Ar Picin Prinsi — in Tendasque.
Tendasque is a rare and fascinating Ligurian dialect spoken in the mountain town of Tende, nestled in the Roya Valley at the border between France and Italy, in what is now the French Alpes-Maritimes. Historically part of the County of Nice and, before that, tied culturally and linguistically to Liguria, Tendasque belongs to the Ligurian branch of the Gallo-Italic languages, sharing roots with Genoese, Intemelio, and other Ligurian varieties. Yet, its position at a linguistic and political crossroads has given it a unique flavour: Tendasque is not only shaped by its Ligurian heritage but has absorbed influences from nearby Occitan, Francoprovençal, and French, making it a fascinating hybrid that reflects centuries of shifting borders, trade routes, and cultural mingling in the Alps.
Historically, the people of Tende were highland farmers, shepherds, and merchants, living in a rugged alpine environment that required resilience, adaptability, and tight-knit social bonds. Tendasque was the everyday language of family, village life, local governance, and oral tradition—used to pass down folk stories, songs, proverbs, and practical knowledge tied to mountain life. The dialect was particularly marked by its musicality, expressive idioms, and a lexicon enriched with terms for alpine geography, pastoral practices, and seasonal rhythms. Cultural life revolved around communal events, religious festivals, and local crafts, with the language anchoring a strong sense of local identity and continuity.
Politically, the fate of Tendasque has been intertwined with the shifting sovereignty of the Roya Valley. Once part of the Duchy of Savoy, later the Kingdom of Sardinia, and only incorporated into France after World War II, Tende has experienced layers of linguistic policy and cultural influence, with Italian, French, and local dialects interacting in complex ways. In modern times, French has become dominant in administration, education, and media, relegating Tendasque largely to the private and cultural spheres. Nevertheless, local associations, cultural activists, and linguists have worked to document and revitalise the dialect, recognising it as a precious link to both the Ligurian and Alpine heritage of the region.
In relation to other Ligurian dialects, Tendasque is particularly intriguing because of its geographic isolation and proximity to Francoprovençal and Occitan-speaking areas, creating a linguistic blend that distinguishes it from the more coastal or urban Ligurian varieties like Genoese. Speaking Tendasque today is more than an act of communication—it is a declaration of belonging to a unique mountain culture, shaped by centuries of transalpine connection, political resilience, and linguistic richness, where the echoes of Ligurian, Provencal, and French meet in a single, living tongue.
