Genetically, should Malta be considered part of the Sicilian population?

[Sikeliot]

I think that's plausible. You would have a case because both groups are highly related and have common linguistic roots to an extent. I'm assuming other than S. ITALIANs, the Maltese are your brothers.

My family is from Palermo and Messina which means I am more likely to share immediate ancestry with Calabrians rather than Maltese, but Sicilians from the southern coast are closer related to Maltese because they descend from there, and would share high IBD sharing, recent ancestry, surnames, etc.

[Sikeliot]

Why not have Sicilian as the official language instead? Maybe have Standard Sicilian based off the dialect of Sicilian that is least similar to Standard Italian.

Sicilian as a dialect is going to die out but my preference would be Maltese > Sicilian > Florentine in that order. Either way, Sicilians should not speak Florentine, they should be speaking either their own language or Maltese, at least both originated there to some extent.

[FinalFlash]

My family is from Palermo and Messina which means I am more likely to share immediate ancestry with Calabrians rather than Maltese, but Sicilians from the southern coast are closer related to Maltese because they descend from there, and would share high IBD sharing, recent ancestry, surnames, etc.

Well, how would Calabrians feel about this? Would they be on board with this or do they identify with standard Italians more?

[Sikeliot]

Well, how would Calabrians feel about this? Would they be on board with this or do they identify with standard Italians more?

No idea. But Calabria is very rural and the least developed region in Italy.

[Mingle]

Sicilian as a dialect is going to die out but my preference would be Maltese > Sicilian > Florentine in that order. Either way, Sicilians should not speak Florentine, they should be speaking either their own language or Maltese, at least both originated there to some extent.

Your views on Florentine seem reasonable. Why do you prefer Maltese to Sicilian though? Assume that Sicilian has no chance at dying out just for the sake of the question.

[Sikeliot]

Your views on Florentine seem reasonable. Why do you prefer Maltese to Sicilian though? Assume that Sicilian has no chance at dying out just for the sake of the question.

Because if it wasn't for the Norman conquest and the Crusades, Maltese (or its ancestor) was naturally positioned to be the vernacular of Sicily. The Normans intervention on the island prevented that from being the case. However, as I said I prefer Sicilian to Florentine.

[FinalFlash]

No idea. But Calabria is very rural and the least developed region in Italy.

What's your favorite region of Italy? Which has more to offer for a tourist?

[Sikeliot]

What's your favorite region of Italy? Which has more to offer for a tourist?

Anything southern. Though all of Italy is beautiful in its own way. Personally I think Campania is as interesting, historically, as Sicily, with Pompeii and whatnot.

[FinalFlash]

Anything southern. Though all of Italy is beautiful in its own way. Personally I think Campania is as interesting, historically, as Sicily, with Pompeii and whatnot.

How would Italians perceive Armenian tourists in their country? Are they knowledgeable about us? Greeks generally have a positive view in regards to us but I'd like your take.

[Sikeliot]

How would Italians perceive Armenian tourists in their country? Are they knowledgeable about us? Greeks generally have a positive view in regards to us but I'd like your take.

I do not know. I always said Greeks feel a connection to Armenia because of their mutual dislike of the Turks, their suffering under the Ottoman Empire, etc. But I would imagine Italians have fond feelings for Armenians, why would they not?