Italian languages

Italian is the common and official language of the Italian Republic. It derives directly from Latin, through a simplification of the grammar of Vulgar Latin.

However, in Italy the ways of speaking vary with the regions, and if we have to do it differently we suddenly don’t understand anything of what we say by name and that at the level of coloquial Italian dialects are in frequent use.

Latin Oirigen.

The origin of the Italian dialects is explained by the fragmentation of the Roman Empire and the loss of political-cultural cohesion which during the centuries allowed Latin to become the common language throughout the Italian peninsula. It’s true when each dialect takes different paths.

The first standardization (not voluntary) of the Italian dates back to the 14th century with the Divine Comedy of Dante Alighieri . In this poem, Dante uses a dialect resulting from the union of the dialects of southern Italy and his dialect of Tuscany. Thanks to the success of this work, which was read throughout Italy, his language was converted into a standard that the whole world could understand.

The official language of Italian was established with the unification of the Kingdom of Italy in 1861. Compulsory teaching obliges the study of Italian to be standard as a vehicular language, learning the dialects in a second step, transmitting them orally from parents to children.

We consider modern Italian as a mixture of two large dialect groups geographically marked in the north (Piedmont dialects, Milan dialects…) and the dialects of the center and south (Lazio, Cicolano-Reatino). Each of them has various sub-dialects, occasionally one in a city. The exception is Sardinian, a dialect different from standard Italian which is considered to include a different language.

The Italian hails it from seventy thousand people in 29 countries, the majority of them in southern Europe. 44% speak Italian exclusively, 51% alternate it with the dialect of their region, and 5% speak exclusively in dialect, especially in rural areas, and in advanced education.

In recent decades the dialects were treated as a symbol of retraction, but since a few years ago the regionalist revivals of some parts of Italy seek restoration and officialdom.

A curious case is the literature of Andrea Camilleri , whose most famous person, Inspector Montalbano exhibits on Sicilianity through a literature that mixes the Sicilian dialect and Italian, since it implies that readers from all over the country avidly embrace it .

Types of Italian dialects

The Italian dialects are divided into two large groups, including the language in Cerdeña which is considered as another language. The groups are divided by the Spezia-Rimini line which goes from east to west. In this way they are divided into dialects of the north (septentrionales) and dialects of the central-sur (southern centre).

Northern Italian dialects

The northern dialects are divided into 2 large groups:

•  Italian employed in Liguria, Piamonte, Lombardy, Emilia Romaña, Trentino-Alto.

•  Venetian dialect spoken in the Veneto.

Italian dialects from central and southern Italy

The dialects of the central and southern regions can be classified into 4 different groups.

• Tuscan dialect . Region of Tuscany

• Central dialects . They are dialects from certain areas of Lacio, Umbria and Marcas.

• Southern dialects . These are classified into 2 subgroups: the intermediate southern dialect (Lacio, Abruzos, Molise, Campania, Basilicata and Puglia) and the extreme southern dialect (Calabria, Puglia and Sicily).

• Ladin dialect. Extreme northern Italy with variations in Friuli and the Dolomite mountains.

• Sardinian . Isla de Cerdeña

Dialects used outside Italy

• Istrian dialects . Peninsula of Istria in Croatia

• Dialectos de la Isla de Córcega (France). They are of the central-southern type.

The hestoric of the italian language

Cradle of Latinity, Italy has had a decisive role in the dissemination of Latin and the culture of the Roman Empire in the rest of Europe, both in Antiquity and in the eras that have followed. Likewise, after the affirmation of the neo-Latin languages ​​and the constitution of modern linguistic Europe, Italian has had, at intervals, moments of great importance in the international linguistic context.

The contemporary Italian language is substantially based on one of the vulgar languages ​​that, from the 13th-14th centuries, came to be constituted at the expense of Latin, that is, the Tuscan dialect, in particular the Florentine, which becomes known in the 14th century through the masterpieces of Dante, Boccaccio and Petrarch. Florentine will be adopted in the 16th century by scribes and intellectuals throughout the peninsula. As a consequence, this language will spread little by little to become, after 1870, the year of the political unification of the nation, the language of the administration and an instrument of communication for the entire Italian society.

