Italy is highly diverse linguistically. There is no single simple count of ‘languages spoken in Italy’, because legal status and linguistic classification are different questions. This overview introduces Italian, historically protected minority languages and some major regional languages or varieties.
Official language
1. Italian
Italian is the official and majority language of the country, used in institutions, education and the media.
Languages with special territorial status
Alongside Italian, some languages have specific official or administrative rights in particular territories. French is placed on an equal footing with Italian in Valle d’Aosta; German has co-official status in South Tyrol; Slovenian is protected and may be used with local public authorities in designated areas of Friuli Venezia Giulia.
1. German
- Region: autonomous province of Bolzano-South Tyrol.
- Language family: Germanic.
2. Slovenian
- Region: some areas of Friuli-Venezia Giulia.
- Language family: Slavic.
3. French
- Region: Valle d’Aosta.
- Language family: Romance.
Regional Languages and Recognised Linguistic Minorities
Franco-Provençal
- Region: Valle d’Aosta and some other Alpine communities.
- Language family: Romance.
- One of the historical linguistic minorities protected by Italian law.
1. Sardinian
- Region: Sardinia.
- Language family: Romance.
- One of the most conservative Romance languages, with archaic influences.
2. Friulian
- Region: Friuli Venezia Giulia.
- Language family: Romance.
- Spoken in the provinces of Udine, Gorizia and Pordenone.
3. Ladin
- Region: some areas of the Dolomites.
- Language family: Romance.
- Romance language spoken in Val Gardena, Val Badia and other Alpine valleys.
4. Occitan
- Region: some valleys in Piedmont.
- Language family: Romance.
- Spoken in the Occitan valleys of the Alps.
5. Catalan
- Region: Alghero, Sardinia.
- Language family: Romance.
- Algherese is a local variety of Catalan historically spoken in Alghero.
6. Griko
- Region: some areas of Puglia and Calabria.
- Language family: Greek.
- Greek varieties are spoken in historic communities in parts of Puglia and Calabria; these communities are among the historical linguistic minorities protected by Italian law.
7. Albanian (Arbëreshë)
- Region: Calabria, Sicily and other regions.
- Language family: Albanian.
- Language spoken by communities of Albanian origin.
8. Croatian
- Region: some areas of Molise.
- Language family: Slavic.
- Spoken by a Croatian community historically settled in Molise.
Under Law 482/1999, Italy protects the language and culture of twelve historical linguistic minorities: Albanian, Catalan, Germanic, Greek, Slovenian and Croatian communities, and communities speaking French, Franco-Provençal, Friulian, Ladin, Occitan and Sardinian.
Regional languages and dialectal varieties
In addition to the languages mentioned above, there are many dialects spoken in Italy, which vary greatly from region to region. These dialects mainly belong to the Romance language family. Examples include
- Neapolitan: spoken in Campania.
- Sicilian: spoken in Sicily.
- Veneto: spoken in Veneto.
Language families
The languages and dialects spoken in Italy belong mainly to the following language families:
1. Romance languages, derived from the Vulgar Latin spoken in the Roman Empire – Derived from Vulgar Latin, they include Italian, Sardinian, Friulian, Ladin, Occitan, Catalan, Neapolitan, Sicilian and Veneto.
2. Germanic languages – Includes German spoken in South Tyrol.
3. Slavic languages – Includes Slovenian spoken in Friuli-Venezia Giulia and Croatian spoken in Molise.
4. Greek languages: Includes Griko, spoken in some areas of southern Italy.
5. Albanian languages: Includes Arbëreshë, spoken by communities of Albanian origin.
To conclude
Italy is a linguistically very rich and diverse country, with a variety of languages and dialects reflecting its complex cultural history. This diversity is an invaluable heritage that enriches the cultural landscape of the country. Knowing and appreciating these local languages is fundamental to keeping Italian history and traditions alive.
