The Vlach Dialect in Greece

The Vlach Dialect and Its People: A Journey Through Language and Identity

When you are traveling in Northern Greece, you might hear sometimes the Vlach dialect.

This dialect, is a Romance language, historically spoken by the Vlach people in various mountainous regions of Greece, particularly in Epirus, Thessaly, and parts of Macedonia. As of today, it can still be heard today in traditional villages such as Metsovo, Samarina, and Vovousa, especially among older generations who maintain this linguistic heritage. The dialect is a reminder of Greece’s rich cultural mosaic, blending Latin roots with Balkan influences.
Vlach has no written form, so only spoken form

But let’s learn a bit more about the Vlach people and their language, known as Aromanian or simply “Vlach.

Who Are the Vlachs?

The Vlachs are a traditionally nomadic or semi-nomadic people, historically known as shepherds, merchants, and mule drivers. While their origins are still debated, most scholars agree that they are descendants of Romanized populations in the Balkans, whose language evolved separately from other Latin-based languages due to geographic isolation and close contact with Greek, Slavic, and Albanian-speaking communities.

Today, Vlachs can be found in several Balkan countries, including Greece, Albania, North Macedonia, Bulgaria, and Serbia. Each community has developed its own local customs, dialectal variations, and sense of identity, often blending elements of the dominant national culture with their own traditions.

The Vlach Dialect

Aromanian, the most widely spoken Vlach dialect, is closely related to Romanian, though it has diverged significantly over the centuries. It retains many archaic Latin features lost in modern Romanian but also includes numerous loanwords from Greek, Turkish, and other regional languages.

In Greece, where the Vlachs are often referred to as “Arvanitovlachs” or “Koutsovlachs,” the language is heavily influenced by Greek. Greek Vlachs often identify as Greeks, and many no longer speak the dialect fluently, though a revival of interest is growing, especially in cultural festivals and local heritage projects.

In Albania, the Vlachs (known as “Arumunët”) maintain strong cultural ties and linguistic pride. Aromanian is still spoken in some villages, and efforts have been made to include the language in education and media, though these initiatives remain limited.

In North Macedonia and Serbia, small Vlach communities exist, with varying levels of language use. In Serbia, particularly in the Timok region, a different Vlach dialect known as Daco-Romanian (closer to Romanian proper) is spoken, leading to some confusion between groups.
In North Macedonia, the language is recognized as a minority language, and there are occasional programs in schools and on local radio.

In Bulgaria, Vlach populations are smaller and more dispersed. Here, too, the dialect is under pressure from dominant languages and the assimilation process, although cultural associations are working to preserve and promote Vlach identity.

Preserving a Living Heritage

While the Vlach dialect faces challenges—especially among younger generations—there are growing efforts to document and preserve it. Cultural associations, festivals, linguistic studies, and even music have played key roles in keeping the language alive. The rise of the internet has also helped connect scattered Vlach communities, allowing for a renewed sense of shared identity.

Vlach can be written, but for most speakers—especially in Greece—it remains primarily a spoken language, passed down through generations rather than through books.

Historically, Aromanian (Vlach) was mostly an oral language, used in daily life, songs, and storytelling. However, over time, various written forms have emerged, particularly in academic, folkloric, and religious contexts. Here’s a quick overview:

• Alphabets used: Aromanian has been written using Greek, Latin, and even Cyrillic scripts depending on the country and local influences (e.g., Greece, Romania, North Macedonia, Albania).

• Modern usage: Today, the Latin alphabet is most commonly used in written Aromanian, especially in publications from Romania and among diaspora communities.

• In Greece: While spoken Aromanian survives in villages like Metsovo or Samarina, the written form is not taught or officially recognized in Greek schools, so written usage is very rare and mostly found in cultural or academic contexts.

 

Some examples of Vlach (Aromanian) words, with their Greek and English translations:

Vlach (Aromanian)	Greek	English
mama	μητέρα	mother
tata	πατέρας	father
frate	αδελφός	brother
sura	αδελφή	sister
casa	σπίτι	house
apa	νερό	water
foc	φωτιά	fire
cale	δρόμος	road
bună	καλή / γεια σου	good / hello
noapte	νύχτα	night
zi	μέρα	day
mâncare	φαγητό	food
carne	κρέας	meat
cap	κεφάλι	head
ochi	μάτι	eye
mână	χέρι	hand
picior	πόδι	leg / foot
munte	βουνό	mountain
sunt	είμαι	I am
Bună dzua	καλημέρα	good morning

Note; The word “Vlachos” in Greek

The Greek word “vlachos” (βλάχος) has taken on a different, more colloquial meaning in everyday Greek language. While it originally referred to the Vlach people, today it is often used informally to describe someone as rural, unsophisticated, or with a heavy provincial accent—sometimes affectionately, sometimes pejoratively.

However, despite this shift in meaning in the Greek language, it is very important to know that Vlach people are living in Greece and proud of their culture. They are usually completely bi-lingual (Greek-Vlach). They speak their dialect at home or with family, but when they speak Greek, you can not hear the difference with other Greeks.