Italy

Summary

Official Name: Italian Republic
Population: 59,450,000
Principal Languages: Italian
Literacy Rate: 99% (2018 UNESCO)
International Conventions: CDE (1960), CPPDCE (2006), CSICH (2012), FCPNM (1998), ICCPR (1966), UNCRPD (2006), UNDRIP (2007)
General References: Agard 1984, Campbell and King 2011, Comrie 1987, Hall 1974, Salminen 2007, Stephens 1976
Language Counts: The number of established languages listed for Italy is 35. All are living languages. Of these, 28 are indigenous and 7 are non-indigenous. Furthermore, 1 is institutional, 12 are developing, 2 are vigorous, 17 are in trouble, and 3 are dying. Also listed are 21 unestablished languages and 1 macrolanguage.

Languages

Albanian, Arbëreshë aae: Calabria region: Catanzaro and Reggio di Calabria provinces; Molise region: Campobasso province; Sicily region: Palermo province; possibly Apulia and Basilicata regions. Users: 100,000 (Salminen 2007). 380,000 Albanian speakers in Italy (2012 census). Ethnic population: 260,000 (Stephens 1976). Status: 6b (Threatened). Alternate Names: Arbëreshë, Arbërisht, Arbërishtja, Gjegje Autonym: Tarbrisht Classification: Indo-European, Albanian, Tosk
Arabic, Algerian Spoken arq: Users: 15,700 in Italy (2012 census). Status: Unestablished. Classification: Afro-Asiatic, Semitic, Central, South, Arabic
Arabic, Egyptian Spoken arz: Users: 57,700 in Italy (2012 census). Status: Unestablished. Classification: Afro-Asiatic, Semitic, Central, South, Arabic
Arabic, Judeo-Tripolitanian yud: Users: 5,000 in Italy (1994 H. Mutzafi). Status: Unestablished. Classification: Afro-Asiatic, Semitic, Central, South, Arabic
Arabic, Moroccan Spoken ary: Users: 309,000 in Italy (2012 census). Status: Unestablished. Classification: Afro-Asiatic, Semitic, Central, South, Arabic
Arabic, Tunisian Spoken aeb: Users: 73,400 in Italy (2012 census). Status: Unestablished. Classification: Afro-Asiatic, Semitic, Central, South, Arabic
Arpitan frp: Valle d’Aosta region; Piedmont region: Turin province. Users: 70,000 in Italy (Salminen 2007). Status: 6b (Threatened). Alternate Names: Franco-Provençal, Francoprovençal, arpitano Classification: Indo-European, Italic, Romance, Italo-Western, Western, Gallo-Iberian, Gallo-Romance, Gallo-Rhaetian, Oïl, Southeastern
Bavarian bar: Trentino-Alto Adige region: south Tyrol. Users: 250,000 in Italy (2005). Status: 5* (Developing). Alternate Names: Bavarian Austrian, Bayerisch, Boarisch Classification: Indo-European, Germanic, West, High German, German, Upper German, Bavarian-Austrian
Bengali ben: Users: 400,000 in Italy (2018), based on nationality. Status: Unestablished. Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan, Outer Languages, Eastern, Bengali-Assamese
Bosnian bos: Users: 20,700 in Italy (2012 census). Status: Unestablished. Classification: Indo-European, Balto-Slavic, Slavic, South, Western
Catalan cat: Sardinia region: Sassari province, Alghero city. Users: 7,480 in Italy (Argenter 2008). Status: 7 (Shifting). Alternate Names: Algherese Catalan, Català Classification: Indo-European, Italic, Romance, Italo-Western, Western, Gallo-Iberian, Ibero-Romance, East Iberian
Chinese zho: Users: 160,000 in Italy (2012 census). Status: Unestablished.
