The word "Italiot" refers to a subgroup of the Greek language that was spoken in southern Italy. It is spelled with a combination of Latin and Greek letters, making it difficult to know exactly how to pronounce. Using IPA phonetic transcription, the word is pronounced as [iˈtælioʊt], with stress on the second syllable. The "a" in the first syllable is pronounced as in "cat" and the "t" in the second syllable is aspirated, as in "top". Understanding the correct pronunciation of "Italiot" can help in accurately conveying this piece of linguistic history.
The term "Italiot" is derived from the word "Italiotes", which comes from Latin. Italiotes refers to an ancient region in southern Italy known as Magna Graecia (Great Greece), which was heavily influenced by Greek culture. The Greek colony of Tarentum, in particular, had a significant impact on the region. Over time, the name Italiotes was adopted as a term to describe the Greek-speaking population and their culture in southern Italy. The word "Italiot" is a modern adaptation of Italiotes and is often used to refer to the Greek-speaking inhabitants or communities in southern Italy, especially in Calabria and Apulia regions.