ambulances (cuant che lis fuarcis dal ordin e lis ambulancis) started arriving in the neighbourhood (a àn tacât a rivâ intal borc), residents did not know what to think (i residents no savevin ce pensâ). Then televisions started communicating (alore lis televisions a àn tacât a pandi) the bad news (la brute gnove): a thirty-five-year old man (un om di trentecinc agns) had been killed (al jere stât copât).

What the people did not expect (ce che la int no si spietave) is that the man had been killed (al è che l’om al jere stât copât) by his mother and his companion (di sô mari e de sô compagne), a Colombian woman (une colombiane). They all lived together (a vivevin ducj insiemi) with a six-month old baby girl (cuntune piçule di sîs mês), daughter of the victim and his companion (fie de vitime e de sô compagne).

It was the very two women (a son stadis propit lis dôs feminis) who called 112 (che a àn clamât il 112), but when paramedics arrived (ma cuant che a son rivâts i infermîrs), they understood that there was nothing to do (a àn capît che nol jere nuie ce fâ), because the man had already been dead for several days (parcè l’om al jere muart za di cualchi zornade). Worse yet (piês ancjemò), his body had been dismembered (il so cuarp al jere stât fat a tocs) e metût intun bidon (and put into a bin) te cantine (in the cellar). On top had been thrown quicklime (parsore e jere stade butade cjalcine vive), perhaps to dampen the smell (forsit par morestâ l’odôr).

Now it is a matter (cumò si trate) of uncovering the motive of the murder (di scuiverzi il movent dal omicidi), but the neighbours could not believe (ma i vicins di cjase no podevin crodi) what had happened (a ce che al jere sucedût): the mother (la mari), who works as a nurse at the hopsital of Glemone (che e lavore come infermiere tal ospedâl di Glemone) was known as a good woman (e jere cognossude come une siore par ben). / Riferiment: La Vôs dai Furlans.

To listen to the latest news in Friulian (par scoltâ lis ultimis gnovis par furlan) with regard to this murder (a rivuart di chest omicidi): il telegjornâl par furlan.

The Friulian word toc (la peraule furlane toc) means (e vûl dî): bit, piece. Fat a tocs: done to bits, done to pieces. For instance (par esempli), we can say (o podìn dî) that a man was dismembered (che un om al è stât fat a tocs), or that some other man (o che cualchi altri om) had been torn to shreds by a wild animal (al jere stât fat a tocs di une bestie salvadie).

Lade in Svuizare par otignî il suicidi assistût, femine e mûr intune cliniche

Euthanasia and assisted suicide (la eutanasie e il suicidi assistût) are highly debated themes (a son temis cetant dibatûts) for matters of ethical nature (par cuistions di nature etiche). According to Catholic morality (daûr de morâl catoliche), euthanasia and assisted suicide are unacceptable (la eutanasie e il suicidi assistût a son inacetabii), because human life is sacred (parcè che le vite umane e je sacre) and only God has the right (e dome Diu al à il dirit) to bring it to an end (di puartâle insom).

According to the latest news (daûr des ultimis gnovis), a fifty-year-old Triestine woman (une femine triestine di cincuante agns) is dead (e je muarte) after having gone to Switzerland (dopo di jessi lade in Svuizare) to obtain assisted suicide (par otignî il suicidi assistût). The woman had been ill (la femine e je stade malade) with multiple sclerosis (di sclerosi multiple) for over twenty years (di passe vincj agns). She died (e je muarte) in a Swiss clinic (intune cliniche svuizare). / Riferiment: La Vôs dai Furlans.

Euthanasia and assisted suicide (la eutanasie e il suicidi assistût): how are they different? (cemût sono diferents?). Euthanasia is when a doctor (la eutanasie e je cuant che un miedi) gives a lethal drug (al da un farmac letâl) to bring to an end (par puartâ a fin) a patient’s life (la vite di un pazient). As for assisted suicide (par ce che al tocje il suicidi assistût), the patient takes the lethal drug himself (il pazient al cjol di bessôl il farmac letâl), provided by a doctor (proviodût di un miedi). In both cases (in ducj i doi câs), the goal is that of bringing to an end (l’obietîf al chel di puartâ insom) the patient’s life (la vite dal pazient), but who perfoms the final act (ma cui che al fâs l’at finâl) is different (al è diferent).

We can define like this (o podìn definî cussì) the word suicide in Friulian (la peraule suicidi par furlan): at di cui che si da la muart di pueste; which is to say (ven a stâi), word for word (peraule par peraule): act of him who gives himself death on purpose. A few examples (cualchi esempli): he attempted suicide (al à provât il suicidi); he tried to take his own life while he was in isolation for covid (al à cirût di gjavâsi la vite intant che al jere in isolament pal covid); the hypothesis of suicide has been ruled out (la ipotesi dal suicidi e je taiade fûr); he killed himself (si è copât); those prisoners did not kill themselves (chei presonîrs no si son copâts).