Cimbrian cim: Veneto region: Vincenza province, Roana commune. Users: 2,230. 500 in Lusernese Cimbrian in Trentino Alto Oolige 40 km southeast from Trento, plus 1,500 Sette Comuni Cimbrian (40% of Roana (Rowan), 70% of Messaselva di Roana Rotzo) in Veneto around 60 km north of Vincenza (Kloss 1978), and 230 or 65% of Giazza (Ijetzan) Veneto, 43 km northeast of Verona (1992 R. Zamponi). 22,700 were in Sieben Gemeinde and 12,400 in Dreizehn Gemeinde in 1854. Status: 6b (Threatened). Alternate Names: Tzimbro, Zimbrisch Classification: Indo-European, Germanic, West, High German, German, Upper German, Bavarian-Austrian
Corsican cos: Sardinia region; Maddalena islands, Sardinia northeast coast. Users: 1,000 in Italy (1990). Status: 6b* (Threatened). Alternate Names: Corse, Corsi, Corsu, Còrso Classification: Indo-European, Italic, Romance, Southern, Corsican
Croatian hrv: Users: 13,300 in Italy (2012 census). Status: Unestablished. Classification: Indo-European, Balto-Slavic, Slavic, South, Western
Emilian egl: Emilia-Romagna region: Reggio Emilia, main town; also in Bologna, Ferrara, Parma, Piacenza, Modena; Piedmont region: Curone valley. Users: 440,000 (2006 S. Grementieri). Ethnic population: 3,000,000 (2008 I. Miani). Status: 7 (Shifting). Alternate Names: Bolognese, Ferrarese, Modenese, Parmigiano, Piacentino, Reggiano Autonym: Emigliân Classification: Indo-European, Italic, Romance, Italo-Western, Western, Gallo-Iberian, Gallo-Romance, Gallo-Italian
English eng: Users: 20,734,000 in Italy, all users. L1 users: 34,000 in Italy (2021 Joshua Project), based on ethnicity. L2 users: 20,700,000 (European Commission 2012). Status: 5* (Dispersed). Alternate Names: Inglese Classification: Indo-European, Germanic, West, English
French fra: Valle d’Aosta region. Users: 9,516,000 in Italy, all users. L1 users: 116,000 in Italy (2012 census). L2 users: 9,400,000 (European Commission 2012). Status: 2 (Provincial). Statutory provincial language in Valle d’Aoste (1999, Historical Minorities Protection Act, No. 482). Alternate Names: Francese, Français Classification: Indo-European, Italic, Romance, Italo-Western, Western, Gallo-Iberian, Gallo-Romance, Gallo-Rhaetian, Oïl, French
Friulian fur: Friuli-Venezia Giulia autonomous region except Trieste province and western and eastern border areas; Veneto region: Venezia province, Portogruaro area. Users: 600,000 (2014 Agjenzie Regjonâl pe Lenghe Furlane), decreasing. 420,000 regular speakers, 180,000 occasional speakers (2014 Agjenzie Regjonâl pe Lenghe Furlane). Status: 6b (Threatened). Statutory language of provincial identity in Friuli-Venezia Giulia autonomous region (2007, Regional law no. 29). Alternate Names: Frioulan, Frioulian, Friulano Autonym: Furlan, Marilenghe Classification: Indo-European, Italic, Romance, Italo-Western, Western, Gallo-Iberian, Gallo-Romance, Gallo-Rhaetian, Rhaetian
German, Standard deu: Trentino-Alto Adige region: Bolzano and South Tyrol provinces; Veneto region: Belluno province. Users: 1,276,000 in Italy, all users. L1 users: 36,000 in Italy (2020 Joshua Project), based on ethnicity. L2 users: 1,240,000 (2019 Eurostat). Status: 2 (Provincial). Statutory provincial language in Trentino-Alto Adige region (1999, Historical Minorities Protection Act, No. 482). Alternate Names: Deutsch, Tedesco Classification: Indo-European, Germanic, West, High German, German, Middle German, East Middle German
Greek ell: Apulia region: Bari province, Monopoli; Adriatic coast; Calabria region: east of Reggio. Users: 20,000 in Italy (Vincent 1987). Status: 8a (Moribund). Alternate Names: Greco Classification: Indo-European, Greek, Attic
