Friulian for beginners: addendum

Below is a very large selection of notes and phrases related to Friulian, and even a number of videoclips with Friulian transcriptions. This content once appeared elsewhere in the form of individual blog entries, but it is now condensed below to create an addendum to the Friulian lessons, which explains its haphazard nature. This material is published here without any further editing due to personal time constraints; it is admittedly difficult to navigate and, if time allows in the future, it may be reworked for better formatting. In the meantime, roll up your sleeves and give it a go. Return to the main page of Friulian for beginners.

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Friulian expressions of time

1. CA DI UNE ORE
In one hour from now

A ce ore rivistu? Ca di une ore. At what time do you arrive? In one hour from now. ■ Cuant partissistu? Ca di une ore. When do you leave? In one hour from now. ■ Ca di dôs oris. In two hours from now. ■ Ca di trê oris. In three hours from now. ■ Ca di cuindis dîs. In fifteen days from now. ■ Ca di une setemane. In one week from now. ■ Ca di dôs setemanis. In two weeks from now. ■ Ca di un mês. In one month from now. ■ Ca di un an. In one year from now. ■ Ca di trê agns. In three years from now.  ■ Ca di pôc timp. In a short time from now.

2. PÔC TIMP INDAÛR
Not long ago

No soi convint di une sielte fate pôc timp indaûr, ma cambiâ cumò al è masse tart. // No soi convint (I am not convinced) di une sielte fate (of a choice made) pôc timp indaûr (not long ago), ma cambiâ cumò (but changing now) al è masse tart (is too late). // I am not conviced of a choice that was made not long ago, but it is too late to change now. ■ Un an indaûr. One year ago. ■ Doi agns indaûr. Two years ago. ■ Dôs setemanis indaûr. Two weeks ago. ■ Trê mês indaûr. Three months ago. ■ Timp indaûr in Friûl. Some time ago in Friûl. ■ Fin pôc timp indaûr. Until not long ago.

3. E JE ORE DI LÂ
It is time to go

Moviti, e je ore di lâ. Get moving, it is time to go. ■ E je ore di lâ a durmî. It is time to go to sleep. ■ E je ore di lâ tal jet. It is time to go to bed. ■ E je ore di lâ a cjase. It is time to go home. ■ E je ore di lâ a messe. It is time to go to Mass. ■ E je ore di lâ a fâ la spese. It is time to go grocery shopping. ■ E jere ore di lâ a vore. It was time to go to work. ■ E jere ore di lâ vie. It was time to leave.

4. CE ORE ISE?
What time is it?

Ce ore ise? What time is it? ■ E je la une. It is one. ■ A son lis dôs. It is two. ■ A son lis trê. It is three. ■ A son lis siet di buinore. It is seven in the morning. ■ A son lis vot sot sere. It is eight in the evening. ■ A son dome lis cuatri mancul vincj. It is only twenty to four. ■ A ce ore? At what time? ■ Tor lis nûf e un cuart di buinore. At about a quarter past nine in the morning. ■ Si viodìn a lis sîs mancul un cuart. We shall see one another at a quarter to six. ■ A la une e un cuart dopomisdì. At a quarter past one in the afternoon. ■ A lis trê e vincj daspò misdì. At twenty past three in the afternoon. ■ Tor lis cinc e mieze. At about half past five. ■ Al jere misdì e un cuart. It was a quarter past noon. ■ E jere miezegnot e cinc. It was five past midnight. ■ Un cuart di ore. A quarter of an hour.

5. PIERDI TIMP
To waste time

No stin a pierdi timp. Let us not waste time. ■ No stin a pierdi timp in cjacaris. Let us not waste time chitchatting. ■ No sta pierdi timp par nuie. Do not waste time in vain. ■ No sta pierdi timp zuiant di cjartis. Do not waste time playing cards. ■ No àn pierdût timp. They did not waste time. ■ Puedio robâti doi minûts? Scoltimi, par plasê: no ài timp di pierdi. Can I steal two minutes of your time? Please listen to me: I have no time to waste.

6. O TIMP O TART
Sooner or later

O timp o tart si à di finî il lavôr. Sooner or later the work has to be finished. ■ Tu fevelarâs o timp o tart. You will talk sooner or later. ■ O timp o tart tu le paiarâs. Sooner or later you will pay for it. ■ O timp o tart si lis paie dutis. Sooner or later you pay for everything. Sooner or later it all catches up to you. ■ O timp o tart chel ramaç si romparà. Sooner or later that branch will snap.

7. I VÛL TIMP
It takes time

Par fâ cheste robe i vûl timp. It takes time to do this thing. ■ Par scrivi i vûl timp. Writing takes time. ■ Par imparâ une lenghe i vûl timp. It takes time to learn a language. ■ Par imparâ un mistîr i vûl timp. To learn a skill takes time. ■ I vûl timp e pazience. It takes time and patience.

Ti soio mancjade?

To say I miss you in Friulian, we must use the verb mancjâ; as such, I miss you becomes in Friulian tu mi mancjis. It is easy to look at that Friulian wording and think that it means you miss me, but this stems from a misunderstanding of what mancjâ truly means here (see below); it is also because of a misunderstanding of the function of mi. In English, I miss you takes a direct object: you; but, in Friulian, we have rather an indirect object: mi, which does not mean me but unto me.

To put it as plainly as possible, tu mi mancjis means you are lacking unto me, which is a Friulian manner of saying you are missing from me. If we retain that mancjâ means to be lacking unto, any misunderstanding disappears: if someone or something is lacking unto us, then we are going without that person or thing.

Consider these examples:

A mancjin trê chilometris.
Three kilometres to go.
(literally, three kilometres are lacking)

E mancje une ore ae partence.
There is one hour left until departure.
(literally, one hour is lacking unto the departure)

Nol mancje mai aes cunvignis.
He never misses the meetings.
(literally, he is never lacking unto the meetings)

Ti soio mancjade?
Did you miss me?
(literally, did I lack unto you?)

In the above question, we see that jessi is used for auxiliary in the recent past; we also see that the question as posed above must be said by a female: the past partciple mancjade is feminine singular. A male would rather say: ti soio mancjât? This is how the question is asked of one person, on a familiar level. If these same questions were asked of more than one person, they become: us soio mancjât? and us soio mancjade? (did you [plural] miss me?).

We can also ask in Friulian: ti sino mancjâts? and ti sino mancjadis? (did you [singular] miss us?); or us sino mancjâts? and us sino mancjadis? (did you [plural] miss us?).

Other related examples:

Nus mancje il timp.
We do not have enough time.
(literally, the time is lacking unto us)

Tu mancjis simpri cuant che si à bisugne di te.
You are never there when you are needed.
(literally, you are always lacking when one has need of you)

La lûs e je mancjade par une ore.
The lights were out for an hour.
(literally, the light lacked for an hour)

Mi è mancjade la poie e o soi colât.
I lost hold and fell.
(literally, the support lacked unto me and I fell)

Al mancje dispès di rispiet par chei altris.
He often lacks respects for others.

Ve chi che o soi

There are a number of different ways to say here in Friulian, the most common of which are ca, chi and culì; another is chenti, but this is used far less often. These forms are all interchangeable. Below you will find examples of how you can incorporate these words into your own use of Friulian. Note that there is no separate word for hither in Friulian.

O soi chi. I am here. ■ Ve chi che o soi. Here I am. ■ Ven culì. Come here. ■ Cjale chi. Look here. ■ Cjale culì, no là. Look here, not there. ■ E je culì di cuatri agns aromai. She has been here four years already. ■ O sin ca di une voronone di timp. We have been here a very long time. ■ Al sarà ca cun me. He will be here with me. ■ Un pôc chi e un pôc là. A little here and a little there. ■ Met dut chi parsore. Put everything here on top. ■ Mene fûr ducj di chi. Get everybody out of here. ■ A tornaran culì l'an che al ven. They will come back here next year. ■ Fermiti ca daûr. Wait behind here. ■ Dami chel chi. Give me this one here. ■ Cui isal chel chi? Who is this here fellow? ■ Ve chi la soluzion. Here is the solution. ■ Ve chi il vincidôr. Here is the winner. ■ Di chi indenant. From now on (literally, from here onwards). ■ O soi ca jù. I am down here. ■ Lis scjatulis a son chi abàs. The boxes are down here. ■ Reste chi ator. Stay round here. Stay nearby. ■ Us informaran di dutis lis novitâts di chenti. They will inform you of all the news from here. ■ Cui ti aial fat vignî achenti? Who made you come here? ■ Al fevele simpri di jê, Marie di ca, Marie di là. He is always talking about her, Mary this, Mary that (literally, Mary here, Mary there).

With ve chi che o soi, the words che and o are to be contracted, so that you pronounce ve chi ch'o soi (four syllables). The same occurs in the example a tornaran culì l'an che al ven, where che and al are to be contracted, to pronounce l'an ch'al ven.

Another important use is ca di me, meaning at my place. Benvignûts ca di me. Welcome to my place. ■ Ca di me tu starâs simpri benvignût. You will always be welcome at my place. Of course, if we can say ca di me, then we can also say ca di te. Mi fermarai ca di te par un mês. I will stay at your place for one month. Note: Be sure to use the correct form of benvignût when welcoming someone. For instance, the plural benvignûts is said when the people present are all males, or where there are males and females present. The four forms of this adjective are: benvignût (masculine singular; said to one male); benvignûts (masculine plural; said to more than one male or a mixed group); benvignude (feminine singular; said to one female); benvignudis (feminine plural; said to more than one female).

On being able

A number of different ways exist to talk in Friulian about knowing how to do a thing, but this entry will focus on the one that uses the adjective bon. Know first that this adjective, which normally means good but must be understood as able, capable in our present case, has four different forms. In standard Friulian, these are: bon (masculine singular); bogns (masculine plural); buine (feminine singular); buinis (feminine plural). The expression to learn is the following: jessi bon di fâ (to know how to do).

Example: Sêstu bon di nadâ?
Do you know how to swim?

Sêstu is an interrogative form meaning are you, second-person singular. Given that bon is masculine singular, the question sêstu bon di nadâ can only be asked of one male. To ask one female the same question, we must change bon to buine. To ask more than one person, we must use bogns if at least one male is present, or buinis if they are all females. Of course, when more than one person is asked, we must moreover use the plural verb form sêso.

Sêstu bon di nadâ?
(said to one male)

Sêstu buine di nadâ?
(said to one female)

Sêso bogns di nadâ?
(said to more than one person, either all males or males and females together)

Sêso buinis di nadâ?
(said to more than one person, all females)

Here now are a few more examples of this expression to study: Al è bon di lavorâ il len. He knows how to do woodwork. ■ E je buine di lei. She knows how to read. ■ Ti ciraran un om che al sedi bon di sunâ la ghitare. They will look for a man for you who can play the guitar. ■ Sêso bogns di fevelâ furlan? Do you know how to speak Friulian? ■ Chestis feminis a son buinis di gucjâ. These women know how to knit.

Sêstu

Friulian sêstu, meaning are you (or in traditional English, art thou), is the interrogative of the second-person singular of the verb jessi (to be). It is used when speaking on an informal level to just one person. Below are examples using sêstu in Friulian. When the Friulian text below appears as a pair, the first of the two is said to a male, whereas the second is said to a female.

Di ce citât sêstu?
What city are you from?

Parcè mo sêstu avilît?
Parcè mo sêstu avilide?
Why ever are you sad?

Sêstu vignût cun buinis intenzions?
Sêstu vignude cun buinis intenzions?
Have you come with good intentions?

Ce sêstu vignût a fâ culì?
Ce sêstu vignude a fâ culì?
What have you come to do here?

Parcè sêstu di bessôl e no ’nd isal nissun cun te?
Parcè sêstu di bessole e no ’nd isal nissun cun te?
Why are you alone and nobody is with you?

Parcè po no sêstu lât cun lui?
Parcè po no sêstu lade cun lui?
Why ever did you not go with him?

Sêstu forsit plui brâf che no chei altris?
Sêstu forsit plui brave che no chei altris?
Are you perhaps better than the others?

Cui sêstu tu, che tu lu judichis?
Who are you that you should judge him?

Sêstu cun nô o cuintri?
Are you with us or against us?

Cuant sêstu rivât chi?
Cuant sêstu rivade chi?
When did you arrive here?

Ce sêstu bon di fâ?
Ce sêstu buine di fâ?
What are you good at doing?
What do you know how to do?

D’indulà sêstu?
Where are you from?

Amì, parcè po sêstu culì?
Amie, parcè po sêstu culì?
Friend, why ever are you here?

Sêstu gjelôs par me?
Sêstu gjelose par me?
Are you jealous of me?

On how to say both in Friulian

In standard Friulian, both is expressed as ducj i doi (masculine plural) and dutis dôs (feminine plural). For instance, to say of two men that they were born in Friûl, we say: ducj i doi a son nassûts in Friûl (both were born in Friûl); to say the same of two women, we say: dutis dôs a son nassudis in Friûl. We can also say more fully: ducj i doi i oms a son nassûts in Friûl (both men were born in Friûl) and dutis dôs lis feminis a son nassudis in Friûl (both women were born in Friûl). With regard to the latter two examples, care must be taken to include the definite article i twice in the masculine plural: ducj i doi i oms, whereas in the feminine plural, the definite article lis appears but once: dutis dôs lis feminis. More examples:

Masculine plural: o ài invidât ducj i doi (I have invited both); a son vignûts ducj i doi (both came); a son ducj i doi australians (both are Australian); cun ducj i doi i pîts (with both feet); in ducj i doi i sens (in both senses); cjol ducj i doi i libris (take both books).

Feminine plural: a son vignudis dutis dôs (both came); a son dutis dôs peraulis furlanis (both are Friulian words); pleâ dutis dôs lis gjambis (to bend both legs); cun dutis dôs lis mans (with both hands); in dutis dôs lis soluzions (in both solutions); cjol dutis dôs lis robis (take both things).

Note that the definite article following doi or dôs is omitted when a possessive adjective is present modifying a noun identifying a family member: ducj i doi i fradis (both brothers) but ducj i doi miei fradis (both my brothers); ducj i doi i barbis (both uncles) but ducj i doi tiei barbis (both your uncles); dutis dôs lis sûrs (both sisters) but dutis dôs tôs sûrs (both your sisters); dutis dôs lis agnis (both aunts) but dutis dôs mês agnis (both my aunts).

Examples with demonstrative adjectives: ducj i doi chescj libris (both these books); ducj i doi chei aspiets (both those aspects); dutis dôs chestis citâts (both these cities); dutis dôs chês feminis (both those women).

These same formations are also used above two: o ài invidât ducj i trê (I have invited all three); a son ducj i cuatri australians (all four are Australian); ducj i cinc i oms (all five men); cjol ducj i sîs i libris (take all six books); ducj i trê miei fradis (all three of my brothers); a son vignudis dutis siet (all seven came); a son dutis vot peraulis furlanis (all eight are Friulian words); in dutis trê lis soluzions (in all three solutions); cjol dutis nûf lis robis (take all nine things); dutis trê mês agnis (all three of my aunts); ducj i vot chescj libris (all eight of these books); dutis dîs chês citâts (all ten of those cities).

Jo mi ’nt voi

Of particular use in Friulian is lâsint, meaning to leave. This is composed of lâ (to go) + reflexive pronoun si + nt (a contraction of indi). In this entry, you will learn more about how to use lâsint in your own use of spoken Friulian. Before beginning, it will be good to review the present indicative of the verb lâ, as this verb forms the base upon which you will build in many of the examples to come below. Present indicative: o voi, tu vâs, al va, e va, o lin, o lais, a van. A few examples of use: o voi a vore tai cantîrs (I go to work on construction sites); al va a cjace intal bosc (he goes hunting in the woods); i fruts a van a scuele (the children go to school).

When the reflexive pronoun si and the contracted nt are added to the mix, we obtain lâsint, which translates as to leave, to depart, to go away. Here are a few simple examples to consider before we embark on the more complicated conjugated forms: al à scugnût lâsint (he had to leave); biel che si voltave par lâsint (as he was turning round to leave); al pues saltâ fûr e lâsint (he can come out and leave); ur à ordenât a ducj i infedêi di lâsint de citât (he ordered all the infidels to leave the city); prime di lâmint (before I leave). In this last example, the Friulian employs an indirect object, so that the sentence translates after the Friulian manner as he ordered unto all the infidels to leave the city.

Let us now delve into the present indicative of lâsint, which is: mi ’nt voi, tu ti ’nt vâs, si ’nt va, si ’nt lin, si ’nt lais, si ’nt van. The contraction ’nt sounds like ng, so that mi ’nt, ti ’nt, si ’nt sound like ming, ting, sing. Examples: jo mi ’nt voi e tu tu tornis a cjase tô (I am leaving and you are going back home); jo mi ’nt voi pe strade che a van ducj (I am leaving by the way that everybody goes); jo mi ’nt voi cence bêçs (I am leaving without money); l'Invier no si ’nt va (winter is not going away); il frêt si ’nt va (the cold is going away); l'aiar si ’nt va (the wind is going away); si ’nt van cidins (they leave quietly); si ’nt leve petant berlis dilunc vie (off he went yelling along the way). We can also use this verb in other tenses: jo mi ’nt larai cence pôre (I shall leave without fear); tu ti ’nt larâs in pâs (you will leave in peace); si ’nt laran di li (they will leave from there); mi 'nt levi di li simpri avilît (I always used to leave there sad). In the imperative, second-person singular: vatint (go away, leave); jeve sù e vatint (get up and leave); sù po, cjape sù lis tôs robis e vatint (up you get then, collect your things and leave). In the imperative, second-person plural: laitsint (go away, leave); chi no si polse, jevait sù e laitsint (no resting here, get up and leave).

As a sidenote, let us return now to the sentence jo mi ’nt voi e tu tu tornis a cjase tô. The Friulian for to come/go back home is tornâ cjase or tornâ a cjase. Furthermore, it is not mandatory to include the possessive adjective, but it can be used for emphasis or clarity. Examples: o voi cjase (I am going home); o soi tornât cjase (I went back home); torne a cjase tô (go back home); va a cjase tô (go home); doman sêstu cjase? (are you home tomorrow?); doman sêstu cjase lôr? (are you at their place tomorrow?); Martars a cjase mê (Tuesday at my place); ju ài invidâts a cjase mê (I invited them to my place).

Nancje par insium

You will discover in this entry the meaning of the colloquial Friulian expression nancje par insium by reading a short exchange between David and Jonathan (David e Jonate). Here now is the exchange; it is translated into English and supplemented with numerous language notes farther down:

David: Ce àio fat, ce colpe àio jo, ce delit i àio fat a to pari, che al à dome chê di copâmi? ■ Jonate: No sta nancje insumiâti une tâl! No tu murirâs par mai. Gno pari nol fâs nissune robe, impuartante o no, cence interpelâmi me. Parcè mo gno pari varessial di vêmi tignude platade une robe di cheste sorte? Nancje par insium!

(In English) David: Ce àio fat (what have I done), ce colpe àio jo (what am I guilty of), ce delit i àio fat a to pari (what crime have I done to your father), che al à dome chê di copâmi (that he's so determined to kill me)? ■ Jonate: No sta nancje insumiâti une tâl (don't even suggest such a thing)! No tu murirâs par mai (you're definitely not going to die). Gno pari nol fâs nissune robe (my father does nothing), impuartante o no (important or not), cence interpelâmi me (without telling me). Parcè mo gno pari varessial (why ever should my father) di vêmi tignude platade (keep hidden from me) une robe di cheste sorte (such a thing)? Nancje par insium (not in your dreams)!

This exchange between David and Jonathan was in fact taken from the Bible in Friulian (I Samuel XX,2-3); this Bible is known as Bibie par un popul (Bible for a people) because it was translated in such a way that it uses the language of the people; the dialogues in particular, such as the one above, employ contemporary, and even colloquial, language.

In the remainder of this entry, you will study the language used in the dialogue. Let us begin with àio (have I): this is the interrogative form of o ài (I have). For instance, whereas o ài fat means I have done, ce àio fat (interrogative) means what have I done. The feminine colpe means guilt or fault, and the masculine delit means crime. The interrogative ce colpe àio jo translates after the Friulian manner as what guilt have I or what fault have I, the sense whereof is what am I guilty of. As for ce delit i àio fat a to pari, we find in this question the indirect i, here meaning to him. You will remember from the elementary Friulian lessons that Friulian makes a repetition: it is not enough to say a to pari (to your father); we must also include i (to him). Here is how Friulian handles this question: ce delit (what crime) i (to him) àio fat (have I done) a to pari (to your father). Another example: ce i âstu dit a gno pari? (what have you said to my father?). Broken down into its parts: ce (what) i (to him) âstu dit (have you said) a gno pari (to my father).

The Friulian for my crime is il gno delit; this is formed so: definite article + possessive pronoun + noun. However, with pari, we must not use the definite article before the possessive pronoun: gno pari (my father); a gno pari (to my father); di gno pari (from my father); to pari (your father); cun to pari (with your father), and so on. Such is also the rule for mari (mother), fradi (brother) and sûr (sister), but this rule only applies in the singular: gno fradi (my brother), but i miei fradis (my brothers); di mê sûr (of my sister), but des mês sûrs (of my sisters).

Let us look now to che al à dome chê di copâmi by first breaking it down into its parts: che al à (that he has) dome chê (only that) di copâmi (of killing me), the sense whereof is that he is so determined to kill me. Perhaps the only aspect of this phrase that raises a question in your mind is the use of the feminine chê, which translates literally as that but here takes on the sense of such intention. Another example: o ài lavoronât cun chê di podê finî la vore (I worked really hard so that I could finish the work). In its parts: o ài lavoronât (I worked really hard) cun chê di (with that [with such intention] of) podê finî la vore (being able to finish the work).

If ancje means even, then nancje means not even. As such, the second-person singular no sta nancje when placed before an infinitive means do not even. Examples: no sta fevelâmi (do not speak to me); no sta nancje fevelâmi (do not even speak to me); no sta tocjâmi (do not touch me); no sta nancje tocjâmi (do not even touch me); no sta nancje pensâle une robe dal gjenar (do not even think such a thing). In this last example, we find une robe dal gjenar (such a thing; literally, a thing of the kind, a thing of the sort); synonymous with this is une tâl, which we find in no sta nancje insumiâti une tâl from the dialogue. The Friulian for dream is the masculine noun insium or sium; the reflexive insumiâsi means to dream up. As such, no sta nancje insumiâti une tâl translates literally as do not even dream up such a thing, the sense whereof is do not even suggest such a thing, do not even go thinking such a thing, and so on.

Tu murirâs is the Friulian for you will die; negated, this takes the form no tu murirâs. Par mai is used for emphasis, in equivalence to definitely not, certainly not. Interpelâmi means to consult with me, or simply to tell me. Often used in conjunction with parcè for emphasis is mo, which can be taken as meaning then or ever: parcè mo? (why then?, why ever?, why on earth?). Also used is parcè po, with the same meaning. When vê di (to have to) is employed in the conditional, it takes on the sense of ought. For comparison: gno pari al à di... (my father has to..., my father must...); gno pari al varès di... (my father ought to..., my father should...); parcè mo àial gno pari di... (why ever has my father to..., why ever must my father...); parcè varessial gno pari di... (why ever ought my father..., why ever should my father...). Platât means hidden; tignî platât means to keep hidden; vêmi tignût platât means to keep hidden from me. Une robe di cheste sorte translates literally as a thing of this sort.

Finally, the conversation ends with Jonathan saying: nancje par insium; word for word, not even by dream, the sense whereof is not in your dreams, no way, not a chance, not on your life, it cannot be, impossible, not gonna happen, and so on, employed to make a categoric refusal. Just as there are many ways to express this in English, so too does Friulian have numerous methods: nancje muart, nancje pai siet sintiments, nancje pal as di cope, nancje par idee, nancje par impens, nancje par impensament, nancje par ombre, nancje par scomesse. In the case of nancje muart, this can be likened to the English over my dead body; as for nancje pal as di cope, this is in reference to one of the playing cards in the game known in Friulian as briscule (in Italian, briscola).

Fâs ce che ti pâr a ti

Fâs ce che ti pâr a ti, which is to say, do what you think best, do what you think most fitting. In this entry, you will learn about the use of a mi and a ti in Friulian, and that, after other prepositions, me and te are used instead: par me, par te, cun me, cun te, di me, di te, and so on. You will also learn about how to use the Friulian verb parê in the sense of to seem fitting.

In the sentence fâs ce che ti pâr a ti, we have two verbs: fâ and parê. In the second-person singular imperative, fâ takes the form fâs (but also the variant form fai), whereas in the second-person plural imperative, it takes the form fasêt (but also the variant form fait). In this way, fâs ce che ti pâr a ti means do what you think best when speaking to a single person (i.e., do what thou thinkest best), whereas fasêt ce che us pâr a vualtris is the equivalent plural form used when speaking to more than one person. The verb parê means to seem, to appear; as used in our example sentence, it is to be taken as meaning to seem fitting, or other similar wordings in English. More examples: al jere libar di fâ ce che i pareve (he was free to do whatever he wanted; he was free to do as he thought best); crôt ce che ti pâr (believe what you will; believe as you see fit).

Consider now the following: fâs (do) ce che (that which) ti (unto you) pâr (seems {fitting}) a ti (unto you). The repetition of the Friulian equivalent of unto you adds emphasis. Another example: dutis chestis robis tes doi a ti (I am giving all these things to you); here too unto you appears twice: once as a ti, but also as part of tes, which is a contraction of ti + lis, where the feminine plural lis is a direct object meaning them standing in for the feminine plural robis.

Given that in Friulian we say par te, cun te, di te, and so on, why then must we say a ti and not a te? This is a dative form that has persisted in Friulian, and it concerns only the preposition a when used with the first-person singular and second-person singular: we say a mi and a ti, but fra me e te, cun me e te, par me, denant di te, di me, and so on. Other examples of this dative form: ti feveli a ti (I am speaking to you); tal àn dit dome che a ti (they said it only to you); ti tocjarà a ti di fâ cheste vore (it will fall to you to do this work); ancje a mi mi plâs chest libri (I too like this book). In all other persons, the form used after the preposition a is the same as that used after any other preposition: par lôr, a lôr, cun vualtris, a vualtris, di lui, a lui, denant di jê, a jê, and so on. Examples of the latter: un pat fra me e te (a pact between me and you [second-person singular]); un pat fra me e vualtris (a pact between me and you [second-person plural]); ve il pat che o fâs cun te (this is the pact that I am making with you [second-person singular]); ve il pat che o fâs cun vualtris (this is the pact that I am making with you [second-person plural]); o viôt trê oms in pîts denant di lui (I see three men standing in front of him); a lui la glorie (glory to him); il lôf al jere a un cinc metris denant di jê (the wolf was some five metres in front of her); a jê i dedichìn cheste publicazion (we dedicate this publication to her); in gracie di lôr (thanks to them); ur al darai a lôr (I shall give it to them).

Let us return now to the use of parê in the sense of to seem fitting and look at more examples: fasêtjur ce che us pâr (do to them what you think is best); se ti pâr e se il paron al è di acuardi (if it seems fitting to you and the boss agrees); al podarà dânus une man cuant che i pararà (he can give us a hand when he sees fit). A number of very good examples from the Bible: il Signôr che al fasi ce che i pararà a lui (may the Lord do what seems good to him); doman o jessarìn fûr viers di vualtris e nus fasarês ce che us pararà (tomorrow we shall come out to you, and you will do to us as you see fit); in chê volte no ’nd jere re in Israel e ognidun al faseve ce che i pareve (at that time there was no king in Israel and everyone did as he saw fit).

No crôt fin che no viôt cui miei vôi

No crôt fin che no viôt cui miei vôi, which is to say, I will not believe it until I see it with my own eyes. In this entry, you will look at the components of this Friulian sentence, in terms of its grammar and pronunciation.

The Friulian crodi means to believe. So does it conjugate in the present indicative: o crôt, tu crodis, al crôt, e crôt, o crodìn, o crodês, a crodin. Negated, these are: no crôt, no tu crodis, nol crôt, no crôt, no crodìn, no crodês, no crodin. The present indicative o crôt translates literally as I believe, and its negated form no crôt as I believe not; but it is also the case that Friulian sometimes prefers the present indicative where English opts for the simple future, which is why, in our sentence above, no crôt takes the English form I shall not believe (or in colloquial English, I will not believe, I'll not believe or I won't believe).

The Friulian viodi means to see. So does it conjugate in the present indicative: o viôt, tu viodis, al viôt, e viôt, o viodìn, o viodês, a viodin. Negated, these are: no viôt, no tu viodis, nol viôt, no viôt, no viodìn, no viodês, no viodin. As for fin che no, this is the Friulian for until, till. Some examples: o spietarai culì fin che nol passe il postin (I shall wait here until the postman comes); no soi partît fin che no ài vût il segnâl (I did not leave until I got the signal). Because of the presence of no, perhaps it is better to consider this Friulian usage as translating as so long as, which requires the use of not in these same English versions: I shall wait here so long as the postman has not come; I did not leave so long as I had not got the signal. However, in both Friulian and English, the negator is not always present: fin che e je lûs o podìn lâ indenant cu la escursion (so long as there is daylight, we can continue with the excursion). But: fin che nol ven scûr o podìn lâ indenant cu la escursion (so long as dark has not fallen, we can continue with the excursion). Why the difference?

With fin che, the negator is used when speaking of that which is yet to come, and it is omitted when speaking of that which currently is. Examples of the former: al restarà li a scoltâti fin che no tu varâs finît (he will stay here listening to you until you have finished [so long as you have not finished] → you have not finished yet); no ti moli fin che no tu mi âs dit il to non (I shall not let go of you until you have told me your name [so long as you have not told me your name] → you have not told me your name yet); and examples of the latter: fasilu fin che tu âs fuarce (do it so long as you have strength → you have strength now); fin che tu sês culì no tu puedis fâlu (so long as you are here, you cannot do it → you are here now). However, it must be noted that no will sometimes be omitted even in the former of the situations: ripet la operazion fin che tu finissis (repeat the operation until you have finished [so long as you have not finished] → you have not finished yet), which has the same meaning as ripet la operazion fin che no tu finissis.

To return now to our sentence from above, the one upon which this entry is based, no crôt fin che no viôt translates after the Friulian manner as I believe not so long as I see not. This is followed by cui miei vôi, meaning with my {own} eyes. The Friulian for eye is the masculine noun voli; in the plural, an irregular form is used: vôi (long o), though some speakers use voi (short o). I leave you with the following: pronounce aloud the following pair, reflecting on how the two must differ in pronunciation: crot / crôt. The first means naked; the second is one of the two verbs from our sentence.

Be valiant

Excellent examples follow of exhortations in Friulian to be valiant. All examples are drawn from the Bible. The first of each Friulian pair is the second-person singular imperative; the second of the pair is its equivalent in the second-person plural.

Fasiti fuart e no sta molâ.
Fasêtsi fuarts e no stait a molâ.
Be brave and do not give up.

Fasiti fuart e ten dûr.
Fasêtsi fuarts e tignît dûr.
Take courage and be tenacious.

Fasiti fuart e no sta vê pôre.
Fasêtsi fuarts e no stait a vê pôre.
Be valiant and fear not.

Vegle e sta salt inte fede.
Veglait e stait salts inte fede.
Be watchful and stand firm in the faith.

Viôt di jessi fuart e di tignî dûr.
Viodêt di jessi fuarts e di tignî dûr.
Be strong and endure.

No sta vê nissune pôre di sorte.
No stait a vê nissune pôre di sorte.
Have no fear at all.

Viôt di jessi un om e ten dûr.
Viodêt di jessi oms e tignît dûr.
Act like men and persevere.

Metiti intor dute l'armadure di Diu.
Metêtsi intor dute l'armadure di Diu.
Put on the full armour of God.

Dati coragjo e che al cjapi fuarce il to cûr.
Daitsi coragjo e che al cjapi fuarce il vuestri cûr.
Be courageous and take heart.

Fasiti fuart, coragjo, metiti a l'opare.
Fasêtsi fuarts, coragjo, metêtsi a l'opare.
Be strong, take courage, do the work.

No sta vê pôre; cîr dome di crodi.
No stait a vê pôre; cirît dome di crodi.
Do not be afraid; seek only to believe.

Reste salt e da sot plui che tu puedis.
Restait salts e dait sot plui che o podês.
Be steadfast and endeavour so much as you can.

Il Signôr che al sedi cun te.
Il Signôr che al sedi cun vualtris.
The Lord be with you.

E à tacât a cavariâ

Following is an example sentence in Friulian drawn from the GDBtf dictionary, under the headword çavariâ. In this entry, you will study the components of this sentence, and read more examples of how çavariâ is used. You will also read about a special use of the indirect object pronoun. Here is the example sentence:

E à tacât a çavariâ cuant che i è muart l'om.
She started going delirious when her husband died on her.

The Friulian noun tacâ means to start, to begin. Other ways of saying this in Friulian are començâ and scomençâ, but tacâ is of high frequency in the Friulian language. Here is how tacâ conjugates in the present indicative: o tachi, tu tachis, al tache, e tache, o tachìn, o tacais, a tachin; and in the recent past: o ài tacât, tu âs tacât, al à tacât, e à tacât, o vin tacât, o vês tacât, a àn tacât. The Friulian for to start doing is tacâ a fâ, where fâ can be replaced by an endless possibility of infinitives to create new expressions: tacâ a lavorâ (to start working); tacâ a fevelâ (to start speaking); tacâ a berlâ (to start yelling), tacâ a difindisi (to start defending oneself), and so on.

Çavariâ is the Friulian for to rave, to be delirious. In the present indicative, it conjugates so: o çavarii, tu çavariis, al çavarie, e çavarie, o çavariìn, o çavariais, a çavariin. Tonic stress is on vàr in all, except first-person plural (iìn) and second-person plural (àis). We encountered an example of this verb recently in the reading of Jesù bon pastôr, where the Jews say of Jesus: Al à intorsi un demoni e al çavarie. Parcè lu scoltaiso? (He hath a demon about him and is delirious. Why listen you to him?). If a person is burning with fever and is incoherent in speech, he is said to be delirious; for instance, tu çavariavis plen di fiere tal ospedâl means you were raving with a full-on fever in hospital. Other examples: al veve la fiere alte e al çavariave (he had a high fever and was delirious); o çavariavi come se o fos stât sot l'efiet dal opi (I was delirious as though I were under the effect of opium). Or an example of a reprimand: ma tu tu cavariis, femine; sta cidine (are you ever delirious, woman; keep quiet).

The Friulian for husband is om; likewise, the Friulian for wife is femine. These are also the words for man and woman in Friulian: context makes it clear which is meant. The Friulian for he died is al è muart, but in our example sentence above we find i è muart -- what does it mean that i should be included here? In this sentence, the indirect object pronoun i means unto her (i also means unto him, but this would not make sense in the context of our sentence). Whereas al è muart means he died (or he has died), i è muart means he died on her (or he has died on her): its literal translation after the Friulian manner is 'he has died unto her'. Just as with the English on her, this use of i conveys a sense of suddenness, as though the wife were unprepared for the husband's death. Here is another example: mi è muarte la femine propit cumò (my wife has just now died on me). Contrast the pair: e je muarte (she died, she has died); mi è muarte (she died on me, she has died on me). A final example: Imagine a scenario where a woman has borne seven children, but the last three died on her when they were infants; she may perhaps say: i ultins trê mi son lâts picinins. In English: i ultins trê (the last three) mi son lâts (went on me) picinins ({as} little ones).

Dôs robutis o varès di dîus usgnot

A quote in Friulian from a book called Lis predicjis dal muini:

Dôs robutis o varès di dîus usgnot.
I ought to tell you two quick things tonight.

In this entry, this sentence will be broken down in order to understand it in all its parts. We begin with the Friulian word for thing, which is the feminine noun robe. In Friulian, we say: une robe, dôs robis, trê robis... (one thing, two things, three things...). Just as the Friulian for one has both a masculine form (un) and a feminine form (une), so does the Friulian for two have a masculine form (doi) and a feminine form (dôs). This is why we say dôs robis (two things), dôs cjasis (two houses) and dôs citâts (two cities), but doi cjans (two dogs), doi pîts (two feet) and doi curtìs (two knives): robe, cjase and citât are feminine nouns, whereas cjan, pît and curtìs are masculine.

As for robute from the quote, this is the diminutive of robe: whereas robe means thing, robute means little thing. Friulian diminutives take the suffix -ut for masculine nouns and -ute for feminine ones. Since robe is a feminine noun, its diminutive takes the suffix -ute to form robute. More examples: The Friulian for hand is the feminine noun man; its diminutive is manute, which can be used to refer to the hand of a baby. In the masculine, whereas gjat, cjan and purcit mean cat, dog and pig, their diminutives gjatut, cjanut and purcitut mean kitten, puppy and piglet. Plurals are formed normally: doi gjatuts (two kittens), doi cjanuts (two puppies), doi purcituts (two piglets), dôs robutis (two little things), dôs manutis (two baby hands). Though dôs robutis translates literally as two little things, it is probably better rendered idiomatically in English as two quick things in our quote above from the book.

The Friulian vê di means must, to have to. For instance, o ài di lavorâ means I have to work, and o ài di stâ cidin means I have to be quiet. In our quote, we find o varès di, which is the first-person singular of the present conditional. When vê di is used in the present conditional, it takes on the sense of ought. Study the following pairs: o ài di studiâ ancjemò un pôc -- o varès di studiâ ancjemò un pôc (I have to study a bit more -- I ought to study a bit more); al à di tacâ di gnûf -- al varès di tacâ di gnûf (he has to start over -- he ought to start over); o vin di lâ vie -- o varessin di lâ vie (we have to leave -- we ought to leave). Of vê di, here is the present indicative: o ài di, tu âs di, al à di, e à di, o vin di, o vês di, a àn di; and here is the present conditional: o varès di, tu varessis di, al varès di, e varès di, o varessin di, o varessis di, a varessin di.

Dîus means to tell you, to say to you, second-person plural, used when speaking to more than one friend. The second-person singular equivalent is dîti, used when to speaking to just one friend. As for usgnot, this is the Friulian for tonight; related to this is usgnot passade, meaning last night.

Here is an example (not from the book) of how we can use this quote in our own use of Friulian: Dôs robutis o varès di dîti usgnot: une par cont di to fradi e une par cont de machine. Vocabulary: par cont di (about, regarding); to fradi (your brother); la machine (car).

False friends in Friulian: pome, frut, rose, trist

Here you will discover four Friulian words that mean something other than what you may have expected. This is especially so if you have any familiarity with other Romance languages, such as Italian or French.

1. UNE POME

If you speak the language of Voltaire, then you know that the French name for the apple is the feminine noun pomme. Make no mistake, however: in Friulian, the cognate feminine noun pome identifies any fruit in general. What then is the Friulian name for the apple? It is the masculine noun miluç.

In short:
une pome, a fruit
un miluç, an apple

Learn this Friulian sentence:
Il miluç al è la pome che mi plâs plui di dutis.
The apple is the fruit that I like best.

2. UN FRUT

The Italian name for any fruit in general is the masculine noun frutto, whereas in French it is the masculine noun fruit. You will perhaps find it endearing to learn that, in Friulian, the masculine noun frut identifies a human child.

In short:
un frut, a child
une pome, a fruit

Learn this Friulian sentence:
Il frut al mangje la pome.
The child eats the fruit.

3. UNE ROSE

The French name for the rose is the feminine noun rose; in Italian, it is the feminine noun rosa. But be forewarned: the Friulians generally use the cognate feminine noun rose to identify any flower in general. What then is the Friulian name for the rose? It is the masculine noun garoful.

In short:
une rose, a flower
un garoful, a rose

Learn this Friulian sentence:
Il garoful al è la rose che mi plâs plui di dutis.
The rose is the flower that I like best.

4. TRIST

In both Italian and French, the adjective triste is used to identify a person as being sad. But if you were to identify this same person in Friulian as trist, take note that you will have described him not as being sad, but as being... bad or evil. How then do the Friulians identify a person as being sad? The simplest way is with the adjective jù, which is the Friulian for down. Another possibility is with the adjective avilît.

In short:
trist, bad, evil, wicked
jù, avilît, down, sad

Learn this Friulian sentence:
O soi une vore jù.
I am very down.

Learn also this very good sentence, words of Christ:
Se l'arbul al è trist, ancje la pome e sarà triste.
If the tree is bad, also the fruit will be bad.

For information:
In alignment with the Friulian trist, Italian has the adjective tristo. For instance, a wicked action in Friulian is une azion triste, and in Italian it is una trista azione.

Why is a child called a frut in Friulian?

In this video from YoupalTubo, the speaker gives his explanation for why the Friulian word for child is frut. Frut is cognate with the English fruit. Though the Friulian word for fruit is pome, Friulians understand that frut is cognate with the word for fruit in other languages, such as Italian frutto and Latin fructus.

[1.47] Parcè par furlan bambino si disial «frut»? «Frut» e je une des peraulis furlanis plui cognossudis. Ma parcè doprìno propite un tiermin che nus ricuarde la botaniche? I furlans sano che i fruts a no nassin sot des fueis des verzis? «Frut» al ven dal latin fructum* che al vûl propite dî «pome». Forsit chest ûs al ven de cristianetât. Tal vanzeli di Luche si dîs benedictus fructus ventris tui. Intindìn che Jesù al è il frut dal vintri de Marie, o ben il prodot dal concepiment, come il miluç pal miluçâr.

Friulian language notes

1. Parcè par furlan bambino si disial frut? In English: Why is 'frut' the Friulian for 'bambino'? Note: Bambino is the Italian word for child. Translated after the Friulian manner: Parcè (why) par furlan (in Friulian) bambino si disial frut (is bambino said 'frut')?

2. Frut e je une des peraulis furlanis plui cognossudis. In English: 'Frut' is one of the most known Friulian words.

3. Ma parcè doprìno propite un tiermin che nus ricuarde la botaniche? In English: But why precisely do we use a term that reminds us of botany?

4. I furlans sano che i fruts a no nassin sot des fueis des verzis? In English: Do Friulians know that children are not born under cabbage leaves? Friulian vocabulary: une fuee, leaf; une verze, cabbage.

