Italianality

Italianità, or Italianality in English, is a concept describing the sense of national or cultural identity associated with Italy and Italians. It refers to a perceived set of shared historical experiences, language, values, and social practices that groups or scholars associate with being Italian, while recognizing substantial regional variation within the country.

The term is widely used in sociology, anthropology, literary criticism, and cultural studies to analyze how Italians imagine themselves and how outsiders perceive Italian culture. Its meaning has evolved over time, influenced by history, politics, migration, and globalization, and it often exists in tension with strong regional identities such as Sicilianità or Neapolitanità.

Key dimensions commonly discussed include language (the role of standard Italian alongside regional dialects), cuisine, art and music, Catholic heritage, family structures, and secular or civic values. Italianità is not a monolith; it accommodates plural traditions, from Renaissance cultural capital to modern urban lifestyles, while advancing a sense of shared belonging.

Historical uses range from the Risorgimento shaping a unified Italian identity to later in the 20th century when fascist ideology promoted an idealized Italianità. In contemporary Italy and among the Italian diaspora, debates persist over how inclusive the concept should be toward migrants and minority communities, and how globalization affects notions of national belonging.

See also: Italian language; Italian culture; Risorgimento; Italian nationalism; Italian diaspora.