The propose of autonomy for Corsica would have included greater protection for the Corsican language ( Corsu ) , the island 's traditional language ( which is also considered to be a dialect of Italian ) . The proposed autonomy for Corsica would have included greater protection for the Corsican language ( Corsu ) , the island 's traditional language ( similar to Italian ) , whose practice and teaching , like other regional or minority languages in France , had in the past been discouraged .