International Sign ils: Scattered in many countries. Users: No known L1 users (2015 A. Bickford). No native signers; learned by adults at international gatherings. Ethnic population: No ethnic community (2015 A. Bickford). Status: 9 (Second language only). Alternate Names: Gestuno, IS, International Sign Language Classification: Sign language
Italian ita: Users: 59,000,000 in Italy (European Commission 2012). Total users in all countries: 67,907,320 (as L1: 64,827,220; as L2: 3,080,100). Status: 1 (National). Statutory national language (1999, Law No. 482, Article 1.1). Autonym: Italiano Classification: Indo-European, Italic, Romance, Italo-Western, Italo-Dalmatian
Italian Sign Language ise: Scattered, including Sardinia and Sicily. Users: 40,000 (2021 EUD). Less than 0.1%. Another estimate: 70,000 profoundly deaf people, including 9,000 school age. (Van Cleve 1986). Status: 5 (Developing). Recognized language (2021, Sostegni Decree, Article 34). Alternate Names: LIS, Lingua Italiana Dei Segni, Lingua dei Segni Italiana Classification: Sign language, Deaf community sign language
Judeo-Italian itk: Tuscany region: Siena province, Buonconvento; urban areas central and north, Rome. Users: 200 in Italy. Total users in all countries: 250. Status: 8a (Moribund). Alternate Names: Italkian, Judaico-Romanesco, Judeo-Venetian, La‘az, giudeo-italiano Classification: Indo-European, Italic, Romance, Italo-Western, Italo-Dalmatian
Kabuverdianu kea: Users: 4,100 in Italy (2015 Instituto de Apoio ao Emigrante). Status: Unestablished. Classification: Creole, Portuguese based
Kurdish, Northern kmr: Users: 3,500 in Italy (2001). Ethnic population: 11,500 (2000). Status: Unestablished. Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Iranian, Western, Northwestern, Kurdish
Ladin lld: Trentino-Alto Adige region: the autonomous province of Bolzano-South Tyrol, 2 valleys. Users: Ethnic population: 38,000. Status: 6b (Threatened). Alternate Names: Dolomite, Rhaeto-Romance Classification: Indo-European, Italic, Romance, Italo-Western, Western, Gallo-Iberian, Gallo-Romance, Gallo-Rhaetian, Rhaetian
Ligurian lij: Liguria region: east and west of Genoa along the Riviera and mountain hinterland; small communities near Piedmont-Liguria regional border (Garessio, Ormea, Saliceto, Seorle, Spigno, Orba valley, Scrivia valley); Piedmont region: Cuneo province; Tuscany region: Massa-Carrara province, small border areas; possible scattered settlements in Sardinia area. Users: 140,000 in Italy (2017 census). Total users in all countries: 148,210. Status: 5* (Developing). Alternate Names: Zeneize Autonym: Ligure Classification: Indo-European, Italic, Romance, Italo-Western, Western, Gallo-Iberian, Gallo-Romance, Gallo-Italian
Lombard lmo: Lombardy region: Bregaglia, Mesoldina, and Poschiavo valleys; Piedmont region: Novara province; Trentino-Alto Adige region: west Trentino border area; Emilia-Romagna region: small areas along Po river northwest of Piacenza; Veneto region: east shoreline area, Lake Garda. Users: 3,600,000 in Italy (2002). Total users in all countries: 3,903,000. Status: 6a* (Vigorous). Alternate Names: Lombardo Autonym: Lombard Classification: Indo-European, Italic, Romance, Italo-Western, Western, Gallo-Iberian, Gallo-Romance, Gallo-Italian
Maltese mlt: Users: 28,000 in Italy (Johnstone 1993). Status: Unestablished. Classification: Afro-Asiatic, Semitic, Central, South, Arabic
Mócheno mhn: Trentino-Alto Adige region: Valle del Fersina. Users: 1,900 (1992 R. Zamponi). 400 Fierozzo, 1,000 Palú, 460 Gereut. Status: 6a* (Vigorous). Classification: Indo-European, Germanic, West, High German, German, Upper German, Bavarian-Austrian
