The “hidden frontier” between Trentino and South Tyrol: interaction between populations on the Romance-Germanic border.

This study is part of the “Alteritas” project, which examines relationships between populations by identifying linguistic, bio-demographic, archaeological and cultural parameters of interaction, past and present. Using a multidisciplinary approach, we aim to analyze the complex interethnic relations in the language border zone between Trentino and Alto Adige. Adopting as a reference point the studies begun during the 1970s by J.W. Wolf and E.R. Cole on the “hidden frontier” in the Alta Val di Non (Upper Non Valley), our research extends to adjoining territories with comparable socio-economic situations. Considered in particular are the districts of the Alta Val di Non, lower Val di Fiemme and Bassa Atesina/Piana Rotaliana. Interaction between the communities is investigated considering aspects such as linguistic and cultural habits, traditions and social and economic structure, and migratory exchanges. The bio-demographic part of the project is aimed at identifying continuity/discontinuity in surname structure near the borders between Trentino and Alto Adige. Analysis of geographical distribution of surnames, considered as parameters of interaction, may help define the nature, means and degree of the relationships between populations. Telephone books and questionnaires provide the main data sources while marriage lists, where made available by the local institutions, offer further investigation.