What’s in store for Week 5

Welcome to the fifth and final week of our linguistic exploration! This week marks the culmination of our journey as we bring our focus to the contemporary landscape of the Italian language.

In the initial activity of this week, we will explore the contemporary landscape of Italian speakers both within and outside Italy. While Italian predominantly served as a written language throughout much of its history, a significant transformation has occurred within Italy, where a substantial 90.4% of the population now identifies as native Italian speakers. We will investigate the reasons behind the prevalence of Italian within the country.

Additionally, we will examine the global presence of Italian through migration, exploring the destinations chosen by Italian migrants and the languages spoken in those communities. Recognising the diverse linguistic contexts, we will delve into regions at the borders of the national state where Italian holds official recognition. Furthermore, we will consider the impact of colonialism, violently extending Italian’s influence to more distant countries. Finally, we will explore the role of Italian in education abroad, assessing the percentage of schools and language classes offering Italian instruction.

In this second segment, you will get to discover the characteristics of the Italian language as it is commonly used today, exploring its nuances that may differ from the standard Italian taught in language classes and grammars. Building on the foundational concepts discussed in the initial week, we will delve deeper into the mechanisms of language change, with a particular focus on diaphasic variation – the shifts in language use based on situational factors, leading, for instance, to the adoption of formal or informal registers.

Returning to the notions of diglossia and multilingualism, we will examine the intricate relationship between Italian and dialects, observing how individuals navigate between linguistic realms based on situations and the languages spoken by their interlocutors. Furthermore, we will explore the contemporary use of dialects, identifying who speaks dialects today and their presence in various cultural expressions such as poetry and movies.

_{Map of Italian dialects}

In the concluding segment of our course, we will embark on an exploration of the global influence of Italian culture by examining the indelible marks left by the Italian language in other linguistic realms. Our journey will traverse a diverse range of cultural domains, from the realms of cuisine to the grand stages of opera theatres. Along the way, we will unravel the fascinating dynamics that come into play when Italian words find their way into foreign languages.

Get ready for a comprehensive exploration of the dynamic linguistic landscape in modern Italy!