Italians who use English and other foreign words in official communications could face fines of up to €100,000 ($108,705) under new legislation introduced by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s Brothers of Italy party.
Fabio Rampelli, a member of the lower chamber of deputies, introduced the legislation, which is supported by the prime minister.
While the legislation encompasses all foreign languages, it is particularly geared at “Anglomania” or use of English words, which the draft states “demeans and mortifies” the Italian language, adding that it is even worse because the UK is no longer part of the EU.
The bill, which has yet to go up for parliamentary debate, requires anyone who holds an office in public administration to have “written and oral knowledge and mastery of the Italian language.” It also prohibits use of English in official documentation, including “acronyms and names” of job roles in companies operating in the country.
Foreign entities would have to have Italian language editions of all internal regulations and employment contracts, according to a draft of the legislation seen by CNN.
“It is not just a matter of fashion, as fashions pass, but Anglomania has repercussions for society as a whole,” the draft bill states.
The first article of the legislation guarantees that even in offices that deal with non-Italian-speaking foreigners, Italian must be the primary language used.
Article 2 would make Italian “mandatory for the promotion and use of public goods and services in the national territory.” Not doing so could garner fines between €5,000 ($5,435) and €100,000 ($108,705).
Under the proposed law, the Culture Ministry would establish a committee whose remit would include “correct use of the Italian language and its pronunciation” in schools, media, commerce and advertising.
This would mean that saying “bru-shetta” instead of “bru-sketta” could be a punishable offense.
The move to safeguard the Italian language joins an existing bid by the government to protect the country’s cuisine.
It has introduced legislation to ban so-called synthetic or cell-based cuisine due to the lack of scientific studies on the effects of synthetic food, as well as “to safeguard our nation’s heritage and our agriculture based on the Mediterranean diet,” Meloni’s Health Minister Orazio Schillaci said in a press conference.
Latest Stories
-
Let’s come out in our numbers and vote for Bawumia to protect the good works of NPP – Nana Owusu Barimah III
7 mins -
Trump says ready to use military, national emergency for mass deportations
3 hours -
Spirit Airlines files for bankruptcy protection
3 hours -
Diddy called witnesses from prison, prosecutors say
3 hours -
Cholera outbreak: Central region records 7 deaths, 47 confirmed and 720 suspected cases
3 hours -
Regions begin receiving EC’s election materials ahead of polls
4 hours -
Eudirok Investment launches Regional Smart Cities Project
4 hours -
Expired rice: I’m disappointed in Frema Opare’s comment, she also wants to be clearing agent – Ablakwa
4 hours -
Prof. Samuel Ato Duncan launches historic blueprint for global sustainable peace
4 hours -
‘My heart bleeds’- Kurt Okraku reacts to Black Stars’ AFCON failure
5 hours -
Life Care Technology MD Ing. Bishoy Fouad honoured at 2024 Ghana Philanthropy Awards
5 hours -
I won’t resign as Black Stars coach – Otto Addo
6 hours -
Free SHS: Expired rice distribution saga is mere propaganda – Chief of Staff
6 hours -
We knew we could beat Ghana- Niger coach Badou Zaki
6 hours -
Former NSMQ ‘shark’ returns to school, says the future is bright
6 hours