The Cristantiello family now of Jersey City — but originally from the town of Casamassima in Puglia, Italy — has preserved their unique and highly distinctive dialect of their town better than just about anyone, including those in Casamassima who have largely switched to Italian. In this wide-ranging family conversation in Casamassimese, they share family memories, jokes, and vanished ways of life.
Produced by Cameddu Biancarelli and Ross Perlin. Transcription and translation by Luigi Andriani. Assistance from Greg Feliu. Special thanks to Linda Woznicki.