Italian News Headlines 26-09-2023 - Cosa Nostra mafia boss, Messina Denaro, has died of colon cancer at the age of 62. He was being held in a maximum security prison after 30 years on the run. He was responsible for dozens of murders including those of anti-mafia magistrates, Giovanni Falcone and Paolo Borsellino --- Giorgio Napolitano, the only Italian President to be elected twice, has died in Rome at the age of 98 --- Italian Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni, met with European Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen, on the Italian island of Lampedusa to discuss the European refugee crisis after more than 7,000 migrants arrived from Tunisia in a single week --- Venetian authorities vote to introduce 'ticket only' access to the city from 2024 --- A man who posted a video of himself carving his name into the wall of the Colosseum, while his girlfriend watched, has been identified as living in Britain --- Following the death of Silvio Berlusconi, on June 12th, Antonio Tajani will be appointed the new president of Forza Italia --- Silvio Berlusconi, 4 times Italian prime minister, has died at the age of 86 from complications resulting from Leukaemia --- Extreme weather in Emilia-Romagna has led to 14 dead and 35,000 displaced. There are 500 roads closed and over over 300 sites at risk of landslides --- Two new victims of the Vesuvius eruption in 79AD have been discovered during excavations in Pompei
italian language

The Italian Language

Italian is the official language of the Italian Republic and is the third most widely spoken language in the European Union. Around the world, Italian is spoken by 85 million people. It is one of the major 'Romance' languages, along with Spanish, Portuguese, French and Romanian. The origin of the 'Romance' languages was 'Vulgar Latin' and Italian, along with Sardinian, which is one of the minor 'Romance' languages, are the two that are closest to the original Latin. Italian is one of the most commonly taught languages in the world.

Before the unification of Italy in 1861, there were many different languages and dialects spoken in the different regions of Italy, many of which remain in use today. During the Middle Ages, the language of Florence gained wider acceptance, alongside its political and artistic influence. Dante Alighieri, Italy's most famous writer and poet, was born in Florence. He wrote in the Florentine language and his influence has led him to be called 'the Father of the Italian Language'. When this language was adopted by the newly formed Italian State in 1861, only 2.5% of the country could speak it!

Italian is spoken in the Vatican and is the official language of the Holy See. It is also widely spoken in Malta and parts of Slovenia and Croatia. Many other people will be familiar with Italian words through its use in opera and musical terminology.

The differences between different dialects are legendary. Here are some examples of the same paragraph read in the traditional dialects of different regions:

"Un anno fa mio nonno, che ieri ha compiuto ottant'anni, raccontò a me e a mia sorella questa storia:"


Abruzzo
Aosta
Basilicata
Calabria
Campania
Emilia-Romagna
Friuli-Venezia Giulia
Liguria
Lombardy
Molise
Piedmont
Puglia
Sardinia
Sicily
Trentino-Alto Adige
Tuscany
Umbria
Veneto
However, only part of the Italian language is spoken. The other, very important part, consists of a fascinating vocabulary of expressive hand gestures, uniquely Italian...

Italian language, language of italy, italian language schools, speak italian, italian dialects
Italian children learn to use their hands... even before they can speak! This little girl is having an animated discussion with her Sicilian great grandmother.

Italian language, language of italy, italian language schools, speak italian, italian dialects
Here's another lighthearted video that shows how important hand gestures are in Italian conversation. Take some tips on what's important for your trip to Italy!

Italian language, language of italy, italian language schools, speak italian, italian dialects
Language Schools in Italy
Learn Italian in Recanati, Le Marche
Language Courses in Macerata, Le Marche
Come and study Italian in the heart of Italy! Our school is located in the heart of the beautiful Medieval city of Recanati, worldwide famous for its poet Giacomo Leopardi.
Learn Italian in Orbetello, Tuscany
Language Couses in Grosseto, Tuscany
The course includes many cultural trips to local places of archaeological, artistic and historical interest.
Learn Italian in Florence
Learn Italian in Florence
Situated in one of the oldest and liveliest parts of the city of Florence, The ABC School has been teaching the Italian language to foreign students since 1982.
Learn Italian in Sestri Levante
Learn Italian in Sestri Levante
In 2015 the ABC School opened a new office in the enchanting Baia del Silenzio (Bay of Silence) in Sestri Levante (Genoa), one of the most beautiful beaches in Italy.
Learn Italian in Santa Domenica di Ricadi
Learn Italian in Santa Domenica di Ricadi
Benefit from our long experience and our quality guarantees learning Italian at Conte Ruggiero School! Our Italian language courses started 1984 in Calabria, near Tropea.
Molise Italian Studies
Learn Italian in Molise
Molise IS all the space to learn, engage, or disconnect you could wish for.
Learn Italian in Valle d'Aosta
Learn Italian in Aosta
Are you fond of Italian culture? Do you love travelling through Italy? You should study Italian with us in the Alps!
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