The Existence of standard Italian in Australia and its promotion since immigration

Abstract

Language is a form of human expression. It is the way people communicate with one another to express thoughts, ideas, decisions, desires and essentially to relay information successfully. There are numerous types of language, perhaps the most common of which are the written and spoken languages. Other forms include sign language, Braille and even primitive smoke signals. The term language comes via French, from the Latin word lingua meaning tongue. Even today, the spoken language is often referred to as tongue. It is not known exactly when language began or even how it began, although a common theory is that it began as an imitation of natural sounds of animals such as grunts, groans, whistles and barks. What is known, however, is that language changes everyday as it is influenced by human and historical changes. Words that exist in our vocabulary today did not exist for example a hundred years ago. Nor, perhaps, will they exist a hundred years from now. This is the same for all languages around the world, including the Italian language. Since the beginning of Italian history, Italians have spoken innumerable varieties of language. Discussions concerning these countless varieties could continue incessantly; and for this reason it is important to outline immediately the aim of this discussion. Throughout the ensuing chapters, all information gathered and analysed, has been done in order to achieve one aim: to discuss the existence of a standard Italian language in Australia as well as various dialects and regional varieties, and to analyse its promotion since Italian immigration to Australia. There is an immense wealth of information about Italian and English languages and so it is my objective not to be lost in general discussion but rather to adhere to my main aim as closely as possible

Date of Award	2000
Original language	English