Italiankieli

Italiankieli refers to the Finnish word for the Italian language, which is *italia*. Italian (*italiano*) is a Romance language derived from Latin, primarily spoken in Italy, as well as parts of Switzerland, San Marino, Vatican City, and certain regions of Croatia, Slovenia, and Albania. It is also widely used in immigrant communities worldwide, particularly in the Americas, Australia, and parts of Africa.

Italian is one of the official languages of the European Union and a working language of the United Nations, NATO, and the Holy See. It is known for its melodic and expressive nature, with a rich literary tradition dating back to the Middle Ages. Notable figures in Italian literature include Dante Alighieri, Petrarch, and Giovanni Boccaccio, while modern contributions come from authors like Italo Calvino and Umberto Eco.

The Italian language has several dialects, many of which are rooted in regional variations that predated the standardized Italian of the Renaissance. Standard Italian (*italiano standard*) emerged in the 16th century under the influence of Tuscan, particularly the writings of Dante and other Florentine authors. The Italian language is phonetic, meaning words are pronounced as they are spelled, which aids in learning compared to some other Romance languages.

Italian is classified as a Romance language alongside French, Spanish, Portuguese, and Romanian, all of which evolved from Vulgar Latin. It shares many similarities with these languages, including vocabulary, grammar, and syntax, though it retains distinct phonetic and structural traits. Italian is also influential in culinary terminology, with many dishes and ingredients named in Italian, such as *pasta*, *risotto*, and *espresso*.

Learning Italian offers access to a vast cultural heritage, including opera, classical music, art, and philosophy. It remains a popular second language in Finland, studied for both academic and practical reasons, particularly due to Italy’s role in the European Union and its cultural significance.