Italian/Introduction

The Colosseum in Rome, Italy

Introduction / Introduzione

• Pronunciation for Italian ~ Pronuncia dell'italiano
• Italian Culture ~ Cultura italiana

Why learn Italian? - Perché imparare l'italiano?

Italian, known as the romantic language of love and expression, holds significant importance as the official language of Italy, San Marino, and the Ticino and Grigioni cantons of Switzerland. Additionally, it is the second official language in Vatican City, following Latin. Beyond these regions, Italian is spoken and understood by communities with Italian minorities in some areas, such as Istria in Slovenia, Croatia, Argentina, and Brazil.

Although not widely spoken, Italian also has a presence in countries such as Libya, Eritrea, Somalia, and Ethiopia, where there are individuals who possess a basic knowledge of the language. With a staggering 65 million native Italian speakers and an additional 14 million individuals who speak Italian as their second or third language, Italian holds an influential position globally.

The significance of Italian extends beyond mere linguistic boundaries; it plays a vital role in the fields of culture, art, opera, and singing. Some of the most beautiful musical expressions originate in Italian, making it an indispensable language in the world of music.

Italian language education is prevalent in numerous schools worldwide, highlighting its universal appeal. In certain regions of Canada, Italian secures its place as the second most taught language, following French. In both the United States and the United Kingdom, Italian ranks fourth. On a global scale, Italian holds the title of the fifth most taught non-native language, trailing behind English, French, Spanish, and German. Moreover, due to its similarities with Spanish, and to a lesser extent, Portuguese and French, Italian offers learners a deeper understanding of the Romance languages as a whole, granting a broader perspective on these interconnected linguistic systems.