5. Frut al ven dal latin fructum* che al vûl propite dî pome. In English: 'Frut' comes from the Latin 'fructum' [sic] which in fact means fruit. *Note: The speaker ought to have said Latin fructus.

6. Forsit chest ûs al ven de cristianetât. In English: This use perhaps comes from Christianity.

7. Tal vanzeli di Luche si dîs: benedictus fructus ventris tui. In English: In the Gospel of Luke it is said: benedictus fructus ventris tui (blessed be the fruit of thy womb).

8. Intindìn che Jesù al è il frut dal vintri de Marie, o ben il prodot dal concepiment, come il miluç pal miluçâr. In English: We understand that Jesus is the fruit of Mary's womb, or the fruit of conception, like the apple to the apple tree. Note: By this last statement regarding the apple, we can understand this as the speaker's attempt to convey that just as an apple is the fruit of an apple tree, so is a child (un frut) the fruit of its mother's womb. He could just as easily have said: come il pirûç pal piruçâr (like the pear to the pear tree), or come il naranç pal narançâr (like the orange to the orange tree), and so on.

On speaking in Friulian of the weather

Below are a variety of conversational items you can use when talking in Friulian about the weather.

1. CE TIMP ISAL VUÊ?
How is the weather today?

Vuê al è nûl. Today it is cloudy. ■ Al nevee. It is snowing. ■ Al à chê di neveâ. It looks like it will snow. ■ Al plûf. It is raining. ■ Al à chê di plovi. It looks like it will rain. ■ Al à tacât un temporâl. A thunderstorm has begun. ■ Al è un aiar che al tace la muse. There is a wind that cuts the face. ■ E da sù la fumate. It is foggy. ■ Al fâs tant cjalt. It is very hot. ■ Al fâs tant frêt. It is very cold. ■ Il cîl al è scûr. The sky is dark. ■ Al è soreli. It is sunny. ■ Il cîl al è seren. The sky is clear. ■ Cjale ce biel timp. Look what nice weather. ■ Mancumâl che al è biel timp. Thank goodness the weather is nice. ■ Cheste setemane al è stât biel timp. The weather was nice this week. ■ Ce brut timp. What bad weather. ■ Al è brut timp in regjon cumò. The weather in the region is bad now.

2. LIS PREVISIONS METEO
The weather forecast

Ce disino lis previsions meteo? What is the weather forecast? ■ E vignarà la ploie. Rain will come. ■ E vignarà la nêf. Snow will come. ■ A disin che doman al sarà frêt. They say it will be cold tomorrow. ■ A disin che doman al sarà cetant cjalt. They say it will be very hot tomorrow. ■ E sarà probabilitât di nêf ca e là. There is a probability of snow here and there. ■ Pal plui cîl dut innulât cun ploie ca e là. For the most part a completely overcast sky with rain here and there. ■ Di gnot e di matine e sarà probabilitât di ploie bondante. Overnight and in the morning there is a probability of heavy rain. ■ Al varès di jessi cîl variabil. There is a likelihood of a changing sky. ■ Pussibilitât di sclaridis di sere. Possibility of clearings in the evening. ■ La prevision e je ancjemò incierte. The forecast is still uncertain.

3. LIS TEMPERADURIS
Temperatures

Usgnot passade a son stâts mancul cinc. Last night it was minus five. ■ Une temperadure di vincj grâts. A temperature of twenty degrees. ■ Lis temperaduris minimis a podaran lâ jù fint a mancul dîs grâts. The minimum temperatures could go down to minus ten degrees. ■ Lis temperaduris massimis a podaran lâ sù fin parsore dai trente grâts. The maximum temperatures could go up to even above thirty degrees. ■ Vuê, ator dai mancul cinc grâts. Today, about minus five degrees. ■ Doman, ator dai vincj grâts. Tomorrow, about twenty degrees. ■ Passantdoman, sui vincjecinc grâts. The day after tomorrow, about twenty-five degrees. ■ La zornade e sarà cjalde cun temperaduris ancje parsore dai trente grâts. The day will be hot with temperatures even above thirty degrees. ■ Ancje parsot dai mancul dîs. Even below minus ten.

4. LIS CUATRI STAGJONS DAL AN
The four seasons of the year

Vie pe stagjon frede tancj arbui a pierdin lis fueis. During the cold season many trees lose their leaves. ■ O volìn passâ la stagjon cjalde al mâr. We want to spend the hot season at the sea. ■ Lis cuatri stagjons dal an: Vierte, Istât, Sierade, Invier. The four seasons of the year: spring, summer, autumn, winter. ■ E je rivade la Vierte. Spring has arrived. ■ Al è stât un Fevrâr cuasi di Vierte. It was a spring-like February. ■ Chest Invier al sarà cetant frêt. This winter will be very cold. ■ Al è stât un Istât une vore cjalt. It was a very hot summer. ■ O vin vût un Invier crût. We have had a frigid winter. ■ In timp di Vierte. In springtime. ■ In timp di Sierade. In autumntime. ■ Tal cûr dal Invier. In the middle of the winter. ■ In Vierte o voi a pescjâ lis trutis. In spring I go fishing for trout. ■ Ogni an d'Istât o lin a fâ camping in mont. Every year in summer we go camping in the mountains. ■ In Sierade o voi a cjace tal bosc. In autumn I go hunting in the woods. ■ La nêf e ven jù d'Invier. The snow comes down in winter.

Note: Spring and autumn are also called Primevere and Autun, respectively; however, the traditional Friulian names are Vierte and Sierade, which translate literally as opening and closing, given that spring and autumn constitute the opening and closing of the hot season.

Examples of variant forms in Friulian

Variant forms abound in the Friulian language, in both its written and, especially, spoken forms, and they do present a challenge to those seeking to learn the language. That said, as your adeptness in the language increases, you will perhaps discover that exploring variant forms becomes of interest to you. Below, you will take a look at just a few of these variant forms.

1. DRET / DIESTRI / GJESTRI

In the text on Sant Zorç de Richinvelde, we learn of a road that was located su la rive gjestre dal Tiliment (on the right bank of the Tiliment). The Tiliment (its Italian name is Tagliamento) is the longest river of Friûl. Given that this river flows from the Alps down to the Adriatic, its right bank is the one whereupon the city of Pordenon sits, and upon its left bank is the capital Udin. The right bank of the Tiliment is situated di là de Aghe (or di là da l'Aghe), meaning 'beyond the Water' or 'on that side of the Water', since the right bank is on the other side of the river from the perspective of those residing in the capital. In Friulian, there are three ways that you may encounter the word for right, as in 'that which is on the right-hand side': these are dret, diestri and gjestri. As such, on the right bank of the Tiliment may take the following forms in Friulian: su la rive drete dal Tiliment; su la rive diestre dal Tiliment; su la rive gjestre dal Tiliment. Following are the four adjectival possibilities of each of these three variant forms: (masculine singular) dret, diestri, gjestri; (masculine plural) drets, diestris, gjestris; (feminine singular) drete, diestre, gjestre; (feminine plural) dretis, diestris, gjestris. For information: The name of the river Tiliment may itself take variant forms: Taiament and Tilimint, amongst others. The Friulian for left is çamp; therefore, on the left bank of the Tiliment is su la rive çampe dal Tiliment. Since the right bank is on that there side of the Tiliment, the left bank is necessarily on this here side: di ca de Aghe (or di ca da l'Aghe).

2. AL LEVE / AL LAVE

Of the verb lâ (to go), al leve is the masculine, third-person singular of the imperfect indicative. Depending on context, al leve may translated as he was going, he used to go, he would {habitually} go, and so on. For instance, li che al leve ogni Istât means where he used to go every summer. Of al leve, the feminine equivalent is e leve. For instance, la strade e leve inviers il nord means the road used to go north. A variant of leve is lave, so that in the same text on Sant Zorç de Richinvelde as the one above, we read the following of a road that used to be situated on the right bank: Su la rive gjestre dal Tiliment si veve une strade, fate sù, dal sigûr, dai militârs, che di Concuardie e lave inviers il nord (On the right bank of the Tiliment there used to be a road, in all certainty built by soldiers, which, {departing} from Concuardie, used to go north). Following is the imperfect indicative of lâ, in both variant forms: (i) o levi, tu levis, al leve, e leve, o levin, o levis, a levin; (ii) o lavi, tu lavis, al lave, e lave, o lavin, o lavis, a lavin. For information: the feminine, third-person singular atonic pronoun e is expressed as a by certain speakers; this means that, in addition to e leve/lave, you will also encounter a leve/lave.

3. AE / A LA

In yet again the same text on Sant Zorç de Richinvelde, we encounter the following sentence: In chest teritori si vè une vore di bataiis e bataicis, vie par dut l’arc de storie, fintremai ae epuche di Napoleon (On this territory, there were many battles and skirmishes throughout the arc of history, until the era of Napoleon). The feminine noun epoche means epoch, era, age, period; a variant of this is epuche, which is the form found in our text. More fully we find fintremai ae epuche di (until the era of, up to the age of, so far as the period of). Fintremai a, then, means until, up to, so far as. Given that epuche is a feminine singular noun, we find before it the contraction ae, from a + la. In other words, fintremai a + la epuche becomes fintremai ae epuche. That said, a variant is possible in Friulian, one that avoids the contraction of a + la, so that we may also say fintremai a la epuche, or fintremai a la epoche. In the feminine plural, we may again contract or not, so that a + lis becomes aes or a lis; for instance at five o'clock in the morning may be stated aes cinc di buinore or a lis cinc di buinore. Furthermore, aes may take the pronunciation es; for instance, es siet (at seven), es vot (at eight), es nûf (at nine).

4. MURAE / MURAIE

In the text on Cjopris-Viscon, the author speaks of a defensive wall: une murae di difese. Feminine nouns ending in ae/oe may variantly terminate in aie/oie. Examples: murae/muraie ({defensive} wall); batae/bataie (battle); pae/paie (pay); ploe/ploie (rain); voe/voie (desire); zoe/zoie (jewel). Interestingly, the author has used the form murae (rather than muraie), but in the text on Sant Zorç de Richinvelde (see the sentence at number 3 above), he has used the form bataie (rather than batae). How do we know that he has used bataie in number 3 if this noun only appears in the plural? We know this because ae/oe takes the plural form ais/ois, whereas aie/oie takes the plural form aiis/oiis. (In both cases, it is simply a matter of the final e changing to i before the addition of the plural s). Had the author used batae, his plural would have instead taken the form batais. Another example: o sin te stagjon des plois (we are in the rainy season [literally, we are in the season of the rains]) may also take the form o sin te stagjon des ploiis. In the former, ploe is used; in the latter, it is ploie.

5. CJISTIEL / CJISCJEL

A noun that occurs a number of times in the readings on Friulian villages, namely Volveson, Nimis and Sudri, and that any learner of Friulian ought to commit to memory, is cjistiel or cjiscjel, meaning castle. The plural forms are, respectively, cjistiei and cjiscjei. Not only does cjistiel/cjiscjel indicate a castle in its primary sense, which is to say, a fortified structure with walls and towers, it may also indicate an imposing building, such as the one found at Udin: il cjistiel di Udin, one of the most important monuments of the city, built atop a hill.

The reason that even written Friulian in its standard form can be so full of variants is because every village of Friûl has its own particularities of the spoken language, which often spill over into the standard written language. Many speakers may not realise that they are using a local form; others may simply be unbothered by this.

3 colloquial questions in Friulian

Following are three colloquial questions taken from a Friulian novel called Lis predicjis dal muini, by pre Josef Marchet. The questions as they are worded in the book take a non-standard form in Friulian; these are provided in the notes below, with their standard Friulian equivalents.

1. ÂSTU SAVUDE LA ULTIME?
VÊSO SAVUDE LA ULTIME?
Have you heard the latest?

Exact wording taken from the book (chapter XI): Veiso savude la ultime? The second-person plural veiso (non-standard) is equivalent to vêso (standard). Standard second-person plural: o vês sintût (you have heard); vêso sintût (have you heard). Standard second-person singular: tu âs sintut (you have heard); âstu sintût (have you heard).

The adjective ultin means last, latest. The four forms of this adjective are: ultin (masculine singular); ultins (masculine plural); ultime (feminine singular); ultimis (feminine plural). In the question asking whether or not one has heard the latest, the feminine singular ultime is used as a noun. La ultime (the latest) is a colloquial manner of expressing la ultime gnove or la ultime novitât, meaning the latest news. Both gnove and novitât are feminine singular nouns.

The past participle savût (known) agrees in gender and number with the feminine singular ultime, to take the form savude. The verb in question here is savê. As such, this question asks literally: have you known/learnt the latest, the sense whereof is have you heard the latest.

2. SÂSTU CE CHE O ÀI DI DÎTI?
SAVÊSO CE CHE O ÀI DI DÎUS?
Do you know what I have to tell you?

Exact wording taken from the book (chapter X): Saveiso ce ch'o ài di dîus? The second-person plural saveiso (non-standard) is equivalent to savêso (standard). Standard second-person plural: o savês (you know); savêso (do you know). Standard second-person singular: tu sâs (you know); sâstu (do you know).

In speech, che o contracts to ch'o (one syllable, pronounced co). As such, the standard forms sâstu ce che o ài di dîti and savêso ce che o ài di dîus take the colloquial pronunciations sâstu ce ch'o ài di dîti and savêso ce ch'o ài di dîus.

Dî is the Friulian for to say, to tell. Dîti (to tell you) is second-person singular; dîus, also meaning to tell you, is second-person plural.

3. SÂSTU CE CHE MI À RISPUINDÛT?
SAVÊSO CE CHE MI À RISPUINDÛT?
Do you know how he answered me?

Exact wording taken from the book (chapter XXIII): Saveiso ce ch'al mi à rispuindût? In standard Friulian, the atonic al is omitted when mi is present, to take the standard form mi à rispuindût.

Rispuindi is the Friulian for to answer, to respond. The question sâstu ce che mi à rispuindût translates literally as know you that which he responded to me, which is a Friulian formulation for do you know how he answered me, do you know what he said back to me.

In chest mont / ta chest mont

The Friulian for in these last few months is in chescj ultins mês, but you should also expect to encounter ta chescj ultins mês. As an introduction to this phenomenon, below are numerous examples of in and ta used in conjunction with Friulian demonstrative adjectives: chest, cheste (this); chescj, chestis (these); chel, chê (that); chei, chês (those).

IN CHEST, TA CHEST

in chest mont, ta chest mont, in this world ■ in chest articul, ta chest articul, in this article ■ in chest libri, ta chest libri, in this book ■ in chest lavôr, ta chest lavôr, in this work ■ in chest document, ta chest document, in this document ■ in chest contest, ta chest contest, in this context ■ in chest cjamp, ta chest cjamp, in this field

IN CHESTE, TA CHESTE

in cheste storie, ta cheste storie, in this story ■ in cheste tabele, ta cheste tabele, in this graph ■ in cheste universitât, ta cheste universitât, in this university ■ in cheste interviste, ta cheste interviste, in this interview ■ in cheste sezion, ta cheste sezion, in this section ■ in cheste valade, ta cheste valade, in this valley ■ in cheste pontade, ta cheste pontade, in this episode ■ in cheste prime edizion, ta cheste prime edizion, in this first edition

IN CHESCJ, TA CHESCJ

in chescj ultins agns, ta chescj ultins agns, in these last few years ■ in chescj dîs, ta chescj dîs, in these days ■ in chescj dialets, ta chescj dialets, in these dialects ■ in chescj boscs, ta chescj boscs, in these forests ■ in chescj lûcs, ta chescj lûcs, in these places ■ in chescj passe trente agns di ativitât, ta chescj passe trente agns di ativitât, in these over thirty years of activity

IN CHESTIS, TA CHESTIS

in chestis vueris, ta chestis vueris, in these wars ■ in chestis pagjinis, ta chestis pagjinis, in these pages ■ in chestis ultimis setemanis, ta chestis ultimis setemanis, in these last few weeks ■ in chestis scuelis, ta chestis scuelis, in these schools ■ in chestis lenghis, ta chestis lenghis, in these languages ■ in chestis cundizions, ta chestis cundizions, in these conditions

IN CHEL, TA CHEL

in chel puest, ta chel puest, in that place ■ in chel setôr, ta chel setôr, in that sector ■ in chel cjamp, ta chel cjamp, in that field ■ in chel paisut, ta chel paisut, in that little village ■ in chel toc de mê vite, ta chel toc de mê vite, in that part of my life ■ in chel stes dopodimisdì, ta chel stes dopodimisdì, on that very afternoon ■ in chel prât, ta chel prât, on that lawn

IN CHÊ, TA CHÊ

in chê dì, ta chê dì, on that day ■ in chê stesse dì, ta chê stesse dì, on that very day ■ in chê gnot, ta chê gnot, on that night ■ in chê stesse gnot, ta chê stesse gnot, on that very night ■ in chê sere stesse, ta chê sere stesse, on that same evening ■ in chê volte, ta chê volte, at that time ■ in chê lenghe, ta chê lenghe, in that language ■ intune maniere o in chê altre, intune maniere o ta chê altre, in one way or another

IN CHEI, TA CHEI

in chei timps, ta chei timps, in those times ■ in chei agns, ta chei agns, in those years ■ in chei teritoris, ta chei teritoris, in those territories ■ in chei contescj, ta chei contescj, in those contexts ■ in chei câs, ta chei câs, in those cases ■ in chei moments, ta chei moments, in those moments ■ in chei stes puescj, ta chei stes puescj, in these very places

IN CHÊS, TA CHÊS

in chês tieris forestis, ta chês tieris forestis, in those foreign lands ■ in chês citâts europeanis, ta chês citâts europeanis, in those European cities ■ in chês nazions, ta chês nazions, in those nations ■ in chês ativitâts, ta chês ativitâts, in those activities ■ in chês regjons, ta chês regjons, in those regions ■ in chês cundizions, ta chês cundizions, in those conditions

Va cjol

In standard Friulian, va cjol means go get. This is a second-person singular imperative, which is to say, a command given to just one person with whom one speaks on a familiar level, such as a child, a family member or a friend. Va cjol is a pairing of two second-person singular imperatives: (i) va, from the infinitive lâ (to go); and (ii) cjol, from the infinitive cjoli (to take, to get).

Examples: va cjol il pan (go get the bread); va cjol un curtìs (go get a knife); va cjol une sedon (go get a spoon); va cjol un piron (go get a fork); va cjol la scudiele (go get the bowl); va cjol un libri (go get a book), and so on.

When speaking to more than one person on a familiar level, the second-person plural is used. In the second-person plural, we cannot use this double imperative, but must rather use the form lait a cjoli, where lait is the second-person plural imperative of lâ, followed by the preposition a + infinitive cjoli. Example: lait a cjoli chei libris (go get those books).

That said, the double imperative can be avoided in the second-person singular: va a cjoli la sedon (go get the spoon).

More examples in the second-person singular: spessee a judâmi or spessee judimi (come quickly and help me); torne a provâ or torne prove (try again); torne a scrivi dut or torne scrîf dut (rewrite everything); ven ca a bevi alc or ven ca bêf alc (come here and drink something); tache a lavorâ or tache lavore (start working).

Frequently asked question: How do you say spoon, fork and knife in Friulian? In Friulian, a spoon is called une sedon; a fork is called un piron; and a knife is called un curtìs.

Friulian adjective: stuart

The Friulian adjective stuart means crooked. Its four forms are: stuart (masculine singular); stuarts (masculine plural); stuarte (feminine singular); stuartis (feminine plural). In this entry, we look at a few ways this adjective can be used in your own use of Friulian, according to the rules of the standard language. Pronunciation: Take care not to pronounce the Friulian adjective stuart like the English given name Stuart. The masculine singular stuart sounds like 'stwart', with just one syllable.

A man with a crooked nose may be said to have il nâs stuart. For instance, al veve il nâs stuart parcè che al veve cjapât un pugn te muse agns indaûr means he had a crooked nose because he had taken a punch to the face years back. Cjapâ un pugn translates literally as to take/catch a fist. Or perhaps a man has crooked legs; in this case, we speak of lis gjambis stuartis. For instance, al veve lis gjambis stuartis parcè che a trê agns lu veve cjapât la poliomielite means he had crooked legs because at age three he had caught poliomyelitis. Lu à cjapât la poliomielite translates literally as the poliomyelitis had taken/caught him. Pronunciation: poliomielìte, with stress on the penultimate syllable.

An article of clothing not worn straight may also be identified as being stuart in Friulian. Example: metiti ben la golarine, e je stuarte (fix your tie, it is crooked); or: metiti ben il cjapiel, al è stuart (fix your hat, it is crooked). -- For information: In the Dograva variant of Friulian, a tie is called una cravata, and a hat is called un çapiel, but these are not considered standard. With regard to the variant form çapiel in particular: the standard sound of cj is absent in many variants of spoken Friulian; at Dograva, as in other variants, it is replaced by the sound of ç. This is important to know, for it will broaden your understanding of colloquial Friulian, which can deviate considerably from the standard in certain areas.

Things that are out of alignment may also be described as crooked; for instance, a wall: un mûr stuart; or a road: une strade stuarte; or a table: une taule stuarte. Maybe an iron bar has become deformed: une sbare di fier stuarte. Or perhaps someone has given you a sly look: une cjalade stuarte. Someone who uses faulty logic can be said to employ une logjiche stuarte. Perhaps a mouthful of food has gone down the wrong tube, so to speak: mi è lât in stuart un bocon (a bite of food went down the wrong way on me). Or imagine a situation where a negligent driver has committed a dangerous manoeuvre in the street: al à lassade la machine in stuart tal mieç de strade (he has left the car sideways in the middle of the street).

Frequently asked question: How do you say in Friulian crooked and straight? The Friulian for crooked is stuart, and its antonym straight is dret. For instance, to have a crooked nose is vê il nâs stuart, but to have a straight nose is vê il nâs dret.

Gold, silver and bronze, in Friulian

Gold is identified in Friulian by the masculine noun aur, whereas silver is identified by the masculine noun arint; as for bronze, this is identified by the masculine noun bronç. Example: l’aur al è un metal (gold is a metal). These are often found in the usages di aur (or d’aur), di arint (or d’arint) and di bronç, meaning {made} of gold, of silver, of bronze, respectively. Examples: une monede di aur (a gold coin); un piron di arint (a silver fork); une medaie di bronç (a bronze medal).

Of colours: une acuile colôr aur su la bandiere dal Friûl (a gold-coloured eagle on the flag of Friûl); vê i cjavei colôr arint (to have silver-coloured hair); une machine colôr bronç (a bronze-coloured car).

At the Olympics: vinci un aur aes Olimpiadis (to win a gold at the Olympics); vinci un arint aes Olimpiadis (to win a silver at the Olympics); vinci un bronç aes Olimpiadis (to win a bronze at the Olympics); une medaie di aur (a gold medal); une medaie di arint (a silver medal); une medaie di bronç (a bronze medal). Of vinci, the past participle is vinçût; for instance: al à vincût un arint aes Olimpiadis (he has won a silver at the Olympics); al à vincût il bronç (he has won the bronze).

A few good examples from the Bible: Abram al veve un grumon di bestiis, di arint e di aur (Abram had a great deal of livestock, silver and gold); al veve une vore di arint e di aur (he had a lot of silver and gold); jo ti mandi un regâl di arint e di aur (I am sending you a gift of silver and gold); lavorâ l’aur, l’arint, il bronç (to work {to fashion} gold, silver, bronze); imprescj d’aur e d’arint (gold and silver tools); elmets di bronç (bronze helmets); une gridele di bronç (a bronze grate).

Someone with ‘a heart of gold’ is said in Friulian to have un cûr di aur; for instance: chel om al à un cûr di aur (that man has a heart of gold). As for the aphorism all that glitters is not gold, meaning that not all that looks precious turns out to be so, this takes the following form in Friulian: nol è dut aur chel che al slûs (literally, it is not all gold that which shines). The Friulian for to shine is slusî, which takes the verb form slûs in the present indicative of the third-person singular: il soreli al slûs di aur (the sun shines gold). In the imperfect indicative of the same, the verb form is slusive. Example: la lune e slusive di arint (the moon was shining silver).

Blancje, frescje, sporcje

The Friulian for tired is the adjective strac. Its four forms are: strac (masculine singular); stracs (masculine plural); strache (feminine singular); strachis (feminine plural). With this adjective, the final c of the masculine singular becomes che to form the feminine singular. Another adjective following the same pattern is grafic, meaning graphic. Its four forms are: grafic (masculine singular); grafics (masculine plural); grafiche (feminine singular); grafichis (feminine plural). The tonic stress remains on the first syllable in the latter two: gràfiche and gràfichis.

There are a number of adjectives ending in c in the masculine singular that do not form their feminine in the manner described above. An example of this is blanc, meaning white. In a recent entry, we discovered the Friulian term for gravel road, which is strade blancje. To form the feminine singular of blanc, the final c of the masculine singular becomes cje. Of blanc, the four forms are: blanc (masculine singular); blancs (masculine plural); blancje (feminine singular); blancjis (feminine plural). Examples: pan blanc (white bread); cjavai blancs (white horses); cjase blancje (white house); rosis blancjis (white flowers).

Another adjective of the sort is fresc, meaning fresh. Its four forms are: fresc (masculine singular); frescs (masculine plural); frescje (feminine singular); frescjis (feminine plural). Examples: pan fresc (fresh bread); ûfs frescs (fresh eggs); jerbe frescje (fresh grass); aghis frescjis (fresh waters). As for the Friulian adjective meaning dirty, we have sporc, which is another example of the sort: sporc (masculine singular); sporcs (masculine plural); sporcje (feminine singular); sporcjis (feminine plural). Examples: paviment sporc (dirty floor); pîts sporcs (dirty feet); muse sporcje (dirty face); mans sporcjis (dirty hands). Other adjectives of the sort: franc (frank, forthright), pôc (little, not much), sec (dry). Examples: int francje (forthright people); pocje fede (little faith); jerbe secje (dry grass).

Di cuant che

Di cuant che is the Friulian for {ever} since. In this entry, we look at a number of examples of how this can be used in sentences. Each example is supplemented with related linguistic notes.

Di cuant che o jeri zovin fin in dì di vuê. Ever since I was young up to the present day. -- Remarks: In dì di vuê takes the sense of at the present day. When fin (so far as) is placed before it, it takes the sense of up to the present day. Some speakers will instead use fint when the next word begins with a vowel, so fint in dì di vuê is also possible. More examples: scjampâ fin su la mont (to flee onto the mountain); rivâ fint a Pordenon (to come so far as Pordenon); fint in chê volte (up to that time); scomençâ dal plui grant jù fint al plui piçul (to start from the biggest down to the smallest). As to the pronunciation of zovin, some speakers will pronounce the initial z like an English j (such as in central variants), whereas others will pronounce it like an English z (such as in western variants). Related usages: fin cumò (up to now); fintremai cumò (up to now).

No ài mai vude une cjase di cuant che o ài tacât a lavorâ in citât. I have never had a house since I started to work in the city. -- Remarks: In the matter of occupations, we may use lavorâ tant che to express the English to work as, for instance: al lavore tant che ilustradôr (he works as an illustrator); but the verb fâ can also be used when speaking of occupations: fâ il marangon (to be a carpenter); fâ il miedi (to be a physician); fâ il sindic (to be a mayor); fâ il soldât (to be a soldier). As to the pronunciation of citât, some speakers will pronounce the initial c like English ch (such as in central variants), whereas others will pronounce it like English ss (such as in western variants).

Di cuant che o ài pierdût il lavôr, nancje no mi cjale. Ever since I lost my job, she will not even look at me. -- Remarks: Nancje means not even; more examples: no tu sâs nancje tu trop (not even you know how much); nol veve nancje finît di fevelâ (he had not even finished speaking); no jeri dibot nancje fûr de citât (I was barely even out of the city; dibot means almost); nancje no si ’nd à viodût plui fin cumò (no more of them have even been seen again up to now); no sai nancje jo dulà (not even I know where); no sta nancje insumiâti une tâl (do not even imagine such a thing). Related: no jerin nancjemò no lâts a durmî che i cjans de citât a àn tacât a vuacâ (they had not yet even gone to sleep when the dogs of the city started barking).

On asking where in Friulian

The Friulian for the interrogative where is là, dulà or indulà; these are also the forms used to express whither, which is to say, to where. The interrogative forms for from where (or whence) are di dulà, di indulà or dontri. Di indulà is pronounced, and can also be spelt, d'indulà.

To simplify matters, you may wish to retain only the following two forms in your own use of spoken Friulian, which are adequate in all situations: dulà (where, whither) and di dulà (from where, whence).

Là vâstu? Where are you going? ■ Dulà vâstu? Where are you going? ■ Dulà sêstu? Where are you? ■ Dulà pensistu di lâ? Where are you thinking of going? ■ Dulà âstu lavorât? Where have you worked? ■ Indulà sêstu finît? Where did you leave off? ■ Indulà âstu cjatât chel libri? Where did you find that book? ■ Indulà vino di lâ? Where are we to go? ■ Indulà sono i oms? Where are the men? ■ Indulà àio di lâ? Where am I to go? ■ Dulà isal to fradi? Where is your brother? ■ Dulà ise la tô femine? Where is your wife? ■ Dulà podìno cjatâ un imprest compagn di chest? Where can we find a tool like this one? ■ Dulà ju menarìno? Where shall we take them? ■ Ma dulà jeristu? Where on earth were you? ■ Dulà jeristu in chê volte? Where were you at the time? ■ Dulà àie insegnât? Where did she teach? ■ Dulà àno imparât il mistîr? Where did they learn the trade? ■ Dulà sono metudis lis clâfs? Where are the keys put? ■ I tiei amîs dulà sono? Where are your friends? ■ Ma dulà sarano lâts? Where on earth could they have gone? ■ Di dulà sêstu? Where are you from? ■ Di indulà vegnistu? Where are you coming from? ■ Dontri vegnial chest om? Where is this man coming from? ■ Di indulà vino di tacâ? From where are we to begin?

In the examples above employing second person, the singular form is found. Here now are similar second-person questions, this time employing the plural: Dulà sêso? Where are you? ■ Di dulà sêso? Where are you from? ■ Di dulà vignîso? Where are you coming from? ■ Dulà vêso cjatât chel libri? Where did you find that book? ■ Dulà vêso falât? Where did you err? Where was your mistake? ■ Dulà jeriso la setemane passade? Where were you last week?

In all examples above, the interrogative form of verb is employed after the word for where; however, it must be noted that another way of posing these questions exists in colloquial Friulian, whereby the interrogative form is avoided and che is inserted after the word for where: Ma dulà che tu vâs? But where are you going?

Fatigue and exhaustion

Dopo de corse di vuê a matine o soi une vore strac. After this morning's run I am very tired. ■ E lavore masse e e je simpri strache. She works too much and is always tired. ■ Fatis dutis chês scjalis lis gjambis a son strachis. After doing all those steps my legs are tired. ■ Dopo de partide al jere pardabon strac. After the match he was really tired. ■ Daspò dôs oris di lavôr o ài une grande strache. After two hours of work I have great fatigue. ■ Cuant che e rive la strachece o bêf un cafè. When fatigue comes on I drink a coffee. ■ Dopo oris di alenament o jeri distrut. After hours of training I was worn out. ■ Cuant che o lavoravi vie pe gnot o jeri disfat. When I used to work through the night I was tired out. ■ Un lavoradôr che no si strache mai. A worker that never tires. ■ Il coridôr al jere scanât cuant che al è rivât su la linie dal travuart. The runner was exhausted when he reached the finish line. ■ Al è jessût scunît dal interogatori. He left the interrogation drained. ■ Al è disgnervât, nol sopuarte plui cheste situazion. He is worn out, he cannot bear this situation any longer. ■ A fuarce di studiâ si è stracât il cjâf. He tired his head out studying so much.

On being fed up and bored

O soi stuf di lavorâ. I am tired of working. I am fed up of working. ■ Dopo dal liceu o jeri stuf di studiâ. After lyceum {secondary school} I was tired of studying. ■ O soi propit stuf di vioditi. I am right sick of seeing you. ■ O soi stuf di te. I have had it with you. ■ O soi stuf di dut. I have had it with everything. ■ Vonde, o soi stuf. Enough, I am fed up. ■ O jeri stuf di murî. I was bored to death. ■ Mi soi stufât di murî. I got bored to death. ■ O vevi un sglonfe di chês e o ài decidût di lâ vie. I was so bored and decided to leave. ■ Un public stufât. A bored audience. ■ Chel comic al stufe ben e no mâl. That comedian is such a bore. ■ No si stufarà mai di dîjal. He will never get tired of saying it. ■ Ce stufe, chest libri nol finìs plui. How boring, this book just will not end. ■ Mi soi ingomeât di chê musiche monotone. I got sick of that monotone music. ■ Chê lezion e je stade pardabon une barbe. That lesson was really such a bore. ■ Chel libri al è stât pardabon un modon. That book was really such a bore.

Blandness and lack of vigour

Une prose strache. Dull prose, dull writing. ■ Al è stât un discors flap. It was a bland speech. ■ Tal ultin libri l'autôr si pant di jessi un scritôr strac. In his last book the author demonstrates that he is a bland writer. ■ Un articul di gjornâl lami. A bland newspaper article. ■ Un brût lami. A bland broth. ■ O ài i vôi stracs. I have weak eyes. ■ Al à une strete di man strache. He has a weak handshake.

Expressing disgust in Friulian

Ce stomi! How disgusting! ■ E je une puce in chê cjamare che e fâs stomi. There is a sickening stench in that room. ■ E je une puce in chê cusine che e fâs riviel. There is a sickening stench in that kitchen. ■ De cantine e bute sù une puce di frait. A rotten stench is coming up from the cellar. ■ Ce volt di stomi chê peste che e ven sù de fogne! What a stomach-turning stench that is coming up from the sewer! ■ De fogne e ven sù un tuf insopuartabil. An unbearable stench is coming up from the the sewer. ■ Al jemple l'aiar un puçôr che al volte il stomi. A stomach-turning stench is filling the air. ■ Al à jemplât l'aiar un odôr che al stomee. A sickening odour filled the air. ■ Al bute sù un odôr che al volte il stomi. A stomach-turning odour is coming up. ■ Ce volt di stomi chês scarpis puçonis! How stomach-turning are those smelly shoes! ■ Cheste cjamare e je une cragne. This room is disgusting. ■ Cheste cjar e je pardabon une porcarie. This meat is really disgusting.

Stomach problems

Chescj ûfs mi fasin vignî la puce in bocje. These eggs are repeating on me. ■ Ce stomi, o sint il trist in bocje. How disgusting, it keeps repeating on me. ■ Di doi dîs o ài brusôr di stomi. I have had heartburn for two days. ■ Di trê dîs o ài mâl di stomi. I have had a stomachache for three days. ■ Lis luianiis ciertis voltis a pesin sul stomi. Sometimes sausages are heavy on the stomach. ■ O ài ancjemò i foncs che mi pesin tal stomi. The mushrooms are still not sitting right with me. ■ Daspò di chê mangjade o vevi volt di stomi. I felt sick to my stomach after that meal. ■ Mi ven di butâ fûr. I am going to be sick. I am going to throw up. ■ Mi ven di tornâ fûr. I am going to be sick. I am going to throw up. ■ O soi debil di stomi e o ài tornât fûr. I have a weak stomach and I threw up. ■ Al à bevût masse e al à tornât fûr. He drank too much and he threw up. ■ Il paviment al jere sporc di gomitum. The floor was dirty with vomit. ■ Daspò tancj sfuarçs il gjat al à butât fûr. After much effort the cat threw up. ■ O cîr une medisine cuintri il mâl di mâr. I am looking for a medicine for sea sickness. ■ O cîr une medisine cuintri il mâl di automobil. I am looking for a medicine for car sickness. ■ O ài vût ingomit dut il viaç. I had nausea the entire trip. ■ O patìs di mâl di mont. I suffer from altitude sickness. ■ Al à mangjât cussì tancj dolçs che si è ingomeât. He ate so many sweets that he became nauseous.

Figurative usages in Friulian. La pôre mi à fat un grop tal stomi. Fear has got my stomach in knots. ■ Lis tôs peraulis a fasin tornâ fûr. Your words are sickening. ■ Lis tôs peraulis a fasin stomi. Your words are sickening. ■ Lis tôs peraulis mi àn fat vignî mâl di panze. Your words have made me sick to my stomach. ■ La sô ipocrisie mi fâs volt di stomi. His hipocrisy makes my stomach turn. ■ E à fevelât intune maniere di fâ riviel. She spoke in a sickening way. ■ Mi à ingjanât intune maniere di fâ stomi. He tricked me in a sickening way. ■ Chê bausie mi à stomeât. That lie made me sick. ■ O soi stomeât di dutis lis sôs bausiis. I am sickened by all his lies. ■ Dutis chês bausiis mi àn lassât stomeât. All those lies have sickened me. ■ La sô disonestât mi fâs riviel. His dishonesty makes me sick. ■ La sô disonestât mi rivolte il stomi. His dishonesty turns my stomach. ■ Ogni volte lu cjape une viliacarie che e stomee. He is taken by a sickening cowardice every time. ■ A viodi chel om al è ce stomeâsi. Seeing that man is enough to make you sick. ■ Nol è un spectacul par delicâts di stomi. It is not a show for those with a weak stomach. ■ Chel film mi à fat vignî ingomit. That film made me nauseous. ■ E je une coruzion morâl stomeose. There is a sickening moral corruption. ■ Un libri stomeôs. A sickening book. ■ Sporc, soç, cragnôs. Dirty, filthy. ■ Un afâr soç. Dirty business. ■ Une persone sporcje. A filthy {dishonest} person.

Going under the knife

Undergoing a surgical operation may be spoken of colloquially in English as having to 'go under the knife'. In Friulian, we speak rather of having to 'go under the irons', which is to say, lâ sot i fiers, where i fiers (or 'the irons') are to be understood as surgical implements. For instance, mi àn dade la dormie par lâ sot i fiers is the Friulian for they gave me anaesthesia to go under the knife.

Alongside fiers, the variant fiârs is also encountered in Friulian, but fiers is the standardised form. Sterilizâ i fiers (literally, 'to sterilise the irons') means to sterilise the surgical implements; and prontâ i fiers (literally, 'to ready the irons') means to prepare the surgical implements. The names of a few common surgical tools in Friulian include: il bisturi (scalpel); la pinze (forceps); lis fuarpiis (scissors). A surgeon is known as un chirurc. For instance, sot i fiers o jeri tes mans dal chirurc means under the knife I was in the hands of the surgeon.

To say in Friulian that someone died during surgery, we may use restâ sot i fiers (literally, 'to remain under the irons'; it was under the knife that the patient died, so that is where he 'remained'). For instance, the following is said by the narrator of the fictional work I predicjis dal muini, written by Josef Marchet: al è restât sot i fiârs tal ospedâl (he died under the knife in hospital).

The expression sot i fiers can be avoided, if necessary, by using sot intervent chirurgjic or intant di un intervent chirurgjic, both of which mean during surgery. For instance, al è muart intant di un intervent chirurgjic means he died during surgery.

Looking for work and getting hired

O cîr di vore. I am looking for work. ■ Passade cualchi zornade a cirî di un lavôr o ài rivât a fâmi cjoli a vore intune fabriche. After a few days of looking for a job I managed to get hired for work in a factory. ■ Al è tal so prin lavôr. He is at his first job. ■ Al è daûr a cirî un altri implei. He is looking for a new job. ■ O ài cjatât lavôr in pueste. I found work at the post office. ■ Procure di cjatâti un altri lavôr. Try to find another job. ■ In ufici a son doi a pene cjapâts a vore. At the office there are two new hires. ■ La aziende e à cjolt sù doi impleâts. The company has hired two employees. ■ E je une fabriche che e implee cent operaris. It is a factory that employs one hundred workers. ■ Al vûl assumi la funzion di diretôr. He wants to take on the function of director.

Talking about work pay in Friulian

Chest an o ài vût un aument di paie. This year I got a pay increase. ■ Gratifiche 200 euros inte buste paie di Otubar. 200-euro bonus in October's pay envelope. ■ Trop cjapistu? How much do you make? ■ O puarti cjase mancul di trente mil euros intun an. I take home less than thirty thousand euros a year. ■ O cjapi undis euros intune ore. I make eleven euros per hour. ■ O vuadagni une paie normâl. I earn a normal pay. ■ Di chel lavôr ca no si gjave fûr nuie. This job pays peanuts. ■ Paie orarie. Hourly pay.

Getting sacked and quitting

Il paron mi à mandât vie di vore. The boss sacked me from work. ■ Il paron de fabriche al à licenziât un lavoradôr. The factory boss dismissed a worker. ■ O pensi a di un altri lavôr. I am thinking of another job. ■ O ài molât il lavôr che no mi cjatavi ben. I quit work because I was not satisfied. ■ O pensi di implantâ il lavôr. I am thinking of quitting work.

Talking about job conditions

Un lavôr interessant e stimolant. An interesting and stimulating job. ■ I buteghîrs a jessin tart di lavôr. Shopkeepers leave work late. ■ O voi fûr di vore a dôs. I get off work at two. ■ O soi jessût tart di vore. I got off late from work. ■ O soi a vore tant che indipendent. I work independently. ■ Al è a vore sot contrat. He is working under contract. ■ Al secje tant di scugnî lavorâ cul ordenadôr. It is so annoying to have to work on the computer. ■ O soi daûr a lavorâ e mi coventin dôs oris. I am working just now and I need two hours. ■ O lavori suntun progjet gnûf. I am working on a new project. ■ Mi soi stufât dut il dì. I was bored all day. ■ Un lavôr noiôs. A boring job. ■ Une zornade noiose. A boring day. ■ Il mont dal lavôr. The working world.

