The study centres on the lexical investigation of the 'alto-vicentino' dialect, that is traditionally subsumed under the language group of the 'veneto centro meridionale' which comprises the 'vicentino-padovano-polesano'. In actual fact, the 'alto-vicentino' must be considered as a linguistic variety belonging not only to this group, but sharing numerous features with the language group of the 'veneto-settentrionale'. In addition, the area is pre-alpine, and was from 1100 onwards partially colonised by Bavarian tribes, who were mistakenly called 'Cimbri'. Linguistic remains resulting from these settlements can still be traced in various regions of the 'alto-vicentino' and of the 'Lessinia veronese'.