Napoletano-Calabrese nap: Calabria and Campania regions. Users: 5,700,000 (2002). Status: 5* (Developing). Alternate Names: Neapolitan-Calabrese Autonym: Napulitano Classification: Indo-European, Italic, Romance, Italo-Western, Italo-Dalmatian
Occitan oci: Liguria region: Imperia province; Piedmont region: Entraigas, Limoun, Pignerol, Sestriero, Val d’Esturo, Val Mairo, Val Varacho, Vinai, upper valleys; maybe Calabria region: Guardia Piemontese. Users: 100,000 in Italy (1990 P. Blanchet). Status: 6b (Threatened). Alternate Names: Provenzale, Provençal Classification: Indo-European, Italic, Romance, Italo-Western, Western, Gallo-Iberian, Ibero-Romance, Oc
Piedmontese pms: Lombardy region: small communities along Po river north bank, across from Valenza; Piedmont region: all provinces except Novara province, excluding Occitan- and Arpitan-speaking Alpine valleys; Valle d’Aosta region. Users: 700,000 in Italy (Regis 2012). Status: 7 (Shifting). Alternate Names: Piemontese Autonym: Piemontèis Classification: Indo-European, Italic, Romance, Italo-Western, Western, Gallo-Iberian, Gallo-Romance, Gallo-Italian
Romagnol rgn: Emilia-Romagna region: Cesena, Imola, Faenza, Forlì, Ravenna, and Rimini. Users: 160,000 in Italy (2006 S. Grementieri). Ethnic population: 1,100,000 (2008 I. Miani). Status: 7 (Shifting). Autonym: Rumagnol Classification: Indo-European, Italic, Romance, Italo-Western, Western, Gallo-Iberian, Gallo-Romance, Gallo-Italian
Romani, Balkan rmn: Users: 5,000 in Italy (1990). Status: Unestablished. Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan, Intermediate Divisions, Western, Romani, Balkan
Romani, Sinte rmo: Scattered in northern regions. Users: 14,000 in Italy (1980). 10,000 Manouche, 4,000 Slovenian-Croatian. Status: 5* (Dispersed). Alternate Names: Romanes, Sinte, Sinti Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan, Intermediate Divisions, Western, Romani, Northern
Romani, Vlax rmy: Major cities. Users: 4,000 in Italy. 1,000–3,000 Kalderash, 1,000 Lovari. Status: 5* (Dispersed). Alternate Names: Rom Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan, Intermediate Divisions, Western, Romani, Vlax
Romanian ron: Users: 798,000 in Italy (2012 census). Status: Unestablished. Classification: Indo-European, Italic, Romance, Eastern
Russian rus: Users: 127,000 in Italy (2012 census). Status: Unestablished. Classification: Indo-European, Balto-Slavic, Slavic, East
Sardinian srd: Users: Population total all languages (L1 only): 1,200,000. Status:
Sardinian, Campidanese sro: Sardinia region: southern half of Sardinia island. Users: 500,000 (Salminen 2007). Status: 6b (Threatened). Statutory language of provincial identity in south Sardinia (1999, Atlantic Coast Languages Act No. 162, Article 4). Alternate Names: Campidanese, Campidese, Sardu, South Sardinian Classification: Indo-European, Italic, Romance, Southern, Sardinian
Sardinian, Gallurese sdn: Sardinia region: Nuoro, Olbio Tempio, and Sassari provinces, facing Tyrrhenian sea. Users: 100,000 (Salminen 1999). Status: 6b (Threatened). Statutory language of provincial identity in northeast Sardinia (1999, Atlantic Coast Languages Act No. 162, Article 4). Alternate Names: Gallurese, Northeastern Sardinian Classification: Indo-European, Italic, Romance, Southern, Sardinian