Talking about getting to the workplace

O ài di lâ a vore. I have to go to work. ■ O voi a vore in bici. I go to work by bike. ■ Âstu cjapât il bus par vignî chi? Did you take the bus to get here? ■ Cîr di no pierdi il bus. Try not to miss the bus. ■ Dulà ise la femade dal bus? Where is the bus stop? ■ Par no rivâ tart o ài cjolt un taxi. To avoid being late I took a taxi. ■ O levi a vore a pît. I used to go to work by foot. ■ A Parîs o levi a vore in metropolitane. In Paris I used to go to work by metro.

Talking about car troubles in Friulian

O scuen puartâ la machine li dal mecanic. I have to take the car to the mechanic. ■ Cun chest frêt la machine e fasarà fature a partî. In this cold the car will have trouble starting. ■ La machine no partìs parcè che e je cence benzine. The car will not start because it is out of petrol. ■ La machine e spant vueli. The car is leaking oil. ■ Il pneumatic anteriôr di çampe al è flap. The front left tyre is flat. ■ La gome denant e je flape. The front tyre is flat. ■ Lis gomis daûr a son flapis. The rear tyres are flat. ■ O ài vût un incident cu la machine. I have had a car accident. ■ La machine e je restade ferme in autostrade. The car stalled on the motorway. ■ La machine e je restade blocade ad ôr de strade. The car broke down on the side of the road. ■ La batarie de machine e je discjariade. The car battery is dead. ■ La machine e je plene di rusin. The car is covered in rust. ■ O ài suriscjaldât il motôr. I have overheated the motor. ■ O ài brusât il motôr. I have burnt out the motor. ■ La portele e je blocade. The car door is stuck. ■ La barconete e je blocade. The car window is jammed. ■ La cinture di sigurece e je blocade. The seat belt is jammed. ■ La pivete no sune. The horn does not blow. ■ O ài scugnût lâ a fâmi cambiâ il vueli. I had to go get my oil changed. ■ La machine no frene ben. The car does not brake well. ■ I frens no funzionin ben. The brakes do not work well. ■ Il motôr al zire mâl. The motor is running badly. ■ Il volant al è tant dûr che no rivi a zirâlu. The steering wheel is so stiff that I cannot turn it. ■ Lis lûs de machine si son brusadis. The car lights are burnt out. ■ No rivi a tacâ i alts. I cannot turn on the highbeams. ■ No rivavi a tacâ lis lûs altis. I could not turn on the highbeams. ■ La lûs di direzion si è brusade. The turn signal is burnt out. ■ Vierç il tapon dal motôr. Open the bonnet/hood. ■ No rivi a vierzi la baûl de machine. I cannot open the boot/trunk of the car.

Talking about common bugs

Chê moscje mi à dât fastidi dute la gnot. That fly annoyed me all night. ■ Il gjat al à i pulçs. The cat has fleas. ■ La stanzie e jere sporcje e il let plen di pudiesis. The room was dirty and the bed full of bedbugs. ■ Il jet al jere plen di cimis. The bed was full of bedbugs. ■ Lis pudiesis a supin il sanc. Bedbugs suck blood. ■ Une becade di mussat. A mosquito bite. ■ I mussons a bechin par supâ il sanc. Mosquitoes bite to suck blood. ■ Mi à becât un moscjit. A mosquito has bitten me. ■ Ce che a muardin chei mussats! These mosquitoes are really biting! ■ I zupets a son bogns di saltâ e di svolâ. Grasshoppers can jump and fly. ■ Tal cjamp al è plen di zupets. It is full of grasshoppers in the field. ■ O ài pestât il scusson. I stepped on the beetle. ■ La cusine e je plene di grisons. The kitchen is full of cockroaches. ■ O tignivi in man une mariutine. I held a ladybug in my hand. ■ Il ragn al à cjapade une moscje. The spider caught a fly. ■ Intun cjanton de stanzie e jere une tele di ragn. There was a spider web in one corner of the room. ■ Il ragn al fâs une tele par cjapâ i insets. The spider makes a web to catch insects. ■ Mi à becât une âf. A bee has stung me. ■ Le à becade une âf e i è restât dentri l’asei. A bee has stung her and the stinger is stuck in her. ■ Il celet al è plen di mîl. The honeycomb is full of honey. ■ Une jespe mi svolete ator. A wasp is buzzing around me. ■ Lis jespis a àn fat il lôr nît denant de puarte. Wasps have made their nest in front of the door. ■ Al è stât becât di un calavron. He was stung by a hornet. ■ Lis furmiis a son jentradis in cjase. Ants have come into the house. ■ O vin lis furmiis inte cjanive. We have ants in the cellar. ■ Al lavore tant che une furmie. He works like an ant. ■ Il vier al à il cuarp lunc e mol. The worm has a long and soft body. ■ Cheste plante e à i viers. This plant has worms.

Talking about men's clothing

O ài metût denantdaûr il cjalçut. I turned the sock inside out. ■ O ài sledrosât il cjalçut. I turned the sock inside out. ■ O ài rivoltât il cjalcin. I turned the sock inside out. ■ Chei cjalcins a son di lavâ. Those socks need washing. ■ O cîr une scarpe sportive comude. I am looking for a comfortable sports shoe. ■ Chestis scarpis a son masse stretis. These shoes are too tight. ■ Si à di gjavâ fûr lis scarpis par jentrâ in cjase. One's shoes must be taken off to enter the house. ■ Une scarpe invernâl di om. A men's winter shoe {winter boot}. ■ O ài sù scarpis di piel. I have leather shoes on. ■ Chest stivâl al rive fint al zenoli. This boot comes up to the knee. ■ O ài metût sù i bregons. I put my trousers on. ■ La trombe drete dai bregons. La gjambe drete dai bregons. The right trouser leg. ■ La gjambe drete dai bregons e je di scurtâ un alc. The right trouser leg needs to be shortened a little. ■ O ài une magle su la gjambe çampe dai bregons. I have a stain on the left trouser leg. ■ O cîr un pâr di bregonuts biei comûts. I am looking for a really comfortable pair of shorts. ■ O cîr un pâr di mudantis di coton. I am looking for a pair of cotton underwear. ■ Al è jessût di cjase in cjamese e bregons. He left the house in shirt and trousers. ■ Une cjamese cu lis maniis lungjis. A long-sleeved shirt. ■ Une cjamese cence maniis. A sleeveless shirt. ■ Al à intor une maiute. He has a t-shirt on. ■ O ài intor une canotiere. I have an undershirt on. ■ Une gjachete di piel. A leather jacket. ■ O ài comprât un capot invernâl. I bought a winter coat. ■ Si gjavave simpri il cjapiel par fevelâ cun jê. He always took his hat off to speak with her. ■ Al veve intor un cjapiel une vore biel. He had a very nice hat on. ■ Meti sù lis manecis. To put one's gloves on. ■ O cîr un biel pâr di guants. I am looking for a nice pair of gloves. ■ Manecis di lavôr. Work gloves.

Talking about going out in Friulian

The principle verbs used in Friulian to talk about going out are lâ fûr and jessî. (Jessî [to go out, to exit] is not to be confused with jessi [to be]. In jessî, the tonic stress is on the final syllable, whereas it is on the first syllable in jessi.)

O voi fûr a comprâ i spagnolets. I am going out to buy cigarettes. ■ O voi fûr a comprâ il lat e la mîl. I am going out to buy milk and honey. ■ O voi fûr a comprâ la cjar dal becjâr. I am going to out to buy meat from the butcher. ■ O voi fûr a fâ une cjaminade. I am going out for a walk. ■ Di Domenie o lin fûr a fâ une cjaminade. On Sundays we go out for a walk. O jes a fâ un zirut a pît. I am going out for a little walk. ■ O jes a fâ doi pas. I am going out for a little walk. ■ O voi fûr a fâ un zîr in bici. I am going out for a bike ride. ■ O voi fûr a fâ une corse. I am going out for a run, for a jog. ■ O voi fûr a fumâ. I am going out for a smoke. ■ O voi fûr usgnot. I am going out tonight. ■ Viôt dai fruts cuant che o voi fûr. Look after the children when I go out. ■ O voi fûr di Sabide sere. I go out on Saturday evenings. ■ O lin fûr a mangjâ intun ristorant. We are going out to eat in a restaurant. ■ O soi lât fûr in place. I went into the town square. ■ O soi lât fûr di vore a dôs. I got off work at two. ■ O voi fûr di vore a cinc. I get off work at five. ■ Mi à domandât di jessî cun lui une sere di chestis. He asked me to go out with him one of these evenings. ■ Nol va mai fûr di cjase. He never leaves home. ■ Nol va mai fûr de sô citât. He never leaves his city. ■ O vignìn fûr dal Invier. We are coming out of winter. ■ Al è lât fûr di preson. He got out of prison.

On the mocking of others

O ài ator di me dome int che mi cjol vie. All round me I have nothing but people who mock me. ■ Mi cjolevin vie pai miei erôrs. They were making fun of me because of my errors. ■ Il comic al à ridût fûr i politics. The comedian poked fun at the politicians. ■ Il comic al à sorât i politics. The comedian poked fun at the politicians. ■ Lu àn ridût cence dûl. They made fun of him without mercy. ■ I coleghis lu ridin pal so servilisim cul paron. His co-workers tease him because of his grovelling with the boss. ■ Al crodeve di podêmi cjoli vie. He thought he could mock me. ■ Al è sbaliât cjoli vie une persone dome parcè che e à une gjambe çuete. It is wrong to poke fun at a person just because he has a lame leg. ■ Lis dôs amiis si cjolin vie tra di lôr. The two girlfriends tease each other. ■ Lu àn cjolt vie. They made fun of him. ■ Al è un frut sudizionôs e al à pôre che chei altris lu ridin fûr. He is a timid lad and is afraid the others will mock him. ■ Ducj lu ridin ma lui no si zire. Everybody teases him but he is not bothered. ■ I fruts plui prepotents a cjolin vie chei plui sudizionôs. The bossy kids make fun of those who are more timid. ■ Ancje se lu cjolin vie, lui no si rabie. Even if he is teased, he does not get angry. ■ Ancje se le ridin fûr, jê no si zire. Even if she is made fun of, she is unbothered.

On kidding around in Friulian

Al è un che nol zuie. He is not one to fool around. ■ Impare a no zuiâ cu la leç. Learn to not fool around with the law. ■ Schercistu? Are you kidding? ■ No sta scherçâ su chestis robis. Do not joke about these things. ■ I plâs di scherçâ ancje intai moments bruts. He likes to kid even in bad times. ■ I fruts a schercin tra di lôr intal curtîl de scuele. The kids fool around in the schoolyard. ■ Cu la brochite no si à di mateâ. You must not fool around with bronchitis. ■ Al è sbaliât scherçâ cui i lôr sintiments. It is wrong to fool around with their feelings. ■ Di no crodi, ma al è cussì; no matei. It is unbelievable, but that is how it is; I am not kidding.

On minding one's own business

Viôt dai afârs tiei. Mind your own business. ■ Impaciti dai afârs tiei. Mind your own business. ■ Pense ai tiei afârs. Mind your own business. ■ Sta tal to. Mind your own business. ■ Intrighiti dai fats tiei. Mind your own business. ■ No sta intrigâti dal gno. Do not get involved in my business. ■ No sta impaçâti dal gno. Do not get involved in my business. ■ No sta intrigâti dai afârs di chei altris. Do not get involved in other people's business. ■ Cheste e je une facende mê. This is my business. ■ Cheste e je une robe mê. This is my business. ■ No sta disturbâmi, o ài tant cefâ cumò. Do not disturb me, I have so much to do right now. ■ Al è afâr to cumò risolvi la facende. It is up to you now to resolve this business. ■ E cumò son afârs miei. And now this is my business. ■ Al sta daûr dai siei afârs. He is looking after his own business. ■ No mi plâs impaçâmi dai afârs di chei altris. I do not like getting involved in the business of others. ■ E cîr simpri di fâsi i afârs di chei altris. She always tries to make other people's business her own. ■ No sta impaçâti te mê vite privade. Do not get involved in my private life. ■ No sta meti il nâs te mê vite privade. Do not stick your nose in my private life. ■ No sta meti il nâs intai miei fats. Do not poke your nose in my business. ■ Al à il brut vizi di meti simpri il nâs pardut. He has the bad habit of sticking his nose in everywhere. ■ Âstu di meti il nâs pardut? Must you stick your nose in everywhere? ■ Chel peteçon si intromet simpri di dut. That gossip gets involved in everything. ■ Chel peteçon si impace simpri di dut. That gossip gets involved in everything. ■ Si impace simpri di ce che no lu rivuarde. He always gets caught up in what does not concern him. ■ Sô mari e procure simpri di inframetisi te sô vite sentimentâl. Her mother always tries to get involved in her love life. ■ No mi inframet mai tai afârs di chei altris. I never get involved in other people's business. ■ Al va indenant a impaçâsi di robis che no son sôs. He keeps getting caught up in things that have nothing to do with him. ■ Al met simpri il bec tai afârs dai siei vicins. He always pokes about in his neighbour's business. ■ Al è un furighin famôs. He is a terrible busybody. He is terribly nosey. ■ Par me tu âs fat un pôc masse il safaron. In my opinion, you were a little too nosey. ■ No sta nasicjâ tes mês robis. Do not go nosing about in my business. ■ No sta sbisiâ tes mês robis. Do not go snooping in my things.

Large amounts, in Friulian

E je vignude jù tante ploie. So much rain came down. ■ Une vore di int. Many people. ■ Une vore di stradis. Many streets. ■ Vuê a son une vore di centris comerciâi di plui. Today there are so many more shopping centres. ■ Vuê a son tancj plui centris comerciâi. Today there are so many more shopping centres. ■ Cun lui tu âs di stâ tant ma tant atent. With him you have to be very, very careful. ■ Âstu spietât tant? Did you wait long? ■ O ài spindût une vore chest libri. I spent a lot for this book. ■ I aspiets negatîfs a jerin tancj. The negative aspects were many. ■ Gjornaliscj compagns di chel o ’nd ài cognussûts un grum. I have known many journalists like that one. ■ Su chest argoment di articui a ’nd è une vore. On this subject there are many articles. ■ Tancj di lôr a àn sielzûde chê strade. Many people have chosen that way. ■ Mi plâs tant. I like it so much. ■ Al à imparât une vore. He has learnt a lot. ■ Îr o ài lavorât tant. Îr o ài lavoronât. I worked a lot yesterday. ■ Al è deventât tant plui grant. He has become so much bigger. ■ Al è tant simpatic. Al è simpaticon. He is so kind. He is so nice. ■ Te mignestre al è masse sâl. There is too much salt in the soup. ■ Vâstu dispès al cine? Do you often go the cinema? ■ Al è masse frêt pes maniis curtis. It is too cold for short sleeves. ■ Cumò vonde, al è masse. Enough now, it is too much. ■ Al coste masse. It costs too much. ■ Masse gjenerôs. Very generous {of you}.

Small amounts, in Friulian

Pocje int. Few people, not many people. ■ Pôcs turiscj. Few tourists, not many tourists. ■ Pocjis machinis. Few cars, not many cars. ■ Un pocjis di machinis. A few cars, some cars. ■ Robe di pôcs bêçs. Cheap stuff. ■ Pocjis peraulis e plui fats. Fewer words and more deeds. ■ Mancul peraulis e plui fats. Fewer words and more action. ■ O ài pôc timp. I have little time. ■ Al à pôc salût. He has poor health (literally, he has little health). ■ O ài comprât a pôc. I bought at a low price. ■ Te mignestre al è masse pôc sâl. There is too little salt in the soup. ■ Nossere a jerin tancj ospits, vuê pôcs. Last night there were many guests, today few. ■ O ài pôc ce dî. I have little to say. ■ Lu ài viodût cumò di pôc. I saw him a short time ago. ■ Lu ài viodût cumò denant. I saw him a short time ago. ■ Lu ài viodût cumò modant. I saw him a short time ago. ■ Al rive ca di un pôc. He will arrive shortly. ■ Al rive di ca a un pôc. He will arrive shortly. ■ Al rive a moments. He will arrive shortly. ■ Al rive in curt. He will arrive shortly. ■ O ’nd ài un freghenin. I have very little. ■ A son vignûts pôcs e nissun. Almost nobody came at all. ■ Mi contenti di pôc. I am satisfied with little. ■ Ogni pôc al zove. Every little bit helps. ■ Al è pôc ce fâ plui. There is little more to be done. ■ Dàmi un pôc di pan. Give me a little bread. ■ Un tic di ploie. A touch of rain. ■ O mangji pôc. I eat little. ■ O viôt pôc. I see little. ■ Mi impuarte pôc. It matters little to me. ■ O voi pôc al cine. I seldom go to the cinema. ■ Di chi al puint nol è trop. It is not far from here to the bridge. ■ I vuelin pocjis a capî. It takes little to understand. ■ No i vûl tant a capîle. It does not take much to understand it. ■ No ’ndi sai trop di chê cuistion. I do not know much about that matter.

Friulian language notes regarding pôc. Pôc agrees in gender and number with the noun it modifies: pôc lat (little milk, not much milk); pôcs bêçs (little money, not much money); pocje int (few people, not many people); pocjis cjasis (few houses, not many houses). The different forms of pôc can be preceded by un (invariable, i.e., does not change) and followed by di, with a change in meaning: un pôc di lat (some milk, a bit of milk); un pôcs di bêçs (some money, a bit of money); un pocje di int (some people, a few people); un pocjis di cjasis (some houses, a few houses). The difference between pocje int and un pocje di int is the same as the difference between few people and a few people. The difference between pôc pan and un pôc di pan is the same as the difference between little bread and a little bread.

Wild animals in Canada

Following are the Friulian names of 11 animals (including one fish) common to the Canadian wilderness. Each is accompanied by Friulian language notes or examples of use.

1. UN ORS

Ors is the Friulian for bear. The bear is known for entering into a state of winter torpor. In Friulian, we may say: l'ors al va in letarc (literally, the bear goes into lethargy), which is how we may describe this fact that the bear experiences reduced biological activity in the winter. Found in the far north of Canada (tal Nord estrem dal Canadà) are polar bears: ors polârs. We may say in Friulian: l'ors polâr al mangje la foche (the polar bear eats the seal).

2. LA FOCHE

As seen in the example sentence above, foche is the Friulian for seal. The blubber of a seal is called gras, which is a masculine noun. In Friulian, we may say: il vueli gjavât dal gras des fochis al pues jessi doprât par fâ savon (the oil extracted from seal blubber can be used to make soap). Seal hunting can be referred to in Friulian as la cjace ae foche (or la cjace a la foche, depending on how one handles the contraction of a + la). In a similar manner, carrying on from number 1, the Friulian for bear hunting is la cjace al ors. Or, looking ahead to number 3, the Friulian for beaver hunting is la cjace al castôr.

3. UN CASTÔR

The beaver, or castôr in Friulian, is known for its large flat tail: al à une grande code plache. We may say the following in Friulian of beaver fur during the time of the fur trade in Canada, from the early seventeenth century to that of the mid-nineteenth: la pelice dal castôr e jere une vore preseade e ricercjade (beaver fur was very highly valued and sought after).

4. UNE GJAIE BLU

Gjaie blu is the Friulian for blue jay. The blue jay is present throughout the eastern half of North America. In Friulian, North America is called la Americhe dal Nord or il Nord Americhe or la Americhe setentrionâl. (Likewise, South America is called la Americhe dal Sud or il Sud Americhe or la Americhe meridionâl.) We may say the following in Friulian of blue jays: dispès lis gjaiis blu a cjapin sù robutis che a slusichin (blue jays often pick up little shiny things).

5. UN CIERF

Cierf is the Friulian for deer. The male has branched antlers: cuars ramificâts. We may say in Friulian: i cuars dal cierf a colin e a tornin a cressi ogni an (the antlers of the deer fall off and grow back every year). We may also say: un cierf al è vignût fûr dal bosc (a deer came out of the forest). Or also: la machine e à cjapât sot un cierf (the car hit a deer). In Friulian, a hunting licence is called une licence di cjace. Of hunting season, we may say: vuê si vierç la stagjon de cjace (hunting season opens today).

6. UN ALÇ

Alç is the Friulian for moose. We may say in Friulian: l'alç al à i cuars a palme (the moose has palm-shaped antlers). We may also say: l'alç al vîf tes regjons fredis (the moose lives in cold regions). We may describe the moose in Friulian as grandonon, which is to say, huge. For instance, un alç grandonon al traviersave la strade (a huge moose was crossing the street).

7. UN ORSUT LAVADÔR

Orsut lavadôr is the Friulian for raccoon. This an interesting name for the animal because it translates literally as little washer bear. Orsut is the Friulian for little bear, which is the diminutive of ors (see number 1). Lavadôr is the Friulian for washer. The raccoon is so named in Friulian because of its appearance as a little bear that wets its food in the water before consuming it. In urban environments, the raccoon is found rummaging through household rubbish: al à sgarfât alc di mangjâ tes scovacis (it dug something out to eat from the rubbish). Other names for the raccoon in Friulian are: il procion, il procion lavadôr.

8. UN SALMON

Salmon is the Friulian for salmon. In Friulian, we may say: vuê o lin a pescjâ i salmons (today we are going fishing for salmon). At the supermarket, you may perhaps buy a packet of smoked salmon: une buste di salmon fumât. We may say in Friulian: il salmon al è pescjât pe sô cjar, une vore ricercjade (salmon is fished for its flesh, very much sought after). A Friulian definition of the salmon: un pês di mâr che al torne tai flums par fâ i ûfs (a sea fish that returns to rivers to spawn).

9. UN SGHIRAT

Sghirat is the Friulian for squirrel. This animal is also identified by the feminine noun sghirate. In Friulian, we may say: il sghirat al vîf sui arbui (the squirrel lives in trees). We may also say: tal bosc a son tantis sghiratis (there are so many squirrels in the forest). Squirrels have long, thick tails: a àn la code lungje e gruesse.

10. UNE BALENE

Balene is the Friulian for whale. Of the biblical Jonah, we may say in Friulian: Jone al è restât te panze de balene par trê dîs e trê gnots (Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the whale). Of a whale jumping out of the water, we may say: la balene e je saltade fûr de aghe (the whale jumped out of the water).

11. UN LÔF

Lôf is the Friulian for wolf. In Friulian, we may say: il lôf al à sbranât il castôr (the wolf tore the beaver to pieces). We may also say: i lôfs a cjacin il cierf (the wolves are hunting the deer). Or also: il lôf al urlave su lis monts (the wolf was howling in the mountains). A pack of wolves in Friulian is un branc di lôfs or un trop di lôfs.

Association football

Here you will explore Friulian vocabulary and expressions related to association football (soccer). For the sake of simplicity, this game will only be named below in English as football.

Let us start off then on the right foot (o partìn cul pît just) by considering the Friulian for goal, which is the masculine noun gol. Here is how gol can be defined in Friulian: intal zûc dal balon, il pont segnât di une scuadre cuant che il balon al jentre inte rêt dal aversari (in the game of football, the point scored by a team when the ball enters the net of the opponent). In this definition, we find a good deal of Friulian words related to football: il zûc (game); il pont (point); segnâ (to score); la scuadre (team); il balon ({foot}ball); la rêt (net); l'aversari (opponent). Of gol, the plural is goi (goals), so that, for instance, vinci par trê goi a un means to win by three goals to one. Of vinci, the past participle is vincût; as an example, o vin vinçût par doi goi a un means we have won by two goals to one. Another important verb to know is bati, meaning to beat, with its past participle batût; for instance, o vin rivât a bati i aversaris trê a un means we managed to beat the opponents three to one.

The Friulian name for a match is the feminine noun partide. You now know how to say to win a match in Friulian: vinci une partide. Another example: usgnot e je la partide di balon (tonight is the football match). Consider the grammar of the following phrase: dopo vê vinçudis dutis trê lis partidis (after having won all three matches). Here we find the past participle in feminine plural position as vinçudis to agree with the feminine plural direct object partidis. Of note is dutis trê lis partidis (all three matches); another similarly formed example from the same website: dutis dôs lis scuadris (both teams). Moreover, whereas the example phrase uses dopo vê + past participle, it also possible to say dopo di vê + past participle; for instance: dopo di vê vinçût (after having won); dopo di vê batût (after having beaten).

The goal of a team is referred to by the feminine noun puarte, which identifies the entire structure of the frame (il telâr) and net (la rêt). For instance, tirâ in puarte means to shoot on goal, so that al à tirât in puarte cul cjâf is the Friulian for he made a headshot on goal. The goal can also be identified by the feminine noun rêt, so that, for instance, il tîr al è finît in rêt means the shot ended up in the net, and un tîr viers la rêt means a shot towards the net. The Friulian for to kick the ball into the net is tirâ il balon inte rêt or trai il balon inte rêt. Tirâ and trai translate literally as to shoot; the past participle of the former is tirât, whereas of the latter it is trat. Both il zuiadôr al à tirât il balon lontan and il zuiadôr al à trat il balon lontan mean the player kicked the ball far. The Friulian dâ une pidade al balon means to give the ball a kick. In the matter of headshots, cul cjâf (with the head, with one's head) can be added: un tîr cul cjâf (headshot); tirâ cul cjâf (to make a headshot). Cul pît (with the foot, with one's foot) can be added where necessary: al pare vie il balon cul pît (he kicks the ball away [literally, he drives the ball away with his foot]). A football will also be referred to as une bale. The masculine noun zuiadôr (player) is related to the verb zuiâ (to play): the Friulian for to play football is zuiâ di balon, and a football player is un zuiadôr di balon.

The masculine noun puartîr (or portîr) is the Friulian for goalkeeper, which is related the feminine noun puarte encountered above; for instance, il puartîr al difint la puarte means the goalkeeper defends the goal. Another example: il puartîr blanc e neri al à parât dut (the black-and-white goalkeeper [which is to say, the Udinese goalkeeper] made all the saves).

To conclude, here is a short text in Friulian drawn from Wikipedia regarding the sport (an English translation follows): Il balon al è un sport dulà che dôs scuadris di undis zuiadôrs a àn di rivâ a butâ la bale te puarte de scuadre aversarie. Dome il puartîr al pues doprâ lis mans e i braçs, chei altris a doprin i pîts e il cjâf. Une partide di balon e dure novante minûts e e je componude di doi timps di cuarantecinc minûts ognidun, e e vinç la scuadre che ae fin dai novante e à fat plui goi. Lis partidis a son regoladis di un arbitri.

In English: Il balon al è un sport (football is a sport) dulà che dôs scuadris di undis zuiadôrs (where two teams of eleven players) a àn di rivâ a butâ la bale (must manage to drive the ball) te puarte de scuadre aversarie (into the opposing team's goal). Dome il puartîr (only the goalkeeper) al pues doprâ lis mans e i braçs (may use his hands and arms), chei altris a doprin i pîts e il cjâf (the others use their feet and head). Une partide di balon e dure novante minûts (a football match lasts ninety minutes) e e je componude di doi timps (and is composed of two halves/periods) di cuarantecinc minûts ognidun (of forty-five minutes each), e e vinç la scuadre (and the team wins) che ae fin dai novante (which at the end of the ninety) e à fat plui goi (has scored the most goals). Lis partidis a son regoladis di un arbitri (the matches are rule-enforced by a referee).

On picking things up

In this entry, you will learn how to speak in Friulian of picking things up, in both a literal sense (which is to say, to pick up from the ground or from some other surface) and a figurative sense (which is to say, to learn or grasp a concept). This entry also goes off on a number of tangents to explore related Friulian vocabulary. Let us begin with the Friulian word for axe, which is the feminine noun manarie. This noun has four syllables, and tonic stress falls on the second: ma|nà|ri|e. Knowing this, you can now say: cjapâ sù une manarie (to pick up an axe). Another example: cjape sù chê manarie e cjonce un ramaç di arbul (pick up that axe and chop off a tree branch). A woodsman or lumberjack has for one of his tools the axe; we can say: il boscadôr al sclapave i çocs cu la manarie (the woodsman was splitting logs with an axe). Verbs to learn from these examples: cjonçâ (to chop off); sclapâ (to split). Another name for the woodsman or lumberjack is un sclapeçocs (literally, logsplitter).

Something else that can be picked up is a suitcase, referred to in Friulian by the feminine noun valîs. We can say: cjape sù chê valîs pe mantie (pick up that suitcase by the handle). Mantie has three syllables, and tonic stress falls on the first: màn|ti|e. In addition to cjapâ sù, the Friulian for to pick up can also be said in the following ways: cjoli sù and tirâ sù. Examples: cjol sù chê monede che e je par tiere (pick up that coin that is on the ground); tire sù chê cjarte che e je sot de taule (pick up that paper that is under the table).

The Friulian for handgun, pistol is pistole (pis|tò|le), a feminine noun. You can now say cjapâ sù une pistole, meaning to pick up a handgun. Consider this example: cjapade sù une pistole, al à trat par aiar (having picked up a handgun, he fired into the air). Cjapade is the past participle of cjapâ in its feminine singular position to agree with the feminine singular noun pistole. Consider another example: cjapât sù un martiel, al à plantât un claut intal len (having picked up a hammer, he drove in a nail into the wood). For information, here is some vocabulary related to firearms: cjariâ une sclope (to load a rifle); une bale (bullet); une palotule (bullet; pa|lò|tu|le), une arme di fûc (a firearm). In one of the examples above, the past participle trat is found; the verb in question is trai, meaning to shoot, to fire.

Here now are more example sentences to learn from, including a few figurative usages: ti è colât il libri, cjape sù (you have dropped your book, pick it up); cjol sù il ristiel che al è tal cacjòs (pick up the rake that is in the shed); cumò tu cjapis sù il bradasc e tu vâs a scovâ la stale (now pick up the broom and off you go to sweep the stable); al à cjapât sù lis sôs robis e al è jessût (he picked up his things and went out); o ài cjapât sù il spagnûl (I have picked up Spanish); o ài cjapât sù il mistîr in Polonie (I picked up the trade in Poland); nol à rivât a cjapâ sù il concet (he was unable to pick up/grasp the concept). In one of the examples above, the masculine noun bradasc is found, which is a rustic broom made from a bundle of sticks tied to a shaft (one could say it is a witch's broom); otherwise, the general word for broom is the feminine noun scove, for instance: puartimi la scove e la scovacere (bring me the broom and dustpan).

Of note is that cjapâ sù is also used in the sense of to reap or to pick, for instance: o ài cjapât sù cualchi miluç (I picked a few apples); par cui cjapistu sù chês rosis? (for whom are you picking those flowers?); cemût si cjapavial sù il fen pes bestiis in Friûl? (how was hay reaped for animals in Friûl?); o soi lât a cjapâ sù lens (I went to gather wood). In one of the examples above, cualchi is found; it is always followed by a singular noun: cualchi om (a few men); cualchi femine (a few women); cualchi sclope (a few rifles); cualchi martiel (a few hammers). Moreover, the masculine noun ristiel, as seen above, is the Friulian for rake; a variant form of this is riscjel, where the ti is expressed rather as cj. Likewise, the masculine noun cjistiel, meaning castle, has a similarly formed variant: cjiscjel. So are the plurals formed of these latter words: ristiei, riscjei (rakes); cjistiei, cjiscjei (castles). A line from the Bible can be provided as an example of ristiel, not in the sense of rake but of lattice (Proverbs VII,6): sul barcon de mê cjase, a traviers dal ristiel jo o cucavi (at the window of my house, I peered through the lattice).

Wet, in Friulian

Il paviment al è bagnât. The floor is wet. ■ Lis scjalis bagnadis a son pericolosis. Wet steps are dangerous. ■ No sta cjaminâ su paviments bagnâts. Do not walk on wet floors. ■ O soi dut bagnât di ploie. I am all wet with rain. ■ No sta cjaminâ tal bagnât; ven tal sut. Do not walk where it is wet; come where it is dry. ■ La ploie e bagne lis stradis. The rain gets the streets wet. ■ La strade e je dute bagnade. The road is all wet. ■ Mi à cjapât un temporâl e mi soi imbombît di insom fin dapît. I got caught in a storm and got soaking wet from head to toe. ■ Al è tornât cjase sot de ploie e al à cjapât une biele bagnade. He went back home in the rain and got a good soaking. ■ Il frut al è colât te poce e si è dut imbombît. The child fell into the puddle and got soaking wet. ■ Il spieli si è inumidît par vie dal vapôr. The mirror has fogged up because of the vapour.

Slippery, in Friulian

Il paviment al è sbrissôs. The floor is slippery. ■ Il paviment bagnât al è sbrissot. The wet floor is slippery. ■ Sta atent che sul paviment bagnât si sbrisse. Be careful because you could slip on the wet floor. ■ Lis planelis dal bagn a fasin sbrissâ. The bathroom tiles can cause you to slip. ■ Lis piastrelis dal bagn a son une vore pericolosis. The bathroom tiles are very dangerous. ■ Un pâr di scarpis cu la suele sbrissote. A pair of shoes with a slippery sole. ■ I bisats a son sbrissots. Eels are slippery. ■ Il sbrissot dai bisats. The slipperiness of eels. ■ I madracs a son sbrissots. Snakes are slippery. ■ L'ôr de pissine al è sbrissot. The edge of the pool is slippery. ■ Sta atent di no sbrissâ su la glace. Be careful not to slip on the ice. ■ Sta atent di no sbrissâ su lis piastrelis dal bagn. Be careful not to slip on the tiles of the bathroom. ■ Al è colât par vie dal paviment sbrissot. He fell on account of the slippery floor. ■ E je colade par vie dal teren glaçât. She fell due to the icy ground. ■ O soi lât a cjapâ sù la sô siarpe, che i jere sbrissade. I went to pick up his scarf, which had slipped off him.

Figurative usages. Une persone slichignote, slichignôse. A slippery person. ■ Un politic slichignot, slichignôs. A slippery politician. ■ Une promesse slichignote, slichignôse. A slippery promise.

Friulian pronunciation note I. In one of the example sentences above, you encounter the phrase di insom fin dapît (from head to toe). Given that di contracts in speech to d' before insom, this entire phrase is to be said in five syllables. Moreover, insom is pronounced as though written insomp. Pronounce: [din-somp-fin-da-pît]. Many words ending in an mp sound are spelt just so: cjamp (field), stramp (strange), colomp (pigeon), palomp (plump), but this mp sound is also encountered in: insom (top; pronounced insomp); om (man; pronounced omp); dam (damage; pronounced damp); you will sometimes encounter these latter words spelt with the final p nonetheless, for instance: lu ài scoltât d'insomp fin dapît (I listened to him from start to finish; I listened to him from beginning to end).

Friulian pronunciation note II. Consider the pronunciation difference between -ot and -ôs, found in the words sbrissot and sbrissôs. The -ot ending takes a short o, so that sbrissot is pronounced [zbri'sɔt]. The -ôs ending takes a long o, so that sbrissôs is pronounced [zbri'so:s]. The tonic stress is on the final syllable for both.

Friulian vocabulary note I. One of the example sentences above uses the expression tornâ cjase (to come/go back home). In Friulian, in the sense of homewards or at home, we may use either a cjase or simply cjase. More examples: o soi tornât cjase, o soi tornât a cjase (I came/went back home); o voi cjase, o voi a cjase (I am going home); doman sêstu cjase?, doman sêstu a cjase? (are you home tomorrow?).

Friulian vocabulary note II. The verb bagnâ means to wet, but it is also used to speak of watering plants and flowers, for instance: o ài doprât il sborfadôr par bagnâ lis rosis (I used the watering can to water the flowers). We may also use the verb sborfâ, for instance: sborfâ i sclopons (to water the carnations).

Pre-modern combat weapons

Following are the Friulian names of seven pre-modern offensive weapons. These Friulian weapon names are found in the Bible, and can also be employed when speaking of weapons used by Roman soldiers. Many of the example sentences below are drawn from the Bible; others are provided merely as illustrative examples of use.

1. LA SPADE

The feminine noun spade is the Friulian for sword, for instance: un vuerîr di valôr armât di scût e di spade (a brave warrior armed with shield and sword); tire fûr la spade e passimi fûr par fûr (draw thy sword and run it through me); ju à copâts cu la spade (he killed them by sword); ognidun che al cjapi su la sô spade (let every man take up his sword); lu à imparât cu la spade e lu à copât (he stabbed him with the sword and killed him); o vin di passâ a fîl di spade la int di chê citât (we must put to the sword the people of that city); la spade e je uçade e lustrade (the sword is sharpened and shined). A related word is that for sheath: meti la spade tal fodri (to put one's sword into its sheath); tornâ a meti la spade tal fodri (to put one's sword back into its sheath); o tirarai fûr dal sfodri la mê spade (I shall unsheathe my sword).

2. LA FRECE

The feminine noun frece is the Friulian for arrow, for instance: une frece spiçade (a sharpened arrow); cjape sù lis frecis (pick up the arrows); trai une frece (to shoot an arrow); a jerin armâts di arc e a savevin trai frecis e claps tant cu la man drete che cu la çampe (they were armed with bows and knew how to shoot arrows and stones with both the right and left hand); cu lis mês frecis o ài passât fûr par fûr il so cjâf (with my arrows I pierced his head through and through). Related words include those for quiver, bow and target: il boç e l'arc (quiver and bow); va a cirî un arc e un pocjis di frecis (go get a bow and some arrows); al à tindût il so arc e mi à metût tant che bersai pe sô frece (he drew his bow and set me as the target for his arrow); a son bulos tal trai cul arc (they are experts at shooting with a bow). In Friulian, either tirâ or trai can be used when speaking of shooting an arrow; these take different conjugations. Useful examples of the first: o tiri (I shoot); al tire (he shoots); al à tirât (he has shot, he shot), al à tiradis lis sôs frecis (he shot his arrows), o tirarai (I shall shoot); and of the second: o trai (I shoot); al trai (he shoots); al à trat (he has shot, he shot), al à tratis lis sôs frecis (he shot his arrows), o traiarai (I shall shoot).

3. LA LANCE

The feminine noun lance is the Friulian for lance or spear, for instance: o soi bulo tal doprâ il scût e la lance (I am an expert at using a shield and a spear); al tignive te man une lance (he was holding a spear in his hand); lu à copât cu la sô lance (he killed him with his spear); l'aste di une lance (the shaft of a spear). It is with a spear that Christ's side was pierced by the Roman soldier: un dai soldâts, cuntun colp di lance, i passà il flanc e a colp al spissulà sanc e aghe (one of the soldiers, with the strike of a spear, pierced his side and at once blood and water flowed out).

4. IL PUGNÂL

The masculine noun pugnâl is the Friulian for dagger, for instance: al à tirât fûr il pugnâl che lu veve sul flanc diestri e jal à parât dentri te panze al re (he drew the sword which he had on his right side and plunged it into the king's belly); i ài tirât fûr il pugnâl de panze (I pulled the dagger out of his belly). The dagger is also referred to in Friulian as un stîl, for instance: lu à impirât cuntun stîl (he stabbed him with a dagger). The plural of pugnâl is pugnâi; of stîl, the plural is stîi.

5. LA MANARIE

The feminine noun manarie is the Friulian for axe; it is pronounced in four syllables, with tonic stress on the second: ma|nà|ri|e. The axe today is largely a work tool (imprest di vore), but in the past it also served as a war tool (imprest di vuere). A battle axe is termed in Friulian une manarie di vuere (literally, war axe). In the Bible, we encounter this example: mudait lis vuestris manariis in spadis e i vuestris falcets in lancis (transform your axes into swords and your sickles into spears). Other examples of use: fat cu la manarie de man di un artesan (made with an axe by the hand of a craftsman); o soi lât di lôr a fâ uçâ la manarie e il falcet (I went to them to have my axe and sickle sharpened). The plural of manarie is manariis.

6. LA FIONDE

The feminine noun fionde is the Friulian for sling; for instance: al à metût un clap te fionde (he put a stone in his sling); cu la fionde in man (with sling in hand); ur furnissarà scûts e lancis, elmets, coracis, arcs e claps pes fiondis (he will provide them with shields and spears, helmets, cuirasses, bows and stones for slings); al à gjavât fûr un clap, che lu à tirât cu la fionde (he pulled out a stone, which he shot with a sling); David al à vinçût Golie cu la fionde e cuntun clap (David defeated Goliath with a sling and with a stone); al à fat il tîr al bersai cu la fionde (he shot at the target with a sling).

7. IL JAVELOT

The masculine noun javelot is the Friulian for javelin. This weapon is similar to the spear (la lance), but whereas the spear was kept in the hands of the warrior, the javelin was thrown. As such, we can describe the javelin as une arme di lanç (a throwing weapon). We can further say: il javelot al è fat di une aste cuntune ponte di metal (the javelin consists of a shaft with a metal tip). In the Bible, David says to Goliath: tu tu vegnis cuintri di me cun spade, lance e javelot; jo invezit o marci cuintri di te cul non dal Signôr des schiriis (thou comest against me with sword, spear and javelin, whereas I march against thee in the name of the Lord of hosts).

The Friulian for right it is dret or diestri (variant gjestri), whereas for left it is çamp. The feminine form of these is drete, diestre, gjestre and çampe. When expressing on the right, to the right and on the left, to the left, the feminine forms are used, as you will see in the examples below. The feminine forms can also be used as nouns to indicate the right and left hand.

On right and left

DRET - DIESTRI - GJESTRI

Lu à cjapât cu la man drete. He took it with his right hand. ■ Te man drete al veve doi claps. In his right hand he had two stones. ■ Al stave a man drete di lui. He was standing to the right of him. ■ Il poleâr de man drete e il poleâr dal pît dret. The thumb of the right hand and the big toe of the right foot. ■ Il poleâr de man diestre e il poleâr dal pît diestri. The thumb of the right hand and the big toe of the right foot. ■ Il poleâr de man gjestre e il poleâr dal pît gjestri. The thumb of the right hand and the big toe of the right foot. ■ Si è distirât sul flanc gjestri. He lay down on his right side. ■ Al à tirât fûr il pugnâl che lu veve sul flanc gjestri. He pulled out the dagger which he had on his right side. ■ Al à metude la man diestre sul cjâf di so fi. He put his right hand on his son's head. ■ Met la gjestre su la taule. Put your right hand on the table. ■ Sentiti a la mê gjestre. Sit on my right. ■ Al sta a la mê diestre. He stands to my right. ■ Al à slungjade la gjestre. He put out his right hand. ■ I drets a scrivin cu la drete. Righties write with the right hand. ■ Un partît di diestre. A right-wing party. ■ Un partît politic che al tire a diestre. A right-leaning political party.

