The Italian language today

Italian is the official language of the Republic of Italy. It is spoken by the 58 million inhabitants of Italy and in the Canton Ticino area of Switzerland, as well as by many millions of Italian migrants and their descendants in many parts of the world, especially Europe, North and South America, and Australia. The Italian language has a fascinating and in many ways unique history, which reflects the political and cultural history of Italy. The Italian language was based, during the Renaissance, on an idealized version of fourteenth-century Florentine. Because of the political fragmentation which beset Italy up to the Risorgimento, however, this “language” was predominantly used in writing, while for everyday speech the usual form of communication remained the local dialects. This was true, with exceptions of course, for all parts of Italy and for all social classes. Since political unification in 1861, the language has become universally adopted, and in the process has adapted rapidly to the demands of a modern, diversified society.

The Italian standard is therefore a modified version of fourteenth-century Florentine dialect. This standard is found in good dictionaries and is taught to classical actors and to newsreaders on national television. However, the Italian spoken and, to a lesser extent, written in most everyday situations differs from this standard in various ways. Furthermore, all Italians show their regional origin by their accent.