Given that Florentine, unlike other Italian dialects, has faithfully preserved numerous phonetic and morphological characteristics of Latin, the Italian language spoken today, brings to light numerous particularities that reveal a strong similarity with the language of origin: The development of Italian with respect to Latin takes place without brutal ruptures or too rapid evolutions and thus presents a certain character of conservation and a rather stable physiognomy over time.

With the proclamation of the first Roman emperor, Augustus, in the year 27 BC, the territorial limits of the Empire were defined, dividing the Italian peninsula into eleven regions. Progressively the old Italic languages ​​disappear in favor of the language of the dominators. In the first century after JC, with the expansion of Latin, a first linguistic expansion was carried out over the entire territory. However, the divergence between the classical Latin codified by grammarians is fixed by written and literary use and the so-called “vulgar” Latin, the language used daily by the population, is becoming increasingly important. Over time, linguistic differences from one region to another will become increasingly more pronounced. The Romance languages ​​that form the basis of modern Neo-Latin languages, as well as the Italian dialects, will have precisely that “vulgar” Latin as their origin.

From the 9th century onwards, the first texts written in the ancient Italian vulgar languages ​​began to appear. A series of four documents dating from the years 960 – 963, specifically: the Placiti campani are verbal processes that establish the claim to lands that belonged to the abbey of Montecassino. During the 11th and 12th centuries, testimonies written in the vulgar language became more and more numerous, especially in the regions of central and northern Italy. These are, above all, texts of an administrative or religious nature. We will have to wait until the first half of the 13th century to have texts in the vulgar language with a true artistic vocation. Around the year 1230 in Sicily, at the court of Emperor Frederick II, a notable poetic school flourished, to which, among others, Giacomo da Lentini, the creator of the sonnet, belonged. Returning to the modules and themes of Provencal lyric poetry, Sicilian poets systematically use their vulgar language for love lyrics. The Sicilian school will be imitated throughout the rest of Italy and will give a decisive boost to the use of the vulgar language in poetry, mainly in Bologna, with Guido Guinizzelli and in Tuscany, with the stilnovo poets, of which Dante will be one of its most notable authors. In two of his works, De vulgari eloquentia and Convivio, he theorized about the autonomy of the vulgar language, prophesying its affirmation and the decline of Latin, which, in his time, still had preminence and prestige.

The affirmation of vulgar languages ​​occurs parallel to the constitution of different European kingdoms. For the first time they are used not only for current exchanges, but also in administrative documents. The importance of the religious fact and the need for its dissemination to all layers of society, imposes the need for a generalization of teaching no longer in Latin, but using the new living European languages. At the beginning of the 14th century, an Italian monk, Ambrosio Calepio, published a multilingual dictionary, Il Calepino, in which each Latin word found its correspondence with the different European vulgar languages. In the year 1532 Robert Estienne, called Stéphanus in Latin fashion, a disciple of the Italian humanist Giano Lascaris, published the greatest work of European linguistic history, the Thesaurus Linguae Latinae. Twenty years later, his son Henri would complete his work by writing the Thesaurus linguae Graecae.

The success in the 14th century of Dante’s Divina Commedia, of Boccaccio’s collection of stories, the Decameron and, consequently, of Patrarca’s Canzoniere is the origin of the Florentine’s first affirmation in the rest of Italy, despite that in many regions local vulgar languages ​​continue to be used for literary works as well. In the 16th century, while the affirmation of the vulgar language is witnessed in the great literary works, such as those of Ariosto or Taso, as well as in the treatises and historical works of Machiavelli and Guicciardini, for example, the Venetian scholar Pietro Bembo proposes, on the contrary, in Prose della volgar lingua (1525) to take Boccaccio and Petrarch as models for the language of prose and poetry, respectively. According to him, a language that is not conceived on the basis of the model of the great scribes cannot claim a literary future. The questione della lingua provokes harsh discussions between the supporters of a common Italian language, Florentine, which is also the language of the court, and the enthusiasts of an archaizing solution according to Bembo’s proposal.