ÇAMP

Al à alçât il braç çamp. He raised his left arm. ■ Par vie de gangrene i àn scugnût amputâ il pît çamp. Because of gangrene his left foot had to be amputated. ■ Si è inglaçât il pît çamp. He got frostbite on his left foot. ■ Al a metût il jet de bande çampe de cjamare. He put the bed on the left side of the room. ■ Te man çampe al ten un libri. In his left hand he is holding a book. ■ Al stave a man çampe di me. He was standing to the left of me. ■ Si è distirât sul flanc çamp. He lay down on his left side. ■ Sentiti a la mê çampe. Sit on my left. ■ I çampins a scrivin cu la çampe. Lefties write with the left hand. ■ Un partît di çampe radicâl. A radical left-wing party. ■ Un partît politic che al tire a çampe. A left-leaning political party. ■ Lis sôs ideis çamparinis dal pont di viste politic a son ben cognossudis. His leftie ideas from the political point of view are well known.

BOTH

No si pò lâ ni a drete ni a çampe. You can go neither to the right nor to the left. ■ Ducj i oms a jerin tor di lui a drete e a çampe. All the men were surrounding him on the right and on the left. ■ Volte a drete o a çampe. Turn to the right or to the left. ■ Ducj i oms a jerin a la sô gjestre e a la sô çampe. All the men were on his right and on his left. ■ Trê a drete e trê a çampe. Three to the right and three to the left. ■ A jerin armâts di arc e a savevin trai frecis e claps tant cu la man drete che cu la çampe. They were armed with bows and knew how to shoot arrows and stones with both the right and left hand. ■ L'arap al à une scriture che e va di drete a çampe. Arabic has a writing system that goes from right to left. ■ Al à cjapât un libri cu la drete e un cuader cu la çampe. He took a book with his right hand and a notebook with his left. ■ Se tu tu vâs a çampe, jo o larai a drete. If you go to the left, I shall go to the right. ■ Il vuerîr al copave a drete e a çampe. The warrior was killing right and left. ■ Al à poiât il pît dret te aghe e chel çamp su la tiere. He placed his right foot in the water and the left one on dry land.

Earthquakes

Below are five Friulian words related to earthquakes, with many related examples of use.

1. TARAMOT

The Friulian for earthquake is the masculine noun taramot. Example of usage: il taramot dal 1976 in Friûl al à fat un miâr di muarts (the earthquake of 1976 in Friûl caused about a thousand deaths). Etymology: From Latin terraemotus, meaning 'movement of the earth'. An earthquake may also be referred to in Friulian as un scjas. Sidenote: To describe a person as a taramot in Friulian is to identify him as being rambunctious, disruptive: chel frut al è un taramot (that lad is an earthquake).

2. ORCOLAT

The Orcolat is a gigantic monster of folklore that causes earthquakes in Friûl when roused from his den. The name of this monster also happens to be synonymous with the earthquake of 1976 in Friûl. Example of usage: Plui voltis inte storie dai furlans l’Orcolat si è dismot de sô tane (many times in the history of the Friulians the Orcolat has been roused from his den). Etymology: From the Friulian orcul (meaning ogre), with the addition of the suffix -at for intensification of malevolence. Another example of this intensification: frutat (whereas frut means lad, frutat is a naughty lad). Sidenote: How ought an orcul (ogre) be described in Friulian? We may say: Tes flabis, al è un mostri trist che al mangje i umans (in fairytales, it is an evil monster that eats humans).

3. MUART

As an adjective, muart means dead. For instance, un cjan muart means a dead dog. That said, muart is also used as a noun, in which case it takes the meaning dead one, dead man, dead person. In the plural, i muarts are the dead {ones}. Examples of usage: cjatâ un muart intal flum (to find a dead man in the river); un miâr di muarts (about a thousand dead ones); puartâ vie i muarts (to carry away the dead).

4. SDRUMÂSI

This reflexive verb means to come tumbling down, to come crashing down. During an earthquake, many sorts of structures risk coming down: la cjase si è sdrumade (the house came tumbling down); il cjistiel si è sdrumât (the castle came crashing down); la basiliche si è sdrumade (the basilica came tumbling down); il cjampanili si è sdrumât (the belltower came crashing down); lis muracis dal cjistiel si son sdrumadis (the defensive walls of the castle came tumbling down); i cuvierts si son sdrumâts (the roofs came crashing down). Sidenote: After an earthquake, it may be necessary to undertake the demolition of ruined structures, in which case we may speak of their sdrumament. Example of usage: il sdrumament di un cjampanili ruvinât (the demolition of a damaged belltower).

5. SCJASSÂSI

Another reflexive verb, this one meaning to be shaken. For instance, of the ground during an earthquake we may say: la tiere si scjassave (the ground was shaking). Of course, other elements may also shake during an earthquake: i arbui si scjassavin (the trees were shaking). Using the past participle scjassât (shaken), we may also say: dute la regjon e je stade scjassade (the entire region was shaken). Using now the transitive verb scjassâ, we may describe in Friulian precisely what an earthquake does: un taramot trement al à scjassât il Friûl (a tremendous earthquake shook Friûl); cul taramot dal 1976 l’Orcolat al à scjassât il Friûl (with the earthquake of 1976 the Orcolat shook Friûl).

Speaking of your Friulian descent

To speak of being of Friulian descent, you must know the feminine noun riunde, meaning descent or extraction. You will read below a number of examples that will help you to express yourself when speaking of your Friulian descent.

O soi di riunde furlane. I am of Friulian descent. ■ Un cognon di riunde furlane. A surname of Friulian descent. ■ I nonos a son di riunde di Sant Denêl. My grandparents are from Sant Denêl. ■ O soi furlan di bande di mari. I am Friulian on my mother's side. ■ I nonos di bande di pari a son rivâts di Cjasteons di Strade. My grandparents on my father's side arrived from Cjasteons di Strade. ■ Gno pari al è nassût a Nimis. My father was born in Nimis. ■ Un gno bisnono al jere di riunde furlane. One of my great-grandfathers was of Friulian descent. ■ Une mê bisnone e jere di riunde di Talmassons. One of my great-grandmothers was from Talmassons. ■ O vin il stes cognon. We have the same surname.

In Friulian, names of other European nationalities include (masculine singular followed by feminine singular): albanês, albanese (Albanian) ■ austriac, austriache (Austrian) ■ belgjic, belgjiche (Belgian) ■ britanic, britaniche (British) ■ bulgar, bulgare (Bulgarian) ■ catalan, catalane (Catalan) ■ cec, ceche (Czech) ■ cravuat, cravuate (Croatian) ■ danês, danese (Danish) ■ eston, estone (Estonian) ■ finlandês, finlandese (Finnish) ■ francês, francese (French) ■ galês, galese (Welsh) ■ grêc, greghe (Greek) ■ inglês, inglese (English) ■ irlandês, irlandese (Irish) ■ islandês, islandese (Icelandic) ■ leton, letone (Latvian) ■ lituan, lituane (Lithuanian) ■ norvegjês, norvegjese (Norwegian) ■ olandês, olandese (Dutch) ■ ongjarês, ongjarese (Hungarian) ■ polac, polache (Polish) ■ português, portuguese (Portuguese) ■ rumen, rumene (Romanian) ■ rus, russe (Russian) ■ scozês, scozese (Scottish) ■ serp, serbe (Serbian) ■ slovac, slovache (Slovak) ■ sloven, slovene (Slovene) ■ spagnûl, spagnole (Spanish) ■ svedês, svedese (Swedish) ■ svuizar, svuizare (Swiss) ■ talian, taliane (Italian) ■ todesc, todescje (German) ■ ucrain, ucraine (Ukrainian).

If you use riunde with any of the above, remember to use the feminine form of adjective: o soi di riunde slovene (I am of Slovene descent). Here are the names of a few nationalities outside Europe, the corresponding countries whereof are home to a significant Friulian diaspora: american, americane (American) ■ argjentin, argjentine (Argentinian) ■ australian, australiane (Australian) ■ brasilian, brasiliane (Brazilian) ■ canadês, canadese (Canadian) ■ statunitens, statunitense (of the United States) ■ uruguayan, uruguayane (Uruguayan) ■ venezuelan, venezuelane (Venezuelan). Example: o soi australian di riunde furlane (I am Australian of Friulian descent).

At the dentist's

In standard Friulian, the word for tooth is the masculine noun dint, which takes the form dincj in the plural. Related to this is the Friulian for dentist, identified by the noun dentist (plural, dentiscj). As a definition of dentist, we may say that he is: un miedi che al cure i dincj (a doctor who treats teeth). When it is time to go to the dentist's, we may say: o ài di lâ li dal dentist (I must go to the dentist's); and: o ài un apontament (I have an appointment).

Oral hygiene: lavâsi i dincj dôs voltis in dì (to wash {brush} one’s teeth twice a day); o ài di lavâmi i dincj prime di lâ a durmî (I must wash {brush} my teeth before going to sleep); un spacetin di dincj (a toothbrush); une paste di dincj (a toothpaste); un dentifrici (a toothpaste); une paste di dincj speciâl par zenziis delicadis (a special toothpaste for sensitive gums); resentâ la bocje cuntun colutori (to rinse one's mouth with a mouthwash); tignî nets i dincj (to keep one's teeth clean); al è ben netâsi ogni dì i dincj cul fîl interdentâl (it is good to clean one's teeth every day with dental floss); al è ben netâsi ogni dì la lenghe (it is good to clean one's tongue every day); al à i dincj sporcs (he has dirty teeth); vê une robe restade fra i dincj (to have something stuck between one's teeth).

At the dentist's: o ài mâl di dincj (I have a toothache); une carie dentâl (tooth decay, dental caries); vê un dint carulât (to have a decayed tooth); i dolçs mi àn carulât il masselâr (sweets have decayed my molar); o ài doi masselârs carulâts (I have two decayed molars); o vevi un dint vuast (I had a bad tooth); il dint al è frait (the tooth is rotten); o ài i dincj zâi (I have yellow teeth); mi colin i dincj (my teeth are falling out); mi è saltade la implombadure dal masselâr (the filling has fallen out of my molar); mi sanganin lis zenziis (my gums bleed); o ài un dint mat (I have a fake tooth); o ài un dint di aur (I have a gold tooth); dincj pustiçs (false teeth); un dint disot (a bottom tooth); un dint disore (a top tooth); i dincj denant (the front teeth); un masselâr (a molar); il smalt dai dincj (tooth enamel); gjavâ la plache (to remove the plaque); gjavâ il tartar (to remove the tartar); curâ un dint (to treat a tooth); gjavâ fûr un dint (to extract a tooth); cambiâ une implombadure (to change a filling); un anestetic (an anaesthetic); vierzi la bocje (to open one's mouth); sierâ la bocje (to close one's mouth); strenzi i dincj (to clench one's teeth, to bite down); fâ une radiografie (to take an x-ray); spudâ fûr (to spit out); resentâ la bocje (to rinse one's mouth); voltâ il cjâf (to turn one's head); sierâ i vôi (to close one's eyes).

As we saw above in the first paragraph, to go to the dentist's is said in Friulian lâ li dal dentist; this formulation holds for other professions as well (lâ li dal miedi, to go to the doctor's; o ài scugnût puartâ la machine li dal mecanic, I had to take the car to the mechanic's), but li can also be said là (as in lâ là dal miedi, to go to the doctor's), or omitted altogether: tu âs di lâ dal miedi (you have to go to the doctor's).

Jessi bon

One of the meanings of jessi bon is to be good, but this usage takes on the sense of to be able when followed by di + infinitive. For instance, al è bon di sunâ la ghitare eletriche means he can play the electric guitar, he knows how to play the electric guitar. The adjective bon must be accorded with its subject for gender and number; its four forms are: bon (masculine singular); bogns (masculine plural); buine (feminine singular); buinis (feminine plural). This usage occurs in the different variants of Friulian as well, but the examples below are written specifically according to the standard.

O soi bon di nadâ. I can swim. ■ No soi bon di nadâ. I cannot swim. ■ O soi bon di cori plui svelt di te. I can run faster than you. ■ Al è bon di lavorâ il fier. He knows how to work iron. ■ Nol è stât bon di insegnâural. He was unable to teach it to them. ■ Nus plâs une vore ce che a son stâts bogns di fâ chescj oms. We like very much what these men were able to do. ■ Ducj i miei amîs a son bogns di sunâ un strument. All my friends know how to play an instrument. ■ Il lôr al è plui bon dal nestri, ma no ducj o sin bogns di ametilu. Theirs is better than ours, but not all of us are able to admit it. ■ Cheste int culì e je buine di copâmi. These people here could very well kill me. ■ Dutis chês feminis a jerin buinis di cjacarâ galês. All those women could speak Welsh.

Given that this usage employs jessi, now is a good time to review how it conjugates in the present subjunctive and imperfect subjunctive. In the present subjunctive, two forms are possible: (i) che o sedi, che tu sedis, che al sedi, che o sedin, che o sedis, che a sedin; (ii) che o sei, che tu seis, che al sei, che o sein, che o sês, che a sein. The imperfect subjunctive is as follows: che o fos, che tu fossis, che al fos, che o fossin, che o fossis, che a fossin. A few examples: o cîr un om che al sedi bon di sunâ la ghitare eletriche (I am looking for a man who can play the electric guitar); ancje se e fos stade buine di cjacarâ galês, no varès capît un dret (even if she had been able to speak Welsh, she would not have understood a thing).

Friulian indi, or contracted ’nd and ’nt

The Friulian indi means thereof; in colloquial English, this is more often expressed by any of the following, depending on the context: of it, of them, some of it, some of them, any of it, any of them, none of it, none of them.

That said, English often omits altogether any mention of thereof or its equivalents. For instance, question: trops libris àial? (how many books has he?); and answer: al indi à doi (he has two). In Friulian, we cannot say as a response to such a question al à doi, though possible in English; our listeners will hear an omission in our Friulian. We must supply either the full answer: al à doi libris (he has two books), or we can replace libris with indi, as in: al indi à doi (he has two thereof {he has two of them}).

To complicate matters, al indi à doi is pronounced a ’nd à doi, where indi contracts to ’nd; but if the next word begins with a consonant, indi contracts to ’nt instead: o ’nt vês doi (you have two thereof {you have two of them}). Moreover, a ’nd à doi and o ’nt vês doi (as well as the other contracted forms below) are also how you will customarily encounter these utterances in writing, rather than with the full and seldom used indi. The pronunciation of these contractions is examined a little farther down.

Singular: o ’nd ài, no ’nd ài (I have thereof, I have not thereof); tu ’nd âs, no tu ’nd âs (you have thereof, you have not thereof); a ’nd à, no ’nd à (he or she has thereof, he or she has not thereof). Plural: o ’nt vin, no ’nt vin (we have thereof, we have not thereof); o ’nt vês, no ’nt vês (you have thereof, you have not thereof); a ’nd àn, no ’nd àn (they have thereof, they have not thereof).

Whereas the contraction ’nd sounds like [nd], the contraction ’nt sounds like [ng] -- think of the ng sound of English words ring, thing, wing, and so on. To pronounce, simply attach the contracted form to the preceding pronoun or to no as though it were all one: o ’nd ài [ondài]; no ’nd ai [nondài]; tu ’nd âs [tundâs]; no tu ’nd âs [notundâs]; a ’nd à [andà]; no ’nd à [nondà]; o ’nt vin [ongvin]; no ’nt vin [nongvin]; o ’nt vês [ongvês]; no ’nt vês [nongvês]; a ’nd àn [andàn]; no ’nd àn [nondàn].

In the following, indi appears as part of an interrogative, where it takes position at the head of the utterance; in this case, we use the contractions ind or int instead, but the contracted forms reappear after no:

Singular: ind àio?, no ’nd àio? (have I thereof?, have I not thereof?); ind âstu?, no ’nd âstu? (have you thereof?, have you not thereof?); ind àial?, no ’nd àial? (has he thereof?, has he not thereof?); ind àie?, no ’nd àie? (has she thereof?, has she not thereof?). Plural: int vêso?, no ’nt vêso? (have we thereof?, have we not thereof?); int vino?, no ’nt vino? (have you thereof?, have you not thereof?); ind àno?, no ’nd àno? (have they thereof?, have they not thereof?).

Here now are example sentences typical of colloquial English with a Friulian equivalent: I haven't got any (no ’nd ài); I've only got three (o ’nd ài dome trê); have you got some? (ind âstu? [singular]; int vêso? [plural]); he's got many (a ’nd à tancj); I've got few (o ’nd ài pôcs); have they still got any? (ind àno ancjemò?); why haven't they ever got enough of them? (parcè no ’nd àno mai avonde?); we must be the voice of those who have none (o vin di jessi la vôs di chei che no ’nd àn). And now examples using other verbs: I see two of them (o ’nt viôt doi); does he want any? (int vuelial?); I've eaten some of it (o ’nd ài mangjât); there are five (a ’nd è cinc); they take six (a ’nt cjolin sîs); they have benefitted from it (a ’nd àn profitât); none of them have ever been seen since (no si ’nd à mai viodûts dopo).

Consider now the difference between the following, thinking of the fall of man in the garden of Eden: e à çumât un miluç e lu à mangjât (she picked an apple and ate it); e à çumât un miluç e a ’nd à mangjât (she picked an apple and ate of it; she picked an apple and ate some of it; she picked an apple and ate thereof). In the first of the pair, we understand that she ate the entire apple; in the second, we understand that she took only a bite or, at the very least, did not eat the entire apple. In the continuation of events in the garden, we now find an example of what happens when a ’nd à puartât (she brought of it) must accommodate i (unto him) into the equation: e i ’nd à puartât ancje al so om, che al jere cun jê, e ancje lui a ’nd à mangjât (and she brought of it also to her husband, who was with her, and he also ate of it).

The contracted ’nt can attach to an infinitive: no tu âs di mangjânt (you must not eat thereof); o vin sintût a fevelânt (we have heard talk thereof). Consider also: dânt (to give thereof); dâmint (to give me thereof); dâtint (to give you [singular] thereof); dâint (to give him/her thereof); dâsint (to give oneself thereof); dânusint (to give us thereof); dâusint (to give you [plural] thereof); dâurint (to give them thereof). The suffix can also take the form ndi, for instance: no vuei plui savêndi (I do not want to know any more about it).

On a final note, a different treatment of indi consists of the following: rather than the contractions ’nd and ’nt, the contractions ind and int may be used instead. In this treatment, these forms cause omission of the atonic pronoun; for instance, a ’nd à doi can rather take the form ind à doi; or a ’nd à mangjât can rather take the form ind à mangjât; or a ’nt fevelin cun me (they speak of it with me) can rather take the form int fevelin cun me, but, negated, the initial i will again drop to revert to our earlier contractions: no ’nt fevelin cun me.

How to say there is/there are in Friulian

Below you will find many examples in Friulian of there is/are, there was/were and there will be, as well as the negations thereof. If the next word begins with a vowel, ’nd is used; it if begins with a consonant, it is rather ’nt. Pronunciation approximations: Whereas a ’nd sounds likes and, a ’nt sounds like ang (’nt sounds like the ng of English). Likewise, no ’nd sounds like no with the sound of nd attached, whereas no ’nt sounds like no with the sound of ng attached.

’Nd and ’nt are contractions of indi, meaning thereof. In this way, a ’nd è is the result of al è with the contracted indi set into its correction position, which is to say, before the verb. It is possible to use the full indi, but this is considered formal and untypical of spoken language. If the full indi is used, then it customarily causes omission of the atonic al, so that, for instance, the colloquial a ’nd è une vore (there is a lot, there are many) takes the formal style indi è une vore. In less formal style, this latter can be contracted to ind è une vore. Furthermore, take note that the contractions ’nd and ’nt may be handled differently, so that both can also take the form ’ndi instead: a ’ndi è, no ’ndi sarà, and so on. For instance, whearas one person may use a ’nd è doi (there are two), another may use a ’ndi è doi.

The examples below consist of useful Friulian conversational phrases, as well as quite a few good examples drawn from the Bible. To keep matters as straightforward as possible, treatment of the contraction of indi has been made consistent throughout.

A ’ND È
there is, there are

A ’nd è un sôl ca sù. There is just one up here. ■ A ’nd è ancje une altre reson. There is also another reason. ■ A ’nd è dôs cjasis indaûr a pet de strade. There are two houses set back from the street. ■ A ’nd è trê fantats cul non di Zuan. There are three lads by the name of John. ■ A ’nd è un altri là jù. There is another one down there. ■ No rivi nancje a contâlu cun tant che a ’nd è. I cannot even count it with how much there is. ■ A ’nd è un Diu sôl. There is but one God. ■ A ’nd è une vore di oms. There are many men. ■ A ’nd è tancj malâts. There are so many ill people. ■ A ’nd è une grande varietât di pomis. There is a large variety of fruits. ■ Lavôr a ’nd è tant che si vûl. There is as much work as anybody could want. ■ Furlans a ’nd è e tancj ancje. There are Friulians and even many. ■ Soluzions a ’nd è, bisugne vê la volontât. There are solutions; you have to want it. ■ A ’nd è pocjis cjasis restadis. Few houses remain. ■ A ’nd è un pecjât ch’al mene a la muart, e a ’nd è pecjâts che no menin a la muart. There is a sin that leads to death, and there are sins that do not lead to death. ■ A ’nd isal? Is there any? Are there any?

NO ’ND È
there is not, there are not

No ’nd è oms chenti ator. There are no men around here. ■ In chest paîs no ’nd è timôr di Diu. In this village there is no fear of God. ■ No ’nd è nissun in cheste cjase. There is no one in this house. ■ Par podê fâlu no ’nd è che i furlans. There are only the Friulians who can do it. ■ Diu gno, no ’nd è Diu fûr di te. My God, there is no God apart from thee. ■ No ’nd è sperance. There is no hope. ■ In Crist Jesù no ’nd è pecjât. In Christ Jesus there is no sin. ■ Là che al è amôr no ’nd è pôre. Where there is charity there is no fear. ■ No ’nd è nissune diference. There is no difference. ■ No ’nd è in lôr ni veretât ni justizie. In them there is neither truth nor justice. ■ No ’nd è fra di lôr ni invidie ni gjelosie. Between them there is neither envy nor jealousy. ■ No ’nd è un compagn di lui. There is none like him. ■ Diu gno, no ’nd è nissun Diu a pâr di te. My God, there is no God equal to thee. ■ No ’nd è nissun che nol fali. There is no one who does not err. ■ Dome il Signôr al è Diu e no ’nd è altris. Only the Lord is God and there are no others. ■ No ’nd è mai stât un come Zuan. There has never been one like John. ■ No ’nd isal propit nissun altri di podê fâlu? Is there really no other who can do it? ■ Parcè sêstu di bessôl e no ’nd isal nissun cun te? Why are you alone and there is nobody with you?

A ’ND JERE
there was, there were

A ’nd jere masse. There was too much. There were too many. ■ A ’nd jere une diferente. There was a different one. ■ A  ’nd jere di mats ator. There were madmen about. ■ A ’nd jere une vore. There were many. ■ A ’nd jere altris che a jerin daûr a fâ i prins pas. There were others who were just starting out. ■ A ’nd jere pôcs di chei. There were few of those. ■ A ’nd jere di chei che no volevin fevelâ par furlan. There were those who did not want to speak in Friulian. ■ In Italie a ’nd jere dîs. There were ten of them in Italy. ■ In Europe a ’nd jere cuatri. There were four of them in Europe. ■ A ’nd jerial un altri? Was there another one?

NO ’ND JERE
there was not, there were not

No ’nd jere plui aghe. There was no more water. ■ No ’nd jere vonde teren pal lôr besteam. There was not enough land for their livestock. ■ No ’nd jere plui mangjative. There was no more food. ■ No ’nd jere un che ju soteràs. There was no one who might bury them. ■ No ’nd jere nissun che ur fasès pôre. There was no one who might scare them. ■ No ’nd jere forescj cun lôr. There were no foreigners with them. ■ No ’nd jere nuie te cjase. There was nothing in the house. ■ No ’nd jerial un che lu fasès? Was there no one who might do it?

A ’NT SARÀ
there will be

A ’nt sarà dîs in dute la citât. There will be ten in the entire city. ■ In Americhe a ’nt sarà vincj. There will be twenty in America. ■ A ’nt sarà di altris. There will be others. ■ A ’nt sarà une vore. There will be many. ■ Fin che a ’nt sarà vite, a ’nt sarà simpri cualchidun che si bat pe libertât dal Friûl. So long as there is life, there will always be someone who fights for the freedom of Friûl. ■ A ’nt sarà simpri cualchidun par fâlu. There will always be someone to do it.

NO ’NT SARÀ
there will not be

No ’nt sarà plui diluvis. There will be no more floods. ■ No ’nt sarà plui problemis. There will be no more problems. ■ No ’nt sarà un che al sedi bon di fâlu. There will be no one who is able to do it. ■ No ’nt sarà gran. There will not be any at all. ■ No ’nd è stât un compagn e no ’nt sarà mai. There has not been a similar one and there never will be. ■ O vevin une oportunitât iripetibile che no ’nt sarà une compagne tai prossims cincuante agns. We had an unrepeatble opportunity whereof there will not be a similar one in the next fifty years.

Volê che + subjunctive

To express in Friulian utterances of the sort: I want him to do the work (present time) and I wanted him to do the work (past time), we must not render into Friulian according to the grammar of the English in these examples. We must instead use the following model: I want{ed} that he do the work. In other words, we must use volê che accompanied by the subjunctive, specifically the present subjunctive for utterances in present time, and the imperfect subjunctive for those in past time.

1. He wants me to speak: al vûl che o feveli or al vûl che o feveledi. He wanted me to speak: al voleve che o fevelàs. ■ He wants me to keep quiet: al vûl che o tasi or al vûl che o tasedi. He wanted me to keep quiet: al voleve che o tasès. ■ He wants me to sell the car: al vûl che o vendi la machine or al vûl che o vendedi la machine. He wanted me to sell the car: al voleve che o vendès la machine. ■ He wants me to understand: al vûl che o capissi or al vûl che o capedi. He wanted me to understand: al voleve che o capìs. ■ He wants me to do the work: al vûl che o fasi il lavôr or al vûl che o fasedi il lavôr. He wanted me to do the work: al voleve che o fasès il lavôr. ■ He wants me to be like that: al vûl che o sedi cussì or al vûl che o sei cussì. He wanted me to be like that: al voleve che o fos cussì. ■ He wants me to have patience: al vûl che o vedi pazience or al vûl che o vebi pazience. He wanted me to have patience: al voleve che o ves pazience.

2. He wants you to speak: al vûl che tu fevelis or al vûl che tu feveledis. He wanted you to speak: al voleve che tu fevelassis. ■ He wants you to keep quiet: al vûl che tu tasis or al vûl che tu tasedis. He wanted you to keep quiet: al voleve che tu tasessis. ■ He wants you to sell the car: al vûl che tu vendis la machine or al vûl che tu vendedis la machine. He wanted you to sell the car: al voleve che tu vendessis la machine. ■ He wants you to understand: al vûl che tu capissis or al vûl che tu capedis. He wanted you to understand: al voleve che tu capissis. ■ He wants you to do the work: al vûl che tu fasis il lavôr or al vûl che tu fasedis il lavôr. He wanted you to do the work: al voleve che tu fasessis il lavôr. ■ He wants you to be like that: al vûl che tu sedis cussì or al vûl che tu seis cussì. He wanted you to be like that: al voleve che tu fossis cussì. ■ He wants you to have patience: al vûl che tu vedis pazience or al vûl che tu vebis pazience. He wanted you to have patience: al voleve che tu vessis pazience. -- Remark: In these examples, every instance of you is second-person singular.

3. He wants him to speak: al vûl che al feveli or al vûl che al feveledi. He wanted him to speak: al voleve che al fevelàs. ■ He wants him to keep quiet: al vûl che al tasi or al vûl che al tasedi. He wanted him to keep quiet: al voleve che al tasès. ■ He wants him to sell the car: al vûl che al vendi la machine or al vûl che al vendedi la machine. He wanted him to sell the car: al voleve che al vendès la machine. ■ He wants him to understand: al vûl che al capissi or al vûl che al capedi. He wanted him to understand: al voleve che al capìs. ■ He wants him to do the work: al vûl che al fasi il lavôr or al vûl che al fasedi il lavôr. He wanted him to do the work: al voleve che al fasès il lavôr. ■ He wants him to be like that: al vûl che al sedi cussì or al vûl che al sei cussì. He wanted him to be like that: al voleve che al fos cussì. ■ He wants him to have patience: al vûl che al vedi pazience or al vûl che al vebi pazience. He wanted him to have patience: al voleve che al ves pazience. -- Remark: In any of these examples, al may be replaced by e to change from he to she.

4. He wants us to speak: al vûl che o fevelìn or al vûl che o feveledin. He wanted us to speak: al voleve che o fevelassin. ■ He wants us to keep quiet: al vûl che o tasìn or al vûl che o tasedin. He wanted us to keep quiet: al voleve che o tasessin. ■ He wants us to sell the car: al vûl che o vendìn la machine or al vûl che o vendedin la machine. He wanted us to sell the car: al voleve che o vendessin la machine. ■ He wants us to understand: al vûl che o capìn or al vûl che o capedin. He wanted us to understand: al voleve che o capissin. ■ He wants us to do the work: al vûl che o fasìn il lavôr or al vûl che o fasedin il lavôr. He wanted us to do the work: al voleve che o fasessin il lavôr. ■ He wants us to be like that: al vûl che o sedin cussì or al vûl che o sein cussì. He wanted us to be like that: al voleve che o fossin cussì. ■ He wants us to have patience: al vûl che o vedin pazience or al vûl che o vebin pazience. He wanted us to have patience: al voleve che o vessin pazience.

5. He wants you to speak: al vûl che o fevelais or al vûl che o feveledis. He wanted you to speak: al voleve che o fevelassis. ■ He wants you to keep quiet: al vûl che o tasês or al vûl che o tasedis. He wanted you to keep quiet: al voleve che o tasessis. ■ He wants you to sell the car: al vûl che o vendês la machine or al vûl che o vendedis la machine. He wanted you to sell the car: al voleve che o vendessis la machine. ■ He wants you to understand: al vûl che o capissis or al vûl che o capedis. He wanted you to understand: al voleve che o capissis. ■ He wants you to do the work: al vûl che o fasês il lavôr or al vûl che o fasedis il lavôr. He wanted you to do the work: al voleve che o fasessis il lavôr. ■ He wants you to be like that: al vûl che o sedis cussì or al vûl che o sês cussì. He wanted you to be like that: al voleve che o fossis cussì. ■ He wants you to have patience: al vûl che o vedis pazience or al vûl che o vebis pazience. He wanted you to have patience: al voleve che o vessis pazience. -- Remark: In these examples, every instance of you is second-person plural.

6. He wants them to speak: al vûl che a fevelin or al vûl che a feveledin. He wanted them to speak: al voleve che a fevelassin. ■ He wants them to keep quiet: al vûl che a tasin or al vûl che a tasedin. He wanted them to keep quiet: al voleve che a tasessin. ■ He wants them to sell the car: al vûl che a vendin la machine or al vûl che a vendedin la machine. He wanted them to sell the car: al voleve che a vendessin la machine. ■ He wants them to understand: al vûl che a capissin or al vûl che a capedin. He wanted them to understand: al voleve che a capissin. ■ He wants them to do the work: al vûl che a fasin il lavôr or al vûl che a fasedin il lavôr. He wanted them to do the work: al voleve che a fasessin il lavôr. ■ He wants them to be like that: al vûl che a sedin cussì or al vûl che a sein cussì. He wanted them to be like that: al voleve che a fossin cussì. ■ He wants them to have patience: al vûl che a vedin pazience or al vûl che a vebin pazience. He wanted them to have patience: al voleve che a vessin pazience.

Final examples for independent consideration: al voleve che o fos stât cussì (he wanted me to have been like that); al voleve che o ves vût pazience (he wanted me to have had patience).

Un gno fradi

To express in Friulian one of my brothers, we say un gno fradi. Similarly, one of my sisters is une mê sûr. This model continues across the board, so that we have all the following: un gno, une mê (one of my) ■ un to, une tô (one of your; singular) ■ un so, une sô (one of his/her/its) ■ un nestri, une nestre (one of our) ■ un vuestri, une vuestre (one of your; plural) ■ un lôr, une lôr (one of their). Let us now look at some example sentences employing all the above:

Un gno barbe al à slungjade la man par brincâmi. One of my uncles reached out his hand to catch me. ■ Une mê agne e je tornade l'an dopo. One of my aunts came back the following year. ■ Un to fradi mi à dât chest puarteclâfs. One of your brothers gave me this keyring. ■ Une tô sûr e à tacât a berlâ come il solit. One of your sisters has started to yell as usual. ■ Un so fi al vûl plantâ la sô tende di là dal flum. One of his/her sons wants to pitch his tent on the other side of the river. ■ Une sô fie e je lade indenant pe sô strade. One of his/her sisters continued on her way. ■ Un nestri amì al è simpri che al fâs disastris. One of our friends is always creating disasters. ■ Une nestre amie e je lade vie in Australie. One of our {female} friends has left for Australia. ■ Un vuestri lavoradôr al è lât in place par manifestâ. One of your workers has gone into the square to protest. ■ Une vuestre infermiere e diseve di jessi masse strache. One of your nurses was saying that she is too tired. ■ Un lôr vuidadôr al è muart intun incident stradâl. One of their drivers died in a motor accident. ■ Une lôr citât e je stade sdrumade dal taramot. One of their cities has been destroyed by the earthquake.

Che al fasi

Expression: fâ fente di, to pretend to (literally, ‘to make feint of’). In the third-person singular and plural of the present indicative, we have fâs and fasin, so that, for instance, al fâs fente di no vêmi viodût means he pretends not to have seen me; and a fasin fente di no vênus viodûts means they pretend not to have seen us. As for the present subjunctive, we have fasi and fasin. If we were to add to these utterances mi somee che or mi pâr che (it seems to me that), then the present subjunctive is required: mi somee che al fasi fente di no vêmi viodût (it seems to me that he pretends not to have seen me); mi pâr che a fasin fente di no vênus viodûts (it seems to me that they pretend not to have seen us). Another way to form the present subjunctive exists: fasedi and fasedin, so that it is also possible to say: mi somee che al fasedi fente di no vêmi viodût (it seems to me that he pretends not to have seen me); mi pâr che a fasedin fente di no vênus viodûts (it seems to me that they pretend not to have seen us).

Let us look at past time now by taking a different expression: fâ a pueste a (to act on purpose to). In the third-person singular and plural of the imperfect indicative, we have faseve and fasevin, so that, for instance, al faseve a pueste a puartâmi in miserie means he was acting on purpose to lead me to poverty; and a fasevin a pueste a puartânus in miserie means they were acting on purpose to lead us to poverty. As for the imperfect subjunctive, we have fasès and fasessin. If we were to add to these utterances mi someave che or mi pareve che (it seemed to me that), then the subjunctive is again required, but this time it is that of the imperfect: mi someave che al fasès a pueste a puartâmi in miserie (it seemed to me that he was acting on purpose to lead me to poverty); mi pareve che a fasessin a pueste a puartânus in miserie (it seemed to me that they were acting on purpose to lead us to poverty).

Viôt di no dismenteâtal

With the second-person singular imperative viôt di + infinitive, we create in Friulian the equivalent of make sure to. Its second-person plural equivalent is viodêt di. In this entry, we look at examples of how these can be used in sentences, with additional language notes where necessary.

1. Viôt di tignî dûr. Make sure to hold firm. The second-person singular imperative viôt di translates literally as see to; its infinitive form is viodi di (to see to). In this way, viôt di tignî dûr translated literally as see to holding firm, which is to say, make sure that you hang in there, make sure that you remain steadfast. Given that this imperative derives from the infinitive form viodi di, we can also make utterances of the following sort: o ài viodût di tignî dûr (I made sure to hang in there); al à viodût di fâ il lavôr (he saw to doing the work); a viodaran di tignî dûr tal lavôr che a àn sielzût (they will make sure to hold firm in the work that they have chosen), and so on.

2. Viôt di fâ il lavôr come cu va. Make sure to do the work properly. The expression come cu va means properly, in the right way, according to rule, as it ought to be, and so on. Cu is equivalent to che + an atonic (unstressed) subject pronoun, this latter always being omitted after cu. This means that come cu va is equivalent to come che al va (literally, as it goes). Another example: chest an cu ven (this coming year; literally, this year that is coming) is equivalent to chest an che al ven. The use of cu is rather limited in standard Friulian, but you will encounter it in certain usages.

3. Viôt di lâ daûr di ce che ti insegnaran. Make sure to follow what they teach you. Lâ daûr di (literally, to go behind) takes in Friulian the sense of to follow, to heed, to adopt. More examples: e va daûr di dutis lis modis (she follows all the trends); no sta lâ daûr di lui (pay him no heed, do not listen to him); nus àn ordenât di no lâ daûr di chestis tradizions forestis (they have ordered us not to adopt these foreign traditions).

4. Viôt di no lassâ di bande la salût. Make sure not to neglect your health. With lassâ di bande (literally, to leave aside), we express in Friulian the sense of overlooking: lassâ di bande la salût means to neglect one's health. Similar to this usage is butâ di bande (literally, to cast aside; example: a àn butât di bande chest rituâl, they have abandoned this ritual) and meti di bande (literally, to put aside; example: o ài metût di bande ducj i miluçs vuascj, I have set aside all the bad apples).

5. Viôt di no dismenteâtal. Make sure not to forget it. In any of the examples above, the second-person singular imperative viôt di can be replaced with viodêt di to form the second-person plural. But in numbers 3 and 5, an additional change is necessary: (3) viodêt di lâ daûr di ce che us insegnaran, given that us (unto you) is second-person plural, whereas ti is second-person singular; (5) viodêt di no dismenteâsal, given that the reflexive pronoun in the second-person plural is si, and not ti as in the second-person singular.

Expressing formality in Friulian

When addressing a friend or family member (or anyone with whom no particular formality need be demonstrated), tu is used (second-person singular). When addressing more than one friend or family member, voaltris is used (second-person plural). When addressing a male formally, Lui may be used (masculine third-person singular). When addressing a female formally, Jê may be used (feminine third-person singular). When addressing more than one person formally, Lôr may be used (third-person plural). When addressing a male or female formally, Vô may be used (second-person plural). According to Roseano and Madriz in Scrivi par furlan, Vô is less formal than Lui or Jê.

INFORMAL

Tu âs reson. (singular)
O vês reson. (plural)
You are right.

Dulà sêstu? (singular)
Dulà sêso? (plural)
Where are you?

Tu sês furlan. (singular, male)
O sês furlans. (plural, male or mixed)
You are Friulian.

Tu sês furlane. (singular, female)
O sês furlanis. (plural, females)
You are Friulian.

O ài di tornâti il libri. (singular)
O ài di tornâus il libri. (plural)
I must return the book to you.

O ài spietât une ore par vioditi. (singular)
O ài spietât une ore par viodius. (plural)
I have waited an hour to see you.

FORMAL

Four different subject pronouns are used to demonstrate formality in Friulian; these are: Lui, Jê, Lôr, Vô. They are customarily written with a majuscule, or, at least, this is the usual recommendation for the standard language; however, actual use may find a minuscule used instead.

1. The first of the four is Lui; this may be used when to speaking or writing in a formal manner to a male. It requires verbs, adjectives and direct and indirect object pronouns to be masculine, third-person singular.

Lui al è furlan.
You are Friulian.

Ce aial non Lui?
What is your name?

O ài spietât une ore par viodiLu.
I have waited an hour to see you.

O ài di tornâI il libri.
I must return the book to you.

2. The second of the four is Jê; this may be used when speaking or writing in a formal manner to a female. It requires verbs, adjectives and direct and indirect object pronouns to be feminine, third-person singular.

Jê e je furlane.
You are Friulian.

Ce aie non Jê?
What is your name?

O ài spietât une ore par viodiLe.
I have waited an hour to see you.

O ài di tornâI il libri.
I must return the book to you.

3. The third of the four is Lôr; this may be used when speaking or writing in a formal manner to more than one person. It requires verbs, adjectives and direct and indirect object pronouns to be in agreement with the people to whom the pronoun refers.

Lôr a son furlans.
You are Friulians. (males or mixed)

Lôr a son furlanis.
You are Friulians. (females)

cemût che a vuelin Lôr
as you wish

O ài spietât une ore par viodiJu.
I have waited an hour to see you.

O ài di tornâUr il libri.
I must return the book to you.

4. The fourth of the four is Vô; this may be used when speaking or writing in a formal manner to either a male or female. According to Roseano and Madriz in Scrivi par furlan, it is less formal than Lui or Jê. It requires verbs, adjectives and direct and indirect object pronouns to be in agreement with the people to whom the pronoun refers.

Vô o sês furlan.
You are Friulian. (male)

Vô o sês furlane.
You are Friulian. (female)

O ài spietât une ore par viodiUs.
I have waited an hour to see you.

O ài di tornâUs il libri.
I must return the book to you.

The Friulian expression tratâ dal Lui (dal Jê, dal Lôr, dal Vô) identifies speaking on formal terms, whereas tratâ dal tu identifies speaking on informal terms. Example: al trate dal tu cun cualsisei (he says 'tu' to anybody). Such expression can also take the verb dâ instead. Example: lui ur dave dal tu ai contadins, ma lôr i davin dal Lui (he said 'tu' the farmers, but they said 'Lui' to him).

Deferential Friulian, asking questions

As we have seen, the third-person singular can be used to address a person on a formal level, in deferential Friulian. For instance, whereas ce âstu non? (second-person singular) means what is your name? (literally, what name have you?) when speaking to an individual on an informal level, this same question takes the form ce aial non Lui? (masculine third-person singular) when speaking to a male on a formal level, or ce aie non Jê? (feminine third-person singular) when speaking to a female on a formal level.

