From Dialects to a Unified Language

Dr. Cinzia Russi, originally from Abruzzo, will offer a comprehensive analysis of Italy’s diverse dialects, drawing comparisons with English dialects as well. The lecture will explore the historical development of Italian dialects, including: the origins of Italo-Romance vernaculars (volgari) and their earliest variants. We then survey the language landscape during the Middle Ages, the ‘questione della lingua’ from the 16th century to Italy’s political unification and finally the various dialects coalesce to become Standard Italian. Dr. Russi will also discuss the status of dialects in present-day Italy, highlighting their vitality and presence in literature and music.

Cinzia Russi is a Professor of Romance and Italian Linguistics and Director of the Graduate Portfolio Program in Romance Linguistics at The University of Texas at Austin. Her primary research interests include historical linguistics, as well as the language of contemporary Italian crime fiction. Full bio and publications available .

Host or Publisher Dante Alighieri Society of Charleston