In 1582 the Accademia della crusca is founded in Florence. Inspired at the same time by the language of Dante, Petrarch and Boccaccio, since 1590 academics have developed a dictionary, the Vocabolario della Crusca, which will be printed in Venice in 1612. The First historical and normative dictionary of the Italian language definitively establishes Tuscan. as the norm for literary Italian. The Vocabolario della Crusca will serve as a model for the dictionaries that will be subsequently published by the different language academies in Europe. In the post-Renaissance period, Italian progressively opened up to European influence, first of all to that of Spain, then, from the 18th century onwards, to that of France and England. These contributions enriched the Italian lexicon with a large number of terms. The purist reaction that will be particularly evident in the 19th century will not resist a movement of ideas that prepares the political unification of Italy. Alessandro Manzoni, the author of Promessi sposi (whose first edition dates back to 1827 and is an adaptation from Florentine) strongly feels the need for a unitary, living language, which could not only serve literature, but would also be an instrument of communication. for the entire society. The great diversity of Italian dialects means that one is chosen, which will be Florentine. Compulsory education, the dissemination of culture and mass media, economic and industrial development, urbanization and internal migration, as well as the experience of the two world wars and fascism lead to its imposition as a true common language. . Under the Mussolini regime, for the first time, an explicit and global linguistic policy was decided in Italy for the defense of Italian, accompanied by actions aimed at the suppression of dialects, the elimination of foreign words and in support of the knowledge of Latin.

In the course of recent decades, with full participation in the democratic life of the nation, Italians have finally found a national language that, being in perpetual evolution and subject to the risks of modernity, represents a treasure throughout the which you can read his story. Although Italian only has approximately 65 million speakers in the world, it continues to be one of the great languages ​​of culture today, represented by internationally renowned literature, poetry, auteur cinema and theatrical creation. The literary prestige of modern Italian is also reflected in the awarding of Nobel Prizes to three poets, Giosué Carducci, in 1906, Salvatore Quasimodo, in 1959, and Eugenio Montale in 1975, to a writer. Grazia Deledda, in 1926 and two theater authors, Luigi Pirandello, in 1934 and Dario Fo, in 1997.

Resume

In today’s article we will talk to you about the languages ​​and dialects in Italy, since there is a lot of variety, and you have surely heard of Neapolitan, Sardinian or Sicilian. Although in reality there are more than 30 languages ​​present. But before talking about the differences in Italy, let’s see what difference there is between a language and a dialect.

Italian languages ​​or dialects?

According to the linguistic definition of the RAE , the dialect is a “linguistic system considered in relation to the group of various derivatives of a common trunk.” In fact, a language is defined if it has reached a higher socio-linguistic category, although they have the same validity.

It must be considered that all the variants present in the peninsular territory have been developed before the appearance of the Italian language as it is known today. So in Italy we can talk about linguistic variants, since they are languages ​​of Romance origin and not dialects, because the common root of all of them is Latin.

When the Italian language was established on the peninsula, it was not possible to talk about dialects, but rather about various types of speech, such as Gallo Italico, Sardinian, Piemontese, Sicilian, etc. That is why these should be called: neo-Latin varieties or Italo Romance varieties with Italian as the main language, since the latter is perceived as superior and of reference by the population that uses it, but we must remember that it is not spoken. of Italian as the language of origin and that they are all Romance languages.

What origin does the Italian we know today have?

Standard Italian has its origins in the Tuscan variant , particularly in the Florentine of the 1300s, and was established as a reference language thanks to the literature and the authors of references who used it, such as Dante, Boccaccio and Petrarch (later also Manzoni ). That is why Italian sounds so good to our ears, because it is based on a literary and poetic language unlike many languages ​​that have their origin in bureaucratic language.

It was only in 1861, with the Unity of Italy, when Italian began to be the language of reference for the population of the peninsula thanks to the literacy program, television and an increase in emigration abroad and to the north of the country. peninsula, especially in large cities.

It is from this time that regional languages ​​begin to be used less and only in familiar or close contexts, and are replaced by Italian in diplomatic, bureaucratic and school contexts. The languages ​​or dialects in Italy thus begin to be perceived as subaltern by the speakers themselves and used only on the margins of linguistic communication, because they are seen as vulgar forms.

