Learn Sicilian | CCI Buffalo
 

In 2020, Centro Culturale Italiano di Buffalo established the region's first ground-breaking classes in the Sicilian LANGUAGE.  Those formal classes have now transformed into the SICILIAN DISCUSSION GROUP, sponsored by the CIRCOLU SICILIANU DI BUFFALO (Sicilian Club of Buffalo).


The Sicilian Discussion Group is a free, informal gathering of CCI members who want to practice speaking the language of their forefathers while discussing all things Sicilian.
 
The Tuscan dialect that is now the 'standard' Italian language is the official language of all of Italy's regions, including Sicily.  It is the language of business, banking, travel, and other public activities.  But if your immigrant ancestors came from Sicily, it's likely that the colorful, expressive, warm language you heard them speaking was not 'Italian', but the Sicilian language, which preceded and actually contributed to the development of 'Italian'.

So if you remember fondly the language that your Sicilian parents or grandparents used, or if you visit Sicily, where your relatives still speak it in their homes, you'll enjoy these discussions.
 
Our Sicilian language instructors attend the Sicilian Discussion Group

 

Maria Garozzo-Payne’s grandfather emigrated from Brucoli (Siracuse), Sicily in 1924. Her grandmother emigrated in 1950, and her mother followed in 1955. Maria’s father also emigrated from Catania, Sicily in 1958. Maria grew up in a three-generation household where Sicilian was the primary language, and her grandmother ensured that she never spoke in English to her grandchildren.

Maria is a retired public servant of 35 years for the City of Buffalo with a master’s degree in public administration. She most recently worked as a principal assessor for the Department of Assessment and Taxation. Maria’s family still resides in Italy and Sicily, and she travels abroad as much as possible. On a recent trip to Sicily, Maria was told that people who grew up speaking “Old Sicilian” are national treasures for having preserved the Sicilian language of the 1920s.

Maria currently serves on the CCI Board of Directors, and she has been taking Italian language lessons for several years. “I am very excited to have the opportunity to share my love of the Sicilian language with people who are eager to learn it!” 
Email: casapayne@aol.com

  

Angelo Felice Coniglio is the youngest son of parents who emigrated from Serradifalco, Sicily in 1913 and 1914. Sicilian is Angelo’s first language: when he began grammar school, he spoke no English. He is a retired civil engineer who, in 2020, lobbied the CCI Board regarding two causes dear to his heart: the establishment of a CCI Genealogy Station to provide genealogic research to the descendants of emigrants to the region. and the teaching of the Sicilian Language, recognizing that the predominance of 'Italian Americans' in Western New York are descendants of Sicilian immigrants. He was successful in both efforts, including having the Genealogy Station designated an official Affiliate Library in the FamilySearch system of the Church of Latter Day Saints, world leaders in genealogical research.

Coniglio will be a regular participant.  He will also gladly discuss the language by email if contacted at AFConiglio@aol.com


To read more about Angelo’s take on the Sicilian language, visit http://www.conigliofamily.com/TheSicilianLanguage.htm.

Angelo also invites the CCI community to check out his historical novella, titled “The Lady of the Wheel,” set in Racalmuto, Sicily in the 1800s. (Copies available in the CCI Gift Shop.)

 

Instrumental in establishing the Sicilian Discussion Group at CCI is Charles Travagliato, whose parents were Sicilian-speakers from Mistretta.  Several other former Sicilian Language students and born Sicilian speakers are also regular attendees.
WE NOW MEET EVERY WEDNESDAY AT 2:00 PM
AT THE CCI, 2151 Delaware Avenue.
For details contact us at 716-984-8806 or drt662@aol.com

No prior proficiency in Sicilian is necessary.
 

Joseph F. Privitera's 'Sicilian Phrasebook and Dictionary' and Professor Gaetano Cipolla's 'Mparamu lu Siciianu' are excellent Sicilian Language references, and are available for purchase in tye CCI Gift Shop.

PDF versions of two Study Guides written by Angelo Coniglio that were used in the classes 'Conversational Sicilian for Beginners, Parts I and II' can be obtained for free by contacting Coniglio at AFConiglio@aol.com
         
    
 
SPEAK SICILIAN!  
We encourage you to seek out situations where you can speak Sicilian.  Among family, 'old' school friends, etc. who remember a song, a word, a phrase or two.  Doing so will bring back reminiscences of your immigrant ancestors, and refresh the memories of your youth.		  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 










































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