Origins of Italian Language
Italian descends from Latin, the language of the Roman Empire. Its closest relatives are the other Romance languages. Interestingly, standard Italian is based on Tuscan dialect, largely due to Dante Alighieri's literary influence.
Dante's Role in Italian
Dante Alighieri's 'Divine Comedy,' written in the early 14th century, was pivotal for Italian. It wasn't Latin but vernacular Tuscan. His work set a precedent, eventually making Tuscan the basis for modern Italian.
Italian Dialects Diversity
Italy's dialects vary greatly, to the point of being mutually unintelligible. They stem from different substrates and superstrates of Latin. Some, like Neapolitan and Sicilian, are so distinct they could be considered separate languages.
Italian Outside Italy
Italian is not just spoken in Italy. Communities in Croatia, Slovenia, and Switzerland speak Italian, and it's an official language in San Marino, the Vatican, and Switzerland alongside German, French, and Romansh.
Languages Influenced by Italian
Italian has influenced numerous languages, contributing to vocabulary in Albanian, Greek, and Maltese. Moreover, Italian has significantly impacted the development of local dialects and languages in the Mediterranean.
Italian's Global Cultural Impact
Italian is known as the language of music due to its ubiquitous use in musical terminology. It's also prominent in the realms of art, fashion, and cuisine, making it a cultural powerhouse worldwide.
Learning Italian Today
Italian is one of the easiest languages for English speakers to learn, thanks to many cognates. It's the fourth most studied language in the world, reflecting its continued cultural and historical significance.
What is standard Italian based on?
Latin of Roman Empire
Tuscan dialect
Sicilian dialect
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