It’s yours ! Your opinions and memories on the Monegasque language
Now compulsory in school up to the fourth grade, could the Monegasque make a comeback in the Principality? Monaco Tribune readers have given their opinion on the matter.
Simple dialect or a real cultural heritage to be preserved, Monegasque is timidly returning to the Principality. But for Joëlle, one of our readers, “ it is very important and imperative that we keep the Monegasque language. (…) It is the root of our Principality… in a country, to be integrated, we learn the language. “She also specifies that she understands the language very well and sings its anthem, speaking Monegasque remains more complicated:” I mix with the dialect of Dolceacqua… Perhaps putting slogans in Monegasque in the streets would attract the inhabitants… (…) Long live Münegu!”
I would prefer the children to speak Russian, Chinese or Spanish instead
Learning Monegasque at school: good or bad idea?
But precisely this teaching in schools leaves some parents rather skeptical, like Romain: “ It is very important to preserve the culture of a country…. However …. between French, English, Monegasque and Italian I admit kids it’s a bit complicated…. and even if they are sponges, I won’t hide from you that I would prefer them to have Chinese or Spanish instead of a language that is only used in the Principality for the national anthem and that’s it … learn a language for which later falls into oblivion … blah what. ”
And for their part, what do the teachers think? Audrey teaches Monegasque and for her and beyond her professional interest in perpetuating the language, it seems to her ” important to transmit “u spìritu d’u paise” = the spirit of the country, the culture, the arima = the soul, to transmit a past that has forged Monaco today, without falling into the past . It is important that this education be a vector of integration, a common bond for all children who pass through schools in the Principality that they wish to pass on, in turn, to those around them in their future, which will often take place. outside Monaco and thus be witnesses of an authentic Monaco. ”
In her testimony, the teacher also speaks of her pride when the students greet her in Monegasque and, even more, when she receives messages from former students who do not use the language in their daily life but who write to her all the same. in Monegasque.
I remember a place at the entrance of old Monaco where people who played boules or pétanque spoke Monegasque
Learn Monegasque so as not to lose the memory of an era
Another advantage of this compulsory education: giving families the opportunity to speak Monegasque. Caterina, one of our readers, remembers her childhood: “ in family, on spoke Monegasque. Father Franzi was a cousin who frequented the house. It’s been a long time anyway and only a few typical expressions are anchored in my memory. We must not lose the language and traditions.”
Memories linked to the language even go beyond the borders of the Principality. Our Italian readers, in particular, remember particular memories, such as Piera: “ I remember a place, at the entrance of old Monaco, where people who played boules or pétanque spoke Monegasque … ”
Piera, who also shared in comment the photo of a mass given in Monegasque:
Angelo, himself, testifies to a main visit which marked him: ” Prince Rainier spoke very well, Monegasque and when he came to Sanremo, he spoke in Ligurian. “
Would language therefore be a vector of memories? Vetrugno seems convinced: “ local languages and dialects must be saved so as not to lose the memory of the time. “
If you too want to learn the language and contribute to the heritage of the Principality, do not hesitate to follow the Monegasque lessons, to be discovered every month in Monaco Tribune from November! Ciau!