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Oilloc', oiccann', oillann': what it means and how it's used
If you're not from Naples, «oiccann', oilloc', oillann'» sounds like a magic spell. In a way, it is. These are three words that do something no official grammar accounts for: they conjugate the verb «eccolo» (here/there it is).
What it means
Italian has only one «eccolo». Neapolitan has three, and each one also tells you where the thing you're talking about actually is.
- Oiccann': here it is, close to the speaker.
- Oilloc': there it is, near the listener.
- Oillann': there it is, far from both of you.
It's the same logic as this, that and that over there, but applied to an exclamation. Three words to place a person or thing in space with the precision of a sat nav and the grace of a hand gesture.
How to use it
You're looking for your keys and find them in your pocket: oiccann'. Your brother spots them on the table next to him: oilloc'. They're left in the car, down in the street: oillann'. In three syllables you've said that the keys exist, that you've seen them, and how far away they are.
In the plural, the three words become ebbiccann', ebbilloc' and ebbillann'. In the feminine, they soften into aiccann', ailloc' and aillann'. Yes: the verb «eccolo» has gender and number in Neapolitan.
Why it's genius
It's proof of that economy of expression that makes Neapolitan a living language, capable of saying in one word what Italian takes a whole sentence to say. This isn't sloppy dialect: it's linguistic engineering born in the back streets, and it still works today, on the street as much as in a chat message.
That's why we turned it into a T-shirt. Three words in light blue on white, that those who understand read with a smile, and those who don't pick up in an instant.
From the South, with love — Shop
 |
Napoli Tattà® Oiccann' Oilloc' Oillann' — T-shirt The verb «eccolo» in Neapolitan, in three light blue words. Unisex, designed with love, free shipping in Italy on orders over €49.90. 24,90 € Shop now → |
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Neapolitan Spirit
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