The Italian Language

Learn about the Italian language, grammar, vocabulary and culture

As opposed to English and German, which most people learn because of work, the major driving force behind learning to speak the Italian language is cultural.

Many descendants of Italians consider themselves also as being Italian. Though now they are very often affluent, their parents and grandparents were poor immigrants who left Italy in desperation, seeking a new, better life. Happy to say, most of them have found this life. Emigrants tended to come from the South: Calabria, Apulia, Basilicata and Sicily and from the North: Friuli and Veneto (but not, however, Venice).

A large number of the 7 million descendants of Italians are allowed by law to claim Italian nationality if they can prove that one of their ancestors (a parent, grandparent or great grandparent) was Italian. This is not always that easy, as few records were kept, principally in the poorer, rural communities and the only source of information are the baptismal records kept in the several parochial churches.

For these Italians coming back to Italy is a sentimental journey, a return to their origins. They do not always speak standard Italian, but one of the regional languages and dialects of Italy, often in old-fashioned versions, restricted to the home village of their ancestors. They wish therefore to learn the standard Italian language so they may fully experience their homecoming.

Musicians and opera singers come to learn the language, as most of musical terminology and (with the exception of France) most operas up to the XVIII century are sung in Italian and a large part of the standard repertoire of the XIX were written by Italians, such as Verdi and Puccini.

The main cities that attract people to Italy are Milan, Rome, Venice and Florence. As my knowledge is limited to Florence, I cannot really say too much about these other cities, so I shall concentrate on this city.

A large number of art students also come to Florence, attracted by the rich Renaissance heritage. Differently from Paris, which continued to evolve over time, Florence remained faithful to its primary principles and the line remained fundamental and drawing more important than colour, which was not the case in Venice and abroad. There are a number of art schools in Florence which cater for these students needs, as well as a number of universities, virtually all of them American, who run study abroad programmes.

The opportunity to learn a new language in a pleasant ambience leads many young people — in large numbers — to choose Florence to learn Italian. It is a great opportunity not only to learn, but also to meet people from other parts of the world who are here also learning Italian.

For Mexicans for a time and now for Guatemalans, coming to Florence is a part of their education. Some stay six months and only learn the Italian language, while others stay longer, attending an art school or learning jewellery design, studying interior design or any other related field.

If I say young, I must not say exclusively young people, as many people in their 50s and more also take this opportunity. These do not have the same ambitions as the young, but often come for a holiday or, as in the case of retired Germans, come for a productive holiday, a prize after a long working career. They learn the Italian language in the morning, go to museums in the afternoon, to concerts in the evening, excursions at the weekend and, in between, visit some of the better restaurants in town.

The Italian language