Parole proprie e parole di altri: la lingua di Andrea Camilleri

Abstract

The sicilian writer Andrea Camilleri employs a very peculiar language, a mix of italian and dialects –not only his native sicilian but also, recently, the dialect from Genova. The writer himself talks about his decision of using a hybrid language in the postfaction –whose title is Le mani avanti- to the new edition of his first book, the historic novel Il corso delle cose (1978, republished in 1998). In another essay, Il gioco della mosca, Camilleri explains typical dialectal expression of his time and place. This article presents the abovementioned texts, aiming to discuss the linguistic decisions taken by Camilleri in his work and analyzing some examples of the peculiar vocabulary and syntax of this new italian writer.