Wikijunior:Languages/Lombard

What writing system(s) does this language use?
There are two writing systems: the classical that is popular among those who write in the Milanese style, and the other is a more phonetic version used in most parts of western Lombardy and in the whole of eastern Lombardy. Efforts are being made to create a single writing system.

How many people speak this language?
About 3,5 million

Where is this language spoken?
In parts of Northern Italy: Lombardy, eastern Piedmont (provinces of Novara and Verbano Cusio Ossola); in Southern Switzerland: Canton Ticino and southern Graubünden; and in some small linguistic communities by the descendants of immigrants (for example in Villa Lugano, a borough of Buenos Aires).

What is the history of this language?
Lombard is a Romance language somewhat similar to Italian and French. The domination of the Italian language has meant that in recent years there are fewer and fewer Lombard speakers.

Who are some famous authors or poets in this language?
Carlo Porta and Carlo Maria Maggi are considered fathers of the language. Other important authors are Bonvesin da la Riva, Angiol Canossi.

What are some basic words in this language that I can learn?

 * Ciao = Hello
 * Se vedom = Goodbye
 * Can = Dog
 * Gatt = Cat
 * Incoeu = Today
 * Fioeu = Child
 * Mama = Mom
 * Bobà = Dad