According to an online article by CNN, Italians using English and other foreign words in official communications could face fines of up to €100,000 ($108,705) under legislation introduced by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s ‘Brothers of Italy’ party.
The legislation was formally introduced by Fabio Rampelli, a member of the chamber of deputies, and was supported by the Prime Minister.
The CNN article states that while the legislation covers all foreign languages, it is particularly aimed at “Anglomania” – the use of English words being used to replace Italian in everyday language.
The draft legislation suggests this use of English “demeans and mortifies” the Italian language, made worse by the fact that the UK is no longer part of the EU.
Although the bill has yet to go up for parliamentary debate, it is thought it will require anyone who holds an office in public administration to have “written and oral knowledge and mastery of the Italian language.”
It will also prohibit use of English in official documentation, including acronyms and names of job roles in companies operating throughout the country.
This means foreign entities will be expected to have Italian language editions of all internal regulations and employment contracts, according to the CNN article.
The draft bill states that “Anglomania has repercussions for society as a whole” and that it isn’t just a “matter of fashion, as fashions pass”.
Article 1 of the legislation proposes that even in offices dealing with non-Italian speaking foreigners, Italian should always be the primary language.
Article 2 hopes to make Italian “mandatory for the promotion and use of public goods and services in the national territory.”
While failure to adhere to the proposed legislation would risk a fine of up to €100,000.
If the bill is successful, the Culture Ministry would establish a committee whose responsibility would include “correct use of the Italian language and its pronunciation” in schools, media, commerce and advertising.
The move to safeguard the Italian language links to an existing bid by the government to protect the country’s cuisine.
For instance, it would become a punishable offence to say “bru-shetta” instead of “bru-sketta”.
Italy’s ministers of Culture and Agriculture, officially entered Italian cuisine into candidacy for UNESCO World Heritage Site status, just last week, yet they will have to wait until December 2025 to see if they are successful in their bid.
It has also recently introduced legislation to ban “synthetic or cell-based” cuisine due to lack of scientific studies on the effects of these types of foods and to “safeguard our nation’s heritage and our agriculture based on the Mediterranean diet”.
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