Regarding the bill on the defense of the Italian language, “I continue. I will not intimidate those idiots or ignorant people who criticize it without reading it,” said Deputy Head of Department (FdI) Fabio Rampelli in an interview with Il Messaggero. “The majority of Italian citizens do not speak foreign languages - thus explaining the reason for the proposal -: the elderly, those who have to leave their education for economic or social reasons”. And then, says Rampelli, of the European states, Italy “has the most important language derived from Latin and from which many other idioms are derived. We must prevent it from collapsing.”
The deputy says “there is no penalty for those who use foreign words”, “citizens are not sanctioned”. The fine of up to 100,000 euros for the use of English is “precisely high, because it only applies to public administrations, public or private companies, multinational companies,” he explains. “Everyone is and will remain free to speak as they please – the attorney gives assurances – but not the Public Administration. The State must speak Italian”. Rampelli assures that the proposal “has nothing to do with the linguistic autarky of fascism.” “Enough of these constant references to fascism – he says – Fascism died in ’45”.
So what does the bill “against foreigners” say?
Let’s see what it says in detail in the bill against foreign languages. The second article of the Pdl states that the Italian language must be used “for the promotion and use of public goods and services in the national territory”. And any information “or obtained from public funds” in a public place must be transmitted in Italian. Also, for any event, conference or public meeting held in Italy, “use of translation tools” is mandatory to guarantee “perfect understanding of the event’s Italian content”.
This issue will not fail to create controversy, especially in cities where the number of foreigners is high. For example, consider moments of prayer and other religious or societal aspects associated with imams’ sermons.
The bill also limits the use of Italian to “internal regulations of companies operating in the national territory”, just as “everyone holding office” in Italian institutions, public administration, companies, the public and the majority of foundations stipulates that a majority is “required”. In order to have written and spoken knowledge and command of Italian, “abbreviations and names of functions covered in companies operating in national territory” must be in Italian.
Also, stop at “foreign schools”, except “educational offers not specifically aimed at learning a foreign language must be in Italian”.
Apart from the Language Protection Commission, the most disturbing aspects of the bill, which lastly deals with the issue of sanctions in Article 8, are as follows: “Violation of the obligations specified in this Law requires the application of administrative sanctions. It consists of the payment of an amount between 5,000 and 100,000 Euros”.
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Source: Today IT
Emma Fitzgerald is an accomplished political journalist and author at The Nation View. With a background in political science and international relations, she has a deep understanding of the political landscape and the forces that shape it.