Below (chi sot), a Japanese samurai (un samurai gjaponês). He is armoured (al è coraçât) and armed (e armât):

As for seppuku (par ce che al tocje il seppuku), this act was a ritual suicide (chest at al jere un suicidi rituâl) by way of disembowelment (par mieç dal sbudielament), practised by a Japanese samurai (praticât di un samurai gjaponês) to preserve honour (par preservâ l’onôr). It was a voluntary act (al jere un at volontari), often carried out in the presence of witnesses (dispès fat in presince di testemonis), according to a strict protocol (daûr di un protocol rigorôs). In present-day Japan (tal Gjapon di vuê), seppuku is outlawed (il seppuku al è fûr leç).

Une galarie par tornâ a colegâ il Friûl cu la Austrie

The Friulian word galarie (la peraule furlane galarie) indicates a tunnel (e indiche un tunel) dug through a mountain (sgjavât a traviers di une mont) to allow the passage of vehicles or trains (par permeti il passaç di veicui o trens). Such a tunnel (un tunel cussì) connects two areas separated by a mountain (al coleghe dôs zonis separadis di une mont), thus avoiding long or difficult routes (evitant cussì i percors luncs o dificii).

In Italy (in Italie), these tunnels are common (chescj tunei a son comuns) in mountainous regions (tes regjons montagnosis), such as the Alps and the Apennines (come lis Alps e i Apenins). They can be road or railway tunnels (i tunei a puedin jessi stradâi o feroviaris). The tunnels are made (i tunei a son fats) by excavating rock (sgjavant il cret). To ensure safety (par garantî la sigurece), the engineering work (i lavôrs di inzegnarie) must be studied in depth (a coventin studiâts a fonts).

In December of two thousand and twenty-three (in Dicembar dal doi mil e vincjetrê), a road that connects Friûl to Austria (une strade che e coleghe il Friûl cu la Austrie) was closed due to a landslide (e je stade sierade par vie di un slac). Let’s read now (leìn cumò) what the newspaper tells us (ce che nus conte il gjornâl) with regard to this situation (a rivuart di cheste situazion). In short (in struc), here is where things stand (la robe e je cussì):

Local administration and trade associations (aministrazions locâls e associazions di categorie) have met in Udin (si son cjatadis a Udin) to discuss what may be the best solution (par resonâ su cuale che e pues jessi la miôr soluzion) to overcome the problems (par superâ i problemis) caused by the landslide (provocâts dal slac). They have agreed (a àn convignût) that a tunnel could put the issue to rest (che une galarie e podarès meti a puest la cuistion) once and for all (une volte par dutis). The tunnel would have to be (la galarie e varès di jessi) over four kilometres long (lungje plui di cuatri chilometris). / Riferiment: La Vôs dai Furlans.

Careful (atenzion): when we are speaking in Friulian of a mountain (cuant che o fevelìn par furlan di une mont), we say (o disìn): la mont; feminine noun (sostantîf di femine). But when we are speaking of the world (ma cuant che o fevelìn dal mont), we say (o disìn): il mont; masculine noun (sostantîf di om). Examples (esemplis): to climb a mountain (scjalâ une mont); to go up Mont Blanc (lâ su la Mont Blancje); the Mont Blanc tunnel is road, not railway (la galarie de Mont Blancje e je stradâl, no feroviarie); the world is full of languages (il mont al è plen di lenghis); to go round the world (fâ il zîr dal mont).

FAKE NEWS: In preson cuatri traficants forescj che a fasevin cuintribant di frico

Law enforcement (lis fuarcis dal ordin) have busted a clandestine frico smuggling ring (a àn sbaraiât un trafic clandestin di frico) in central Friûl (tal Friûl di Mieç).

During a raid at the crack of dawn (intant di une incursion sul cricâ dal dì), officers managed to bust (i agjents a àn rivât a sbaraiâ) a secret frico smuggling operation (une operazion segrete di cuintribant di frico). Four foreign nationals have been arrested (a son stâts arestâts cuatri citadins forescj): three Albanians and a Bulgarian (trê albanês e un bulgar).

The crooks were caught with numerous batches of illegal frico (i malvivents a son stâts cjapâts cun cetancj lots di frico no legâl). The frico had allegedly been prepared in the Balkans (il frico al sarès stât preparât tai Balcans) by a Friulian woman (di une siore furlane) of advanced age (indenant cui agns) who had to flee Friûl (che e veve scugnût scjampâ vie dal Friûl) after attempting to introduce (dopo di vê cirût di fâ jentrâ) her secret recipes (lis sôs ricetis segretis) into the gastronomic tradition of her village of origin (te tradizion gastronomiche dal so paîs di origjin). We tasted the outlawed frico (o vin cerçât il frico fûr leç); unfortunately (magari cussì no), it was spectacular (al jere spetacolâr).

Investigations targeted two establishments (lis investigazions si son concentradis su doi locâi) posing as bike shops (fasintsi passâ par buteghis di bicis). The officers also found (i agjents a àn ancje cjatât) a loaded rifle (un fusîl cjariât) in one of the two shops (intune des dôs buteghis), along with a great deal of cash (dutun cuntun slac di bêçs).

