Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni speaks to media after a EU Summit, at the EU headquarters in Brussels, on March 24, 2023. - Copyright AFP
Italy's right-wing government has proposed a ban on the use of English words in official communications, with fines of up to €100,000 for offenders.
The move, which has been met with widespread criticism, is part of a wider effort by the government to promote the Italian language and culture.
The proposed law would make it illegal to use English words in government documents, speeches, and other official communications. It would also apply to businesses that deal with the public, such as banks and hospitals.
Anyone who breaks the law could face a fine of up to €100,000.
The government has said that the law is necessary to protect the Italian language and culture. It argues that the use of English words is eroding the Italian language and making it difficult for young people to learn it.
However, critics have said that the law is an overreaction and that it will do more harm than good. They argue that the use of English words is inevitable in a globalized world and that the law will only serve to alienate young people from the Italian language.
The law is still in its early stages and it is not clear when it will be implemented. However, it is already causing controversy and it is likely to be a hot topic of debate in the coming months.
The Italian government is not the first to try to ban the use of foreign words. In 2017, the French government passed a law that banned the use of English words in government documents. However, the law was largely ignored and was eventually repealed in 2020.
It remains to be seen whether the Italian government's proposed law will be more successful. However, it is clear that the government is serious about protecting the Italian language and culture.