Let us look at two interview questions asked of a male on a formal level, in standard Friulian. These same questions are also provided in a variant of Friulian. The variant provided is meant only to initiate you: in particular, you are encouraged to begin studying the Dograva variant of Friulian; see the appropriate section of this website.

How long have you been doing this job?
Standard Friulian: Di cuant fasial chest lavôr?
Friulian variant: Da cuant ch’al fa chistu lavôr?

Why did you choose this job?
Standard Friulian: Parcè aial sielt chest lavôr?
Friulian variant: Parsé ch’al à sielt chistu lavôr?

In the standard Friulian questions, the interrogative form of verb has been used; however, it is often the case in spoken Friulian that the interrogative forms will be avoided by using che, followed by the declarative form of verb: this is what is shown in the possible Friulian variant versions.

What if these same questions were to be asked of someone on an informal level (second-person singular)? We then have the following, with the same avoidance of the interrogative in the possible Friulian variant versions:

How long have you been doing this job?
Standard Friulian: Di cuant fasistu chest lavôr?
Friulian variant: Da cuant ch’i ti fai chistu lavôr?

Why did you choose this job?
Standard Friulian: Parcè âstu sielt chest lavôr?
Friulian variant: Parsé ch’i ti as sielt chistu lavôr?

Friulian grammar: combined personal object pronouns

Mal

Mal is the contraction of mi + lu, meaning unto me + him/it. For instance, mal àn confermât means they have confirmed it to me. Consider the following: a àn confermât (they have confirmed); lu àn confermât (they have confirmed it); mal àn confermât (they have confirmed it to me). Mal also functions as a suffix: dâmal (to give it to me); contâmal (to recount it to me); zurâmal (to swear it to me).

In the second-person singular imperative, i appears between the verb and mal: (1) zurâ (to swear); zure (swear; imperative); zurimal (swear it to me; imperative); (2) puartâ (to bring); puarte (bring; imperative); puartimal (bring it to me; imperative); (3) sclarî (to explain, to clarify); sclarìs (explain, clarify; imperative); sclarissimal (explain it to me, clarify it for me; imperative); (4) fâ (to make, to do); fâs (make, do; imperative); fasimal capî (make unto me to understand it {make me understand it}; imperative).

A mi (unto me) may be added for emphasis.

More examples:

no mal à dit par furlan (he did not say it to me in Friulian); mal àn insegnât mê mari e gno pari (my mother and father taught it to me); mal àn dât a mi (they have given it to me); mal àn zurât a mi (they have sworn it to me); nol à rivât a splanâmal (he was unable to explain it to me); tu âs di dâmal a mi (you must give it to me).

Imperative, second-person singular: puartimal (bring it to me); zurimal (swear it to me); contimal (recount it to me); mostrimal (show it to me); disimal (say it to me); cedimal (yield it to me); damal a mi (give it to me).

Imperative, second-person plural: puartaitmal (bring it to me); zuraitmal (swear it to me); contaitmal (recount it to me); mostraitmal (show it to me); disêtmal (say it to me); cedêtmal (yield it to me); daitmal a mi (give it to me).

Remember that one asks unto the other in Friulian: domandâmal (to ask it unto me); no sta domandâmal a mi (do not ask it unto me; second-person singular imperative, negated); no stait a domandâmal a mi (do not ask it unto me; second-person plural imperative, negated).

Mal is used where lu stands in for something identified by a masculine singular noun in Friulian: il furlan, mal àn insegnât mê mari e gno pari (Friulian, my mother and father taught it to me). The following also exist in Friulian: me (= mi + le, unto me + her/it feminine singular), mai (= mi + ju, unto me + them masculine plural), mes (= mi + lis, unto me + them feminine plural). Examples: la lenghe furlane, me àn insegnade mê mari e gno pari (the Friulian language, my mother and father taught it to me); chei libris, tu âs di puartâmai a mi (those books, you must bring them to me); dôs robis jo ti domandi, no sta dineâmes (I ask of you two things, do not deny me them).

Tal

Tal is the contraction of ti + lu, meaning second-person singular unto you + it/him. (Tal is also the Friulian contraction of in + il, meaning in + the, but that is not the subject of this entry.) For instance, tal àn confermât means they have confirmed it to you. Consider the following: a àn confermât (they have confirmed); lu àn confermât (they have confirmed it); tal àn confermât (they have confirmed it to you). Tal also functions as a suffix: dâtal (to give it to you); presentâtal (to present it to you); palesâtal (to reveal it to you). In these and all examples that follow, you is second-person singular, not second-person plural.

In the second-person singular imperative, i appears between the verb and tal: (1) comprâ (to buy); compre (buy; imperative); comprital (buy it for yourself; imperative); (2) menâ daûr (to bring along); mene daûr (bring along; imperative); menital daûr (bring him along; imperative); (3) ufrî (to offer); ufrìs (offer; imperative); ufrissital (offer it to yourself; imperative); (4) cjoli (to take); cjol (take; imperative); cjolital (take it unto yourself; imperative).

A ti (unto you) may be added for emphasis.

More examples:

o vin tornât a dâtal (we have given it to you again); o vuei sclarîtal ben (I will/I want to explain it to you well); tal àn dât a ti (they have given it to you); tal àn zurât a ti (they have sworn it to you); nol à rivât a splanâtal (he was unable to explain it to you); o ài di dâtal a ti (I must give it to you); tal ài mandât (I have sent it to you); nol à volût cedital (he did not want to cede it to you); no tu âs di domandâtal (you have not to wonder it).

With regard to the last example above, the reflexive domandâsi means to wonder; it is composed of domandâ (to ask) + si (unto oneself). Domandâtal, then, translates literally after the Friulian manner as to ask it unto yourself.

There are times when the better English translation of tal is on you. An instance of this is: tal àn fat a tocs. Imagine a scenario where a producer's latest film (un film, un cine) has been destroyed by critics. The Friulian fâ a tocs (literally, to do to pieces) means to tear to shreds; as such, tal àn fat a tocs translates literally after the Friulian manner as they have done it unto you to pieces, which is better expressed in English using not only the preposition on but also the passive voice: it has been torn to shreds on you.

Tal is used where lu stands in for something identified by a masculine singular noun in Friulian: il furlan, tal àn insegnât tô mari e to pari (Friulian, your mother and father taught it to you). The following also exist in Friulian: te (= ti + le, unto you + her/it feminine singular), tai (= ti + ju, unto you + them masculine plural), tes (= ti + lis, unto you + them feminine plural). Examples: la lenghe furlane, te àn insegnade tô mari e to pari (the Friulian language, your mother and father taught it to you); chei libris, o vuei puartâtai a ti (those books, I want to bring them to you); dôs robis tu mi domandis, no vuei dineâtes (you ask of me two things, I will not deny you them).

Jal

Jal is the contraction of i + lu, most often meaning unto him/her + it. (See the final paragraph for more details on this point.) For instance, jal àn confermât means they have confirmed it to him. Consider the following: a àn confermât (they have confirmed); lu àn confermât (they have confirmed it); jal àn confermât (they have confirmed it to him/her). Jal also functions as a suffix: dâjal (to give it to him/her); mandâjal (to send it to him/her); palesâjal (to reveal it to him/her); fasintjal capî (making unto him/her/it to understand it {making him/her/it understand it}).

In the second-person singular imperative, i appears between the verb and jal: (1) zurâ (to swear); zure (swear; imperative); zurijal (swear it to him); (2) puartâ (to bring); puarte (bring; imperative); puartijal (bring it to him/her; imperative); (3) sclarî (to explain, to clarify); sclarìs (explain, clarify; imperative); sclarissijal (explain it to him/her, clarify it for him/her; imperative); (4) vendi (to sell); vent (sell; imperative); vendijal (sell it to him/her; imperative); (5) meti intor (to put on {of clothing}); met intor (put on; imperative); metijal intor a to fi (put it on your son; imperative).

A lui (unto him/it) and a jê (unto her/it) may be added for emphasis or clarity.

More examples:

nissun nol rivave a splanâjal al om (nobody was able to explain it to the man); jal àn insegnât sô mari e so pari (his mother and father taught it to him; her mother and father taught it to her); tu âs di fâjal savê a to pari (you have to make it known to your father); jal ài imprometût a tô sûr (I have promised it to your sister); jal àn domandât a lui (they asked him it); jal àn domandât a jê (they asked her it).

Imperative, second-person singular: presentijal (present it to him/her); vendijal (sell it to him/her); contijal (recount it to him/her); mostrijal (show it to him/her); imprometijal (promise it to him/her).

Imperative, second-person plural: presentaitjal (present it to him/her); vendêtjal (sell it to him/her); contaitjal (recount it to him/her); mostraitjal (show it to him/her); imprometêtjal (promise it to him/her).

Jal is used where lu stands in for something identified by a masculine singular noun in Friulian: il furlan, jal àn insegnât sô mari e so pari (Friulian, his mother and father taught it to him; Friulian, her mother and father taught it to her). The following also exist in Friulian: je (= i + le, unto him/her + it feminine singular), jai (= i + ju, unto him/her + them masculine plural), jes (= i + lis, unto him/her + them feminine plural). Examples: la lenghe furlane, je àn insegnade sô mari e so pari (the Friulian language, his mother and father taught it to him; the Friulian language, her mother and father taught it to her); chei libris, tu âs di puartâjai a tô sûr (those books, you must bring them to your sister); dôs robis ti domande to pari, no sta dineâjes (your father asks of you two things, do not deny him them).

Jal not only means unto him/her + it, but also unto him/her + him or even unto it + him. For instance, in the absence of any context, mostrijal can potentially mean any one of the following: show it to him, show it to her, show it to it, show him to him, show him to her, show him to it; mostrije: show it to him, show it to her, show it to it, show her to him, show her to her, show her to it; mostrijai and mostrijes: show them to him, show them to her, show them to it.

Know finally that the third-person singular may also be used in Friulian as a formal second-person singular; the masculine may be used to address a male in a formal manner (examples: cun Lui, with you; ce aial non Lui?, what is your name?), and the feminine may be used to address a female in a formal manner (examples: cun Jê, with you; ce aie non Jê?, what is your name?). With regard to the subject matter of this entry, a formal utterance of the sort is therefore possible: Professôr, il libri o ài di tornâjal a Lui (Professor, I must return the book to you).

Sal

Sal is the contraction of si + lu, meaning unto oneself + it, but given that si is the reflexive pronoun used in the third-person singular, first-person plural, second-person plural and third-person plural, it also means unto himself/herself/itself + it, unto ourselves + it, unto yourselves + it and unto themselves + it. To put it as simply as possible: the reflexive sal is used in any person other than first or second of the singular, where mal and tal, respectively, are used instead; but further to this, see also the note in the final paragraph.

When the direct object refers to a person, then sal can mean any of the above but with him in place of it. For an example, fasìnsal amì means let us make a friend of him (literally, let us make him a friend unto ourselves). Fasìn is a second-person singular imperative, meaning let us make; sal is the contraction of si + lu, here meaning unto ourselves + him; amì means friend. In the second-person plural imperative, it becomes: fasêtsal amì (make a friend of him; literally, make him a friend unto yourselves).

Sal also functions as a suffix: fâsal (literally, to make it unto oneself); domandâsal (literally, to ask it unto oneself). An example of each can be given: (1) cence fâsal dî dôs voltis (without its needing to be said to him twice; literally, cence fâsal [without making it unto himself] dî [to say] dôs voltis [two times]); (2) o sin in tancj a domandâsal (we are many who wonder it; literally, o sin [we are] in tancj [in many] a domandâsal [to ask it unto ourselves]).

An example from the Bible can be given: Enoc al cjaminà cun Diu e nol fo plui, parcè che Diu sal veve puartât cun sè. In English: Enoc al cjaminà cun Diu (Enoch walked with God) e nol fo plui (and was no more), parcè che Diu sal veve puartât (for God had taken him unto himself) cun sè (with himself), which is to say, Enoch walked with God and was no more, for God had taken him away with himself.

The reflexive spietâsi means to expect. Here now is another good example from the Bible: al rivarà il paron te dì che {il servidôr} no sal spiete, te ore che nol sa (the master will come on the day that {the servant} does not expect him, at the time that he does not know). If we wanted to use cence, then we must employ the subjunctive: cence che sal spieti (without his expecting him/it). Or take for instance the reflexive visâsi, meaning to remember; the Friulian for it is too far off in time that we should remember it is al è masse lontan intal timp par che sal visìn.

Sal is used where lu stands in for something identified by a masculine singular noun in Friulian: i ài dit che sal puarti daûr (I have told him/her to bring him along). The following also exist in Friulian: se (= si + le feminine singular), sai (= si + ju masculine plural), ses (= si + lis feminine plural). Examples: i ài dit che se puarti daûr (I have told him/her to bring her along); chescj oms, fasìnsai aleâts (these men, let us make allies of them); chestis feminis, fasìnses amiis (these women, let us make friends of them).

The usages described above are not to be confused with those times when si, in conjunction with a direct object pronoun, is used as an impersonal subject pronoun meaning one. For instance, one sees him/it from afar in Friulian is si lu viôt di lontan or si viodilu di lontan; here si and lu do not contract to form sal, but this is a discussion for another time. Let three more examples of this unrelated usage suffice for now: si le cjate dapardut, si cjatile dapardut (one finds her/it everywhere); si ju cjape cuntune rêt, si cjapiju cuntune rêt (one catches them with a net); si lis viôt di gnot, si viodilis di gnot (one sees them at night).

Know finally that the third-person singular may also be used in Friulian as a formal second-person singular; the masculine may be used to address a male in a formal manner (examples: cun Lui, with you; ce aial non Lui?, what is your name?), and the feminine may be used to address a female in a formal manner (examples: cun Jê, with you; ce aie non Jê?, what is your name?). This means, for instance, that Lui al pues vignî a cjolisal can, as a formal second-person singular, take the sense of you may come to pick it up.

Nus al

Nus al is the result of nus + lu, meaning unto us + him/it. For instance, nus al àn confermât means they have confirmed it to us. Consider the following: a àn confermât (they have confirmed); lu àn confermât (they have confirmed it); nus al àn confermât (they have confirmed it to us). As a suffix, it is written nusal, for instance: dânusal (to give it to us); contânusal (to recount it to us); zurânusal (to swear it to us).

In the second-person singular imperative, i appears between the verb and nusal: (1) zurâ (to swear); zure (swear; imperative); zurinusal (swear it to us; imperative); (2) puartâ (to bring); puarte (bring; imperative); puartinusal (bring it to us; imperative); (3) sclarî (to explain, to clarify); sclarìs (explain, clarify; imperative); sclarissinusal (explain it to us, clarify it for us; imperative); (4) dî (to say, to tell); dîs (say, tell; imperative); disinusal clâr (say it to us clearly, tell us it plainly).

A nô or a noaltris (unto us) may be added for emphasis.

More examples:

no nus al à dit (he/she did not say it to us, he/she did not tell us it); nus al à mandât (he/she sent it to us); divierse int nus al à domandât (different people have asked us it); parcè no nus al vêso menât chi? (why have you not brought him here to us?); tu nus al âs dimostrât (you have demonstrated it to us); continusal (recount it to us); meninusal a nô (bring him to us).

Take care not to interpret the al of nus al as being the atonic (unstressed) subject pronoun of the masculine, third-person singular; to be clear, in the sentence no nus al à dit, the al does not mean he, as it forms part of nus al. As such, no nus al à dit can be said of either a male or a female: lui no nus al à dit (he did not say it to us) or jê no nus al à dit (she did not say it to us).

As it concerns domandâ (to ask), remember that one asks unto another: domandânusal, literally, to ask it unto us; more typically in English: to ask us that.

Nus al is used where lu stands in for something identified by a masculine singular noun in Friulian: il furlan, nus al à insegnât nestre mari (Friulian, our mother taught it to us). The following also exist in Friulian: nus e (= nus + le, unto us + her/it feminine singular), nus ai (= nus + ju, unto us + them masculine plural), nus es (= nus + lis, unto us + them feminine plural), which take the suffixal forms nuse, nusai, nuses. Examples: la lenghe furlane, nus e à insegnade nestre mari (the Friulian language, our mother taught it to us); chei libris, tu âs di puartânusai a nô (those books, you must bring them to us); dôs robis ti domandìn, no sta dineânuses (we ask of you two things, do not deny us them).

Us al

Us al is the result of us + lu, meaning unto you + him/it, where you is second-person plural. (The second-person singular equivalent is tal, described above.) For instance, us al àn confermât means they have confirmed it to you. Consider the following: a àn confermât (they have confirmed); lu àn confermât (they have confirmed it); us al àn confermât (they have confirmed it to you). As a suffix, it is written usal, for instance: dâusal (to give it to you); contâusal (to recount it to you); zurâusal (to swear it to you).

A voaltris (unto you) may be added for emphasis; where the second-person plural is used instead as a formal second-person singular, this is rather a Vô (see final paragraph below for more details).

More examples:

us al ài za dit (I have already said it you, I have already told you it); us al torni a dî (I say it to you again, I tell you it again); no us al à dit (he/she did not say it to you, he/she did not tell you it); jo us al dîs a Vô (I say it to you, I tell you it); nô us al insegnìn ancje a voaltris (we teach it also to you); no si visaiso che jo us al vevi dit? (do you not remember that I had said it to you?, do you not remember that I had told you it?); jo us al fâs scoltâ (I make unto you to listen to it {I make you listen to it}).

Take care not to interpret the al of us al as being the atonic (unstressed) subject pronoun of the masculine, third-person singular; to be clear, in the sentence no us al à dit, the al does not mean he, as it forms part of us al. As such, no us al à dit can be said of either a male or a female: lui no us al à dit (he did not say it to you) or jê no us al à dit (she did not say it to you).

As it concerns domandâ (to ask), remember that one asks unto another: domandâusal, literally, to ask it unto you; more typically in English: to ask you that.

If the verb form ends in a consonant, j is inserted before the usal suffix: puartantjusal (bringing him/it unto you); domandantjusal (asking it unto you).

Us al is used where lu stands in for something identified by a masculine singular noun in Friulian: il furlan, us al à insegnât vuestre mari (Friulian, your mother taught it to you). The following also exist in Friulian: us e (= us + le, unto you + her/it feminine singular), us ai (= us + ju, unto you + them masculine plural), us es (= us + lis, unto you + them feminine plural), which take the suffixal forms use, usai, uses. Examples: la lenghe furlane, us e à insegnade vuestre mari (the Friulian language, your mother taught it to you); chei libris, o ài di puartâusai a voaltris (those books, I must bring them to you); dôs robis mi domandais, no vuei dineâuses (you ask of me two things, I will not deny you them).

Remember that the second-person plural may be used either to: (a) address informally more than one person, or (b) address formally just one person. Consider, then, that an utterance such as o ài di dâusal means I must give it you, either said informally to more than one person, or formally to just one person. The distinction can be made by adding a voaltris (plural, informal: o ài di dâusal a voaltris) or a Vô (singular, formal: o ài di dâUsal a Vô). Note that the use of majuscules in the formal version is not always observed in practice.

Ur al

Ur al is the result of ur + lu, meaning unto them + him/it. For instance, ur al àn confermât means they have confirmed it to them. Consider the following: a àn confermât (they have confirmed); lu àn confermât (they have confirmed it); ur al àn confermât (they have confirmed it to them). As a suffix, it is written ural, for instance: dâural (to give it to them); mandâural (to send it to them); palesâural (to reveal it to them); fasintjural capî (making unto them to understand it {making them understand it}).

In the second-person singular imperative, i appears between the verb and ural: (1) tornâ (to return); torne (return; imperative); torniural (return it to them); (2) puartâ (to bring); puarte (bring; imperative); puartiural (bring it to them; imperative); (3) sclarî (to explain, to clarify); sclarìs (explain, clarify; imperative); sclarissiural (explain it to them, clarify it for them; imperative); (4) vendi (to sell); vent (sell; imperative); vendiural (sell it to them; imperative); (5) fâ bevi (to make to drink); fâs bevi (make to drink; imperative); fâsiural bevi (make unto them to drink it {make them drink it}; imperative).

A lôr (unto them) may be added for emphasis.

More examples:

o continuarai a fâural cognossi (I shall continue to make it known to them); a tornaran indaûr par contâural a di chei altris (they will turn back to recount it unto the others); jo o volarès sparagnâural (I should like to spare it unto them {I should like to spare them it}).

Imperative, second-person singular: dàural ai oms (give him/it to the men); scrivilu e mandiural ai parons (write it and send it to the owners); vent dut ce che tu âs e dàural ai puars (sell all that you have and give it to the poor); improibissiural (prohibit it unto them); torniural ai tiei amîs (give it back to your friends).

Imperative, second-person plural: puartaitjural (bring him/it to them); domandaitjural (ask it unto them); no stait a improibîural (do not prohibit it unto them).

Take care not to interpret the al of ur al as being the atonic (unstressed) subject pronoun of the masculine, third-person singular; to be clear, in the sentence no ur al à dit, the al does not mean he, as it forms part of ur al. As such, no ur al à dit can be said of either a male or a female: lui no ur al à dit (he did not say it to them) or jê no ur al à dit (she did not say it to them).

As it concerns domandâ (to ask), remember that one asks unto another: domandâural, literally, to ask it unto them; more typically in English: to ask them that.

If the verb form ends in a consonant, j is inserted before the ural suffix: puartantjural (bringing him/it unto them); domandantjural (asking it unto them); contaitjural (recount it unto them).

Ur al is used where lu stands in for something identified by a masculine singular noun in Friulian: il furlan, ur al à insegnât lôr mari (Friulian, their mother taught it to them). The following also exist in Friulian: ur e (= ur + le, unto them + it feminine singular), ur ai (= ur + ju, unto them + them masculine plural), ur es (= ur + lis, unto them + them feminine plural). Examples: la lenghe furlane, ur e à insegnade lôr mari (the Friulian language, their mother taught it to them); chei libris, tu âs di puartâurai a lôr (those books, you must bring them to them); dôs robis mi domandin chei oms, no vuei dineâures (those men ask of me two things, I will not deny them them).

Know finally that the third-person plural may also be used in Friulian as a formal second-person plural; for instance, cemût che Lôr a vuelin means as you wish, when speaking formally to more than one person. With regard to the subject matter of this entry, a formal utterance of the sort is therefore possible: Professôrs, i libris o ài di tornâurai a Lôr (Professors, I must return the books to you). 

Friulian is a language, not a dialect

Friulian is a language, and not a dialect. In the filmât (videoclip) below, the speaker gives his reasons for why this is so. His Friulian words are transcribed and translated into English below, followed by Friulian wordlists for each paragraph.

[0.18] Dialetto friulano…? Il furlan al è une lenghe. Ah sì? Parcè? Tu âs di savê che in realtât pe sience linguistiche no esist une vere diference fra une lenghe e un dialet. Par cui che al studie lis diviersis espressions linguistichis no esist une gjerarchie fra di lôr. Si podarès dî che dutis lis lenghis a nassin tant che dialets, tal sens che a nassin dal bas. Par esempli, il talian al è nassût su la fonde dai dialets toscans che a son fîs dal latin volgâr, ven a stâi dal latin fevelât dal popul in ete antighe. In sumis dî ce che al è lenghe e ce che al è dialet nol è un problem linguistic, ma mentâl.

[1.04] Il furlan al è tignût tant che une lenghe parcè che, rispiet a altris fevelis, al à une schirie di caratars particolârs, par esempli a nivel di fonetiche, ven a stâi di suns, al à la carateristiche dople schirie di vocâls curtis e lungjis, e al à mantignût i suns cj e gj che par antîc si cjatavin ancje inaltrò. A nivel di morfologjie, ven a stâi di struture de gramatiche, al à pronons diferents pal datîf e pal acusatîf, e al dopre un pronon in plui par dutis lis personis. A nivel storic, al à vût un disvilup unitari in dute la regjon. E je stade unitarie ancje la storie dal lûc dulà che si à disvilupât il furlan, ven a stâi il Friûl.

[1.55] La storie leterarie furlane e je vecje di secui, e je siore, e je continue. I prins documents là che a saltin fûr peraulis o espressions furlanis a son dal ’200 e lis primis lirichis a son dal ’300. Il furlan al à tantis variantis che i furlanofons a capissin cence fature, ma al fâs riferiment a une koiné, ven a stâi a une variante uniche, che e je chê che o doprìn in chescj filmâts. Te storie leterarie furlane dal ’800 in ca, ma a vevin za provât tal ’500, si à simpri cirût di fâ sù un model di lenghe pe scriture che e sedi comun, stabil e regolâr.

[2.41] Un pont cetant impuartant al è la cussience une vore fuarte di chei che a fevelin furlan di fevelâ une lenghe che e je divierse di chês dongje. Par chel ti cjalin stramp se tu disis che il furlan al è un dialet. L’ultin pont a pro de definizion dal furlan tant che une lenghe al è il ricognossiment de bande des istituzions. Chest al è rivât une vorone tart. Il Stât, cu la leç numar 482 dal 1999, al à definît lenghis il furlan e altris 11 fevelis che si cjatin tal Stât talian. Capît dut? Sigûr. Brâf chel frut.

Translation of the Friulian videoclip into English

[0.18] Dialetto friulano (Friulian dialect)...? Il furlan al è une lenghe (Friulian is a language). Ah sì (oh yeah)? Parcè (why)? Tu âs di savê (you must know) che in realtât (that in reality) pe sience linguistiche (according to linguistic science) no esist une vere diference (no real difference exists) fra une lenghe e un dialet (between a language and a dialect). Par cui che al studie (for him who studies) lis diviersis espressions linguistichis (different kinds of language) no esist une gjerarchie fra di lôr (no hierarchy exists between them). Si podarès dî (it can be said) che dutis lis lenghis a nassin tant che dialets (that all languages are born as dialects), tal sens che a nassin dal bas (in the sense that they are born from the bottom). Par esempli (for example), il talian al è nassût (Italian was born) su la fonde dai dialets toscans (on the foundation of the Tuscan dialects) che a son fîs dal latin volgâr (which are children of vulgar Latin), ven a stâi (which is to say) dal latin fevelât dal popul (of the Latin spoken by the people) in ete antighe (in ancient times). In sumis (in short) dî ce che al è lenghe (to say what is language) e ce che al è dialet (and what is dialect) nol è un problem linguistic (is not a linguistic problem), ma mentâl (but a mental one).

[1.04] Il furlan al è tignût tant che une lenghe parcè che (Friulian is considered a language because), rispiet a altris fevelis (compared to other vernaculars), al à une schirie di caratars particolârs (it has a range of special characters), par esempli (for example) a nivel di fonetiche (on the question of phonetics), ven a stâi di suns (which is to say, of sounds), al à la carateristiche dople schirie (it has a characteristic double range) di vocâls curtis e lungjis (of short and long vowels), e al à mantignût i suns cj e gj (and it has maintained the sounds cj and gj) che par antîc (which in the past) si cjatavin ancje inaltrò (were also found elsewhere). A nivel di morfologjie (on the question of morphology), ven a stâi di struture de gramatiche (which is to say, of grammatical structure), al à pronons diferents (it has different pronouns) pal datîf e pal acusatîf (for the dative and the accusative), e al dopre un pronon in plui (and it uses an extra pronoun) par dutis lis personis (for all persons). A nivel storic (on the historical question), al à vût un disvilup unitari (it has had a unitary development) in dute la regjon (throughout the region). E je stade unitarie ancje la storie dal lûc (also unitary has been the history of the place) dulà che si à disvilupât il furlan (where Friulian developed), ven a stâi il Friûl (which is to say, Friûl).

[1.55] La storie leterarie furlane (Friulian literary history) e je vecje di secui (is centuries old), e je siore (is rich), e je continue (is continuous). I prins documents (the first documents) là che a saltin fûr peraulis o espressions furlanis (where Friulian words or expressions appear) a son dal ’200 (are from the 1200s) e lis primis lirichis (and the first lyricals) a son dal ’300 (are from the 1300s). Il furlan al à tantis variantis (Friulian has many variants) che i furlanofons (that Friulian speakers) a capissin cence fature (understand without difficulty), ma al fâs riferiment a une koiné (but it has a koine as its reference point), ven a stâi a une variante uniche (which is to say, a single variant), che e je chê (which is the one) che o doprìn in chescj filmâts (that we use in these videoclips). Te storie leterarie furlane (in Friulian literary history) dal ’800 in ca (from the 1800s onwards), ma a vevin za provât tal ’500 (but already attempted in the 1500s), si à simpri cirût di fâ sù (one has always sought to establish) un model di lenghe pe scriture (a standardised writing system) che e sedi comun, stabil e regolâr (that might be common, stable and regular).

[2.41] Un pont cetant impuartant (a very important point) al è la cussience une vore fuarte (is the very strong awareness) di chei che a fevelin furlan (of those who speak Friulian) di fevelâ une lenghe (of speaking a language) che e je divierse di chês dongje (that differs from the neighbouring ones). Par chel (that is why) ti cjalin stramp (they look at you in a funny way) se tu disis (if you say) che il furlan al è un dialet (that Friulian is a dialect). L’ultin pont (the final point) a pro de definizion dal furlan (in favour of the definition of Friulian) tant che une lenghe (as a language) al è il ricognossiment (is the recognition) de bande des istituzions (on the part of institutions). Chest al è rivât (this came about) une vorone tart (very late indeed). Il Stât (the State), cu la leç numar 482 dal 1999 (by law number 482 of 1999), al à definît lenghis (defined as languages) il furlan e altris 11 fevelis (Friulian and 11 other vernaculars) che si cjatin tal Stât talian (found within the Italian State). Capît dut (got all that)? Sigûr (of course). Brâf chel frut (attaboy).

Friulian wordlists for each paragraph

une lenghe, language; la sience, science; linguistic, linguistic, of language; la sience linguistiche, linguistic science; esisti, to exist; no esist une vere diference, no real difference exists; fra une lenghe e un dialet, between a language and a dialect; studiâ, to study; cui che al studie, he who studies; diviers, various, different; une gjerarchie, hierarchy; si podarès dî che, one may say that, it can be said that; nassi, to be born; tant che, as; nassi tant che un dialet, to be born as a dialect; il sens, sense; tal sens che, in the sense that; nassi dal bas, to be born from the bottom; su la fonde dai dialets toscans, based on the Tuscan dialects; un fi dal latin volgâr, a child of vulgar Latin; ven a stâi, which is to say; fevelâ, to speak; dal latin fevelât dal popul, of the Latin spoken by the people; la ete, age, era; antîc, ancient; in ete antighe, in ancient times; in sumis, in sum, in short; dî ce che al è lenghe e ce che al è dialet, to say what is language and what is dialect.

tignî, to hold; tignût, held; tant che, as; tignî tant che une lenghe, to consider as a language; une fevele, vernacular; rispiet a, compared to; une schirie di caratars particolârs, range of special characters; un nivel, level; a nivel di fonetiche, as regards phonetics; ven a stâi, which is to say; un sun, sound; carateristic, characteristic; dopli, double; curt e lunc, short and long; une vocâl curte, short vowel; une vocâl lungje, long vowel; mantignî, to maintain; par antîc, in the past; cjatâsi inaltrò, to be found elsewhere; la morfologjie, morphology; la struture de gramatiche, structure of the grammar; un pronon diferent, different pronoun; pal datîf e pal acusatîf, for the dative and for the accusative; doprâ un pronon in plui, to use an extra pronoun; par dutis lis personis, for all persons; storic, historic{al}; vê un disvilup unitari, to have a unitary development; in dute la regjon, thoughout the region; la storie, history; un lûc, place.

la storie, history; leterari, literary; la storie leterarie furlane, Friulian literary history; un secul, century; vecjo di secui, centuries old; siôr, rich; continui, continuous, uninterrupted; prin, first; saltâ fûr, to come out, to appear; une peraule, word; une espression, expression; là che a saltin fûr peraulis o espressions furlanis, where Friulian words or expressions appear; une liriche, lyrical; une variante, variant; tantis variantis, so many variants; un furlanofon, furlanophone, Friulian speaker; capî cence fature, to understand without difficulty; fâ riferiment a une koiné, to have for reference point a koine; ven a stâi, which is to say; une variante uniche, single variant; doprâ, to use; o doprìn, we use; un filmât, videoclip; in chescj filmâts, in these videoclips; dal ’800 in ca, since the 1800s, from the 1800s onwards; provâ, to attempt; a vevin za provât tal ’500, they had already attempted in the 1500s [it had already been attempted in the 1500s]; cirî, to seek, to try; fâ sù, to establish, to build; si à simpri cirût di fâ sù, one has always sought to establish; un model, model; un model di lenghe, {standardised} language model; la scriture, writing; comun, stabil e regolâr, common, stable and regular.

un pont, point; cetant, very; un pont cetant impuartant, very important point; la cussience, conscience, awareness; une vore, very; fuart, strong; la cussience une vore fuarte, very strong awareness; fevelâ furlan, to speak Friulian; jessi diviers di, to differ from; chês lenghis dongje, those languages nearby, the neighbouring languages; par chel, for that reason, that is why; cjalâ, to look; stramp, strange, weird; cjalâti stramp, to look at you in a funny way; un dialet, dialect; l'ultin pont a pro di, final point in favour of; tant che une lenghe, as a language; il ricognossiment, recognition; de bande des istituzions, on the part of institutions; rivâ, to arrive, to come about; une vorone, very, much too, exceedingly; chest al è rivât une vorone tart, this came about very late; il Stât talian, the Italian state; cu la leç numar 482, with law number 482; une fevele, vernacular; definî lenghis il furlan e altris 11 fevelis, to define as languages Friulian and 11 other vernaculars; cjatâsi, to be found; capît dut, all understood, got all that; sigûr, of course; brâf chel frut, attaboy, that's a good boy.

On the letter Q in Friulian

Watch another videoclip in Friulian, this one related to the letter Q.

Mandi, imparìn il furlan insiemi. La Q. Cui? La Q. Ce? La Q di... cudumar? Ma no, la Q di... eh, la Q, ve. Tu âs di savê che a son une vore di secui che i furlans, anzit i sorestants dal Friûl, no i declarin vuere a cualchidun. Dut câs di cuant che a son stadis fissadis lis regulis de grafie furlane, i furlans i àn declarât vuere a une letare dal alfabet: la Q. La Q tal furlan scrit si dopre in pôcs câs, par esempli par scrivi lis peraulis forestis tant che quiz, quorum, quark. Viodìn cualchi esempli: chest cuadri al rapresente la citât di Udin tal Sîscent; chest imprest al è une scuare; chestis a son diferentis cualitâts di pan; e cheste e ja la acuile de bandiere furlane. Cjale ce biele. La vuere furlane cuintri la Q e à sparagnât il paîs di Aquilee, e la mont Quarine dongje Cormons, cun di plui la mont dal Quirinâl a Rome. In chescj nons la Q e reste, e e reste ancje tai nons di persone come Asquin, Pasquâl, Tarquini e Torquât. Dut clâr? Quasi. Chel al è talian. Ah bon, «cuasi» alore. Brâf chel frut.

Friulian words and phrases

mandi, hello; imparìn il furlan insiemi, let's learn Friulian together; un cudumar, cucumber; tu âs di savê, you must know; a son une vore di secui, it has been many centuries; anzit, rather; un sorestant, ruler; declarâ vuere, to declare war; no i declarin vuere a cualchidun, they have not declared war on anyone; dut câs, at any rate; di cuant che, ever since; fissâ lis regulis, to set the rules; la grafie furlane, Friulian orthography; une letare dal alfabet, letter of the alphabet; tal furlan scrit, in written Friulian; si dopre in pôcs câs, it is used in few cases; par scrivi lis peraulis forestis, to write foreign words; viodìn cualchi esempli, let's see some examples; un cuadri, painting, picture; rapresentâ la citât di Udin tal Sîscent, to represent the city of Udine in the 1600s; un imprest, tool; une scuare, set square; diferentis cualitâts di pan, different sorts of bread; une acuile, eagle; la bandiere furlane, Friulian flag; cjale ce biele, look how beautiful; la vuere furlane cuintri, Friulian war against; sparagnâ, to spare; un paîs, village; une mont, mount, {tall} hill; dongje, near; cun di plui, as well as; in chescj nons, in these names; restâ, to remain; un non di persone, personal name; dut clâr, all clear, all understood; chel al è talian, that is Italian; ah bon, ok then; cuasi, almost, brâf chel frut, attaboy, that's a good boy.

Friulian language note

1. At the beginning of the videoclip, one of the speakers pronounces ce (what) as sè. This is typical of certain variants of Friulian, especially those of the western dialect. For instance, we find this pronunciation in the Dograva variant of Friulian, to name but one example.

On Friulian variants: listening exercise with transcript

In the videoclip below, Francesco Colombino speaks of Friulian variants; in particular, he laments that Friulians all too often consider their own variant of Friulian to be the only correct one. A Friulian transcript follows, with a number of language notes.

Us àial mai capitât di sintî discors come chest? -- «Tal gno paîs i disìn fevelâ [1]». «Setu [2] sigûr? Noaltris o disìn cjacarâ...». «Eh no, a si dîs tabaiâ...». Po sì po. E se ti dîs frêt? Ce mi ditu [3]? «Freit [4]... Criùre...». Eh, no le finìn plui [5] alore... «Fantâts, viodêt che il vêr furlan al è chel di San Denêl». «Furlan? No mo, i cjargnei a fevelin cjargnel, migo furlan».

Vonde, vonde, vonde, vonde! Furlans, vonde monadis. Cirìn di fâ un pôc di ordin. Tignît sot voli ce che a disin chei che il furlan lu cjacjarin, ma ancje chei che a lu studiin di une vite. E cumò o sai che us disarai une robonone che no mi crodarês. Cuant che i studiôs a àn tacât a ocupâsi di furlan, a si son meraveâts [6] dal fat che, suntun teritori cussì ampli, a sei [7] une cussì grande omogjeneitât de lenghe ator pal Friûl. Ma alore, parcè dut chest ma-chi-di-me-cussì, ma-chi-di-me-culà cuant che doi furlans a si confrontin tal lôr mût di fevelâ?

O vin di pensâ che une lenghe e je fate di tantis parts come une machine. Une di chestis parts a son lis variantis, o ben par dîle semplice, ogni maniere diferente di fevelâ il furlan. Di fat tal timp la distance, lis barieris gjeografichis o ancje la politiche a àn separât i grups di personis. Dai vuê dai doman la lenghe a cambie di puest in puest. Ma chest vuelial dî che a son nassudis dôs lenghis diferentis? Sigûr che no. Parcè? Parcè che il furlan, come in dutis lis lenghis, al manten la stesse struture gramaticâl ancje tes variantis. Ce che al cambie a son soredut ciertis peraulis. E par provâlu si sta pôc: une persone di Clausêt che a fevele furlan cuntune di Cormons a si capissin benon; e cussì ancje une di Manià cuntune di Cividât; une di Aquilee cuntune di Lauc, e vie indenant.

A pos [8] cambiâ cualchi peraule, cualchi sun, cualchi mût di dî, ma al è plui di mil agns che noaltris furlans, ognun cu la sô fevele, si cjacarìn, si fevelìn, si tabaìn, ma a la fin si capìn fra di nô, e duncje no stìn a fâ i furlanâts e a rimarcâ simpri lis diferencis. Din pluitost impuartance a ce che nus ten dongje.

Friulian language notes

[1] fevelâ, cjacarâ and tabaiâ are all different ways of saying to speak in Friulian; [2] setu = standard sêstu; [3] ditu = standard dîstu; [4] in some variants, frêt (cold) takes the pronunciation freit, due to diphthongisation of the vowel; [5] note the colloquial pronunciation of plui as pui; [6] a si son meraveâts = standard si son maraveâts; [7] a sei = standard e sedi; in addition to the verb form, note also that Colombino uses the feminine, third-person singular, atonic pronoun a rather than standard e; [8] a pos = standard e pues.

English translation of the videoclip

Have you ever happened to hear discussions like this? -- 'In my village, we say fevelâ.' 'Are you sure? We say cjacarâ...' 'Eh no, you are supposed to say tabaiâ...' Well, sure. And if I say frêt to you? What will you tell me? 'Freit... Criùre...' Eh, we'll never see the end of things, then. 'Lads, look, a true Friulian is someone from San Denêl.' 'Friulian? Well, no, the Carnic people speak cjargnel, not Friulian.'

Enough, enough, enough, enough! Friulians, enough nonsense. Let's try to clear some things up. Take into account what people who speak Friulian say, but also those who have been studying it their entire lives. And now I know I'm going to tell you something wonderful that you won't believe. When scholars began dealing with Friulian, they were amazed by the fact that, on such a broad territory, there should be such great linguistic homogeneity around Friûl. But then why all this but-where-I'm-from-it's-like-this, but where-I'm-from-it's-like-that when two Friulians are confronted in their way of speaking?

We must consider that a language is made up of many parts, like a car. One of these parts is its variants, or to put it simply, all the different ways of speaking Friulian. Indeed, across time, distance, geographical barriers or even politics have separated groups of people. Day in day out, language changes from place to place. But does this mean that two different languages have been born? Of course not. Why? Because Friulian, as in all languages, maintains the same grammatical structure even in its variants. What changes above all is certain words. And it doesn't take much to prove it: a person from Clausêt who speaks Friulian with one from Cormons is understood very well; and the same goes for a person from Manià with one from Cividât; a person from Aquilee with one from Lauc, and so on.

Some words can change, some sounds, some expressions, but it's been over one thousand years that we Friulians, each with his own vernacular, have been speaking, talking, chatting [1], but in the end, we understand one another, so let's not engage in Furlanâts, where we're always pointing out differences. Let's give more emphasis to what unites us.

Of what use is standard Friulian anyway?

In this videoclip from YoupalTubo, Francesco Colombino presents his argument to fellow Friulians as to why the standard language is needed in the modern age, and how it protects and promotes local variants of the Friulian language. A full Friulian transcription of what Francesco says is provided below; this is followed by a translation into English of the entire videoclip.

Note that Francesco uses a few instances of non-standard language in his presentation, both when imitating how others speak and by influence of his own variant of Friulian. These instances have been set off in {curly brackets}; a standard equivalent immediately follows these instances, set off in [square brackets]. A number of important Friulian language notes are provided after the transcription and translation.