All four have now been locked up (ducj i cuatri si cjatin cumò in scjaipule). The officers remind us (i agjents nus ricuardin) that the sale of foreign frico (che la vendite di frico forest) is forbidden on Friulian territory (e je improibide sul teritori furlan). As for the ring leader (par ce che al tocje il cjâf de bande), she is still at large somewhere in the Balkans (e reste a pît libar di cualchi bande tai Balcans). / r.p.

Brut incident dilunc di une strade provinciâl

Yet another accident (ancjemò un incident) along the roads of Friûl (dilunc des stradis dal Friûl):

Shortly after seven this morning (pôc dopo des siet di buinore di vuê), three cars collided (trê machinis si son dadis cuintri) along provincial road thirty-one (dilunc de strade provinciâl trenteun). In all (in dut) five people were involved in the accident (a son stadis cjapadis tal incident cinc personis), of whom were four adults and one minor (che di chei a jerin cuatri adults e un minôr). The road was closed to traffic (la strade e je stade sierade al trafic) due to the accident (par vie dal incident). / Riferiment: La Vôs dai Furlans.

In the photo below (te foto chi sot), we see that the cars (o viodìn che lis machinis) have gone off the road (a son ladis fûr strade). All three cars (dutis trê lis machinis) are white (a son blancjis), or at least so it would seem (o almancul cussì al somearès).

Let’s try now (cirìn cumò) to understand better (di capî miôr) how to say in Friulian (cemût che si dîs par furlan) the equivalent of (l’ecuivalent di): whom. Examples (esemplis):

Cinc in dut, che di chei a jerin cuatri adults e un minôr: five in all, of whom were four adults and one minor. We can also say (o podìn ancje dì): cinc in dut, che tra chei a jerin cuatri adults e un minôr, which in English is (che par inglês al sarès): five in all, amongst whom were five adults and one minor.

O ài contât plui di cent oms, che di chei almancul cincuante a jerin furlans: I counted more than one hundred men, of whom at least fifty were Friulian. We can also say (o podìn ancje dî): o ài contât plui di cent oms, che tra chei almancul cincuante a jerin furlans, or also (o ancje): o ài contât plui di cent oms, che di lôr almancul cincuante a jerin furlans; or also (o ancje): o ài contât plui di cent oms, che tra lôr almancul cincuante a jerin furlans.

Cinc personis, che di chês dôs a jerin stadis denunziadis: five people, of whom two had been reported. We can also say: cinc personis, che tra chês dôs a jerin stadis denunziadis, or also (o ancje): cinc personis, che di lôr dôs a jerin stadis denunziadis; or also (o ancje): cinc personis, che tra lôr dôs a jerin stadis denunziadis.

More examples (altris esemplis): the men in the midst of whom {amongst whom} I was born and raised (i oms che framieç di lôr o soi nassût e cressût); the neighbours with regard to whom all our arguments arise (i vicins di cjase che a rivuart di lôr a nassin dutis lis nestris barufis); un amì che cun lui o voi in citât (a friend with whom I go into the city); la femine che daûr di jê o stavi cjaminant (the woman behind whom I was walking); the pole about which they tied up the prisoner (il pâl che ator di chel a àn leât il presonîr).

That last example above (chel ultin esempli chi sore) shows us that (nus mostre che), when we are not dealing with people (cuant che no si trate di personis), these grammatical constructions (chestis costruzions gramaticâls) are translated to English as (a vignaressin tradotis in inglês come): which. A few more examples (ancjemò cualchi esempli): the trees in front of which I slipped (i arbui che denant di chei o soi sbrissât); the stream near which he died instantly (il torint che dongje di chel al è restât sul bot).

But you must know (ma tu âs di savê) that often (che dispès) Friulians omit these constructions (i furlans a lassin fûr chestis costruzions). For example (par esempli), instead of saying: une persone che su di jê tu puedis fâ cont, which is to say (ven a stâi): a person on whom you can count, many Friulians will say (cetancj furlans a disaran): une persone che tu puedis fâ cont.

Or instead of (o ben invezit di): la machine che cun chê o soi vignût, which is to say (ven a stâi): the car by which I came, many Friulians will say (cetancj furlans a disaran): la machine che o soi vignût.

Or instead of (o ben invezit di): i bêçs che cun chei lu ài paiât, which is to say (ven a stâi): the money with which I paid for it, many Friulians will say (cetancj furlans a disaran): i bêçs che lu ài paiât.

Or instead of (o ben invezit di): l’om che di lui tu mi âs za fevelât, which is to say (ven a stâi): the man about whom you have already spoken to me, many Friulians will say (cetancj furlans a disaran): l’om che tu mi âs za fevelât.

A few lessons ago (cualchi lezion indaûr), we learnt something new in Friulian (o vin imparât alc di gnûf par furlan): dazi. This word means (cheste peraule e vûl dî): tariff. Let’s write one last example now in Friulian (scrivìn cumò un ultin esempli par furlan): il risi di dazis che denant di chei il guvier al à cirût di fâ un acuardi, which is to say (ven a stâi): the risk of tariffs in the face of which the government sought to make a deal.