Corrispondenze lessicali nei gerghi storici italiani di muratori: dalle correnti linguistiche all’“area gergale di categoria”

This paper aims to analyse some linguistic convergences between the historical cants of masons in Italy, according to the geo-linguistic theory of the “area gergale di categoria” (trade category argotic area) invented by Ugo Pellis. After an overview of some applications over time of the theory made by Pellis, a brief description of sources in use is presented. The lexicon examination is then conducted after by comparing masons’ different argotic repertoires in order to identify a cluster of specific terms: this will be crucial when explaining the geo-linguistic relations between distant groups of argotic speakers belonging to the same trade. The study finally attempts to verify and validate Pellis’ geo-linguistic theory through the cants considered.