If the Tuscan language is the basis for modern Italian, what
language(s) was/were used in the Venetian Republic during the 13th,
14th and 15th Centuries?

Hi megagaga

Thanks for an interesting question!

The language the Venetians of the Republic spoke was Venet, which
still exists today, usually referred to as the Venetian dialect,
sometimes as a language its own right. Of course, Latin would also
have been an important language for them, especially for written
documents and church matters.

"It must also be remembered that the Venetian dialect was, for
centuries, the official language of the Republic of Venice."
http://www.italy1.it/veneto.htm

"The language of Venice (Venetian) did not cease to be a language with
the demise of the Venetian Republic. It suffered no organic change
when it was ruled by Napoleon, by Austria, and when it was passed from
Austria to Italy in 1870.
Venetian, together with other variations existing in the surrounding
territory (aggregated as Venet) belongs to the Western group of
Romance (or Roman) languages and, in particular, those of the Po
Plain. It is also still spoken in Istria and Dalmatia."

What is the Venet (Venetian) language?
http://www.veneto.org/language/index.asp

This website (veneto.org) has more information in English on Venet
than I've found elsewhere and some useful links.  It also has a
scholarly description of how you can subdivide Venet into different
regional varieties.


I'm not going to get into the argument about the difference between a
dialect and a language but here's a comment from somebody who feels
Venet has the status of a full language:

"Tell me, the Venetian seems a "Dialect" of the "Italian" language, or
it is another language? Let I tell to you that the Venetian as known
today, is 200 years older than such "Italian language". It is the
shortest to write, and it is the simplest of the five languages shown,
but not less meaningful."
http://www.libreopinion.com/members/fltrn/the_venetians.html 

This is one of various sites where you can get a look at written
Venet.

For a wider choice, check the Arkivio Veneto which claims to be "The
most extensive on-line collection of writings" in Venet.
http://www.veneto.org/arkivio/


I hope this is helpful. Please get back to me if you want any
clarification.


Regards - Leli


search terms:

Venet
Venetian language
Venetian dialect

Hi, Leli

Just what I wanted!

Many thanks.

Glad you found the answer useful - and thanks for the stars!