Sardinian, Logudorese src: Sardinia region: generally south of Sassari town. Users: 500,000 (Salminen 1999). Status: 6b (Threatened). Statutory language of provincial identity in central Sardinia (1999, Atlantic Coast Languages Act No. 162, Article 4). Alternate Names: Central Sardinian, Logudorese, Sard, Sardarese Classification: Indo-European, Italic, Romance, Southern, Sardinian
Sardinian, Sassarese sdc: Sardinia region: Sassari province. Users: 100,000 (Salminen 1999). Status: 6b (Threatened). Statutory language of provincial identity in northwest Sardinia (1999, Linguistic Minority Defense Act No. 482, Article 2). Alternate Names: Northwestern Sardinian, Sassarese Classification: Indo-European, Italic, Romance, Southern, Sardinian
Serbian srp: Users: 24,300 in Italy (2012 census). Status: Unestablished. Classification: Indo-European, Balto-Slavic, Slavic, South, Western
Sicilian scn: Sicily region: Sicily island and nearby island groups. Users: 4,700,000 (2002). Status: 5* (Developing). Alternate Names: Calabro-Sicilian, Siculu Autonym: Sicilianu Classification: Indo-European, Italic, Romance, Italo-Western, Italo-Dalmatian
Slavomolisano svm: Molise region: Campobasso province, Montemitro, San Felice del Molise, and Acquaviva-Collecroce villages. Users: 1,000 (2012 W. Breu). Ethnic population: 2,000 (2012 W. Breu). Status: 7 (Shifting). Alternate Names: Croato molisano, Molise Croatian, Molise Slavic, Naš jezik, Slavic of Molise Autonym: Na-našu Classification: Indo-European, Balto-Slavic, Slavic, South, Western
Slovene slv: Friuli-Venezia Giulia region: Gorizia, Trieste, and Udine provinces, north and south along Slovenia border. Users: 133,000 in Italy, all users. L1 users: 24,000 in Italy (European Commission 2012). L2 users: 109,000 (European Commission 2012). Status: 2 (Provincial). Statutory provincial language in Trieste and Gorizia provinces (1999, Historical Minorities Protection Act, No. 482). Alternate Names: Slovenščina, Slovenian Classification: Indo-European, Balto-Slavic, Slavic, South, Western
Somali som: Users: 50,600 in Italy (2000). Status: Unestablished. Classification: Afro-Asiatic, Cushitic, East, Somali
Spanish spa: Users: 2,295,000 in Italy, all users. L1 users: 255,000 in Italy (2012 census). L2 users: 2,040,000 (2019). Status: Unestablished. Classification: Indo-European, Italic, Romance, Italo-Western, Western, Gallo-Iberian, Ibero-Romance, West Iberian, Castilian
Turkish tur: Users: 20,900 in Italy (2010 census). Status: Unestablished. Classification: Turkic, Southern, Turkish
Ukrainian ukr: Users: 120,000 in Italy (2012 census). Status: Unestablished. Classification: Indo-European, Balto-Slavic, Slavic, East
Venetian vec: Friuli-Venezia Giulia region: southern Gorizia province, most of western Pordenone province, Trieste province; Trentino-Alto Adige region: central and east Trento province; Veneto region. Users: 3,800,000 in Italy (2002). Total users in all countries: 3,852,500. Status: 5* (Developing). Alternate Names: Talian, Venet Autonym: Veneto Classification: Indo-European, Italic, Romance, Italo-Western, Western, Gallo-Iberian, Gallo-Romance, Gallo-Italian
Walser wae: Valle d’Aosta region: Val Lesa (Val del Lys) (Gressoney, Issime, Gaby); Piedmont region: Valsesia (Alagna, Rima S. Giuseppe, Rimella); Novara, Valle Anzasca (Macugnaga); Val Formazza (Formazza, Pomatt). 10 communities. Users: 3,400 in Italy (Fazzini Giovannucci 1978). Status: 7 (Shifting). Alternate Names: Walscher Classification: Indo-European, Germanic, West, High German, German, Upper German, Alemannic

