Il lessico della castanicoltura a Montella

Abstract

The article aims to describe the lexicon of chestnut cultivation in Montella, through the construction of a glossary that collects the words used by the speakers. The linguistic data have been elicited through the techniques of guided conversation and participant observation. The presentation of the ethnolinguistic elements will be accompanied by photographs taken in the field, thus fully conveying the inseparable relationship between word and the things they signify. The decision to conduct the research in this area is due to the fact that chestnut cultivation in Montella, and throughout the Calore’s high valley, is a traditional activity, whose origins date back in centuries. The related vocabulary, therefore, shows a snapshot of daily life for a community that has for long time made this sector its economic strenght, finding in it part of its cultural identity.