Apr. 3 – From today until Saturday, Aislli, the International Association of Italian Studies, based at the University of Pennsylvania, is organizing its international conference (which takes place every three years), hosting hundreds of people from different countries, with the aim of involving the Italian communities in the world and analyze the phenomena that have called into question the categories of language and nationality. The conference is entitled “Languages of Italy in the United States between tradition and innovation,” and will analyze the variety of Italian forms and languages overseas, where it is rooted in the presence of several generations of Italians . “Italian civilization was born from a series of phenomena generated by the encounter of different cultures – says the presentation – These are the Italici, not only ‘Italians’: foreigners who have chosen the Italian culture as a reference point. Unlike other cultures, such as the Anglo-Saxon or the Hispanic, Italian culture is based partially on a homogeneous linguistic community and strong identity. Its strength lies precisely in the ability to combine different languages, ethnic groups, and communication codes. The issue is also crucial for Italy’s foreign policy: in a ‘glocal’ world, political and cultural relations must be maintained with those Italici who do not speak Italian but that are necessarily interested in rediscovering their “mother tongue.”