Languages by Status

1 (National)

Italian

[ita] 1 (National). Statutory national language (1999, Law No. 482, Article 1.1). 59,000,000 in Italy (European Commission 2012). Total users in all countries: 67,907,320 (as L1: 64,827,220; as L2: 3,080,100).

2 (Provincial)

French

[fra] 2 (Provincial). Statutory provincial language in Valle d’Aoste (1999, Historical Minorities Protection Act, No. 482). 9,516,000 in Italy, all users. L1 users: 116,000 in Italy (2012 census). L2 users: 9,400,000 (European Commission 2012).

German, Standard

[deu] 2 (Provincial). Statutory provincial language in Trentino-Alto Adige region (1999, Historical Minorities Protection Act, No. 482). 1,276,000 in Italy, all users. L1 users: 36,000 in Italy (2020 Joshua Project), based on ethnicity. L2 users: 1,240,000 (2019 Eurostat).

Slovene

[slv] 2 (Provincial). Statutory provincial language in Trieste and Gorizia provinces (1999, Historical Minorities Protection Act, No. 482). 133,000 in Italy, all users. L1 users: 24,000 in Italy (European Commission 2012). L2 users: 109,000 (European Commission 2012).

5 (Dispersed)

English

[eng] 5* (Dispersed). 20,734,000 in Italy, all users. L1 users: 34,000 in Italy (2021 Joshua Project), based on ethnicity. L2 users: 20,700,000 (European Commission 2012).

Romani, Sinte

[rmo] 5* (Dispersed). 14,000 in Italy (1980). 10,000 Manouche, 4,000 Slovenian-Croatian.

Romani, Vlax

[rmy] 5* (Dispersed). 4,000 in Italy. 1,000–3,000 Kalderash, 1,000 Lovari.

5 (Developing)

Bavarian

[bar] 5* (Developing). 250,000 in Italy (2005).

Italian Sign Language

[ise] 5 (Developing). Recognized language (2021, Sostegni Decree, Article 34). 40,000 (2021 EUD). Less than 0.1%. Another estimate: 70,000 profoundly deaf people, including 9,000 school age. (Van Cleve 1986).

Ligurian

[lij] 5* (Developing). 140,000 in Italy (2017 census). Total users in all countries: 148,210.

Napoletano-Calabrese

[nap] 5* (Developing). 5,700,000 (2002).

Sicilian

[scn] 5* (Developing). 4,700,000 (2002).

Venetian

[vec] 5* (Developing). 3,800,000 in Italy (2002). Total users in all countries: 3,852,500.

6a (Vigorous)

Lombard

[lmo] 6a* (Vigorous). 3,600,000 in Italy (2002). Total users in all countries: 3,903,000.

Mócheno

[mhn] 6a* (Vigorous). 1,900 (1992 R. Zamponi). 400 Fierozzo, 1,000 Palú, 460 Gereut.

6b (Threatened)

Albanian, Arbëreshë

[aae] 6b (Threatened). 100,000 (Salminen 2007). 380,000 Albanian speakers in Italy (2012 census). Ethnic population: 260,000 (Stephens 1976).

Arpitan

[frp] 6b (Threatened). 70,000 in Italy (Salminen 2007).

