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“Stranizza d'amuri” is one of the most appreciated songs by famous songwriter Franco Battiato. It was published for the first time in the LP L’era del cinghiale bianco, from 1979, and it is perhaps the only track to be sung in the author’s own dialect, Sicilian (he’s from Catania). It is a love song in times of war, as the author remembers his “first love” as an adolescent. He first recalls the thoughtlessness of youth: “A scola sta finennu.” Then, he describes the sensation of falling in love: “Man manu ca passunu i jonna / sta frevi mi trasi 'nda lI'ossa” (in standard Italian, “Man mano che passano i giorni / questa febbre mi entra nelle ossa,” or in English, “While days go by / this fever of love penetrates my bones”). The lyrics go on to read, “'Ccu tuttu ca fora c'è 'a guerra / mi sentu stranizza d'amuri” (in standard Italian, “Con tutto che fuori c'è la guerra / mi sento questa stranezza d'amore,” or in English, “Despite the war outside/ I feel strange for love”). The song is poetic and highly lyrical, backed by atmospheric violins. Sicilian is a very musical dialect, thanks to its particular modulation of voice, accent, and pronunciation. For example, the word “stranizza” is pronounced “scianizza,” because the Italian “tr” practically becomes a “c,” which is why “str” turns into “sc” when said by a Sicilian (an Anglophone would probably pronounce this word as “shanitza”).

"The song is poetic and highly lyrical, backed by atmospheric violins. Sicilian is a very musical dialect, thanks to its particular modulation of voice, accent, and pronunciation."

The song goes on to describe emotions – “E quannu t'ancontru 'nda strata / mi veni 'na scossa 'ndo cori” (in standard Italian, “E quando ti incontro nella strada / mi viene una scossa nel cuore”) that bloom even though there’s a war outside: “'Ccu tuttu ca fora si mori / na' mori stranizza d'amuri”(in standard Italian, “Con tutto che fuori si muore / un amore, stranezza d'amore”). It is interesting to notice the particular poetic effect of “mori” placed near “amuri,” or in standard Italian, “muore” (die) and “amore” (love). It is also curious to note how, phonetically, the “uo” in “muore” becomes the “o” in the Sicilian “more,” while the “o” in “amore” turns into the “u” in the Sicilian “amuri.” One would need whole manuals to explain the nuances of Sicilian!

It will suffice to say that Sicilian is very complex and fascinating, marked by many influences from Greek (its vocabulary, modulation, and pronunciation) and also Spanish (especial its vocabulary) and Arab (its musicality and several words). This is clearly due to the vicissitudes endured by this Mediterranean island throughout history. The dialect is quite difficult to understand for non-Sicilians, but it does have some similarities to other local southern dialects, like the one spoken in southern Puglia, in Salento, where one can hear many words ending in “u” or “I.” Other dialects also show affinities to Sicilian. For example, “trase” instead of “entrare” is quite common in the South, and one can find “trasce” in northern Puglia or “tra’s” in Neapolitan and Luccan. This song by Battiato was not so esteemed at first, but it progressively gained success, until becoming one of the favorite tracks from this author. Carmen Consoli, also from Catania, made a beautiful cover of the song as well.