The History of Piedmontese — Turin's Own Forgotten Language

Piedmontese is a distinct Romance language native to Turin and the surrounding region, with roots as an aristocratic court language dating back 900 years. Piemontèis a l'é reflects an identity that survived fascist-era suppression and remains part of daily life in Piedmont today.

Most people who visit Turin never realize the city has its own language — not a dialect, not an accent, but a fully written Romance language with 900 years of literature behind it.

Piemontèis was never just "how Italians in the north talk." It grew into one of the earliest vernacular languages in Europe to be written down, and for a time, it was the pride of a kingdom.

From Savoy Court to Golden Age

According to Wikipedia's overview of the Piedmontese language, Piemontèis is a distinct Romance language, part of the Gallo-Italic family alongside Lombard and Ligurian — not a dialect of Italian, despite the common misconception, even inside Italy itself. Piedmontese was first documented in the 12th century, decades before most other Italian vernaculars found their way onto paper.

The version spoken today as the standard, torinese, descends from the elevated Piemontèis once spoken by the Savoy aristocracy in the halls of Turin. That prestige carried the language into a genuine golden age: from 1850 to 1960, Piedmontese theater and song flourished across the region, and to this day there are more than 10,000 Wikipedia articles written entirely in Piemontèis.

Silenced, Then Endangered

The language paid a price for its visibility. During the fascist era, written Piedmontese was explicitly banned — children caught speaking it in school were punished and taught to feel ashamed of their own language. That suppression left scars that never fully healed.

Today, UNESCO classifies Piedmontese as "definitely endangered." It's mostly spoken by older generations, rarely taught in schools, and increasingly rare to hear from anyone under 40 — even in Turin itself.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does "Piemontèis a l'é" mean?
It means "This is Piedmontese" — an affirmation that the language endures.

Is Piedmontese a dialect of Italian?
No. Linguists classify it as a separate Gallo-Italic language, not a dialect.

Is Piedmontese endangered?
Yes. UNESCO classifies it as definitely endangered, spoken mostly by older generations today.

Piemontèis a l'é — More Than Words

There's a phrase that says it plainly: Piemontèis a l'é — this is Piedmontese, and it always will be.

It's the Alps behind the city, the Savoy palaces that once echoed with this language, the fact that a place as international as Turin still holds onto something entirely its own. Quiet pride, mountain pride — the kind that doesn't need to announce itself to be real.

Wear the Words

A language with 900 years of writing behind it deserves more than to fade out quietly in a single generation. Every time you wear it, you help keep it visible.

Explore the full Piedmontese Pride Collection, part of our wider Italy Collection, and discover more stories like this one right here on the Journal.