Cimbrian

[cim] 6b (Threatened). 2,230. 500 in Lusernese Cimbrian in Trentino Alto Oolige 40 km southeast from Trento, plus 1,500 Sette Comuni Cimbrian (40% of Roana (Rowan), 70% of Messaselva di Roana Rotzo) in Veneto around 60 km north of Vincenza (Kloss 1978), and 230 or 65% of Giazza (Ijetzan) Veneto, 43 km northeast of Verona (1992 R. Zamponi). 22,700 were in Sieben Gemeinde and 12,400 in Dreizehn Gemeinde in 1854.

Corsican

[cos] 6b* (Threatened). 1,000 in Italy (1990).

Friulian

[fur] 6b (Threatened). Statutory language of provincial identity in Friuli-Venezia Giulia autonomous region (2007, Regional law no. 29). 600,000 (2014 Agjenzie Regjonâl pe Lenghe Furlane), decreasing. 420,000 regular speakers, 180,000 occasional speakers (2014 Agjenzie Regjonâl pe Lenghe Furlane).

Ladin

[lld] 6b (Threatened). Ethnic population: 38,000.

Occitan

[oci] 6b (Threatened). 100,000 in Italy (1990 P. Blanchet).

Sardinian, Campidanese

[sro] 6b (Threatened). Statutory language of provincial identity in south Sardinia (1999, Atlantic Coast Languages Act No. 162, Article 4). 500,000 (Salminen 2007).

Sardinian, Gallurese

[sdn] 6b (Threatened). Statutory language of provincial identity in northeast Sardinia (1999, Atlantic Coast Languages Act No. 162, Article 4). 100,000 (Salminen 1999).

Sardinian, Logudorese

[src] 6b (Threatened). Statutory language of provincial identity in central Sardinia (1999, Atlantic Coast Languages Act No. 162, Article 4). 500,000 (Salminen 1999).

Sardinian, Sassarese

[sdc] 6b (Threatened). Statutory language of provincial identity in northwest Sardinia (1999, Linguistic Minority Defense Act No. 482, Article 2). 100,000 (Salminen 1999).

7 (Shifting)

Catalan

[cat] 7 (Shifting). 7,480 in Italy (Argenter 2008).

Emilian

[egl] 7 (Shifting). 440,000 (2006 S. Grementieri). Ethnic population: 3,000,000 (2008 I. Miani).

Piedmontese

[pms] 7 (Shifting). 700,000 in Italy (Regis 2012).

Romagnol

[rgn] 7 (Shifting). 160,000 in Italy (2006 S. Grementieri). Ethnic population: 1,100,000 (2008 I. Miani).

Slavomolisano

[svm] 7 (Shifting). 1,000 (2012 W. Breu). Ethnic population: 2,000 (2012 W. Breu).

Walser

[wae] 7 (Shifting). 3,400 in Italy (Fazzini Giovannucci 1978).

8a (Moribund)

Greek

[ell] 8a (Moribund). 20,000 in Italy (Vincent 1987).

Judeo-Italian

[itk] 8a (Moribund). 200 in Italy. Total users in all countries: 250.

Unestablished

Arabic, Algerian Spoken

[arq] Unestablished. 15,700 in Italy (2012 census).

Arabic, Egyptian Spoken

[arz] Unestablished. 57,700 in Italy (2012 census).

Arabic, Judeo-Tripolitanian

[yud] Unestablished. 5,000 in Italy (1994 H. Mutzafi).

Arabic, Moroccan Spoken

[ary] Unestablished. 309,000 in Italy (2012 census).

Arabic, Tunisian Spoken

[aeb] Unestablished. 73,400 in Italy (2012 census).

Bengali

[ben] Unestablished. 400,000 in Italy (2018), based on nationality.

Bosnian

[bos] Unestablished. 20,700 in Italy (2012 census).

Chinese

[zho] Unestablished. 160,000 in Italy (2012 census).

Croatian

[hrv] Unestablished. 13,300 in Italy (2012 census).