Friulian transcription of the videoclip

[0.00] Oh fantats! Sêso tornâts! Vuê o fevelìn ancjemò di lenghe furlane. E indulà jerino restâts? Ah sì, i furlans a son fortunâts. Parcè? Parcè che di secui e secui i furlans a àn une lenghe scrite comune, clamade ancje koinè. Ma ce ise cheste lenghe comune? Al è un model di lenghe doprât par scrivi e che dutis lis lenghis a àn. Par esempli il talian al à il florentin di Dante, il todesc al à la lenghe di Lutero doprade pe Bibie, e vie indenant.

[0.39] Ma cui aial decidût chel standard furlan? «E cussì i scritôrs furlans, a partî dal mil e sîscent, ancje se a vignevin di lûcs diferents, a àn tacât a scrivi cemût che al scriveve Ermes di Colorêt». Par dîle in {peraules puares [=peraulis puaris]}, Ermes di Colorêt al è stât il nestri Dante Alighieri. Cheste lenghe scrite e je chê ch'o cjatais in ducj i vocabolaris, dal Pirona fin al app dal Grant Dizionari talian-furlan de ARLeF, ma ancje i miârs e miârs di scritôrs vie pai secui. Insome un imprest une vore util par scrivi.

[1.18] Al è clâr che dopo ognun al fevele il so furlan; al è clâr ancje che te poesie cualchidun {a j plâs [=i plâs]} doprâ la sô variante, e al fâs benon. Ma pai ûs pratics e comunicatîfs {a no si pos [= no si pues]} fâ di mancul di une lenghe standard, soredut se si à voie di tignî bot a la modernitât. Basta pensâ ai mieçs di comunicazion o chei tecnologjics, come un tradutôr automatic.

[1.41] Sì, cualchidun al podarès dî: «Ma mi covente une lenghe standard? {Jo i voi [=jo o voi]} indenant {cul me furlan [=cul gno furlan]} e vonde». Ocjo! Ti maravearai une seconde volte. La lenghe standard no nus covente nome par scrivi, ma ancje par difindi lis variantis, ancje la tô variante. «E cumò, ma cemût?» Ti fâs un esempli: calcolatrice. {A ei [=e je]} une peraule gnove in furlan. Vint un model di riferiment, par furlan {a devente [=e devente]} calcoladorie. Duncje tes variantis furlanis {i podìn [=o podìn]} adatâle cun calcoladorio o calcoladoria. Cence une lenghe standard o disaressin calcolatrice, di fat copant il furlan, in particolâr lis sôs variantis. Duncje la koinè -- o lenghe comune, o lenghe standard -- e je l'imprest par protezi e svilupâ il furlan dal to paîs e de tô famee.

[2.41] E fracait il boton par notâsi, ch'al è simpri alc di gnûf di imparâ par furlan. Maman!

English translation of the videoclip

[0.00] Oh lads! You're back! Today we're talking again about the Friulian language. And where did we leave off? Ah yes, Friulians are lucky. Why? Because for centuries and centuries Friulians have had a common written language, also called koine. But what is this common language? It's a language norm used for writing, which all languages have. For example, Italian has the Florentine of Dante, German has the language of Luther used for the Bible, and so on.

[0.39] But who decided on that Friulian standard? 'And so Friulian writers, from the 1600s onwards, even if they came from different places, started writing how Ermes di Colorêt wrote.' To put it simply, Ermes di Colorêt was our Dante Alighieri. This written language is the one that you find in all dictionaries, from the Pirona to the Great Italian-Friulian Dictionary app from ARLeF, but also the thousands and thousands of writers throughout the centuries. In short, a very useful writing tool.

[1.18] Obviously everyone will still use his own Friulian; it's also obvious that some people like to use their own variant in poetry, and they do very well to do so. But for practical and communicative uses, we cannot do without a standard language, above all if we want to keep pace with modernity. You need only think of means of communication, or technological ones, like an automatic translator.

[1.41] Yes, someone may say: 'Do I really need a standard language? I get by with my own Friulian and that's that.' Careful! I'm going to amaze you for a second time. We don't need the standard language only for writing, but also to defend the variants, even your variant. «Come on now, how so?» I'll give you an example: {the Italian word} calcolatrice. It's a new word in Friulian. Since we have a codified norm, it becomes calcoladorie in Friulian. So in the Friulian variants, we can adapt it to calcoladorio or calcoladoria. Without a standard language, we would say {the Italian word} calcolatrice, thereby killing Friulian, in particular its variants. So the koine -- or common language, or standard language -- is a tool to protect and develop the Friulian of your village and family.

[2.41] And click the button to subscribe because there's always something new to learn in Friulian. Bye-bye!

Friulian language notes

1. Listen carefully to how Francesco pronounces the four words ending in ats/âts at the beginning of the videoclip: fantats, tornâts, restâts, fortunâts. Though the final t is pronounced in the singular, it falls silent when followed by the s of the plural (fantas, tornâs, restâs, fortunâs). We also hear very well how Francesco pronounces Friulian â: it is held slightly longer than Friulian a. Say the following aloud in Friulian: l'ufici al è sierât (the office is closed); i uficis a son sierâts (the offices are closed).

2. At minute 1.55, we hear Francesco use nome (only, just). It is possible that, up to this point, you have only encountered the Friulian for only or just under the form dome, but know that nome is also used. Example: dome/nome vuê o ài podût lei il to messaç (only today was I able to read your message).

3. With regard to Francesco's example about calcoladorie (calculator), understand this: He says that without having a codified language to fall back on as a reference point when generating new words in the language, Friulians would have simply incorporated the Italian term calcolatrice into their Friulian. The existence of a codified language permits the creation of the new Friulian word calcoladorie to replace the borrowed Italian one. He then goes on to say that this new Friulian word can be modified to fit into the different variants of Friulian: in variants where feminine nouns end in e, the codified calcoladorie will of course be adopted; in variants where feminine nouns end in a, it is the modified calcoladoria that will be adopted; and in variants where feminine nouns end in o, it is the modified calcoladorio that will be adopted. New words issuing from the codified language, he says, promote the development even of the variants.

More Friulian language notes related to the above videoclip

1. Listen to how Francesco pronounces the three words ending in âts at the beginning of the videoclip: tornâts [o.03]; restâts [0.09]; fortunâts [0.13]. The final t is pronounced in the singular (tornât, restât, fortunât), but this same t falls silent when followed by the s of the plural; we hear: tornâs, restâs, fortunâs. We also hear very well how Francesco pronounces long Friulian â: it is held slightly longer than short Friulian a. Say the following masculine singular past participles aloud, making sure to pronounce both long Friulian â and the final t that follows it: sierât (closed); armât (armed); clamât (called); copât (killed); creât (created). Now pronounce these same past participles again, but this time in the masculine plural; be sure to pronounce long Friulian â as usual, but make the t fall silent before the final s of the plural: sierâts; armâts; clamâts; copâts; creâts. We hear Francesco pronounce another word at the beginning of the video where the t also falls silent in the plural, but this word ends in ats rather than âts; and this word is fantats [0.02]. The masculine singular fantat (lad) is not pronounced with long Friulian â but rather with short Friulian a; tonic stress falls on the final syllable of this word (fan-tàt); and, of course, the final t is pronounced in the singular. As for the plural pronunciation, listen to how Francesco says it.

2. At [0.05], we hear Francesco say o fevelìn (we speak), first-person plural: be sure to pronounce the tonic stress on the final syllable of fevelìn; this distinguishes it from third-person plural a fevelin (they speak), where the tonic stress in on the penultimate (second-to-last) syllable: fevèlin. Say aloud all these first-person plurals, making sure to place the tonic stress on the final syllable: o sierìn (we close); o clamìn (we call); o copìn (we kill); o fasìn (we do); o viodìn (we see). Now pronounce these same verbs again, but this time in the third-person plural, where the tonic stress is rather on the penultimate: a sièrin (they close); a clàmin (they call); a còpin (they kill); a fàsin (they do); a viòdin (they see).

3. Francesco is heard to pronounce Friulian cj and gj a number of times throughout the videoclip, with the following words: ancje, ancjemò, cjatais, ocjo, duncje, ducj, tecnologjics. With ducj in particular, Francesco says ducj i vocabolaris; to pronounce this, imagine ducj i as being one word: ducji. We also have examples of Friulian gn throughout the videoclip, with the following words: vignevin, ognun, tignî, gnûf, gnove. At [1.37], listen to how Francesco pronounces plural mieçs (means): we do not hear the ç. Friulian ç is pronounced like English ch, such as in church, chill, chap, chin. In the singular, the ç of mieç is indeed pronounced, but it falls silent before the s of the plural. At [2.34], listen to how Francesco pronounces protezi (to protect); the z sounds like English j, such as in joke, jab, job, or soft English g, such as in gentle, gesture, gym.

4. Regarding the contraction of che, we have some examples: at [1.01], rather than cheste lenghe scrite e je chê che o cjatais in ducj i vocabolaris (this written language is the one that you find in all dictionaries), Francesco contracts che by saying cheste lenghe scrite e je chê ch’o cjatais in ducj i vocabolaris; and at [2.42], rather than fracait il boton par notâsi, che al è simpri alc di gnûf di imparâ par furlan (click the button to subscribe because there is always something new to learn in Friulian), Francesco again contracts che (which here means because) by saying fracait il boton par notâsi, ch’al è simpri alc di gnûf di imparâ par furlan. The contractions ch’o and ch’al sound like ko and kal.

5. Why does Francesco say i voi at [1.46] and i podìn at [2.15], rather than standard o voi (I go) and o podìn (we can)? This is because, in certain spoken variants of Friulian, the unstressed subject pronoun of the first person, both singular and plural, is i rather than standard o. Some more examples, all standard: o soi (I am); o ài (I have); o jeri (I was); o vevi (I had); o vin (we have); o sin (we are); in certain spoken variants, do not be surprised to hear all these said instead as: i soi, i ài, i eri, i vevi, i vin, i sin.

6. At [0.35], Francesco says the name of the German language in Friulian: il todesc. Todesc also happens to be a Friulian adjective meaning German. As an adjective, its four forms are: todesc (masculine singular); todescs (masculine plural); todescje (feminine singular); todescjis (feminine plural). Examples: scritôr todesc (German writer); filosofs todescs (German philosophers); lenghe todescje (German language); biris todescjis (German beers). The name of the country is la Gjermanie (Germany).

7. At the end of the videoclip, Francesco uses the verb fracâ (to press, to click). In particular, he says fracait il boton (second-person plural), which, in relation to the internet, means click the button; its second-person singular equivalent is frache il boton. We moreover discover how to say in Friulian to click the button to subscribe, when Francesco uses the expression fracâ il boton par notâsi. Fracâ il boton is also used outside the context of the internet; for instance, in a lift: tu âs di fracâ il boton neri par clamâ l'assensôr (you must press the black button to call the lift).

Important aspects of Friulian pronunciation

We now listen to the first five verses of chapter 18 from the book of Genesis in Friulian. These verses are read aloud by Pre Alessio Geretti. (The title pre is equivalent to Fr. in Catholicism.)

Rather than focus on aspects of Friulian grammar in this entry, we look solely at Friulian pronunciation.

Important aspects of standard Friulian pronunciation are pointed out in the notes below; listen for these details in first minute of the videoclip and read about them below to improve your comprehension and pronunciation of the Friulian language.

First minute of the videoclip (0.00 -- 1.00)

1 Il Signôr i comparì tal rôl di Mamre, intant che al jere sentât fûr de tende su l’ore dal plui grant cjalt. 2 Alçant i vôi, al viodè trê oms in pîts devant di lui. A pene che ju viodè, ur corè incuintri de jentrade de tende e si butà par tiere. 3 Al disè: «Paron, ti prei, se tu mi âs a grât, no sta passâ dret devant dal to famei cence fermâti. 4 Lassait che si us puarti un pocje di aghe: us lavarai i pîts e o podarês distirâsi sot dal arbul. 5 O voi a cjoli un toc di pan par che o podês ristorâsi prime di lâ indevant; no isal par chel che o sês vignûts chi dal vuestri famei?». I rispuinderin: «Fâs ce che tu âs dit».

Friulian pronunciation notes

1. Il Signôr i comparì tal rôl di Mamre, intant che al jere sentât fûr de tende su l’ore dal plui grant cjalt. -- We have a good example of what standard Friulian ô sounds like with the masculine noun rôl (oak). We also have an example of standard Friulian û with the word fûr (out, outside). Draw your attention to how intant che al jere (as he was, whilst he was) is pronounced; a contraction occurs, so that we hear: intant ch’al jere. Take note of how Fr. Geretti pronounces plui: it sounds like pui. We hear an example of Friulian cj with the masculine noun cjalt (heat). Listen to how Friulian j is pronounced before a vowel: jere ({he} was); it sounds like English y.

2. Alçant i vôi, al viodè trê oms in pîts devant di lui. A pene che ju viodè, ur corè incuintri de jentrade de tende e si butà par tiere. -- With the present participle alçant (lifting, raising), we hear how Friulian ç is pronounced, which is to say that it sounds like the English ch of words such as church, chap, chair, and so on. We have an example of standard Friulian î as found in pîts (feet). Note moreover that pîts is pronounced pîs; whereas the t of singular pît (foot) is indeed pronounced, it becomes silent before plural s: this is a generalised phenomenon of the standard language and will be heard again with vignûts at verse 5. Take note of how oms (men) is pronounced: we in fact hear omps. Listen again to the pronunciation of Friulian j before a vowel: ju (them), jentrade (entrance, way in). With viodè ({he} saw), corè ({he} ran) and butà ({he} cast, threw), the tonic accent is on the final syllable, as indicated by the accented letter. This entry is not the place to look at Friulian pronunciation variants; however, know this: certain Friulian speakers pronounce tiere (earth, land) as tiare. (In fact, there are yet other pronunciations of this word, but let that suffice for this entry).

3. Al disè: «Paron, ti prei, se tu mi âs a grât, no sta passâ dret devant dal to famei cence fermâti. -- We hear standard Friulian â pronounced in grât (favour, recognition). A vowel marked with the circumflex accent is held longer than one without; this is why, for instance, with se tu mi âs a grât, the â of grât is held longer than the unaccented preposition a that appears immediately before it. As for infinitives with final â (such as passâ [to pass]), or ê or î (such as tasê [to keep quiet] or finî [to finish]), know that the circumflex accent is merely a spelling convention and the vowel is not long, but tonic stress does fall on this syllable; this is why we hear Fr. Geretti pronounce passâ as passà. Take note how of how prei ({I} beg, implore) and famei (servant) are pronounced: here we have the ei diphthong, where we hear two vowels (e and i), the first gliding into the second.

4. Lassait che si us puarti un pocje di aghe: us lavarai i pîts e o podarês distirâsi sot dal arbul. -- We hear the ai diphthong in lassait (let, permit), which is to say, two vowels (a and i), the first gliding into the second. We hear it again in lavarai ({I} shall wash). In both of these verb forms, tonic stress falls on the second-to-last syllable: lassàit, lavarài. The gh of aghe (water) is pronounced like a hard English g, which is to say, like the g of English ghost, go, get, and so on. Soft English g, which is to say, the g of English gel, gem, gist, and so on, is represented in standard Friulian by z, for instance: zovin (young); that said, the letter z in standard Friulian can represent other sounds as well. We have another instance of Friulian cj in pocje (bit, little). We have an example of Friulian ê in the verb form podarês ({you} will be able).

5. O voi a cjoli un toc di pan par che o podês ristorâsi prime di lâ indevant; no isal par chel che o sês vignûts chi dal vuestri famei?». I rispuinderin: «Fâs ce che tu âs dit». -- Fr. Geretti pronounces the interrogative no isal (is it not) as no esal, given that the variant form no esal is the one that was used in the text at the time of his reading; the most recent publication now employs standard no isal. Take note in particular of the pronunciation of vignûts: firstly, for how Friulian gn is pronounced (it sounds like English ny in lanyard); secondly, for the presence of Friulian û; and, thirdly, for how the t is not pronounced before the s of the plural (see also the notes regarding this at verse 2).

On the pronunciation of Friulian cj and gj

Present not only in standard Friulian but also in different local variants of the language are cj and gj. To pronounce these correctly, one must first remember that Friulian j does not sound like English j, but rather like English y. That is why, for instance, the Friulian word for bed, which is the masculine noun jet, sounds like the English word yet.

Two high-frequency words in standard Friulian employing cj and gj are the words for dog and cat. The standard Friulian for dog is the masculine noun cjan, whereas the standard Friulian for cat is the masculine noun gjat. To pronounce cjan, one need only say Friulian jan preceded by the sound of a hard c. Hard c is the sound present in English words like cat, cane, call, cost; in other words, hard c sounds like English k. To pronounce gjat, one need only say Friulian jat preceded by the sound of a hard g. Hard g is the sound present in English words like go, get, gas, gum.

Attention:

Cj and gj are not present in all variants of spoken Friulian. For instance, in the variant of Friulian spoken at Dograva, they are wholly absent. How then are the Friulian words for dog and cat pronounced at Dograva and in other variants where cj and gj are absent? At Dograva, the Friulian for dog is çan, whereas the Friulian for cat is giat. The ç of çan is pronounced like English ch, such as can be heard in English words like chill, chip, chest, church. As for giat, the gi makes the sound of a soft g, such as can be heard in English words like gin, gist, germ, gym.

Let us take two other words for the purpose of comparison: the Friulian for leg and house. In the standard language, leg is the feminine noun gjambe, and house is the feminine noun cjase. But at Dograva, these are rather giamba and çasa.

Friulian sentences related to street fights

e je simpri plui violence, there is always more violence; violence dongje de stazion dai trens, violence near the train station; violence dongje de stazion des corieris, violence near the bus station; une barufe tacade a Udin, a brawl that broke out in Udin; une barufe îr di sere, a fight last night; une barufe vuê di matine, a fight this morning; dilunc de barufe, during the fight; al à menaçât un zovin, he threatened a young man; al à angariât un zovin di cutuardis agns, he harassed a young man of fourteen years of age; doprâ un curtìs, to use a knife; doprant une curtiele, using a switchblade/pocketknife; menaçâ cuntun curtìs, to threaten with a knife; mi à menaçât cuntune curtiele, he threatened me with a switchblade/pocketknife; prin lu àn pacât, po lu àn copât, first they hit him, then they killed him; a àn tacât a pacâsi, they started throwing punches; si son pacâts par ben, they got into a serious brawl; a continuavin a pacâsi cun fuarce, they kept hitting one another violently; al jere dome un pôc ferît, he was only slightly injured; al à cjapât un pugn in muse, he took a punch to the face; al è stât ferît tal cuel, he was injured in the neck; lu àn legnât, they clubbed him; al è stât metût suntune barele, he was put on a stretcher; al è stât puartât in ospedâl, he was taken to hospital; a stan indagant lis fuarcis dal ordin, law enforcement are investigating; al è stât denunziât, he has been reported; denunziât par puart di armis, reported for bearing of arms; armis che a puedin ofindi, arms that can cause injury.

News report in Friulian 1

Femine cjapade sot vuê di matine a Udin, intant che e jere daûr a traviersâ lis strichis in vie Dante Alighieri, che a zontin la scuele elementâr dedicade al poete e il zardin Giovanni Pascoli. A tirâle sot une Mercedes pôc prime des 9. I socors a son rivâts daurman, ma a son stâts pluitost complicâts e a àn vût bisugne dal intervent dai Vigjii dal Fûc parcè che la siore si cjatave cuasi dal dut sot de machine e dome il cjâf al jere restât fûr. Par fortune la feride e je restade simpri cussiente. Par gjavâle di sot i pompîrs a àn tirât sù la machine e cussì i sanitaris dal 118 a àn podût curâle e puartâle daurman tal ospedâl di Udin. Par fuarce di robis il trafic dilunc des stradis che di vie Gorghi a puartin bande place della Repubblica al à patît ralentaments fuarts. [La Vôs dai Furlans]

In English: Femine (woman) cjapade sot (taken under {=run over}) vuê di matine (this morning) a Udin (in Udin), intant che e jere daûr a traviersâ (as she was crossing) lis strichis in vie Dante Alighieri (the stripes {=pedestrian crossing} in Dante Alighieri Street), che a zontin (which connect) la scuele elementâr dedicade al poete (the elementary school dedicated to the poet) e il zardin Giovanni Pascoli (and the Giovanni Pascoli Garden). A tirâle sot une Mercedes (it was a Mercedes that pulled her under {=that ran her over}) pôc prime des 9 (shortly before 9). I socors a son rivâts daurman (emergency services arrived immediately), ma a son stâts pluitost complicâts (but were rather complicated) e a àn vût bisugne dal intervent (and needed the intervention) dai Vigjii dal Fûc (of the firemen) parcè che la siore (because the woman) si cjatave cuasi dal dut (was found almost entirely) sot de machine (under the car) e dome il cjâf (and only her head) al jere restât fûr (had remained out). Par fortune (fortunately) la feride (the injured woman) e je restade simpri cussiente (remained conscious the whole time). Par gjavâle (to pull her out) di sot (from underneath) i pompîrs a àn tirât sù la machine (the firemen pulled the car up) e cussì i sanitaris dal 118 (and so the first responders from 118) a àn podût curâle (were able to attend to her) e puartâle daurman tal ospedâl di Udin (and take her immediately to hospital in Udin). Par fuarce di robis (by force of things {=necessarily}) il trafic dilunc des stradis (traffic along the streets) che di vie Gorghi (which from Gorghi Street) a puartin bande place della Repubblica (lead towards Republic Square) al à patît ralentaments fuarts (suffered heavy delays).

Friulian language notes

1. Cjapâ sot means to take under, and tirâ sot means to pull under; this is, after the Friulian manner of speaking, what a driver does if he runs over a pedestrian: he 'takes under' or 'pulls under' the pedestrian. A pedestrian that has been run over is said to be cjapât sot (taken under) or tirât sot (pulled under).

2. The pedestrian crossing that the woman was on is referred to in the article as lis strichis. The feminine noun striche means stripe; the plural lis strichis means the stripes and refers here to the markings of the pedestrian crossing on the road surface.

3. Two terms are used in the news item to identify a fireman: un pompîr and un vigjil dal fûc. In the plural, vigjil takes the form vigjii.

News report in Friulian 2

Ancjemò un at vandalic cuintri di un rilevadôr di velocitât dilunc de strade Pontebane. Il fat al è sucedût tal teritori dal Comun di Codroip, indulà che vie pe gnot di îr al è stât taiât il pâl che al puartave il rilevadôr e i machinaris eletronics par misurâ la velocitât dai veicui, intun toc di strade indulà che il limit al è di 90 chilometris oraris. I agjents de Polizie locâl a àn cjatât pâl fat a tocs e machinaris a tiere. Dal sabotaç a son stâts informâts ancje i carabinîrs rivâts sul puest par fâ i rilêfs e par cjatâ il colpevul di chest at vandalic. [La Vôs dai Furlans]

In English: Ancjemò un at vandalic (another act of vandalism) cuintri di un rilevadôr di velocitât (against a speed detector) dilunc de strade Pontebane (along Pontebane Street). Il fat al è sucedût (the event occurred) tal teritori dal Comun di Codroip (within the territory of the Municipality of Codroip), indulà che vie pe gnot di îr (where overnight) al è stât taiât il pâl (the pole was cut) che al puartave il rilevadôr e i machinaris eletronics (that held the detector and electronic devices) par misurâ la velocitât dai veicui (to measure the speed of vehicles), intun toc di strade (in a stretch of street) indulà che il limit al è di 90 chilometris oraris (where the limit is 90 kilometres per hour). I agjents de Polizie locâl (local police agents) a àn cjatât pâl fat a tocs e machinaris a tiere (found a broken pole and devices on the ground). Dal sabotaç (of the damage) a son stâts informâts ancje i carabinîrs (also the carabinîr police were informed) rivâts sul puest (who arrived on the scene) par fâ i rilêfs (to investigate) e par cjatâ il colpevul (and find the culprit) di chest at vandalic (of this act of vandalism).

Friulian language notes

1. Vandalic is an adjective; an act of vandalism as is expressed in the article, after the Friulian manner, as 'a vandalic act' -- un at vandalic. The Friulian word for vandalism is the masculine noun vandalisim.

2. Vie pe gnot di îr: literally, during the night of yesterday, during yesterday's night; this is the Friulian manner of expressing overnight, {at some point} last night. This usage is composed of: vie par (during); la gnot (the night); di (of); îr (yesterday). Par contracts with la to form pe. Other examples: vie pal mês (during the month); vie pal Invier (during the winter); vie pe setemane (during the week).

3. The masculine noun toc (bit, piece) appears twice: intun toc di strade (literally, in a bit of street, which is to say, in a certain stretch/portion of street) and fat a tocs (literally, done to bits, which is to say, broken, smashed, cut up, and so on). Another example: fâ a tocs ducj i plats (to smash all the plates).

4. Orari is an adjective meaning hourly; it is related to the feminine noun ore, meaning hour. As such, 90 [novante] chilometris oraris is the Friulian manner of expressing 90 kilometres per hour. Chilometri (kilometre) is a masculine noun; its tonic stress falls on the second syllable: [ch|lò|me|tri].

5. The masculine noun sabotaç is cognate with English sabotage; it is used here to refer to the intentional damage perpetrated against the speed detector.

News report in Friulian 3

Cjapâts de Polizie di Stât cuatri spaçadôrs a Pordenon: I suspiets scjadenâts di un va e ven intun apartament di Pordenon a àn permetût di scuvierzi une ativitât di spaç dentri di une abitazion. Dilunc di une vuaite, i agjents a àn viodût un zovin che al lave te rimesse di un condomini. Pôc dopo, dentri di une cantine a son stâts cjatâts doi zovins intant che a preparavin sacuts cun dentri marihuana. La percuisizion e à permetût di secuestrâ 155 grams di cocaine, 55 grams di marihuana, 2.200 euros e materiâl par preparâ lis dosis. I trê zovins a àn dât cuintri ai agjents e a son stâts arestâts cu la acuse di detenzion di droghe ai fins dal spaç e resistence a uficiâl public. Intune operazion leade a chê a pene contade, un altri zovin al è stât arestât dopo che intune seconde percuisizion a jerin stâts cjatâts altris 15 grams di cocaine e une vore di marihuana (20 chilos) e 420 euros. [La Vôs dai Furlans]

In English: Cjapâts de Polizie di Stât (caught by State Police) cuatri spaçadôrs a Pordenon (four traffickers in Pordenon): I suspiets scjadenâts (suspicions aroused) di un va e ven (by comings and goings) intun apartament di Pordenon (in a Pordenon apartment) a àn permetût di scuvierzi une ativitât di spaç (permitted the discovery of trafficking activity) dentri di une abitazion (in a dwelling). Dilunc di une vuaite (during a stake-out), i agjents a àn viodût un zovin (agents saw a young man) che al lave te rimesse di un condomini (who was going into a condominium garage). Pôc dopo (shortly thereafter), dentri di une cantine (in a cellar) a son stâts cjatâts doi zovins (two young men were found) intant che a preparavin sacuts (as they were preparing packets) cun dentri marihuana (with marijuana inside). La percuisizion e à permetût di secuestrâ 155 grams di cocaine (a search permitted the seizure of 155 grams of cocaine), 55 grams di marihuana (55 grams of marijuana), 2.200 euros e materiâl par preparâ lis dosis (2200 euros and material to prepare doses). I trê zovins a àn dât cuintri ai agjents (the three young men resisted the agents) e a son stâts arestâts (and were arrested) cu la acuse di detenzion di droghe (on the charge of drug possession) ai fins dal spaç (for the purposes of trafficking) e resistence a uficiâl public (and resisting a public official). Intune operazion leade (in an operation related) a chê a pene contade (to the one just described), un altri zovin al è stât arestât (another young man was arrested) dopo che intune seconde percuisizion a jerin stâts cjatâts altris 15 grams di cocaine (after another 15 grams of cocaine were found in a second search) e une vore di marihuana (20 chilos) e 420 euros (and a large quantity of marijuana [20 kilos] and 420 euros).

Friulian language notes

1. The masculine noun spaç identifies trafficking. Someone engaged in trafficking, which is to say, a trafficker, is un spaçadôr. In this way, we may say: cuatri spaçadôrs a son stâts cjapâts de polizie (four traffickers were caught by police).

2. Al lave (he was going) is equivalent to al leve, the form with which you may be more familiar. Both are, of course, from the infinitive lâ (to go), imperfect indicative of the masculine, third-person singular.

3. Sacut (packet) is the diminutive form of the masculine noun sac, meaning bag, sack.

4. Dâ cuintri (literally, to give against) is a Friulian manner of expressing to resist, to oppose, to go up against, and so on. Equivalent to this is fâ cuintri (literally, to make/do against). Example: i soldâts a varessin vût di fâur cuintri ai invasôrs (the soldiers ought to have opposed the invaders).

News report in Friulian 4

Auto cun dentri trê zovins capotade intun bosc a Pordenon: Îr sere, tor des dîs, une machine cun dentri trê zovins e je lade fûr strade dilunc de Sp 35 a Pordenon, par dopo ribaltâsi tal bosc a plui o mancul 20 metris de cjarezade. Sul puest a son rivâts daurman i Vigjii dal Fûc di Pordenon che a àn cjatât doi zovins za fûr de auto, intant che il tierç al jere restât dentri, blocât de cinture di sigurece a cjâf in jù. I Vigjii a àn taiât la cinture e tirât fûr il zovin, par po dopo puartâlu cuntune barele fin li de strade indulà che al è stât lassât tes mans dai infermîrs. Intant i pompîrs a àn metût in sigurece la machine e la zone dal incident. Sul puest a son rivâts ancje i carabinîrs pai rilêfs. [La Vôs dai Furlans]

In English: Auto cun dentri trê zovins (car with three young men inside) capotade intun bosc a Pordenon (overturned in a forest in Pordenon): Îr sere (last night), tor des dîs (at about ten), une machine cun dentri trê zovins (a car with three young men inside) e je lade fûr strade (veered off the road) dilunc de SP 35 a Pordenon (along SP 35 in Pordenon), par dopo ribaltâsi tal bosc (to then flip over in the forest) a plui o mancul 20 metris de cjarezade (at more or less 20 metres from the roadway). Sul puest a son rivâts daurman i Vigjii dal Fûc di Pordenon (Pordenon firemen arrived on the scene immediately) che a àn cjatât doi zovins za fûr de auto (who found two young men already outside the car), intant che il tierç al jere restât dentri (whereas the third was stuck inside), blocât de cinture di sigurece (trapped by his safety belt) a cjâf in jù (head down). I Vigjii a àn taiât la cinture (the firemen cut the belt) e tirât fûr il zovin (and pulled the young man out), par po dopo puartâlu cuntune barele (to then carry him by stretcher) fin li de strade (out to the road) indulà che al è stât lassât tes mans dai infermîrs (where he was left in the hands of first responders). Intant i pompîrs a àn metût in sigurece la machine (meanwhile the firemen secured the car) e la zone dal incident (and the accident zone). Sul puest a son rivâts ancje i carabinîrs (carabinîr police also arrived on the scene) pai rilêfs (to investigate).

Friulian language notes

1. The adjectival use capotât means flipped over, overturned, as in une auto capotade or une machine capotade, both meaning an overturned car. We also find in the news item ribaltâsi tal bosc (to flip over in the forest), which can also be said capotâsi tal bosc. More examples of these usages can be given: il vuidadôr al à pierdût il control de sô machine che si è ribaltade (the driver lost control of his car which flipped over); la machine si è capotade e il vuidadôr al è restât blocât dentri (the car flipped over and the driver got stuck inside). Also possible is the non-reflexive capotâ, such as: il vuidadôr al à cjapât il volt masse svelt e negozi che al capotave (the driver took the curve too fast and almost flipped over); la machine e à capotât trê voltis tal cjamp in bande de strade (the car flipped over three times in the field beside the road). Also: la machine e à fat trê capotaments (the car did three flips).

2. SP 35, which is to say, strade provinciâl 35, or provincial road 35 (in Italian: strada provinciale 35).

3. Found in this news item are the masculine nouns pompîr and vigjil dal fûc, both meaning fireman. These words came up in another recent Friulian news item related to a woman who had been run over by a car.

4. The feminine noun barele identifies a stretcher, used to carry an injured person. Example: il ferît al è stât metût suntune barele (the injured man was put on a stretcher); la feride e je stade metude suntune barele (the injured woman was put on a stretcher); i socoridôrs le àn puartade cuntune barele par passe cent metris (the rescuers carried her by stretcher for more than one hundred metres).

News report in Friulian 5

Che ator e sedi simpri plui violence, soredut tra i zovins, al somee evident, ma i problemis no son dome intes citâts. A Glemone, tai dîs passâts, dongje de stazion des corieris un zovin di 15 agns al varès menaçât e angariât, fintremai doprant une curtiele, un zovin di 14 agns di Magnan. Par chest il zovin resident a Glemone al è stât denunziât dai carabinîrs par puart di armis che a puedin ofindi e menacis ingriviadis. [La Vôs dai Furlans]

In English: Che ator (that out and about) e sedi simpri plui violence (there is always more violence), soredut tra i zovins (especially between young people), al somee evident (seems obvious), ma i problemis no son dome intes citâts (but the problems are not only in the cities). A Glemone (in Glemone), tai dîs passâts (in recent days), dongje de stazion des corieris (near the bus station) un zovin di 15 agns (a youth of 15 years of age) al varès menaçât e angariât (has reportedly threatened and harassed), fintremai doprant une curtiele (even using a switchblade), un zovin di 14 agns di Magnan (a youth of 14 years of age from Magnan). Par chest (consequently) il zovin resident a Glemone (the youth, who resides in Glemone) al è stât denunziât dai carabinîrs (has been reported by carabinîr police) par puart di armis che a puedin ofindi (for the bearing of arms that can cause injury) e menacis ingriviadis (and aggravated threats).

Friulian language notes

1. A bus that travels within a city making frequent stops in local streets is un autobus; a bus that travels out of the city to another city is une coriere.

2. Al varès menaçât: this verb form is found in news bulletins where the information has been reported but may still be awaiting confirmation. Examples: al varès menaçât (he has reportedly threatened); al varès angariât (he has reportedly harassed); al varès copât (he has reportedly killed); al varès doprât (he has reportedly used), and so on.

3. Take note of the two words identifying a knife in the news bulletin: un curtìs (knife) and une curtiele (switchblade, pocketknife).

News report in Friulian 6

Une barufe tacade vuê di matine in Borc Stazion a Udin e à dât pinsîr. Cjapâts dentri di un grup di forescj che a àn tacât a pacâsi tra vie Leopardi e vie Carducci, denant a une vore di int che e passave di chês bandis e a chei che a lavorin intes buteghis. Cuant che a son rivâts i infermîrs, dut câs, dome un di lôr al jere un pôc ferît par cause di un pugn in muse. Par chest al è stât puartât in ospedâl par controi. Sul fat a stan indagant lis fuarcis dal ordin. [La Vôs dai Furlans]

In English: Une barufe (a brawl) tacade (broken out) vuê di matine (this morning) in Borc Stazion a Udin (at Borc Station in Udin) e à dât pinsîr (was concerning). Cjapâts dentri di un grup di forescj (caught up in a group of foreigners) che a àn tacât a pacâsi (who started throwing punches) tra vie Leopardi e vie Carducci (between Leopardi Street and Carducci Street), denant a une vore di int (in front of many people) che e passave di chês bandis (who were passing through the area) e a chei che a lavorin intes buteghis (and those who work in the shops). Cuant che a son rivâts i infermîrs (when first responders arrived), dut câs (at any rate), dome un di lôr al jere un pôc ferît (only one of them was slightly injured) par cause di un pugn in muse (on account of a punch to the face). Par chest (consequently) al è stât puartât in ospedâl (he was taken to hospital) par controi (for observation). Sul fat (on the case) a stan indagant lis fuarcis dal ordin (forces of order {=law enforcement} are investigating).

Friulian language notes

1. The feminine noun barufe (fight, brawl) identifies a violent physical or verbal altercation. Tacâ is the Friulian for to begin, to start; as such, la barufe e je tacade means the fight started (has started), the fight began (has begun), the fight broke out (has broken out).

2. Not only does the masculine noun pinsîr mean thought, it also means worry, concern. For example, stâ in pinsîr means to be worried, to be concerned, and dâ pinsîr means to cause worry, to cause concern.

3. A foreigner is identified by the masculine noun forest; a female foreigner is une foreste. In the plural, the form taken is i forescj, or feminine lis forestis.

4. Pacâ means to hit, to strike; the reflexive pacâsi, then, means to hit/strike one another, or to throw punches: i forescj a àn tacât a pacâsi (the foreigners started throwing punches).

5. The masculine noun pugn identifies a fist; when used in the context of a fight, it means punch. Cjapâ un pugn in muse: to take a punch to the face.

6. Control (check-up, examination, observation) is a masculine noun; in the plural, it takes the form controi. You may use, for example, esams di control when speaking of examinations performed by medical professionals.

7. Indagâ means to investigate; the form a stan indagant (they are investigating) indicates that investigations are currently underway.

News report in Friulian 7

Pakistan cu la patente falade cjapât a Pordenon: Nus mancjavin dome i forescj cu la patente falade. I agjents de Vuardie di finance ’nd àn brincât un a Pordenon. Si trate di un pakistan fermât par un sempliç control, intant che al jere ae vuide di une auto. L’om al à mostrât la sô patente di vuide pakistane compagnade de trascrizion zurade, bolade dal Tribunâl di Pordenon che e permet ai citadins forescj di vuidâ in Italie. I agjents, tal controlâ la patente cun imprescj a pueste, si son inacuarts che chel document al jere falât. Il pakistan al è stât denunziât ae Procure de Republiche di Pordenon e la machine blocade par cause di violazions al Codiç de strade. [La Vôs dai Furlans]

In English: Pakistan cu la patente falade (Pakistani with a falsified licence) cjapât a Pordenon (caught in Pordenon): Nus mancjavin dome i forescj (the only thing we were missing was foreigners) cu la patente falade (with a falsified licence). I agjents de Vuardie di finance (agents from the Financial Guard Police) ’nd àn brincât un (have caught one of them) a Pordenon (in Pordenon). Si trate di (it involves) un pakistan (a Pakistani) fermât par un sempliç control (stopped for a simple inspection), intant che al jere ae vuide di une auto (as he was driving a car). L’om al à mostrât la sô patente di vuide pakistane (the man showed his Pakistani driving licence) compagnade de trascrizion zurade (accompanied by a sworn {certified} transcription), bolade dal Tribunâl di Pordenon (stamped by the Court of Pordenon) che e permet ai citadins forescj (which allows foreign citizens) di vuidâ in Italie (to drive in Italy). I agjents (the agents), tal controlâ la patente cun imprescj a pueste (whilst checking the licence with customised devices), si son inacuarts che chel document al jere falât (realised that that document had been falsified). Il pakistan al è stât denunziât (the Pakistani was reported) ae Procure de Republiche di Pordenon (to the Office of the Prosecutor of the Republic at Pordenon) e la machine blocade (and the car seized) par cause di violazions al Codiç de strade (for violations of the road code).

Friulian language notes

1. Nus mancjavin dome i forescj cu la patente falade: this alludes to the recent news item involving Pakistanis and Afghans who engaged in a large street brawl in Udin. Translated literally: nus (unto us) mancjavin (were lacking) dome (only) i forescj (the foreigners) cu la patente falade (with the falsified licence); which is to say, all we were missing now was foreigners with a falsified licence.

2. Brincâ is the Frulian for to catch: ’nd àn brincât un (they have caught one of them). The equivalent to of them is ’nd, a contraction of indi (thereof), and it must be included. Follow the construction of this phrase: a àn brincât (they have caught); a indi àn brincât un (they have caught one of them), which contracts to: a ’nd àn brincât un, and then the unstressed subject pronoun a is omitted: ’nd àn brincât un. Pronunciation: and an brincât un.

3. The feminine noun vuide meaning driving, steering, so that we have la patente di vuide (driving licence) and ae vuide di une auto (driving a car). With respect to this latter usage, we may understand this better with idiomatic expressions such as at the wheel of a car, behind the wheel of a car, and so on.

4. Falât: falsified; in the news item, we find: la patente falade (falsified licence) and il document falât (falsified document). The form forms of this adjective are regular: falât (masculine singular); falâts (masculine plural); falade (feminine singular); faladis (feminine plural). What is an example of something else that may be falsified? Another news item where the word occurs:

Plui di 22 toneladis di pellet a son stadis metudis sot secuestri de Vuardie di finance di Triest adun cul personâl de Agjenzie des doganis. Il pellet, che al veve la marche di cualitât Enplus falade, al è stât intercetât e confiscât a Fernetti, indulà che al jere stât controlât un camion che al rivave de Ucraine. I sacs di 15 chilos a vevin la marche di certificazion, ma la Associazione Italiana Energie Agroforestali (AIEL) e à confermât che e jere falade e che al mancjave il codiç identificatîf de aziende, intant che nissun dai impuartadôrs al jere autorizât par doprâ la marche. Dute le cjame e je stade secuestrade e il rapresentant legâl de aziende impuartadore al è stât denunziât par cumierç di prodots cun marche falade. [La Vôs dai Furlans]

Over 22 tonnes of pellets were seized by the Financial Guard Police of Triest along with personnel from the Customs Agency. The pellets, which had a falsified Enplus quality logo, was intercepted and confiscated in Fernetti, where a truck coming from Ukraine had been inspected. The 15 kg bags bore the certification logo, but the Italian Agroforestry Energy Association (AIEL) confirmed that it had been falsified and that the identification code of the company was missing, and none of the importers were authorised to use the logo. The entire load was seized and the legal representative of the importing company was reported for trading in products with a falsified logo.