What are the languages ​​or dialects in the Italian peninsula?

We can then affirm that the only dialect of Italian is Tuscan , while all the others are languages. Despite this, due to its historical-linguistic context, the Italian government recognizes as languages ​​within the Italian peninsula only Ladino (spoken in the area of ​​the Alps of northern Italy), Sardinian (language of Sardinia) and Friulan (spoken in Friuli, an area in the north east). While for UNESCO Neapolitan and Sicilian can also be considered languages, although Veneto is also a widely used language in the homonymous region. 

Despite the official recognition of the languages ​​present, based on Pellegrini’s Charter we can divide the Italian territory into two large macro-areas (the northern area and the southern center). Only three regions stand out on the map in which the language or dialect corresponds to the regional boundaries, and these are: Sardinia, Friuli and Tuscany.

The northern area in turn includes the Gallo-Italic area (Piemonte, Lombardy, Liguria and Emilia Romagna) which has some differences but many characteristics in common, and Veneto and Friuli. In addition, there are several languages ​​that have influences or are even part of other languages, such as French in Valle d’Aosta, German in Trentino, Ladino and some Slavic languages.

The southern central area is divided into two parts, the Alto Meridione which includes the regions of Central Italy (Lazio, Umbria, Marche, Campania and northern Apulia) and the Extreme Meridione (Calabria, Southern Apulia and Sicily) which has as its peculiarity cacuminal sounds, present in Sanskrit and Scandinavian languages.  

Are these languages ​​still used?

The variants that have been maintained are Veneto and Friulian in the north and almost all the southern languages ​​present on the peninsula, although they are maintained without any educational standard to support them.

Despite this, it should be noted that today the dialect or regional language is returning to its origin, in fact, dialect poetry has been promoted in recent years and many young people use it as an instrument of self-recognition and of transgression towards the linguistic norms of Italian. It is no coincidence that we hear many singer-songwriters who write and sing mostly in dialect.

Finally, it can be stated that standard Italian does not exist since any speaker has its own regional variant, which is obviously influenced by the linguistic variant spoken in the area. As De Mauro , a famous Italian linguist, argues, we have to think of dialects as a way to enrich the Italian language and speech because they improve expressiveness.

Did you already know the origin of languages ​​and dialects in Italy? Do you know any more curiosity? I hope you have been able to enrich your knowledge about Italy and if you want to learn more about its official language, we recommend a master’s degree in Italian translation .

Italian languages and culture

Italian language and culture are rich and vibrant, and offer a fascinating vision of the history and traditions of this beautiful country. With its melodious tones and expressive gestures, Italian is an language that captures the essence of emotions and life in words. From the emblematic places of Rome to the picturesque countryside of Tuscany, Italian culture is a touch of art, music and culinary delights. Whether you are planning a trip to Italy or simply want to expand your cultural horizons, delve into the language and Italian culture will open up a world of beauty and inspiration to you.

Reasons for learning the Italian language
Learning the Italian language offers a multitude of reasons for enjoying the beauty of its culture. Italian is not only considered one of the most melodious languages ​​in the world, but it is also the door of entry to explore the rich history, art and literature of Italy. When you learn the Italian language, you gain access to a treasure of master works, from Dante’s Divine Comedy to the iconic works of Leonardo da Vinci. Also, learn Italian through the doors to experience the vibrant traditions of the country, the delicious cuisine and the people of good heart. Even if you have a passion for travel, art or simply to expand your linguistic repertoire, delve into the Italian language without doubt it will enrich your life in innumerable ways.

History and significance of the Italian language
The Italian language has a rich history and is of great importance in the world of linguistics and culture. Originally from Latin, Italian was converted into a distinct language during the Renaissance period, when Italy was the center of art, literature and scientific advances. Today, Italian is spoken by more than 85 million people throughout the world and is the official language of Italy, San Marino and the Vatican City. Even more than its linguistic importance, Italian is deeply intertwined with the cultural heritage of the country, serving as the gateway to the iconic art, music, cinema and cuisine of Italy. Exploring the Italian language not only allows you to communicate with native speakers, but also opens the door to a world of history, literature and artistic expression.