Kabuverdianu

[kea] Unestablished. 4,100 in Italy (2015 Instituto de Apoio ao Emigrante).

Kurdish, Northern

[kmr] Unestablished. 3,500 in Italy (2001). Ethnic population: 11,500 (2000).

Maltese

[mlt] Unestablished. 28,000 in Italy (Johnstone 1993).

Romani, Balkan

[rmn] Unestablished. 5,000 in Italy (1990).

Romanian

[ron] Unestablished. 798,000 in Italy (2012 census).

Russian

[rus] Unestablished. 127,000 in Italy (2012 census).

Serbian

[srp] Unestablished. 24,300 in Italy (2012 census).

Somali

[som] Unestablished. 50,600 in Italy (2000).

Spanish

[spa] Unestablished. 2,295,000 in Italy, all users. L1 users: 255,000 in Italy (2012 census). L2 users: 2,040,000 (2019).

Turkish

[tur] Unestablished. 20,900 in Italy (2010 census).

Ukrainian

[ukr] Unestablished. 120,000 in Italy (2012 census).

Maps

Graphs

Language Vitality Profile
Full explanation
This graph shows the profile of languages in Italy with respect to their level of language vitality. Each individual language that has an entry for Italy is included in the profile. The horizontal axis represents the estimated level of vitality. The height of each bar indicates the number of languages that are estimated to be at the given level.
The vitality levels and the color coding of the bars match the scheme used in the guide on How many languages are endangered? In this scheme, the levels and colors are as follows:
- Dark green = Institutional (EGIDS 0-4) — The language has been developed to the point that it is used and sustained by institutions beyond the home and community.
- Light green = Stable (EGIDS 5-6a) — The language is not being sustained by formal institutions, but It is still the norm in the home and community that all children learn and use the language.
- Red = Endangered (EGIDS 6b-9) — It is no longer the norm that children learn and use this language.
These three summary levels have been derived by grouping levels in the Expanded Graded Intergenerational Disruption Scale (EGIDS), which is the more fine-grained scale that Ethnologue uses to assess the status of every language in terms of development versus endangerment; see the Language Status page for a description of the levels of that scale. See also the pages on Development and Endangerment for more discussion.
Language Status Profile
Full explanation
This graph shows the profile of languages in Italy with respect to their status of language development versus language endangerment. Each individual language that has an entry for Italy is included in the profile. The horizontal axis represents the estimated level of development or endangerment as measured on the EGIDS scale. (See the pages on Development and Endangerment for a fuller explanation.) The height of each bar indicates the number of languages that are estimated to be at the given level. Consult the Status listings for Italy in order to see the specific languages for each level.
The color coding of the bars matches the color scheme used in the summary profile graphs on the navigation maps for the site. In this scheme, the EGIDS levels are grouped as follows:
- Purple = Institutional (EGIDS 0-4) — The language has been developed to the point that it is used and sustained by institutions beyond the home and community.
- Blue = Developing (EGIDS 5) — The language is in vigorous use, with literature in a standardized form being used by some though this is not yet widespread or sustainable.
- Green = Vigorous (EGIDS 6a) — The language is unstandardized and in vigorous use among all generations.
- Yellow = In trouble (EGIDS 6b-7) — Intergenerational transmission is in the process of being broken, but the child-bearing generation can still use the language so it is possible that revitalization efforts could restore transmission of the language in the home.
- Red = Dying (EGIDS 8a-9) — The only fluent users (if any) are older than child-bearing age, so it is too late to restore natural intergenerational transmission through the home; a mechanism outside the home would need to be developed.
- Black = Extinct (EGIDS 10) — The language has fallen completely out of use and no one retains a sense of ethnic identity associated with the language.

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Digest of the languages of Italy ($199.95, 40 page PDF)

Italy

Summary

Languages

Languages by Status

Maps

Graphs

Language Vitality Profile

Language Status Profile

Resources

Contributions

Editorial Action