When you think of the melodic sounds of the Italian language, your mind likely wanders to sun-drenched piazzas in Rome, gondola rides in Venice, or the rolling hills of Tuscany. And you’re not wrong! Italy is, of course, the heartland of la bella lingua. But what if I told you that the story of Italian doesn’t end at Italy’s borders? The language of Dante, Da Vinci, and Fellini has a fascinating global footprint, serving as an official language in surprising places and echoing through the streets of countries thousands of miles away.
From Alpine valleys to tiny microstates and sprawling South American cities, let’s embark on a journey to discover where in the world Italian is spoken. The answers might surprise you.
More Than a Peninsula: Where Italian is an Official Language
While Italy is the main stage, several other nations have given Italian official status, each for its own unique historical and cultural reasons.
Switzerland
Perhaps the most surprising country on this list is Switzerland. Tucked away in the southern part of this multilingual nation, Italian is one of the four official languages, alongside German, French, and Romansh. It is the primary language for about 8% of the Swiss population, or over 650,000 people.
So, where will you hear it? Primarily in:
- The Canton of Ticino: This is the only canton where Italian is the sole official language. Located on the Swiss-Italian border, cities like Lugano, Bellinzona, and Locarno feel distinctly Italian, blending Swiss efficiency with Italian flair.
- The Canton of Graubünden: In the southern valleys of Graubünden, Italian is a co-official language. This region is a linguistic marvel, with communities speaking German, Romansh, and Italian often just a few miles apart.
The Italian spoken here, known as Swiss Italian (italiano svizzero), is mutually intelligible with Standard Italian but has absorbed some vocabulary from French and German, leading to unique local terms. For example, a driver’s license is a patente in Italy but often a licenza di condurre in Switzerland.
San Marino
The Most Serene Republic of San Marino is one of the world’s oldest and smallest republics. Completely enclaved within Italy, it’s no shock that Italian is its sole official language. The Sammarinese dialect is a variant of Romagnol (spoken in the neighboring Italian region of Emilia-Romagna), but Standard Italian is used for all official, educational, and media purposes.
Vatican City
Another microstate, another official language status! While Latin is the official language of the Holy See (the Church’s governing body), Italian is the official language of Vatican City State. It serves as the lingua franca for the tiny country’s residents and is used for most day-to-day administrative and commercial activities. Walk through St. Peter’s Square, and you’re far more likely to hear Italian than Latin.
Croatia and Slovenia
This one is a bit more complex. Italian doesn’t have national official status, but it is a recognized co-official language in specific regions. Due to a long history of Venetian and Italian rule, the Istrian peninsula (split between Croatia and Slovenia) has a notable Italian-speaking minority. In Istria County, Croatia, and in the municipalities of Piran, Izola, and Koper in Slovenia, Italian is co-official. This means bilingual road signs, public services, and schools are common.
The Italian Diaspora: A Language Carried Across Oceans
Mass emigration from Italy in the late 19th and 20th centuries created massive, vibrant Italian-speaking communities all over the world. While many descendants now speak the local language, the influence of Italian remains profound.
Argentina
No country outside of Italy has been so deeply shaped by Italian immigration as Argentina. It’s estimated that over 60% of the population—some 25 million people—has some degree of Italian ancestry. This has had a monumental impact on Argentinian Spanish, particularly in Buenos Aires. The accent and intonation are famously melodic and Italian-like. Furthermore, countless Italian words have been absorbed into the local slang, known as Lunfardo. Words like laburar (from Italian lavorare, to work), birra (beer), and pibe (boy, from a Genoese dialect word) are everywhere.
Brazil
Brazil is another South American giant with deep Italian roots. Millions of Italians, particularly from the Veneto region, immigrated to southern Brazil. In some areas, their linguistic heritage is not just a memory but a living reality. A Veneto-based dialect known as Talian is spoken by hundreds of thousands and even holds co-official status in several municipalities in the states of Rio Grande do Sul and Santa Catarina.
United States, Canada, and Australia
These three countries were major destinations for Italian migrants. Large Italian-American, Italian-Canadian, and Italian-Australian communities flourished, especially in cities like New York, Toronto, and Melbourne. While later generations have largely assimilated into English, Italian is still spoken by hundreds of thousands of people in each country, supported by cultural institutes, newspapers, and family traditions.
The Lingering Echoes of Culture and Colonialism
Beyond official status and large diasporas, Italian’s influence is felt globally as a language of high culture and, in some places, as a remnant of a colonial past.
- Malta: Italian was an official language of Malta until 1934. The Maltese language itself, while Semitic in its roots, is packed with vocabulary from Sicilian and Italian, a testament to centuries of close contact.
- Former African Colonies: In Libya, Eritrea, and Somalia, Italian was once the language of administration. Its use has declined sharply, but it can still be found among older generations and in certain architectural and culinary terms.
- The Language of Culture: Finally, Italian is a global language in specific domains. Anyone who has studied classical music knows terms like allegro, crescendo, and pianoforte. The world of gastronomy is seasoned with Italian words like al dente, prosciutto, and gelato. From fashion to art history, its vocabulary is essential.
So, the next time you hear Italian, remember its incredible journey. It’s a language that not only defines a nation but also thrives in Alpine republics, shapes the dialects of South America, and seasons the vocabulary of culture worldwide. It truly is a language without borders.