Dialects and various language varieties spoken in Italy have also spread around the world, wherever Italians emigrated in large numbers. This website is a multimedia introduction to the topic of Italian dialects used in Toronto, Canada. The material is divided into three parts:

1. Interviews with specialists: Professor Gianrenzo P. Clivio and Professor Marcel Danesi explain the social, linguistic and historical background of Italian dialects in Toronto. This part includes biographies of the interviewees, a glossary and questions on the content;
2. Interviews with dialect speakers: Molisan, Sicilian and Friulian native speakers talk about their immigrant experiences;
3. Those who wish to pursue the study of Italian and dialects further may consult the selected Bibliography which includes works on Italian dialects in general and on Molisan, Friulian and Sicilian in particular.

This site would not have been possible without the untiring work and unselfish help of the following individuals who have been supporting my work and to whom I am truly grateful: Rob Finlayson, Bob McKenzie, Sarah Chun, Maureen Murphy, Rick Pan, Kelly Parke. My thanks go also to the Mariano A. Elia Chair in Italian Canadian Studies at York University as well as the York University's Senate Committee on Teaching and Learning for in part supporting this project financially. However, the biggest thanks go to the interviewees for their patience and willingness to participate: Mrs Provenzano and Dr. Iannacito (Molisan), Mr. Piazza, Mr. Zocco (Sicilian), Prof. Colussi Arthur and Mr. Colussi (Friulian).