![]() ![]() From the fifteenth century the Greek communities were increasingly influenced by other nationalities, and the language increasingly romanized. The prestige of the Greek language and culture waned in the thirteenth century as the Byzantine Empire declined. The Greek clergy also adopted Latin for the mass. In the eleventh century Normans settled in southern Italy and latinized religion. From the tenth century AD mainland Greeks were fleeing from the Ottomans. Magna Graecia was the settlement of southern Italy by Greeks from the eighth century BC. In both regions there has been a growth in new service industries following the influx of people in retirement and establishing second homes. In Grecia Salentina agriculture and tourism are also major sources of employment. Bovesia also has a very high unemployment rate. In Bovesia around 30 per cent of the population are employed in agriculture, 35 per cent in the construction industry and service sector (including tourism), and a substantial percentage in forestry and related occupations. In Grecia Salentina, the Grico-speakers are to be found in the villages of Calimera, Martignano, Martano, Sternatia, Zollino, Corigliano d'Otranto, Soleto, Melpignano and Castrignano dei Greci, although Grico seems to be disappearing from Martignano, Soleto and Melpignano. The Grico- speakers of Calabria live in the villages of Bova Superiore, Bova Marina, Roccaforte del Greco, Condofuri, Bagaladi, Polizzi, Gallicianò and Mélito di Porto Salvo. In recent times, many descendants of the early inhabitants of the area have left the mountains to set up home by the coast. The Greek-speaking territory of Bovesia lies in very mountainous terrain and is not easily accessible. Grico is not a unitary language since it is spoken in two geographically and linguistically distinct enclaves, one in the area known as Bovesia near Reggio di Calabria and the other near Lecce, in the area known by the name of Grecia Salentina. It is written in Roman characters and is a highly corrupted form of modern Greek. The Greek language spoken in Italy is known by the names grico, griko, greco-bovese or greco-calabro. ![]() ![]() There were another 7,271 new immigrants of Greek nationality in Italy in 2003. Greek is spoken in Puglia and Calabria by between 2,500 and 20,000 people of Italian nationality. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Minority Rights Group International, World Directory of Minorities and Indigenous Peoples - Italy : Greek-speakers, 2008, available at: ![]()
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