Telling stories of the local natural world: A path of reconnection with language and place in the Emilian context

Abstract This paper takes a pragmatic approach to the issue of language maintenance and revitalization constructs its argument through an ecological lens. Electing Emilian – minoritized Italy, as case study, this article analyzes folk stories related more-than-human world. Employing ecolinguistic framework focusing on key theoretical concepts evaluation, salience, identity, proposes that these can serve dual purpose. Firstly, they be used materials re-introduce use in public domain by creating local spaces where spoken organically thus escaping social stigma usually attached it. would help raise awareness intrinsically valuable. Secondly, using texts materials, users exposed new ways which environment looked at rediscovered. The results analyses are illustrate how ecolinguistics identify for efforts other similar communities connection with heritage language, place, identity is either partial or missing.