Cocoliche

Cocoliche is an extinct form of mixed Italian and Spanish language that was spoken by many Italian immigrants in Argentina, mainly in Buenos Aires.

Between 1880 and 1900, many migrants from Italy emigrated to Argentina. The majority belonged to the social underclass and had no knowledge of the Spanish language. By communicating with the local population, the Criollos and gauchos, was a cocoliche -called hybrid language consisting of Spanish and Italian words with Italian pronunciation. At times, talked about 40 % of the population of Buenos Aires cocoliche. The next generation of immigrants learned through contacts with local neighbors, at school, at work or in the military service the Spanish language. Thus cocoliche was speak less and less over time. In some literary publications, eg by Dario Vittori, rioplatense in lyrics of tango and in the vocabulary of the Argentine- Uruguayan slang, ie in Lunfardo, cocoliche lives on.