Rome (CNN) 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 of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni Italian Brothers Party.
Fabio Rampelli, a member of the lower house of deputies, introduced the legislation, which has the support of the prime minister.
While the legislation covers all foreign languages, it is especially targeted at “Anglomania” or the use of English words, which according to the bill “degrades and mortifies” the Italian language, adding that it is even worse because the United Kingdom It is no longer part of the EU.
The bill, which has not yet been submitted to parliamentary debate, requires that anyone holding a position in the public administration have “knowledge and written and oral command of the Italian language.” It also prohibits the use of English in official documentation, including the “acronyms and names” of jobs in companies operating in the country.
Foreign entities would have to have Italian 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 bill states.
The first article of the legislation guarantees that even in offices that deal with foreigners who do not speak Italian, Italian must be the main language used.
Article 2 would make Italian “mandatory for the promotion and use of public goods and services on the national territory.” Failing to do so could result in fines of between €5,000 (USD 5,435) and €100,000 (USD 108,705).
Don’t say “brew-shetta” instead of “brew-sketta”
Under the proposed law, the Ministry of Culture would establish a committee whose competence would include “the correct use of the Italian language and its pronunciation” in schools, the media, commerce and advertising.
This would mean that saying “bru-shetta” instead of “bru-sketta” could be a punishable offence.
The move to safeguard the Italian language joins an existing attempt by the government to protect the country’s cuisine.
Has introduced legislation to ban so-called cell-based or synthetic cooking due to the lack of scientific studies on the effects of synthetic foods, as well as “to safeguard the heritage of our nation and our agriculture based on the Mediterranean diet,” Meloni Health Minister Orazio Schillaci told a news conference. .
Last week, Italy’s culture and agriculture ministers officially submitted Italian cuisine’s candidacy for UNESCO World Heritage status, to be decided in December 2025.
