The Italian language: are Italians repudiating their very identity?

The Italian language, with its rich traditions, history and culture, today finds itself squashed between the onslaught of English on the one hand and the persistence of dialects on the other. It risks being reduced to a language employed faithfully only in bureaucratic circles. Though disaster is not yet in sight, it would behoove us to confront the issue sooner rather than later, in political debate and in universities, especially as youth are particularly prone to linguistic degradation. The true danger for Italian lies in two directions: from within, with a tendency toward stereotypes, a general adjustment to the lowest common denominator and that price that is perhaps always to be paid when an “elite” language is adopted by the masses; from without, as the use of English – often employed incorrectly – is considered chic, yet serves no purpose. Participants agreed that the Italian language must be defended, but without enforcing a “state” vocabulary and grammar. To impose correct usage from above would only backfire, as languages inevitably rebel against decrees. Also, undue worry over the infiltration of foreign terms is uncalled for. What needs to be done is simply to concentrate on good Italian in schools and in the media, thereby safeguarding the linguistic patrimony, its roots and cultural identity, and doing as Macchiavelli would have us do: adopt foreign ways, yes, but maintain control over them and make them our own.