New legislation sponsored by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s Brothers of Italy party would impose fines of up to €100,000 ($108,705) on Italians who use English or other foreign terms in official correspondence.
The bill was proposed by Deputy Fabio Rampelli, who has the backing of the Prime Minister.
While the law applies to all non-Italian languages, it is directed squarely at “Anglomania,” or the excessive use of English phrases, which the draft claims “demeans and mortifies” Italian, especially now that the UK is no longer a member of the EU.
Parliament has not yet debated the measure, but it would make it mandatory for government officials to demonstrate “written and oral knowledge and mastery of the Italian language.” This includes “acronyms and names” for positions in foreign-based businesses and the usage of English in government papers.
According to a draft of the law obtained by CNN, all internal rules and employment contracts of foreign firms would need to be translated into Italian.
According to the proposed legislation, “Anglomania has repercussions for society as a whole,” so it’s more than simply a passing fad.
Article one of the law mandates that Italian be used as the predominant language in all government agencies, even those that interact with non-Italian-speaking foreigners.
As stated in Article 2, Italian would be “mandatory for the promotion and use of public goods and services in the national territory.” For failure to comply, penalties of up to €100,000 ($108,705) may be imposed.
Make sure you’re not confusing “bru-shetta” with “bru-sketta”
The proposed legislation calls for the formation of a commission inside the Ministry of Culture whose mandate would include promoting the “correct use of the Italian language and its pronunciation” in educational institutions, the media, business, and marketing.
If this were the case, those who pronounced it “bru-shetta” instead of “bru-sketta” may face legal consequences.
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 that legislation has been introduced to ban so-called synthetic or cell-based cuisine.