5. Codiç de strade: road code; this term identifies established driving rules. Codiç is a masculine noun. Another example: une infrazion dal codiç de strade (an infringement of the road code {of the highway code, of traffic laws, of driving rules...}). For information: Codiç is also the term used in Italian hospitals in the matter of assigning an emergency level to a patient's medical condition. A patient in codiç ros (in code red) is in grave danger of death; one who is in codiç zâl (in code yellow) has symptoms that could worsen quickly; one who is in codiç vert (in code green) can be treated after the former two because his symptoms are of lesser importance; one who is in codiç blanc (in code white) is no medical danger whatsoever and really ought not to have presented himself to the emergency department at all. The Aziende Sanitarie Universitarie Friûl di Mieç explains all these scenarios in Friulian:

Codiç ros: Al identifiche cui che al è in grâf pericul di vite e che al à di jessi visitât daurman. Il pazient cun chest codiç al à la precedence su ducj chei altris.

Codiç zâl: Al identifiche cui che al à di jessi visitât par sintoms che a podaressin lâ svelts in piês e comprometi lis cundizions clinichis; in chest câs il timp di spiete al è minim (dentri di 15 minûts).

Codiç vert: Al identifiche cui che nol à sintoms grâfs e che al pues jessi valutât dopo dal tratament dai câs plui urgjents; par chest codiç la spiete e je di 30 minûts, ma e je condizionade dal numar di câs urgjents che in chel moment il personâl sanitari al à di stâur daûr.

Codiç blanc: Al identifiche cui che al domande il servizi par problemis che no compuartin in nissune maniere un pericul di vite; in chest câs il timp di spiete nol compromet lis cundizions clinichis dal utent. Par solit, il timp di spiete al è lunc, ancje cualchi ore, pal fat che a àn la prioritât chês altris categoriis di utents. Chestis prestazions a puedin domandâ il paiament dal ticket.

Read this news item in Friulian where a young man is taken to hospital in codiç zâl after finding himself upsidedown in a car that had overturned into the woods in Pordenon:

Incident stradâl te sere di domenie ai 9 di Fevrâr a Pordenon. Par motîfs ancjemò di sclarî, une machine cun dentri trê zovins e je lade fûr strade e si è capotade tal bosc a plui o mancul vincj metris de cjarezade. L’incident al è sucedût tor des dîs di sere. Rivâts sul puest, i pompîrs a àn cjatât doi dai trê zovins za fûr de machine; il tierç al jere restât dentri, a cjâf in jù. I socoridôrs a àn vût di taiâ la cinture di sigurece che e blocave il zovin, par podopo tirâlu fûr de machine. Il zovin al è stât metût suntune barele e puartât in ospedâl in codiç zâl. [La Vôs dai Furlans]

Traffic accident on the evening of Sunday 9 February in Pordenon. For reasons yet to be determined, a car with three young men inside veered off the road and flipped over in the forest at about twenty metres from the roadway. The accident occurred at about ten in the evening. Having arrived on the scene, firemen found two of the three young men outside the car; the third was stuck inside, head down. The rescuers had to cut the safety belt trapping the young man, to then pull him out of the car. The young man was put on a stretcher and taken to hospital in code yellow.

6. Take note of how the masculine nouns forest (foreigner) and imprest (tool, device) form their plural: forescj (foreigners); imprescj (tools, devices). Other words of the sort include: turist, turiscj (tourist, tourists); puest, puescj (place, places); dentist, dentiscj (dentist, dentists). Tools used by a tradesman are referred to as imprescj; for instance, i imprescj dal maragon means the carpenter's tools, and i imprescj dal mecanic means the mechanic's tools. A bag wherein tools are kept is known as la borse dai imprescj. As to how imprescj is used in this new item, it identifies devices used to determine whether or not a licence has been falsified. These devices, we are told, are a pueste, meaning that they have been purposefully designed for the uses assigned to them: imprescj a pueste (customised devices; specially-made devices). A pueste is also the Friulian for on purpose; for instance, no ài fat a pueste means I did not do it on purpose.

News report in Friulian 8

Moments di pôre a Gardiscje dilunc de sere di îr: Un om di 29 agns resident a Gardiscje al à scurtissât trê zovins li dal bar Teatro, tal centri de fuartece, par dopo scjampâ fintremai cuant che i carabinîrs lu àn cjapât une ore dopo. Il fat al è sucedût tor des vot e mieze di sere. Si sta investigant sui motîfs, ma des primis ricostruzions al somee che l’agressôr, cul curtìs in man, al vedi cjapât di mire un fantat che forsit al cognosseve. Une fantate di 23 agns in compagnie de vitime e à alore cirût di metisi tal mieç, ma e je stade ancje jê scurtissade patint lis consecuencis plui griviis, tant che i sanitaris a àn scugnût puartâle in codiç ros tal ospedâl di Triest, ma no sarès in pericul di vite. Il scurtissadôr po dopo al à dât cuintri ancje al barist che al à cirût di tirâi vie la arme des mans. Par fortune lis feridis pai doi oms di 26 e 29 agns, ricoverâts tai ospedâi di Triest e Gurize, no son griviis. La fuide dal agressôr no je durade masse a lunc: su lis sôs olmis si son metûts i carabinîrs, che lu àn cjatât e arestât pôc lontan dal lûc de agression. [La Vôs dai Furlans]

In English: Moments di pôre (moments of fear) a Gardiscje (in Gardiscje) dilunc de sere di îr (during the evening of yesterday {=last night}): Un om di 29 agns (a 29-year-old man) resident a Gardiscje (residing in Gardiscje) al à scurtissât trê zovins (knifed three young people) li dal bar Teatro (at the Teatro Bar), tal centri de fuartece (in the middle of the fortification), par dopo scjampâ (to then flee) fintremai cuant che i carabinîrs (until carabinîr police) lu àn cjapât (caught him) une ore dopo (an hour later). Il fat al è sucedût (the incident occurred) tor des vot e mieze di sere (at about half past eight in the evening). Si sta investigant sui motîfs (motives are being investigated), ma des primis ricostruzions (but from initial reconstructions) al somee che l’agressôr (it seems that the attacker), cul curtìs in man (knife in hand), al vedi cjapât di mire un fantat (may have targeted a young man) che forsit al cognosseve (whom he perhaps knew). Une fantate di 23 agns (a young woman of 23 years of age) in compagnie de vitime (accompanying the victim) e à alore cirût di metisi tal mieç (then tried to get involved), ma e je stade ancje jê scurtissade (but she too was knifed) patint lis consecuencis plui griviis (suffering the worst consequences), tant che i sanitaris (such that first responders) a àn scugnût puartâle (had to take her) in codiç ros (in code red) tal ospedâl di Triest (to the hospital of Triest), ma no sarès in pericul di vite (but is reportedly not in danger of life). Il scurtissadôr po dopo al à dât cuintri (the knifer then attacked) ancje al barist (also the barista) che al à cirût di tirâi vie la arme des mans (who tried to withdraw the weapon from his hands). Par fortune (fortunately) lis feridis pai doi oms di 26 e 29 agns (the injuries of both men of 26 and 29 years of age), ricoverâts tai ospedâi di Triest e Gurize (admitted to the hospitals of Triest and Gurize), no son griviis (are not serious). La fuide dal agressôr (the get-away of the attacker) no je durade masse a lunc (did not last very long): su lis sôs olmis (onto his tracks {=in pursuit of him}) si son metûts i carabinîrs (put themselves {=off went} the carabinîr police), che lu àn cjatât e arestât (who found and arrested him) pôc lontan dal lûc de agression (not far from the scene of the attack).

Friulian language notes

1. The Friulian for knife is the masculine noun curtìs. Example: al à taiât il miluç cul curtìs (he cut the apple with the knife). From this, the infinitive scurtissâ is formed, meaning to knife. Example: al à scurtissât un zovin (he knifed a young man). Also formed therefrom is the masculine noun scurtissament, meaning knife attack, which is also expressed as the feminine noun scurtissade. Example: la vitime dal scurtissament e je une zovine di vincj agns (the victim of the knife attack is young woman of twenty years of age). Someone who carries out a knife attack is un scurtissadôr, which is to say, a knifer, a knife attacker.

2. Fintremai cuant che: until, up to such time as. Examples: al è scjampât fintremai cuant che lu àn cjapât (he fled until he was caught); al à fat il marangon fintremai cuant che al è muart (he was a carpenter until he died); cheste situazion e je lade indenant fintremai cuant che al à fevelât di ce che i stave sucedint (this situation carried on until he spoke about what was happening to him).

3. In news reports, it is very common to find the time-related usage tor des, meaning at about: tor des nûf (at about nine); tor des cinc e mieze (at about half past five); tor des dîs di sere (at about ten in the evening); tor des vot e mieze di sere (at about half past eight in the evening); tor des nûf e un cuart di buinore (at about a quarter past nine in the morning). When speaking of one o'clock, tor de is used instead: tor de une e mieze di gnot (at about half past one in the night); tor de une dopomisdì di vuê (at about one this afternoon). In all the foregoing examples, tor di has been used; however, it is also possible to use only tor, in which case, we have examples such as the following: tor lis cuatri (at about four); tor lis cinc e mieze (at about half past five); tor lis nûf e un cuart di buinore (at about a quarter past nine in the morning); vuê tor la une e mieze dopomisdì (at about half past one this afternoon).

4. The Friulian for aim is the feminine noun smire or, as used in the news report, mire; in this way, cjapâ di {s}mire means to target. For example, in the news report, we read: al somee che l’agressôr al vedi cjapât di mire un fantat (it seems that the attacker may have targeted a young man). Al somee che (it seems that) requires the use of the subjunctive. Consider: al à cjapât di mire un fantat (he targeted a young man); al somee che al vedi cjapât di mire un fantat (it seems that he may have targeted a young man).

5. Metisi tal mieç: literally, to put oneself in the middle, which is to say, to get involved. In the news report, we read: la fantate à cirût di metisi tal mieç (the young woman tried to get involved). Another example: nissun no ti à domandât di metiti tal mieç (nobody asked you to get involved); no sta metiti tal mieç dai afârs di chei altris! (don't get involved in other people's business!).

6. Of the young woman, we read: no sarès in pericul di vite. The use of no sarès rather than no je conveys that the information about her is reported, alleged, supposed. Consider: no je in pericul di vite (she is not in danger of life: this information has been confirmed); no sarès in pericul di vite (she is reportedly {allegedly, purportedly} not in danger of life: such is believed to be the case).

7. We read that the barista tried to get the weapon out of the attacker's hands: al à cirût di tirâi vie la arme des mans. To understand the construction of this sentence, you must know the function played by the indirect object i, meaning unto him, or from unto him. Consider: tirâ vie (to pull away); tirâ vie la arme (to pull away the weapon); tirâi vie la arme (to pull away from unto him the weapon); tirâi vie la arme des mans (to pull away from unto him the weapon from the hands). The wording 'to pull away from unto him the weapon from the hands' is the Friulian manner of expressing to pull/get the weapon out of his hands. Note that it is not necessary to say des sôs mans (from his hands), with des mans (from the hands) being sufficient, as the Friulian i makes it clear to whom the hands belong.

8. Su lis sôs olmis si son metûts i carabinîrs: by this is conveyed that the carabinîrs went after the attacker, they pursued him, they set out in pursuit of him. The feminine noun olme mean track, footstep; literally, then, the Friulian says that the carabinîrs 'put themselves onto his tracks'.

Frequently asked questions

1. How do you say knife in Friulian? The Friulian for knife is the masculine noun curtìs. From this, the infinitive scurtissâ is formed, meaning to knife. Also formed therefrom is the masculine noun scurtissament, meaning knife attack. Examples of use: mi à menaçat cul curtìs (he threatened me with a knife); al à scurtissât doi zovins (he knifed two young people); barufe tra almancul dîs zovins e scurtissament in plen centri (brawl between at least ten young people and knife attack right in city centre). Synonymous with the masculine nou scurtissament is the feminine noun scurtissade, for example: une scurtissade cuntun curtìs di cusine (a knife attack with a kitchen knife). With the masculine noun scurtissadôr, a knifer is identified: il scurtissadôr al è stât arestât (the knifer has been arrested).

2. How do you say at about one o'clock in Friulian? This is tor la une or tor de une. How do you say at about five o'clock in Friulian? This is tor lis cinc or tor des cinc. How do you say at about ten o'clock in Friulian? This is tor lis dîs or tor des dîs. You can add di buinore (in the morning) or di sere (in the evening); for example, tor lis cinc di buinore or tor des cinc di buinore means at about five in the morning; and tor lis vot di sere or tor des vot di sere means at about eight in the evening. You can also use vuê (today) at the head of the utterance, or di vuê (of today) at the end of it, to identify an occurrence of the present day: vûe tor lis nûf di buinore (at about nine this morning); tor des dôs dopomisdì di vuê (at about two this afternoon).

News report in Friulian 9

Femine si fâs mâl intune boschete intant che e lavorave cul om: Une femine di 61 agns, residente tal teritori di Cividât, e je stade socorude tal prin dopomisdì di vuê a Porçûs, intune boschete indulà che e stave lavorant cul so om par meti a puest il teren. La femine e je colade patint une pussibile crevadure de gjambe e feridis tal cjâf. Sul puest a son rivâts daurman i sanitaris e i volontaris dal Socors alpin di Glemone che le àn metude suntune barele e puartade sù pes spalis fintremai li de ambulance. [La Vôs dai Furlans]

In English: Femine si fâs mâl (woman injured) intune boschete (in a thicket) intant che e lavorave (whilst she was working) cul om (with her husband): Une femine di 61 agns (a 61-year-old woman), residente tal teritori di Cividât (residing within the territory of Cividât), e je stade socorude (was rescued) tal prin dopomisdì di vuê (first thing this afternoon) a Porçûs (at Porçûs), intune boschete (in a thicket) indulà che e stave lavorant (where she was working) cul so om (with her husband) par meti a puest il teren (to tidy up the terrain). La femine e je colade (the woman fell) patint une pussibile crevadure de gjambe (suffering a possible leg fracture) e feridis tal cjâf (and injuries to the head). Sul puest (on the scene) a son rivâts daurman (arrived immediately) i sanitaris (first responders) e i volontaris dal Socors alpin di Glemone (and volunteers from Glemone Alpine Rescue) che le àn metude suntune barele (who put her on a stretcher) e puartade sù pes spalis (and carried her on their shoulders) fintremai li de ambulance (out to the ambulance).

Friulian language notes

1. The Friulian for stretcher is the feminine noun barele, as in le àn metude suntune barele (they put her on a stretcher). The Friulian barele came up in another news report related to a car that had overturned into a Pordenon forest.

2. Socori is the Friulian for to rescue; its past participle is socorût. Example: la femine e je stade socorude (the woman was rescued); i sanitaris a àn socorût il ferît (first responders/paramedics rescued the injured man).

3. Whereas the masculine noun bosc identifies a forest, the related feminine noun boschete refers to a dense group of bushes or trees. In the news report, we read that the woman was sorting out the area of the thicket that she was working in: e meteve a puest il teren (she was sorting out/straightening out/tidying up the terrain).

4. The feminine noun crevadure is the Friulian for fracture: une crevadure de gjambe (a fracture of the leg, which is to say, a leg fracture); as for the feminine noun feride, this is the Friulian for wound. Head wounds are feridis tal cjâf.

5. The Friulian for shoulder is the feminine noun spale, so that puartâ sù pes spalis means to carry on one's shoulders.

6. Tal prin means at the beginning, so that tal prin dopomisdì means at the beginning of the afternoon, first thing in the afternoon. By adding di vuê (of today), we obtain tal prin dopomisdì di vuê (first thing this afternoon).

Read now a related news report in Friulian, this one about a hiker put on a stretcher after catching hypothermia:

Un tic di fortune e il snait dai socoridôrs a àn salvât la vite a un escursionist di 76 agns, cjatât scanât par tiere dopo une gnot passade al viert a nord di Malborghet. L’om al è stât cjatât par câs dai carabinîrs forestâi in fuart stât di ipotermie, no lontan dal Ripâr Ciurciule. Su la fonde de lôr segnalazion e je partide la mission di socors che e à cjapât i oms dal Socors alpin, de Vuardie di finance e dai operadôrs dal elisocors regjonâl. L’om al à dit di jessisi slontanât îr di cjase e di jessi colât plui voltis intant che al cirive di tornâ, par dopo fermâsi dongje de gleseute dal Boscadôr. Une volte metût suntune barele, l’escursionist al è stât cjamât cu la binte sul elicotar e puartât daurman tal ospedâl di Udin. [La Vôs dai Furlans]

A bit of luck and the agility of rescuers saved the life of a 76-year-old hiker, found lying on the ground after a night spent out in the open, north of Malborghet. The man was accidently discovered by forestry carabinîrs in an advanced state of hypothermia, not far from the Ciurciule hut. On the basis of their reporting {of the incident}, a rescue mission set out, taking men from the Alpine Rescue, the Financial Guard Police and from operators of the Regional Helicopter Rescue. The man said that he had left home yesterday and had fallen numerous times whilst trying to return, to later stop near the little Boscadôr church. Once he had been put on a stretcher, the hiker was hoisted onto a helicopter and taken immediately to hospital in Udin.

News report in Friulian 10

Barufe tra doi zovins tal centri di Udin, Polizie rivade a colp: Îr sore sere, tal centri di Udin e je tacade une barufe tra doi zovins che si son cjapâts a sburtons e cjavonadis. I motîfs de barufe tacade in vie Canciani, juste denant de Galleria Bardelli, no son ancjemò clârs. Sul puest, daspò a pene un minût de prime clamade di un citadin, e je rivade une patulie de Polizie che a àn identificât i doi che si davin jù par decidi cuai proviodiments cjapâ, ancje par cause des restrizions previodudis cu la istituzion de zone rosse che e permet di slontanâ chei che a àn za dât problemis e chei cun precedents. [La Vôs dai Furlans]

In English: Barufe tra doi zovins (fight between two young men) tal centri di Udin (in the centre of Udin), Polizie rivade a colp (police arrived at once): Îr sore sere (yesterday in the early evening), tal centri di Udin (in the centre of Udin) e je tacade une barufe (a fight broke out) tra doi zovins (between two young men) che si son cjapâts a sburtons e cjavonadis (who went at each other with shoves and headbutts). I motîfs de barufe (the motives of the fight) tacade in vie Canciani (broken out in Canciani Street), juste denant de Galleria Bardelli (right in front of the Bardelli {Shopping} Gallery), no son ancjemò clârs (are still not clear). Sul puest (on the scene), daspò a pene un minût (after barely a minute) de prime clamade di un citadin (from the first call by a citizen), e je rivade une patulie de Polizie (a police squad arrived) che a àn identificât i doi (that identified the two) che si davin jù (who were beating each other up) par decidi cuâi proviodiments cjapâ (to decide what measures to take), ancje par cause des restrizions (also by virtue of the restrictions) previodudis cu la istituzion de zone rosse (provided for by the establishment of the red zone) che e permet di slontanâ chei (which allows for the removal of those) che a àn za dât problemis (who are repeat offenders) e chei cun precedents (and those with a criminal record).

Friulian language notes

1. The Friulian sore sere and sot sere refer to the moment of the day when the sun is going down on the horizon, which is to say, the early evening. Îr sore sere: yesterday in the early evening.

2. The Friulian for fight is the masculine noun barufe, whether it be a violent physical altercation or a verbal one. To say that a fight has broken out, we use tacâ (to start, to begin), as in: une barufe e je tacade (a fight has broken out).

3. With the masculine noun sburton, an aggressive push or shove is identified, whereas with the feminine noun cjavonade, identified is a headbutt. In the news report, we read: si son cjapâts a sburtons e cjavonadis (they went at each other with shoves and headbutts).

4. Daspò a pene un minût: after barely/hardly a minute, after not even one minute. The usage meaning barely/hardly is a pene, whereas daspò means after.

5. The feminine noun patulie (squad, patrol) is pronounced with tonic stress on the second syllable [patùlie]; the feminine noun polizie (police) is pronounced with tonic stress on the third syllable [polizìe].

6. Dâ jù means to beat up; literally, 'to give down'. Using this expression, to say that the one is beating up the other, one says that 'he gives down unto the other'. For example: i àn dât jù ben e no mâl (they gave him a really good thrashing); literally: i (unto him) àn dât ({they} have given) jù (down) ben e no mâl (really well). In the report, we find: i doi che si davin jù; literally: i doi (the two) che (who) si (unto each other) davin (were giving) jù (down); which is to say, the two who were having a go at each other, the two who were beating each other up.

7. At the root of slontanâ (to move away, to stave off, to avert, to remove) is lontan, meaning far.

8. Chei che a àn za dât problemis: literally, those who have already given problems, which is to say, those who are repeat offenders. Nota bene: Probleme is a masculine noun; its plural is problemis. Examples: un probleme sociâl (social problem); i problemis sociâi (social problems).

9. Chei cun precedents: literally, those with precedents, which is to say, those with a criminal record.

News report in Friulian 11

Famee salvade dal fûc a Pordenon: Vuê di matine a Pordenon une famee e je stade salvade dai Vigjii dal fûc dopo che tal plan tiere de lôr cjase cun doi plans si jere impiât un fûc. Chei che a jerin a stâ inte cjase a son lâts suntune terace indulà che a àn spietât i socors. Par fortune in vie Stelvio a son rivâts daurman i pompîrs cuntune autoscjale e une autobote. Intant che une scuadre dai Vigjii dal fûc e puartave a salvament la famee, une altre scuadre e tacave a studâ lis flamis prime che a rivassin a brusâ il prin plan, za plen di fum. Sul puest a son rivâts ancje i infermîrs. Lis causis dal fûc a son sot investigazion intant che i pompîrs a àn metût in sigurece la cjase. [La Vôs dai Furlans]

In English: Famee salvade dal fûc a Pordenon (family saved from fire in Pordenon): Vuê di matine a Pordenon (this morning in Pordenon) une famee e je stade salvade dai Vigjii dal fûc (a family was saved by firemen) dopo che tal plan tiere de lôr cjase cun doi plans si jere impiât un fûc (after a fire broke out on the ground level of their two-storey house). Chei che a jerin a stâ inte cjase (those who were living in the house) a son lâts suntune terace (went onto a terrace) indulà che a àn spietât i socors (where they waited for help). Par fortune (fortunately) in vie Stelvio a son rivâts daurman i pompîrs (fireman arrived immediately in Stelvio Street) cuntune autoscjale e une autobote (with a ladder truck and cistern). Intant che une scuadre dai Vigjii dal fûc (as a squad of firemen) e puartave a salvament la famee (saved the family), une altre scuadre e tacave a studâ lis flamis (another squad of firemen began putting out the flames) prime che a rivassin a brusâ il prin plan (before the upstairs floor might be burnt), za plen di fum (already full of smoke). Sul puest a son rivâts ancje i infermîrs (first responders also arrived on the scene). Lis causis dal fûc a son sot investigazion (causes of the fire are under investigation) intant che i pompîrs a àn metût in sigurece la cjase (as firemen have secured the house).

Friulian language notes

1. The general term for fireman in Friulian is the masculine noun pompîr; not only can this be used in a Friulian or Italian context, it can also be used to refer to a fireman in some other country, for instance, when speaking in Friulian of a fireman in your home country of Canada, Australia, Argentina, United States and so on. In a specifially Friulian or Italian context, another term is the masculine vigjil dal fûc, so named after Italy's institutional agency for fire and rescue service. Some example sentences: i pompîrs a àn tirât sù la machine (firemen raised the car); par tiralu fûr al è stât necessari l’intervent dai pompîrs (to pull him out, it was necessary for firemen to intervene); i pompîrs lu àn metût suntune barele (firemen put him on a stretcher); i pompîrs lu àn cjamât sul elicotar (firemen loaded him onto a helicopter); i pompîrs a àn vût di taiâ la cinture di sigurece (firemen had to cut the seat belt); salvât dai Vigjii dal fûc di Udin (saved by firemen from Udin); a son rivâts daurman i Vigjii dal Fûc di Pordenon (firemen from Pordenon arrived).

2. The Friulian for fire is the masculine noun fûc. We are dealing here with standard Friulian; however, you should know that in the spoken language, certain Friulians will say fôc instead: in fact, with this variant form, we are dealing with the ou diphthong, so a more accurate spelling would be fouc. To pronounce the vowel sound of this variant form, you start with Friulian o and let it glide into Friulian u; this is in contrast to the single, long û sound of standard fûc. Following are examples containing fûc, not all of which are related to conflagrations: une arme di fûc (a firearm); la pistole e je une arme di fûc (a handgun is a firearm); fâ fûc (to fire/shoot); la polizie e à fat fûc cuintri de machine (the police fired at the car); fâ fûc cu la pistole (to fire one’s handgun); cuant che al jere frêt si impiave il fûc (when it was cold out, the fire would be lit); il cjan si è cuçât dongje dal fûc (the dog curled up by the fire); a disin che il fûc al sedi partît di un mucigot (it is said that the fire started from a cigarette end); lis cjasis a son menaçadis dal fûc (the houses are threatened by the fire); studâ, distudâ (to extinguish, to put out); studâ lis flamis dal fûc (to put out the flames of the fire); piâ un fûc, impiâ un fûc (to set a fire).

3. Vuê di matine means this morning; related to this usage from the news report are all the following, to provide just a few: vuê di matine tor lis nûf (this morning at about nine); vûe tor lis nûf di buinore (at about nine this morning); tal prin dopomisdì di vuê (first thing this afternoon); tor de une dopomisdì di vuê (at about one this afternoon); vuê tor la une e mieze dopomisdì (at about half past one this afternoon); tor des dôs dopomisdì di vuê (at about two this afternoon); vuê tor misdì (at about noon today). Frequently asked questions: How do you say at about one o’clock in Friulian? This is tor la une or tor de une. How do you say at about five o’clock in Friulian? This is tor lis cinc or tor des cinc. How do you say at about ten o’clock in Friulian? This is tor lis dîs or tor des dîs. You can add di buinore (in the morning) or di sere (in the evening); for example, tor lis cinc di buinore or tor des cinc di buinore means at about five in the morning; and tor lis vot di sere or tor des vot di sere means at about eight in the evening. You can also use vuê (today) at the head of the utterance, or di vuê (of today) at the end of it, to identify an occurrence of the present day: vûe tor lis vot di buinore (at about eight this morning); tor des trê dopomisdì di vuê (at about three this afternoon).

4. A son lâts suntune terace indulà che a àn spietât i socors: they went onto a terrace where they waited for help. It is possible to use indulà che, dulà che and even just là che as the conjunction meaning where, as in: indulà che a àn spietât i socors; dulà che a àn spietât i socors; là che a àn spietât i socors (where they waited for help). When followed by che, this use of where is a conjunction; otherwise it means where in its interrogative function: dulà mangjavino il pan? (where were they eating the bread?); dulà ise la fermade dal bus? (where is the bus stop?); dulà ise la jessude? (where is the exit?); dulà sono lis clâfs? (where are the keys?); dulà isal il spicelapis? (where is the pencil sharpener?); dulà isal il martiel? (where is the hammer?); dulà sono i martiei? (where are the hammers?); dulà ise la pale? (where is the shovel?); dulà ise la custodie dai ocjâi? (where is the case for the glasses?); dulà ise la buteghe dal pancôr? (where is the baker’s shop?); dulà isal l’aspiradôr? (where is the vacuum cleaner?); dulà ise la scove? (where is the broom?); dulà sono i bregonuts? (where are the shorts?); dulà isal il bancomat? (where is the bankomat?, where is the bank machine?).

5. Jessi a stâ: to live, to reside. Examples: o soi a stâ in centri (I live in the city centre); o soi a stâ intune cjase (I live in a house); a son a stâ in Friûl (they live in Friûl); a son a stâ ancjemò cui lôr (they still live with them); o soi tornât dulà che o jeri a stâ prime (I have gone back to where I lived before; I have returned to where I used to reside); biel che al jere a stâ a Udin (whilst he was living in Udin).

6. Un infermîr: this is the Friulian for nurse, but it is also used to refer to a first responder or paramedic. Another Friulian word that identifies a first responder or paramedic is the masculine noun sanitari. Examples: i pompîrs a àn tirât fûr il zovin, par dopo puartâlu cuntune barele fin li de strade indulà che al è stât lassât tes mans dai infermîrs (firemen pulled the young man out, to then carry him on a stretcher out to the road, where he was left in the hands of first responders); i sanitaris dal 118 a àn podût puartâle daurman tal ospedâl di Udin (first responders from 118 were able to take her immediately to hospital in Udin).

7. The masculine noun plan, in relation to a building, means storey. In this news report, we learn of the house that the fire broke on the ground floor: tal plan tiere; and that their house had two floors: une cjase cun doi plans. We also find in the news report: il prin plan; this does not identify the ground floor, but rather the upstairs. In the European system, street level is the ground floor (plan tiere), and the first floor above ground level is il prin plan.

News report in Friulian 12

We have already encountered the Friulian word for punch, which is the masculine noun pugn. This also happens to be the Friulian for fist. For example, we know from another Friulian news report that al è stât ferît par cause di un pugn in muse means he was injured on account of a fist {punch} to the face. Or maybe a man has been left with a crooked nose after a punch to the face, in which case we may something like the following in Friulian: al veve il nâs stuart parcè che al veve cjapât un pugn te muse agns indaûr (he had a crooked nose because he had taken a fist {punch} to the face years back). A punch is, of course, a strike of the fist; as such, we also have the Friulian term un colp di pugn (a strike of fist), as another way to refer to a punch in Friulian.

Before continuing any further, take a moment to check your pronunciation of pugn. The best way to learn it is to hear it: below is a videoclip of a reading from the Bible, Deuteronomy 14, where pugn is pronounced at minute 3.29. (The text of the entire Friulian reading is available for consultation here, on the Glesie Furlane website.)

And how is kick said in Friulian? Not only will you discover the answer to this question below, but you will also encounter once more the Friulian for punch; and, what is more, you will learn how to say in Friulian: to throw a punch, to throw a kick. In the news report, we learn that a man damaged medical equipment at the Santa Maria della Misericordia Hospital in Udin, by punching and kicking it. First read the news report in Friulian, then consult the English translation as necessary. Language notes related to the Friulian follow the translation. Here is the news report:

Om al fische machinaris tal ospedâl di Udin: Îr di buinore tor lis 8 al è stât un altri episodi di violence. Un om al à tacât a tirâ pugns e pidadis cuintri dai machinaris dal repart di Medisine di urgjence. Al varès di jessi un om cun problemis psichiatrics che al è stât cuietât. L’episodi al à dât pinsîr ai sindicâts di categorie, Nursind e Uil Fpl, che a domandin plui tutele pal personâl che al scuen lavorâ intune clime di tension. Intai dîs passâts, tal Pront socors simpri dal ospedâl di Udin, infermîrs e miedis a jerin stâts assaltâts cun brutis peraulis. Ancje se no son stadis consecuencis pal personâl, a àn sotlineât i rapresentants sindicâi, al è dut câs un fat une vore grivi. [La Vôs dai Furlans]

In English: Om al fische machinaris (man damages equipment) tal ospedâl di Udin (at Udin Hopsital): Îr di buinore (yesterday morning) tor lis 8 (at about 8) al è stât un altri episodi di violence (there was another episode of violence). Un om al à tacât a tirâ pugns e pidadis (a man started throwing punches and kicks) cuintri dai machinaris (against the equipment) dal repart di Medisine di urgjence (of the emergency ward). Al varès di jessi un om (he is reported to be a man) cun problemis psichiatrics (with psychiatric problems) che al è stât cuietât (who had to be sedated). L’episodi al à dât pinsîr ai sindicâts di categorie (the episode is a cause of concern for trade unions), Nursind e Uil Fpl (Nursind and Uil Fpl), che a domandin plui tutele (that are asking for more protection) pal personâl che al scuen lavorâ (for personnel who must work) intune clime di tension (in a climate of tension). Intai dîs passâts (in recent days), tal Pront socors simpri dal ospedâl di Udin (yet again at the emergency department of Udin Hospital), infermîrs e miedis a jerin stâts assaltâts (nurses and doctors were assaulted) cun brutis peraulis (with verbal attacks). Ancje se no son stadis consecuencis pal personâl (though there was no further incident for personnel), a àn sotlineât i rapresentants sindicâi (underscored union representatives), al è dut câs un fat une vore grivi (it is nevertheless a very serious situation).

Friulian language notes

1. Al fische: he destroys/damages; the infinitive is fiscâ. Other examples: la tampieste e à fiscât il forment (the hail destroyed/decimated the wheat); une epidemie e à fiscade la popolazion (an epidemic destroyed/decimated the population). The masculine noun machinari, plural machinaris, identifies equipment; for instance, machinaris ospedialîrs is hospital equipment; and machinaris industriâi is industrial equipment. Fiscâ i machinaris: to destroy/damage the equipment.

2. The masculine noun ospedâl means hospital; we have encountered this noun many times in this and other Friulian news reports. More examples of use can be given here: o ài menât gno pari in ospedâl (I took my father to hospital); menâ cualchidun in ospedâl par un intervent (to take someone to hospital for a surgery); al à scugnût fâsi une setemane di ospedâl (he had to spend a week in hospital); al è jentrât in ospedâl par un intervent (he was admitted to hospital for a surgery); cuntun pugn lu ài mandât tal ospedâl (I sent him to hospital with a punch); a àn ricoverât il nono (grandfather has been admitted); mi àn ricoverât di urgjence (I was admitted to emergency). A ward in a hospital is identified by the masculine noun repart, for instance, il repart di Medisine di urgjence refers to the emergency ward of a hospital.

3. Îr di buinore: yesterday morning; can also be said îr di matine. Vuê di buinore: this morning; can also be said vuê di buinore. To say at about, tor or tor di is used: tor lis vot, tor des vot (at about eight). More time related examples: vuê di matine tor lis nûf (this morning at about nine); vûe tor lis vot di buinore (at about eight this morning); tal prin dopomisdì di vuê (first thing this afternoon); tor de une dopomisdì di vuê (at about one this afternoon); vuê tor la une e mieze dopomisdì (at about half past one this afternoon); tor des dôs dopomisdì di vuê (at about two this afternoon); vuê tor misdì (at about noon today); tor la une, tor de une (at about one o’clock); tor lis cinc, tor des cinc (at about five o'clock); tor lis dîs, tor des dîs (at about ten o'clock). You can add di buinore or di matine (in the morning) or di sere (in the evening); for example, tor lis vot di buinore or tor des vot di buinore means at about eight in the morning; and tor lis vot di sere or tor des vot di sere means at about eight in the evening. You can also use vuê (today) and îr (yesterday) at the head of the utterance, or di vuê (of today) and di îr (of yesterday) at the end of it, to identify an occurrence of the present day or of yesterday: vûe tor lis siet di buinore (at about seven this morning); al è stât cjatât muart intal dopomisdì di îr (he was found dead yesterday afternoon).

4. Tirâ pugns e pidadis: to throw punches and kicks. Here we now have the Friulian for kick, which is the feminine noun pidade. Tirâ une pidade: to throw a kick. Similarly, we have tirâ un pugn (to throw a punch). Mi à tirât un pugn: he punched me. In addition to tirâ, we may also use molâ and petâ, as in: molâ une pidade, petâ une pidade (to throw a kick). Mi à petade une pidade: he kicked me. With cjapâ, we can identify being on the receiving end of a kick or punch: o ài cjapât un pugn (I took a punch).

5. Al varès di jessi un om che...: the verb tense used here indicates that we are dealing with reported information, information that may not be fully confirmed: he is reported to have been a man who..., he is reportedly a man who... We have seen other examples of the sort in recent entries, such as: al varès copât (he has reportedly killed); al varès doprât (he has reportedly used); il zovin di cuindis al varès menaçât e angariât, fintremai doprant une curtiele, un zovin di cutuardis agns (the youth of fifteen years of age is reported to have threatened and harassed, even using a switchblade, a youth of fourteen years of age).

6. Probleme is a masculine noun, despite its -e ending in the singular and its -is ending in the plural: un probleme, i problemis. Un probleme psichiatric is a psychiatric problem, a mental problem; in the plural: i problemis psichiatrics. In the feminine singular, the adjective psichiatric takes the form psichiatriche, for instance: une malatie psichiatriche (a psychiatric illness, a mental illness).

7. Cuietâ: to quieten, to calm. Example: cuietâ doi amîs dopo une barufe (to calm two friends down after a fight). The use of cuietâ in the context of the present news report means that the man had to be subdued or sedated to calm him down. Al è stât cuietât: he was subdued; he had to be sedated. Review: The feminine noun barufe (fight, brawl) identifies a violent physical or verbal altercation. Often used with barufe is tacâ, which is the Friulian for to begin, to start; for instance, e je tacade une barufe means a fight has started, broken out.

8. Not only does the masculine noun pinsîr mean thought, it also means worry, concern. For example, stâ in pinsîr means to be worried, to be concerned, and dâ pinsîr means to cause worry, to cause concern. L’episodi al à dât pinsîr: the episode caused worry, concern.

9. Cun brutis peraulis: literally, with bad {harsh} words, which is to say, verbal attacks.

News report in Friulian 13

Cjapât dai carabinîrs il sassin di Franco Bernardo Bergamin: Al à ametût di jessi stât lui a copâ Franco Bernardo Bergamin, pôc dopo di jessi stât arestât a Monfalcon. Si trate di Alessio Battaglia, 41 agns, triestin, cjapât dai carabinîrs di Padue vie pe gnot passade dentri de cjase de morose, dopo ricercjis ladis indenant par almancul doi dîs tra Venit, Trentin e Friûl-Vignesie Julie. L’om nol à fat resistence e al à contât ai agjents di vê copât il pensionât di 80 agns. Il cuarp de vitime al jere stât cjatât sierât dentri di doi sacs platâts intun armâr doi dîs indaûr, dentri de sô abitazion a Limena in provincie di Padue. Su la fonde di ce che al à contât, dut al è tacât cuntune barufe tra i doi oms, che a jerin a stâ te stesse abitazion. I aciertaments fats dal miedi legâl a fevelavin dal fat che il sassin al veve agjît cun ferocitât spacant il cuel de vitime. [La Vôs dai Furlans]

In English: Cjapât dai carabinîrs (caught by carabinîr police) il sassin di Franco Bernardo Bergamin (the murderer of Franco Bernardo Bergamin): Al à ametût (he has admitted) di jessi stât lui a copâ Franco Bernardo Bergamin (to having been he who killed Franco Bernardo Bergamin), pôc dopo di jessi stât arestât a Monfalcon (shortly after having been arrested in Monfalcon). Si trate di Alessio Battaglia (implicated is Alessio Battaglia), 41 agns (41 years old), triestin (of Triest), cjapât dai carabinîrs di Padue (caught by carabinîr police of Padue) vie pe gnot passade (last night) dentri de cjase de morose (at his girlfriend's house), dopo ricercjis ladis indenant par almancul doi dîs (after investigations carried out for at least two days) tra Venit, Trentin e Friûl-Vignesie Julie (between Venit, Trentin e Friûl-Vignesie Julie). L’om nol à fat resistence (the man did not resist) e al à contât ai agjents (and told officers) di vê copât il pensionât di 80 agns (that he had killed the 80-year-old pensioner). Il cuarp de vitime (the victim's body) al jere stât cjatât (had been found) sierât dentri di doi sacs (closed inside two bags) platâts intun armâr (hidden in a closet) doi dîs indaûr (two days ago), dentri de sô abitazion a Limena in provincie di Padue (inside his Limena home in the province of Padue). Su la fonde di ce che al à contât (based on what he has said), dut al è tacât (it all began) cuntune barufe tra i doi oms (with an argument between the two men), che a jerin a stâ te stesse abitazion (who dwelt in the same home). I aciertaments fats dal miedi legâl (medical examiner's investigtions) a fevelavin dal fat che (revealed that) il sassin al veve agjît cun ferocitât (the murderer had acted with ferocity) spacant il cuel de vitime (by breaking the victim's neck).

Friulian language notes

1. The masculine noun sassin means murderer; for instance, il sassin al è scjampât means the murderer escaped, got away. Sassin, which is pronounced with tonic stress on the final syllable: [sa|ssìn], can be so defined: cui che al fâs un sassinament (he who commits a murder). A serial killer can be said to be un sassin seriâl. Related to these words is sassinâ, meaning to murder. As for copâ, this means to kill; for instance, il sassin lu à copât cun trê curtissadis means the murderer killed him with three knife wounds. Related to this is the masculine noun copament mean killing; for instance, la polizie e je daûr a investigâ suntun copament means police are currently investigating a killing. Polizie is pronounced with tonic stress on the third syllable: [po|li|zì|e].

2. The murderer was forty-one years old: cuaranteun agns. Remember that in Friulian an age is had, so that to say that he was forty-one years old, we must say: il sassin al veve cuaranteun agns (literally, the murderer has forty-one years). The man who was killed was eighty years of age: la vitime e veve otante agns. To pronounce agns, say ains: it sounds like the English word I or eye followed by nts. The murderer is also described as being triestin, which is to say that he was from Triest. Triestin is an adjective, in English Triestine, formed from the city name Triest. Other examples of such adjectival formations are: udinês, from city name Udin; or pordenonês, from city name Pordenon; or florentin, from city name Florence; or roman, from city name Rome; or parisin, from city name Parîs; or londinês, from city name Londre (i.e., London).

3. Vie par means during; as such, vie pe gnot (a contraction of vie par + la gnot) means during the night. When passât is added, we obtain: vie pe gnot passade (during the last night, which is to say, {at some point} last night). This can also be expressed so: vie pe gnot di îr (during the night of yesterday, which is again to say, {at some point} last night). More examples of vie par follow; note that it can also mean throughout: vie pe setemane (during the week); vie pal mês (during the month); vie pe Vierte (during the spring); vie pal Istât (during the summer); vie pe Sierade (during the autumn); vie pal Invier (during the winter); vie pe storie (throughout history); vie pe prime vuere mondiâl (during the first world war); vie pe seconde vuere mondiâl (during the second world war); vie par dut l'an scolastic (throughout the school year).