Exploring the unique characteristics of the Italian language
The Italian language is a beautiful and rich language that is known for its unique characteristics. One of the most distinctive aspects of Italian is its melodic and musical sound. The language is known for its words with many vowels and the form that flows without the use of a following word. Furthermore, Italian has a complex system of verbal conjugations, which can be a disappointment for non-native speakers. However, this completeness allows precise and precise communication. Furthermore, Italian is deeply entrenched with the rich culture and history of the country, which makes it a truly fascinating language to explore. If you are interested in learning Italian for travel, shopping or personal enrichment, delve into the unique characteristics of the language without doubting your appreciation of the beauty of Italian culture.

Curious facts about the Italian language and its cultural influence
Italian is an idiom with rich history and cultural influence. Do you know that Italian is the official language not only in Italy, but also in Suiza, San Marino and the Vatican City? With more than 85 thousand speakers throughout the world, it is one of the most spoken languages ​​in the world. Italian is also the language of love, known for its melodious sounds and expressive gestures. From its beautiful opera music to its iconic cuisine, Italian language and culture have had a significant impact on the world. As much as you are planning a trip to Italy as you simply want to broaden your linguistic horizons, explore the beauty of the Italian language and its cultural influence, it is a trip in which it is worth embarking on.

The beauty of Italian pronunciation and phonetics
Italian pronunciation and phonetics are an integral part of the beauty and enchantment of Italian language and culture. The melodic and expressive naturalness of the Italian pronunciation adds a musical quality to each word and phrase. A fascinating aspect is the difference between stressed vowels and atonic vowels, which can completely change the meaning of a word. Likewise, the Italian language has a variety of sounds, which include soft and hard consonants, double consonants and combinations of vowels that create unique and delicious sounds. Mastering the complexities of Italian pronunciation not only allows effective communication, but also opens a door to fully appreciating the linguistic art and cultural mathematics of Italy.

Fundamentals of Italian grammar for beginners
Understanding the basic concepts of Italian grammar is key for beginners who want to explore the beauty of Italian language and culture. It may seem like a beginner at first, mastering essential grammatical concepts such as the conjugation of verbs, the gender of nouns and the structure of sentences will provide a solid basis for effective communication. Italian grammar is known for its completeness, including the use of articles and prepositions, as well as the conjugation of irregular verbs. By delving into these essential elements, beginners can open the door to a rich and expressive language that is deeply entrenched with the vibrant Italian culture.

Useful Italian phrases and expressions for everyday conversations
Learning some useful Italian phrases and expressions can greatly improve your experience of learning the beauty of the Italian language and culture. Besides basic greetings, mastering common expressions such as “Bon appetit” (enjoy your food) or “Excuse me” (excuse me) can help you navigate everyday conversations with ease. Also, incorporating phrases like “I like it a lot” (me gusta mucho) or “Thank you very much” (muchas gracias) can show your appreciation for the language and make a positive impression in places. As you are planning a trip to Italy as you simply want to broaden your linguistic horizons, familiarize yourself with these phrases so as to enrich your experience and deepen your connection with Italian culture.

Immersion in Italian culture: art, music, food and more
Diving into Italian culture is a fantastic way to truly appreciate the beauty of the Italian language. From the iconic art and architecture of Florence to the musical confluence of Naples, Italy offers a wealth of cultural experiences. Let’s not forget about the food! Exploring local cuisine, such as enjoying a plate of fresh pasta or savoring a creamy salad, not only enjoyed on the palate, but also deepened your understanding of the Italian style of life. When you immerse yourself in the arts, music, food and more, you will gain a profound appreciation for the language and culture of Italy.

Courses and advice on learning and experiencing Italian language and culture
Learning and experiencing the Italian language and culture can be a truly enriching journey. As much as you are planning a trip to Italy as you are simply passionate about learning new languages, there are numerous lessons and tips that will help you along the way. Learn about the language through books, podcasts and a course can greatly improve your understanding and fluency. Likewise, exploring Italian art, music and cuisine can offer a deeper appreciation of Italy’s rich cultural heritage. By embracing both the language and the culture, you can unlock a world of beauty and connection that will remain continuous throughout your life.