“Pastori d’Abruzzo” (e non solo). Aspetti etnolinguistici della transumanza in area appenninica e meridionale

The author discusses five ethnolinguistic relevant facts, directly related to the transhumance existing in the Italian region Abruzzo and surroundings between 19th and 20th century. 1) the deep relationship among shepherds, collective readings and poetry, and the connection with the tradition of oral poetic improvisation (“canto a braccio”) in Abruzzo, Latium, Umbria and Tuscany. 2) The dialect names of the “shepherd” in Central and Southern Italy. 3) The terminology of the traditional pastoral organization during the transhumance, with ethnologic and etymological annotations. 4) Linguistic differences related to gender in some village of mountain Abruzzo (“female” and “male” dialects). 5) Ancient words and expressions connected to the sheep-farming. This ancient world is now disappearing, and the main problem is to preserve in a correct way its memory. It’s not a question of “nostalgia”; it is in fact necessary to collect and “preserve” words and knowledge - first in the local communities - to discover and appreciate the great experience that is hidden behind them.