4. The feminine singular noun morose identifies a girlfriend, in the sense of a female romantic interest; its masculine counterpart is morôs, identifying a boyfriend. Examples: isal il to morôs? (is he your boyfriend?); ise la tô morose? (is she your girlfriend?); sì, al è il gno morôs (yes, he is my boyfriend); no, nol è il gno morôs (no, he is not my boyfriend); sì, e je la mê morose (yes, she is my girlfriend); no, no je la mê morose (no, she is not my girlfriend). To say that two people are together in a relationship, we may use stâ adun (where adun means together), for instance: chei doi a stan adun di un an (those two have been together for a year); we may also use the related morosâ, for instance: chei doi a morosin di un an (those two have been going out for a year).

5. Indaûr means back or ago. Examples: un an indaûr (one year ago, a year back); cualchi an indaûr (a few years ago); agns indaûr (years ago); doi agns indaûr (two years ago); cualchi dì indaûr (a few days ago); doi dîs indaûr (two days ago); une mieze ore indaûr (half an hour ago); cualchi ore indaûr (a few hours ago); oris indaûr (hours ago); dôs oris indaûr (two hours ago); une setemane indaûr (a week ago); cualchi setemane indaûr (a few weeks ago); setemanis indaûr (weeks ago); dôs setemanis indaûr (two weeks ago). Indaûr is also used with verbs: o ài lavôr lassât indaûr ancjemò di fâ (I have work left over still to do); tornâ indaûr il libri in biblioteche (to return the book to the library); lâ indaûr cu la machine (to go in reverse with the car).

6. The feminine noun barufe means fight, argument, brawl. We have encountered this noun numerous times in our readings of different news reports in Friulian. Various examples of use: e je tacade une barufe (a fight has broken out); vûstu fâ barufe? (you want to fight?); cuietâ doi amîs dopo une barufe (to calm two friends down after an argument). Related to this noun is barufâ, meaning to fight, to argue, to brawl. Examples: barufâ cui vicins (to argue with the neighbours); i vicins a barufin par ogni robe (the neighbours fight over everything); a àn barufât par une stupidade (they argued over something stupid). Related in meaning is cuistionâ; for instance, a àn cuistionât par une stupidade takes the same meaning as the last example. Barufe identifies both a heated verbal exchange and a violent physical altercation, for instance, one involving shoves, headbutts, punches and kicks: sburtons, cjavonadis, pugns e pidadis.

7. The neck of a human is identified by the masculine noun cuel; its plural is cuei (necks). The formation of this plural follows the rule whereby, with a noun ending in an l preceded by vowel, the l is replaced by i to form the plural. Examples: pâl (pole; plural pâi); cîl (sky, heaven; plural cîi); nemâl (animal; plural nemâi); uficiâl (official; plural uficiâi); camêl (camel; plural camêi). We read that the murderer broke the victim's neck: spacant il cuel de vitime (by breaking the neck of the victim). Of spacâ (to break, to smash, to rend), an example from the Bible (Gjeremie 30,8): o crevarai il jôf ch’al à sul so cuel e o spacarai lis sôs cjadenis; in English: o crevarai il jôf (I shall break the yoke) ch’al à sul so cuel (that he has on his neck) e o spacarai lis sôs cjadenis (and shall smash his chains). The masculine noun jôf is an interesting one to learn: it identifies a yoke. It can be used in its literal sense (wooden crosspiece fastened over the necks of two animals and attached to a plough) or in a figurative sense of oppression. Examples: meti une pline di bûs sot dal jôf (to put a pair of oxen under the yoke); il jôf de miserie (the yoke of poverty). Bûs (oxen) is an irregular plural, from masculine singular bo (ox). Jôf in its literal sense can be so defined in Friulian: imprest di len che si met tor dal cuel dai bûs (wooden implement put about the neck of oxen).

You can hear at 1.34 in the videoclip below the sentence provided above: o crevarai il jôf ch’al à sul so cuel e o spacarai lis sôs cjadenis; in English: o crevarai il jôf (I shall break the yoke) ch’al à sul so cuel (that he has on his neck) e o spacarai lis sôs cjadenis (and shall smash his chains). The text for the entire reading of this chapter is found here on the Glesie Furlane website.

8. When translating Friulian placenames into English, it is my practice on this website to retain the Friulian name, rather than use the Italian form. For instance, Friulian Udin is yet Udin in English, rather than Italian Udine; Friulian Pordenon is yet Pordenon in English, rather than Italian Pordenone, and so on. For reference, the placenames mentioned in Friulian in this news report (in bold below) take the following Italian forms (in italics below): Monfalcon (it. Monfalcone), Triest (it. Trieste), Padue (it. Padua), Venit (it. Veneto), Trentin (it. Trentino), Friûl-Vignesie Julie (it. Friuli-Venezia Giulia), Limena (it. Limena).

Mistakes to avoid in Friulian

1. Appearing a number of times in the news report is the Friulian word for two, which is doi. We find: doi dîs (two days), doi oms (two men) and doi sacs (two bags). However, be sure to remember that Friulian also uses dôs; for instance, dôs setemanis is the Friulian for two weeks. What is the difference between doi and dôs? Doi is used with masculine nouns, whereas dôs is used with feminine ones. This is no different to how un (one) is used with masculine nouns, and une with feminine ones. Examples: un om, doi oms (one man, two men); une femine, dôs feminis (one woman, two women); un cjan, doi cjans (one dog, two dogs); une cjase, dôs cjasis (one house, two houses); un lât, doi lâts (one lake, two lakes); une orele, dôs orelis (one ear, two ears). Can you say the following in Friulian? two camels; two necks; two fights; two hours; two poles. All these words are found provided in Friulian elsewhere on this page, if you do not know them.

2. In the news report, we read: l'om nol a fat resistence (the man did not resist). Nol is a masculine singular form only. It cannot be used with a feminine singular subject. In the feminine, we must use no instead: la femine no à fat resistence (the woman did not resist). More examples: l'om nol à pôre (the man is not afraid); la femine no à pôre (the woman is not afraid); l'om nol à dit nuie (the man did not say anything); la femine no à dit nuie (the woman did not say anything); chel om nol à nancje un dint (that man does not have even one tooth); chê femine no à nancje un dint (that woman does not have even one tooth); chel om nol à nancje trente agns (that man is not even thirty years old); chê femine no à nancje trente agns (that woman is not even thirty years old); chel om nol è furlan (that man is not Friulian); chê femine no je furlane (that woman is not Friulian). In the plural, no is used: chei oms no son furlans (those men are not Friulian); chei oms no àn nancje trente agns (those men are not even thirty years old); chês feminis no son furlanis (those women are not Friulian).

3. Carrying on from above, be sure to note the difference in verb between the masculine singular and feminine singular of the present indicative of jessi (to be): al è (he is); nol è (he is not); e je (she is); no je (she is not); in other words, è is used in the masculine singular, and je is used in the feminine singular. There is no difference in verb with vê (to have) between the two: al à (he has); nol à (he has not); e à (she has); no à (she has not); in other words, à for both the masculine singular and the feminine singular. In the plural, all the foregoing are: a son (they are); no son (they are not); a àn (they have); no àn (they have not). Can you say the following in Friulian? the man escaped; the woman escaped. See number 1 of the Friulian language notes section above if you do not remember the equivalent of to escape. Be sure to make the past participle agree with its subject.

News report in Friulian 14

Une barufe tra frutats e je lade a finî cuntun scurtissament tal dopomisdì di vuê dongje de stazion di Gurize, in cors Italia. Un grup di frutats al à tacât a dâsi jù e a un ciert pont e je saltade fûr une lame, forsit un curtìs, che no je stade ancjemò cjatade, che cun chê al è stât ferît un dai minôrs. Il frutat al è stât puartât tal ospedâl di Gurize. Par cumò no si cognòs la prognosi. Sul puest a son rivâts daurman i carabinîrs che a àn sintût lis primis testemoneancis sul fat. La posizion di cierts minôrs e je sot investigazion. [La Vôs dai Furlans]

In English: Une barufe tra frutats (a fight between adolescents) e je lade a finî cuntun scurtissament (ending up with a knife attack) tal dopomisdì di vuê (this afternoon) dongje de stazion di Gurize (by Gurize station), in cors Italia (in Italia Avenue). Un grup di frutats (a group of adolescents) al à tacât a dâsi jù (came to blows) e a un ciert pont (and at a certain point) e je saltade fûr une lame (a blade was produced), forsit un curtìs (perhaps a knife), che no je stade ancjemò cjatade (which has not yet been found), che cun chê al è stât ferît un dai minôrs (whereby one of the minors was injured). Il frutat al è stât puartât (the adolescent was taken) tal ospedâl di Gurize (to Gurize Hospital). Par cumò (for now) no si cognòs la prognosi (the prognosis is not known). Sul puest (on the scene) a son rivâts daurman i carabinîrs (carabinîr police arrived immediately) che a àn sintût lis primis testemoneancis (who heard the first testimonies) sul fat (about the incident). La posizion di cierts minôrs (the situation of certain minors) e je sot investigazion (is under investigation).

Friulian language notes

1. Of high frequency in our reading of news reports coming out of Friûl is the feminine noun barufe; this word can be used to identify both a heated verbal exchange and a violent physical altercation; in other words, it means argument, fight, brawl. Examples: e je tacade une barufe tal dopomisdì di vuê (a fight broke out this afternoon); une barufe tra i vicins (an argument between the neighbours); o soi in barufe cui vicins (I am in an argument with the neighbours); une barufe tra minôrs (a brawl between minors); barufe e scurtissament in plen centri (brawl and knifing right in city centre); cuatri arescj dopo la barufe (four arrests after the brawl). For information, arescj is the plural of the masculine noun arest, meaning arrest. Other Friulian nouns that form their plural in this same manner include, just to name a few: un turist, i turiscj (tourist, tourists); un forest, i forescj (foreigner, foreigners); un artist, i artiscj (artist, artists); un puest, i puescj (place, places); chest scriturist, chescj scrituriscj (this scribe, these scribes).

2. What is the difference between the Friulian words frut, frutat and fantat? Whereas the masculine noun frut identifies a male child, the masculine noun frutat identifies one who is older, but not yet an adult. In this news report, frutat identifies a male of adolescent age. Males in late adolescence or early adulthood may be identified by the masculine noun fantat. However, in the plural, note that frutats and fantats can also be used to address a group of adults in a gregarious or endearing manner, in much the same way lads or boys may be used by speakers of English, or ragazzi by speakers of Italian, as a form of address amongst mates: one need only think of sports settings, where this is commonly the case: dai mo fantats! (come on lads!, let's go boys!; Italian: forza ragazzi!). Pronunciation: In the singular, frutat and fantat are pronounced [fru|tàt] and [fan|tàt], but in the plural, the final t is not pronounced before the s of the plural; you can hear the plural fantats pronounced right at the beginning of the videoclip below, which was first presented in a lesson related to the importance of a standardised form of Friulian. The speaker even uses fantats in the manner described above, which is to say, in a gregarious manner to address his audience, who are viewing the videoclip.

3. La barufe e je lade a finî cuntun scurtissament: the fight ended up with a knife attack; the brawl ended up in a knifing. If we translate lâ a finî literally from the Friulian, we obtain: to go to finish, the sense whereof is to end up. More examples: e so pari, cemût isal lât a finî? (and his father, how did he end up?); Cristina, dulà sêstu lade a finî? (Cristina, where have you ended up?); il motôr de machine si è stacât e al è lât a finî cuintri des ruedis di un autobus (the car's motor came off and ended up against the wheels of a bus); ae fin e je lade a finî ben (in the end everything turned out fine).

4. The masculine noun dopomisdì identifies the afternoon; di vuê translates literally as of today, of this day. As such, tal dopomisdì di vuê (literally, in the afternoon of this day) is a Friulian manner of expressing this afternoon. Review the following, all of which have appeared in other lessons: a la une e un cuart dopomisdì (at a quarter past one in the afternoon); tor de une dopomisdì di vuê (at about one this afternoon); tor des dôs dopomisdì di vuê (at about two this afternoon); vuê tor la une e mieze dopomisdì (at about half past one this afternoon); tal prin dopomisdì di vuê (first thing this afternoon); al è stât cjatât muart intal dopomisdì di îr (he was found dead yesterday afternoon).

5. Dongje di means beside, next to, near, by. Examples: il lapis al è dongje dal libri (the pencil is next to the book); o voi a vore dongje di cjase (I go to work near home); lu àn copât dongje dal flum (he was killed near the river); une barufe dongje de stazion des corieris (a brawl by the bus station); il cjan si è cuçât dongje dal fûc (the dog curled up by the fire); si sin fermâts dongje de glesie (we stopped near the church); al è tornât a sentâsi dongje di me (he sat back down beside me); jo o stoi dongje dal poç (I am standing by the well); si è fermât dongje dai cjamps (he stopped by the fields).

6. Dâ jù means to punch, to beat up; dâsi jù means to punch each other, to beat each other up; and tacâ a dâsi jù means to begin to punch each other, to start to beat each other up, which is to say, to come to blows. Of dâ jù, an example: un pugjil che al da jù fuart (a boxer who punches hard); of dâsi jù, an example: i zovins si davin jù cun violence (the youths were punching each other violently); of tacâ a dâsi jù, an example: i doi oms a àn tacât a dâsi jù denant de taverne (the two men came to blows in front of the tavern).

7. Saltâ fûr means to go/come forth; in the news report, we read: a un ciert pont e je saltade fûr une lame, which, if taken word for word, translates as: at a certain point a blade came forth, the sense whereof is that a blade was produced, a blade appeared, someone pulled out a blade. More examples: al è saltât fûr il soreli (the sun has come out); al è saltât fûr un erôr (an error has shown up); lis clâfs de cjase a son saltadis fûr (the house keys have turned up); Marie di Magdale, che a jerin saltâts fûr di jê siet demonis (Mary Magdalene, out of whom had come seven demons); Noè al è saltat fûr de arcje cu la sô famee e cun dutis lis bestiis (Noah came out of the ark with his family and all the beasts).

8. Une lame, forsit un curtìs, che no je stade ancjemò cjatade: a blade, perhaps a knife, which has not yet been found. With the wording che no je stade ancjemò cjatade, we know at once that it refers back to feminine lame and not masculine curtìs because of the gender agreement: une lame che no je stade ancjemò cjatade (a blade which has not yet been found); were it to refer back to curtìs, we must say: un curtìs che nol è stât ancjemò cjatât (a knife which has not yet been found).

9. Une lame [...] che cun chê al è stât ferît un dai minôrs: a blade with which one of the minors was injured. In place of with which, we can also say in English: wherewith, by which, whereby. Here is how Friulian handles this construction, word for word: une lame (a blade) che (that) cun chê (with it) al è stât ferît ({he} was injured) un dai minôrs (one of the minors). In cun chê, we have feminine singular chê (that {one}), which necessarily stands in for feminine singular lame. We can also change the position of cun chê to say: une lame che al è stât ferît cun chê un dai minôrs. Another example: un curtìs che cun chel al è stât copât un dai oms (a knife with which one of the men was killed; a knife wherewith one of the men was killed; a knife by which one of the men was killed; a knife whereby one of the men was killed); we can again modify word order to say the same: un curtìs che al è stât copât cun chel un dai oms. Yet another example, this one from number 7: Marie di Magdale, che a jerin saltâts fûr di jê siet demonis. Word for word: Marie di Magdale (Mary Magdalene), che (that) a jerin saltâts fûr di jê ({they} had come out of her) siet demonis (seven demons), which is to say, Mary Magdalene, out of whom had come seven demons. Different word order, same meaning: Marie di Magdale, che di jê a jerin saltâts fûr siet demonis. More examples: un om che tu puedis fâ cont su di lui (a man on whom you can count, a man you can count on); la femine che ti fevelavi di jê (the woman about whom I was speaking to you, the woman I was speaking to you about). Read more in number 10.

10. To continue on from above, know that it is often the case that a shorter construction will be used in Friulian. Before looking at the next example, know that English to pay for is paiâ in Friulian, and not paiâ par; for example, to pay the bill is said in Friulian paiâ il cont; or to pay for it is paiâlu. In alignment with the points made above in number 9, we may now say in Friulian: i bêçs che cun chei lu ài paiât (the money with which I paid for it); remember that bêçs (money) is a masculine plural noun, wherefore: cun chei, not cun chel. That said, that this can also be expressed more simply, with no change in meaning, as: i bêçs che lu ài paiât. With this latter example, we must understand che as meaning with which (wherewith) or by which (whereby). Another example: la machine che o soi vignût (the car by which I came). Yet another example: in number 9, we had: un om che tu puedis fâ cont su di lui; this can also be said: un om che tu puedis fâ cont, where we must understand che as meaning on whom, as in: un om (a man) che (on whom) tu puedis (you can) fâ cont (count).

11. A high-frequency word to learn in Friulian was presented above: the masculine plural bêçs, meaning money. To pronounce it, say bês. You can hear it pronounced in the reading below, where the following sentence is read aloud at minute 3.59: parcè alore no âstu metûts i miei bêçs in bancje? (why then did you not put my money in the bank?). Note also the pronunciation of âstu as atu, and the pronunciation of metûts as metûs. If you would like to work through the entire reading, the Friulian text is here on the Glesie Furlane website.

12. No si cognòs la prognosi: the prognosis is not known. The feminine noun prognosi is pronounced with tonic stress on the first syllable; the second syllable gno sounds like nio; and, finally, a Friulian s between vowels sounds like an English z. In other words, pronounce prognosi as [prò|nio|zi].

13. Appearing twice in the news report is ciert, meaning certain. We find: a un ciert pont (at a certain point); and cierts minôrs (certain minors). Of ciert, the four forms are: ciert (masculine singular); cierts (masculine plural); cierte (feminine singular); ciertis (feminine plural). More examples: un ciert om (a certain man); une cierte persone (a certain person); ti à cirût un ciert zovin (a certain young man was looking for you); cierte int no mi plâs (I do not like certain people); cierts plats no mi plasin (I do not like certain dishes); ciertis voltis e va ben, ciertis voltis e va mâl (sometimes it goes well, sometimes it goes badly). Ciertis voltis translates literally as certain times.

14. In the videoclip above, we hear the masculine plural past participle metûts pronounced as metûs; and in our news report, we find the feminine singular past participle cjatade and the masculine singular puartât. If these latter had also been in the masculine plural (cjatâts and puartâts), they would be pronounced cjatâs and puartâs. Of meti, cjatâ and puartâ, here are the four forms (masculine singular and plural; feminine singular and plural); read them aloud, paying attention to pronunciation: metût, cjatât, puartât (masculine singular); metûts, cjatâts, puartâts (masculine plural); metude, cjatade, puartade (feminine singular); metudis, cjatadis, puartadis (feminine plural).

News report in Friulian 15

Austriac al reste tacât a un laris su la Mont Sante di Lussari: Moments di pôre vuê su la Mont Sante di Lussari, cuant che un om di 40 agns, che al rivave di Vilac, intant che al vignive jù cuntun parecleve, al è restât tacât di un laris, a plui o mancul 1.700 metris di cuote. Par liberà l’om, che l’incident al è sucedût te matine sul tart, si son movûts i tecnics dal Socors alpin di Rabil e de Vuardie di finance e i agjents de Polizie che a fasin il servizi di sigurece su lis pistis. Lis operazions a son ladis indenant sul versant a nord de mont, intune zone che si cjate pôc sot de strade che e puarte bande dal santuari. L’om al jere restât tacât a vincj metris di altece e par tirâlu jù i tecnics a àn vût il lôr biel ce fâ. [La Vôs dai Furlans]

In English: Austriac al reste tacât a un laris (Austrian gets stuck in a larch tree) su la Mont Sante di Lussari (on Mont Sante {Holy Mount} of Lussari): Moments di pôre vuê (moments of fear today) su la Mont Sante di Lussari (on Mont Sante of Lussari), cuant che un om di 40 agns (when a 40-year-old man), che al rivave di Vilac (who was arriving from Vilac), intant che al vignive jù cuntun parecleve (as he was coming down by paraglider {as he was paragliding down}), al è restât tacât di un laris (got stuck in a larch tree), a plui o mancul 1.700 metris di cuote (at an altitude of about 1700 metres). Par liberà l’om (to free the man), che l’incident al è sucedût te matine sul tart (to whom the accident happened late this morning), si son movûts i tecnics dal Socors alpin di Rabil (called to action were technicians from the Alpine Rescue of Rabil) e de Vuardie di finance (and from the Financial Guard police) e i agjents de Polizie che a fasin il servizi di sigurece (and police officers who provide security services) su lis pistis (on the ski paths). Lis operazions a son ladis indenant (operations were carried out) sul versant a nord de mont (on the northside slope of the mountain), intune zone che si cjate pôc sot de strade (in an area located just below the road) che e puarte bande dal santuari (which leads towards the sanctuary). L’om al jere restât tacât (the man had become stuck) a vincj metris di altece (twenty metres above ground) e par tirâlu jù (and to get him down) i tecnics a àn vût il lôr biel ce fâ (technicians had their work cut out for them).

Friulian language notes

1. The country known in English as Austria is called la Austrie in Friulian (tonic stress: Àustrie); a male who hails from this country is un austriac, and a female is une austriache (tonic stress: austrìac, austrìache). Austriac is also an adjective; examples: un turist austriac (Austrian tourist); il guvier austriac (Austrian government); la bandiere austriache (Austrian flag); i boscs austriacs (Austrian forests); i turiscj austriacs (Austrian tourists); lis Alps austriachis (Austrian Alps).

2. In other lessons, we have seen that one of the meanings of tacâ is to start, to begin. For instance, il spectacul al tache adès means the show is starting now; o ài tacât a fâ il marangon means I have started to work as a carpenter; and e je tacade une barufe means a brawl broke out, a fight started. In our news report, we find tacâ used in a different sense: to stick. Example: a àn tacât il manifest intor di un pâl (they stuck the poster to a pole). Related to this is the adjective tacadiç, meaning sticky. Example: o ài lis mans tacadicis (my hands are sticky). Even an annoying person whom you cannot seem to get rid of can be described as tacadiç. Example: al è une buine persone, ma al è masse tacadiç (he is a good person, but he is too clingy). In the news report, we read that the Austrian got stuck in a tree: al è restât tacât a un arbul (literally, he remained stuck to a tree). The report tells us that the tree was un laris (a larch), pronounced with tonic stress on the first syllable.

3. Carrying on from above, the formulation restâ + past participle is of high frequency in Friulian; it equates to English to get + past participle. Examples: al è restât tacât a un laris (he got stuck in a larch tree); la machine si è capotade e il vuidadôr al è restât blocât dentri (the car overturned and the driver got stuck inside); al è restât cjapât tal lôr trabochet (he got caught in their trap); al è restât copât ai 23 di Zenâr dal 2025 (he got killed on 23 January 2025). Note that the first two examples translate as got stuck in English, but in the first, it is as though the man is 'attached' to the tree (tacât a un arbul), whereas in the second, the driver is trapped inside the vehicle (blocât dentri), rather than 'stuck onto'.

4. When the Austrian got stuck in the tree, he was paragliding down: al vignive jù cuntun parecleve (he was coming down by paraglider). Related to the masculine noun parecleve (paraglider) is the masculine noun parecjadudis (parachute). Example: l'om molât jù dal avion al vignive jù cuntun parecjadudis (the man who was dropped from the plane was coming down by parachute). Cun, in addition to with, can also mean by, in particular when speaking of modes of transport: la machine che o soi vignût (the car by which I came, the car I came by). Nota bene: Both parecleve and parecjadudis are masculine nouns, despite their -e and -is endings; therefore, we say: il parecleve and il parecjadudis.

5. Frequently used in Friulian is plui or mancul (more or less), where English has approximately, about. Examples: a plui o mancul cuarante metris de cjarezade (at about forty metres from the roadway); a plui o mancul dusinte metris de glesie (at about two hundred metres from the church).

6. In the last lesson, we looked at how the Friulian che can mean much more than just that. It can also mean, with which, wherewith, by which, whereby, whom, to whom, about whom, to name just a few possibilities. Consider the Friulian un om che tu puedis fâ cont: here, we must understand che as meaning on whom, as in a man on whom you can count {a man you can count on}. That said, this can also be said in Friulian as: un om che tu puedis fâ cont su di lui, where it is now che di lui that must be understood as meaning on whom. Let us look now at the example from our news report: par liberà l’om, che l’incident al è sucedût te matine sul tart, [...]. If we try to translate che as that, we end up with nonsense in English: to free the man, that the accident happened late this morning, [...]. It only makes sense if we take che as meaning to whom, as in: to free the man, to whom the accident happened late this morning, [...].

7. Te matine sul tart or inte matine sul tart: literally, in the morning on the late, which is to say, in the late morning. Of sul tart, a few more examples: o finìs di lavorâ sul tart (I finish working late); intal dopomisdì sul tart (in the late afternoon); inte matine sul tart di vuê (late this morning); inte sere sul tart di vuê (late this evening); inte sere sul tart di miercus ai 19 di Març (in the late evening of Wednesday 19 March). More about matine in number 14 below.

8. Movisi: to get moving, to be mobilised, to be called to action. Examples: moviti che o sin tarts (get a move on because we are late); la protezion civîl si è movude par judâ la popolazion (civil protection was mobilised to help the populace). In addition to past participle movût, we also have mot, so that the following is equally possible: la protezion civîl si è mote par judâ la popolazion.

9. Lis operazions a son ladis indenant sul versant a nord de mont: literally: lis operazions (the operations) a son ladis indenant (went ahead) sul versant (on the slope) a nord ({orientated} to {the} north) de mont (of the mountain), which is to say that the operations were carried out on the northside mountain slope. Another Friulian word for slope is the feminine cueste. Note the following: {orientât} a nord, a sud, a est, a ovest can also be expressed as setentrionâl, meridionâl, orientâl, ocidentâl. As such, sul versant a nord de mont can also be said su la cueste setentrionâl de mont; and su la cueste orientâl de mont can also be said sul versant a est de mont.

10. Cjatâsi: to be found, to be located. Examples: la scuele si cjate a Udin (the school is located in Udin); il campament si cjate pôc sot dal troi (the encampment is located just below the trail); no si cjatilu di nissune bande (you cannot find it anywhere); mi cjati ben cul lavôr gnûf (I like my new job, my new job is good; literally, I am found well with the new work).

11. Vê il so biel ce fâ: to have one's work cut out, which is to say, to have a difficult task at hand. From the report: i tecnics a àn vût il lôr biel ce fâ (the technicians had their work cut out for them). Here is how to say this in all persons: o ài vût il gno biel ce fâ (I had my work cut out for me); tu âs vût il to biel ce fâ (you [singular] had your work cut out for you); al à vût il so biel ce fâ (he had his work cut out for him); e à vût il so biel ce fâ (she had her work cut out for her); o vin vût il nestri biel ce fâ (we had our work cut out for us); o vês vût il vuestri biel ce fâ (you [plural] had your work cut out for you); a àn vût il lôr biel ce fâ (they had their work cut out for them). Examples in the present and future tense: par liberâ l'om, i pompîrs a varan il lôr biel ce fâ (to free the man, the firemen will have their work cut out for them); par imparâ il rus, tu varâs il to biel ce fâ (to learn Russian, you will have your work cut out for you); par rivâ a fâ dut chest, o ài propit il gno biel ce fâ! (to be able to do all this, I really have my work cut out for me!).

12. Avoid making this mistake in Friulian: mont is masculine when it means world, but feminine when it means mountain. Examples in the masculine: il flum plui lunc dal mont (the world's longest river); fâ il zîr dal mont (to go round the world, to travel the world); il mont ocidentâl (the western world). Examples in the feminine: scjalâ une mont (to climb a mountain); chê mont e je bielone (that mountain is very beautiful); mi mancjin lis monts (I miss the mountains). An interesting Friulian term to learn is il lâ a mont dal soreli, which identifies the time of day known as dusk in English. It translates literally as the sun's going to the mountains, the sense whereof is the sun's going down behind the mountains on the horizon at dusk. An example from my Friulian translation of De imitazion di Crist: a buinore vè iniment che sul lâ a mont dal soreli tu podaressis murî (in the morning bear in mind that at dusk you may die); in other words, remember that death is always near.

13. In relation to the term il lâ a mont dal soreli noted above, listen to an example of it read aloud in the videoclip below, at minute 10.15, where the lector says: Isac al jere saltât fûr par cjapâ une bocjade di aiar te campagne, sul lâ a mont dal soreli e, alçant i vôi, al viodè a rivâ i camêi (Isaac had gone out for a breath of air in the field, at dusk, and, lifting his eyes, he saw the camels coming). If you would like to work through the reading of this entire chapter, the Friulian text is found here on the Glesie Furlane website. Review: Friulian words that end in a vowel + l form their plural by changing the l to i; examples: camêl, camêi (camel, camels); pâl, pâi (pole, poles); cîl, cîi (sky/heaven, skies/heavens). Similarly, words ending in a vowel + li form their plural by changing the li to i; examples: voli, voi (eye, eyes); zenoli, zenoi (knee, knees). Some Friulians spell these latter two plurals as vôi and zenôi.

14. In the news report, we find the feminine noun matine, meaning morning; but in the example sentence above, number 13, from my translation of De imitazion di Crist, we find the feminine buinore: these are synonymous. Examples: sveâsi a sîs di matine; sveâsi a sîs a buinore (to wake up at six in the morning); vuê di matine; vuê a buinore (this morning); o soi tornât a cjase vuê di matine a cinc; o soi tornât a cjase vuê a buinore a cinc (I got back home today at five in the morning); îr di matine; îr a buinore (yesterday morning); mandi, a doman di matine!; mandi, a doman di buinoris! (bye, see you in the morning!). Do not be surprised to hear some Friulians pronounce buinore as binore, and, in the Dograva variant of Friulian, as bunora.

News report in Friulian 16

Salvât dai pompîrs om puartât vie de aghe dal torint Maline: Cundut che a jerin clârs i cartei di improibizion di passâ sul vât dal torint Maline a Premariâs, un om al à cirût di lâ indenant di istès e al è stât puartât vie de aghe. Sul puest a son rivâts daurman i Vigjii dal fûc di Cividât, che a àn rivât a cjapâlu e a metilu in sigurece prime che al fos masse tart. Subite dopo al è rivât l’elicotar dal socors regjonâl che lu à tirât sù e puartât dai infermîrs che lu spietavin intun cjamp dongje par curâlu. Dopo l’om, che si jere fat mâl tes gjambis, al è stât puartât in ospedâl. I pompîrs a racomandin di rispietâ simpri i cartei che a visin de improibizion di acès parcè che i vâts a son pericolôs ancje cuant che dut al somee cuiet. [La Vôs dai Furlans]

In English, literal: Salvât dai pompîrs (saved by firemen) om puartât vie (a man who was carried away) de aghe dal torint Maline (by the water of the Maline torrent): Cundut che a jerin clârs i cartei di improibizion (though the prohibition signs were clear) di passâ sul vât dal torint Maline a Premariâs ({with regard to} crossing the ford of the Maline torrent at Premariâs), un om al à cirût di lâ indenant di istès (a man tried to go ahead anyway) e al è stât puartât vie de aghe (and was carried away by the water). Sul puest (on the scene) a son rivâts daurman i Vigjii dal fûc di Cividât (firemen from Cividât arrived immediately), che a àn rivât a cjapâlu (who managed to catch him) e a metilu in sigurece (and bring him to safety) prime che al fos masse tart (before it was too late). Subite dopo (promptly afterwards) al è rivât l’elicotar dal socors regjonâl (the regional rescue helicopter arrived) che lu à tirât sù (which pulled him up) e puartât dai infermîrs (and brought him to the paramedics) che lu spietavin intun cjamp dongje (who were waiting for him in an adjacent field) par curâlu (to treat him). Dopo l’om (then the man), che si jere fat mâl tes gjambis (who had been injured in the legs), al è stât puartât in ospedâl (was taken to hospital). I pompîrs a racomandin (firemen are urging) di rispietâ simpri i cartei (to always heed signs) che a visin de improibizion di acès (which inform of access prohibition) parcè che i vâts a son pericolôs (because fords are dangerous) ancje cuant che dut al somee cuiet (even when everything seems calm).

In English, idiomatic: Man swept away by the water of the Maline torrent saved by firemen: Despite clear signage prohibiting ford crossings of the Maline torrent at Premariâs, a man tried to make a go of it anyway and was swept away by the water. Firemen from Cividât, who managed to catch him and bring him to safety before it was too late, arrived immediately on the scene. The regional rescue helicopter arrived promptly afterwards, which lifted him and brought him to paramedics waiting to treat him in an adjacent field. The man, whose legs had been injured, was then taken to hospital. Firemen are urging people to always heed signs informing of prohibited access because fords are dangerous even when everything seems calm.

For information, the man tried to cross the ford by bicycle (l'om al à cirût di passâ sul vât cu la biciclete), but the torrent was swollen (ma il torent al jere sglonf) because of the rain (par vie de ploie). These details were not provided in the original news report.

Friulian language notes

1. Used several times in the news report is rivâ. Rivâ means to arrive, to come; but in its form rivâ a fâ, it means to manage to do, to be able to do. We see from the report that, in the compound recent past tense, rivâ takes jessi as its auxiliary when it means to arrive, to come, but vê when used as rivâ a in the sense of to manage, to be able. For instance, to say the firemen arrived/came, we say i pompîrs a son rivâts; but to say the firemen managed/were able to catch him, we say i pompîrs a àn rivât a cjapâlu. Another example from the news report says the regional rescue helicopter arrived/came, which is al è rivât l’elicotar dal socors regjonâl. More examples (not from the news report): e je rivade daurman une patulie (a squad arrived immediately); la patulie e à rivât a socori i doi oms (the squad managed to rescue the two men). Patulie is pronounced with its tonic stress on the second syllable: patùlie. As for elicotar, its tonic stress falls on the penultimate syllable: elicòtar.

2. Un cartel di improibizion is a warning sign that prohibits a certain activity. Given that cartel ends in a vowel + l, the Friulian rule applies whereby its plural is formed by changing the final l to i, to obtain cartei (signs). Another example can be given here: in the dialogue above, we have the masculine noun pêl, which identifies a body hair; in the plural, we have pêi (body hairs). As for hair on the head, we have the masculine singular cjaveli (single strand of head hair), which, in the plural, takes the form cjavei (all the hair on the head). With respect to this latter example, the singular noun ends not in vowel + l, but rather vowel + li: in such cases, the plural is formed by changing the li to i. Another example: voli, voi (eye, eyes).

3. Cirî means to seek, to search, to look for. Its past participle is cirût. Examples: cui che al cîr al cjate (he who seeks finds); o ài cirût dapardut (I searched everywhere); o ài cirût un lapis tal scansel (I looked for a pencil in the drawer). When used in the form cirî di, it takes on the meaning of to try, to attempt. Examples: o cîr di molâ di fumâ (I am trying to quit smoking); al à cirût di passâ sul vât cu la bici (he tried to cross the ford by bike); al à cirût di imbroiâmi (he tried to trick me); a àn cirût di convincimi (they attempted to convince me); il spaçadôr al à cirût di vendi droghe ae persone sbaliade: un carabinîr in borghês (the dealer tried to sell drugs to the wrong person: a plainclothes carabinîr police officer).

4. Not only does ancje mean also, too, but it also means even. A high frequency Friulian wording to learn is ancje cuant che, meaning even when. Examples: ancje cuant che dut al somee cuiet (even when everything seems calm); ancje cuant che al somee dificil (even when it seems difficult); ancje cuant che si è lontans dal Friûl (even when one is far away from Friûl). Another related high frequency Friulian wording to learn is ancje se, meaning even if. Examples: buine zornade a ducj, ancje se al plûf (good day to all, even if it is raining); tu âs di fâlu, ancje se no ti plâs (you have to do it, even if you do not like it); al à cirût di passâ sul vât, ancje se i cartei di improibizion a jerin clârs (he attempted to cross the ford, even if the prohibition signs were clear).

5. As an adjective, dongje can be used in the sense of adjacent. In the news report, we read that first responders, or paramedics (in Friulian, infermîrs; literally, nurses), were waiting for the man nearby: a spietavin l'om intun cjamp dongje par curâlu (they were waiting for the man in an adjacent field in order to treat him). Another example: i pompîrs a son rivâts daurman, rivant a evitâ che il fogaron al podès cjapâ ancje la cjase dongje (firemen arrived immediately, managing to avoid that the fire might spread also to the adjacent house). Related to this is dongje in the sense of imminent, for example: la fin de vuere e je dongje (the end of the war is imminent); Nadâl al è dongje (Christmas is imminent).

Various news reports in Friulian

ERGASTUL DOMANDÂT
Life in prison requested

La Vôs dai Furlans reports in Friulian that for Andreson Vasquez Dipre, accused of the murder of Ezechiele Mendoza Gutierrez, wounded and killed by a blow delivered with the stem of a wine glass, life in prison has been requested by deputy prosecutor Elisa Calligaris, in the trial held in the Udin Courthouse. In Friulian: Par Andreson Vasquez Dipre, imputât dal omicidi di Ezechiele Mendoza Gutierrez, ferît e copât par un colp tirât cul stoc di un cjaliç, il sostitût procuradôr Elisa Calligaris al à domandât l’ergastul, tal procès che si ten tal tribunâl di Udin.

Friulian words to know: imputât (accused); un omicidi (a murder); ferît (wounded, injured); copât (killed); tirâ un colp (to deliver a blow); il stoc di un cjaliç (the stem of a glass); il sostitût procuradôr (the deputy prosecutor); un procès (a trial); il tribunâl (the courthouse).

Friulian pronunciation tip: ergastul is pronounced with tonic stress on the second-to-last syllable: ergàstul.

Supplementary Friulian examples related to killing: il sassin al à copât chel om cuntun curtìs (the murderer killed that man with a knife); il sassin lu àn condanât al ergastul (the murderer was sentenced to life in prison); il lôf al cope dome par mangjâ (wolves kill only to eat); il cjalt al cope lis rosis (heat kills the flowers); and in a figurative sense: chês peraulis mi àn copât (those words killed me); chel scandul al à copât il candidât (that scandal killed the candidate).

DOI FANTATS A RUVININ UNE CORIERE
Two boys damage a bus

Also reported in Friulian by La Vôs dai Furlans is that damages caused by two minors of age in a double-decker extraurban bus amount to almost six thousand euros; not only did they write on the seats, but they also broke the armrests of many seats, the plastic protection of a seat and ripped out five metres of carpet from the overhead storage bin. In Friulian: A son di cuasi sîs mil euros i dams fats di doi minôrs di etât dentri di une coriere a doi plans di linie extraurbane; no dome a àn scrit su lis sentis, ma a àn spacât i braçâi di cetantis sentis, la protezion di plastiche di une sente e tirât vie cinc metris di moquette de cjapelere.

Friulian words to know: i dams (the damages); un minôr di etât (a minor of age); une coriere (an extraurban bus); a doi plans (double-decker); di linie extraurbane (of an extraurban line); scrivi su la sente (to write on the seat); spacâ il braçâl (to break the armrest); tirâ vie la moquette (to rip out the carpet); la cjapelere (the overhead bin).

Friulian pronunciation tip: cjapelere is pronounced with tonic stress on the second-to-last syllable: cjapelère.

Friulian vocabulary note: Use the masculine noun autobus (or bus) when speaking of a bus that runs within a city; for a bus that travels out of the city to another city, use the feminine noun coriere.

Supplementary Friulian examples related to taking a city bus: pierdi l'autobus (to miss the bus); pierdi il bus (to miss the bus); o vin pierdût il bus (we have missed the bus); spietâ il bus (to wait for the bus); a son dîs minûts che o spietìn l'autobus (we have been waiting ten minutes for the bus); vêso cjapât il bus par vignî chi? (did you take the bus to come here?); o cjapi il bus par lâ a vore (I take the bus to go to work); une linie di autobus (a bus line); montâ sul autobus (to get on the bus); i passizîrs a montin sul autobus (the passengers are getting on the bus); lâ jù dal autobus (to get off the bus); il bus al è passât za di doi minûts (the bus left two minutes ago); o viodevi il bus a scjampâ vie lontan (I could see the bus taking off into the distance); il bus al è passât a dute corse (the bus went past at full speed); l'autobus al coreve masse (the bus was going too fast); cori daûr dal bus (to run after the bus); o corevin daûr dal bus (we were running after the bus); dulà ise la fermade dal bus? (where is the bus stop?); il bus al fâs une fermade li di chel semafar (the bus makes a stop at those traffic lights); comprâ un biliet (to buy a ticket); il biliet al è scjadût (the ticket is expired); la tessare dal bus e je scjadude (the bus pass is expired).

UNE FEMINE E COLE INTUN SDRUP
A woman falls into a ravine

We also read in Friulian on La Vôs dai Furlans that a hiker is dead after falling into a ravine; the woman slipped on the trail along which she walking with other hikers, who were unable to do anything to help her and called immediately for assistance. In Friulian: Une escursioniste e je muarte dopo jessi colade intun sdrup; la femine e je sbrissade dilunc dal troi che e stave fasint adun cun altris escursioniscj che no àn podût fâ nuie par judâle e a àn daurman clamât i socors.

Friulian words to know: un escursionist (a hiker [male]); une escursioniste (a hiker [female]); colâ intun sdrup (to fall into a ravine); sbrissâ (to slip); un troi (a trail); dilunc dal troi (along the trail); il troi che e stave fasint (the trail that she was on; literally, the trail that she was doing); adun cun (along with); no podê fâ nuie (to be unable to do anything); judâ (to help); clamâ i socors (to call for help); daurman (immediately, at once).

After the woman fell into the ravine, helirescue paramedics took the body away. In Friulian: I sanitaris dal elisocors a àn puartât vie il cadavar. The Friulian for helicopter is the masculine noun elicotar; as for elisocors, this is a rescue helicopter, from elicotar (helicopter) + socors (help, rescue), which is to say, helirescue.

Friulian pronunciation tip: elicotar is pronounced with tonic stress on the second-to-last syllable: elicòtar.

Supplementary Friulian examples related to ravines: il troi al passe sul ôr di un sdrup (the trail runs alongside the edge of a ravine); la strade e passe sul ôr di un sdrup (the road runs alongside the edge of a ravine); il sdrup al è ert e plen di claps (the ravine is steep and full of rocks).