This essay examines the linguistic component of contemporary Sardinian cinema, focussing on how the language changes in the transition from the literary to the cinematographic medium. The six case studies selected highlight the role of cinema in the debate on the linguistic and cultural identity of the island: Il figlio di Bakunìn (Gianfranco Cabiddu, 1997), Arcipelaghi (Giovanni Columbu, 2001), Sonetàula (Salvatore Mereu, 2008), Bellas mariposas (Salvatore Mereu, 2012), Assandira (Salvatore Mereu, 2020) and Bentu (Salvatore Mereu, 2022). After a historical introduction to linguistic research and the use of voice in films, the focus shifts to the linguistics of contemporary Sardinian film and television productions. The focus of the discussion is on Sardinia’s audiovisual productions in the national and international film scene.
