Haters’ barbaric figure: they lash out at Nicol Delago for speaking Ladino

“But if you compete for Italy, speak Italian”: haters, now full-throated, are taking it out on even a champion, as well as an example of kindness and elegance, like Nicol Delago. But what is the skier’s fault? That of having celebrated her latest success (her first World Cup victory in Tarvisio, ed.) also with Rai Ladinia, expressing herself in Ladino.

Ladin, as someone explained, is a neo-Latin Rhaeto-Romanic language, born from Vulgar Latin with pre-Roman (Rhaetian) influences, spoken in the Italian Dolomites (Val Badia, Val Gardena, Val di Fassa, Bellunese) and in Switzerland (Canton of Grisons). Recognized as a linguistic minority, it is an official language side by side with Italian and German in some areas and is characterized by various dialects (Gardena, Badiot, Fassano, etc.) and a strong cultural identity, with support in schools and local media.

“I do not know whether it is worse to read about those who complain that she speaks Ladino and not Italian or those who justify her because she speaks her own language. Both have not understood a thing: in this interview she speaks Ladino because she is at Rai Ladina” it was read among the comments.

“This is a serious and worrying affair,” said Trentino Alto Adige Regional Councillor for Linguistic Minorities Luca Guglielmi. “The comments received have nothing to do with civil confrontation and respect for people. The athletes who represent our territory, as well as all citizens, must be guaranteed the freedom to express themselves in their own language without fear of being insulted or accused. Ladino, like all the historical languages of our territory, is not a divisive element, but an asset to be protected and valued”.