Since launching Daily Italian Words back in 2019, I have been deeply moved by the overwhelming number of emails we have received from individuals sharing their personal motivations for learning the Italian language.
Some of you have humbly shared the tale of growing up in an Italian-immigrant household, where the use of the language was discouraged, and in some cases, even met with punishment during childhood. The longing to reconnect with your roots and embrace your heritage has become a driving force in your language learning journey.
Many of you, like me, harbour a profound passion for Italian culture—a lifelong devotion that has captivated your imagination and enticed you to delve into the intricacies of the language.
Additionally, there are those of you who have embarked on this linguistic journey as a result of a romantic relationship. Love, in all its splendour, has intertwined your life with Italy itself, fostering a lasting connection that motivates you to master the language of your other half.
Earlier this month, I invited you to take part in a poll to discover the diverse motivations that drive Daily Italian Words readers to study Italian. There are so many reasons people choose to study a new language and I was eager to know yours. Considering the results of the poll and bearing in mind the many stories you, the readers, have shared with me, I am excited to share now share with you the conclusions.
Without further ado… Why are YOU learning Italian?
Total number of votes: 652
0% – I am trying to teach my children/grandchildren Italian
0% – I want to become an Italian teacher
0% – I am an opera singer and want to understand the lyrics
0% – I live in a city where Italian is widely spoken
1% – I am applying for dual citizenship and need to pass the B1 exam
1% – I need Italian for my job
1% – I am studying/studied Italian at school
1% – I speak a dialect and I’d like to learn standard Italian as well
1% – I am looking for a new hobby
While all motives are valid reasons for choosing to learn Italian, very few readers responded to the survey to say that these options were their primary reasons for studying the language. Note that 0% in this case does not mean zero responses but rather that less than 0.5% of people responded in this way.
2% – I have a home/want to buy a home in Italy
Before buying a home in Italy, many are choosing to learn the language for communicating with realtors and new neighbours. Some are purchasing their dream vacation home on the Italian seaside or up in the Italian hills and mountains. Others are taking advantage of the €1 fixer-upper homes to make their Italian fantasies come true.
2% – I have an Italian friend
To show your friend you care about them, it may be useful to learn their primary language and speak to them in their own tongue. Learning your friend’s native language is a lovely gesture of friendship.
2% – I am in love with someone who is Italian and want to impress them
There is nothing more romantic than the Italian language. For some Daily Italian Words readers, learning Italian is a matter of the heart. This 2% is hoping to impress their Italian crush with some Italian flirting.
2% – One or more of my relatives lives in Italy
Some Daily Italian Words learners are choosing to study the language because of their love and affection for someone living in Italy. Parents of expats in particular have admitted to studying the Italian language because their child has taken the big step of moving to Italy.
3% – I want to communicate with/understand my Italian family
For readers that are closely connected to their Italian heritage, they may have family members that still live in Italy. Whether that be nonna, or your second cousin twice removed, speaking and understanding Italian will surely help to communicate with family members. Some readers have family members they see fairly frequently but are unable to effectively communicate with them due to language barriers. Others have a dream of meeting their more distant family members for the first time and being able to introduce themselves successfully in Italian.
3% – I love Italian cinema/books/music/opera
Italian opera is famous across the world. Some of the greatest literature in all of history was originally written in Italian. For fans of Italian arts like film, literature, music, and opera, learning Italian may help to understand and appreciate the works as they were originally intended to be read or heard. Watching an Italian opera or film with English subtitles is one thing, but being able to recognise and understand the dialogue or lyrics directly takes your appreciation to a new level.
3% – I used to speak Italian as a child but I lost it as an adult
Children of immigrants often grow up speaking their parents’ native language up until they start grade school, when suddenly they are required to speak only English with their classmates and teachers. And this requirement to speak English outside of the home only grows. Co-workers, bosses, doctors, customer service workers, neighbours… The majority of people expect you to speak English exclusively. This is a very common reason 3% of our readers may have lost their ability to communicate in Italian after childhood. Some children of immigrants or other special cases may have lost their Italian skills even earlier.
Immigrant parents may want their children to grow up in their new country’s culture as a
normal citizen. These parents discourage their children from speaking Italian both inside and outside of the home.
In even more unique cases, some immigrant parents kept the Italian language to themselves while their children spoke only English; this way, Italian became an agreed-upon code language for discussing adult topics or other things that the children didn’t need to hear and understand.
4% – I want to retire to Italy
If you are considering moving to Italy, then you probably realise that it will be extremely helpful to be able to communicate with your neighbours, doctors, or any other service worker you encounter in your future. Before taking that final step of crossing the border to Italy, 4% of readers are choosing to start the process of learning Italian so that they can have a smooth transition to retirement abroad.
5% – My significant other is Italian
Everything about Italy is charming – including its people. If you are in a relationship with or married to an Italian person, learning to speak your significant other’s first language is a beautiful show of respect and affection. Not only does it show your significant other that you care about their origins, but it may also help with communicating with your in-laws or your significant other’s old friends.
6% – I live in Italy/used to live in Italy
If you live (or lived, past tense) in Italy, speaking Italian is basically a requirement. Approximately 6% of Daily Italian Words readers have stated that their primary reason for learning Italian is because they live in Italy, and therefore need to learn the language in order to communicate with most people in their day-to-day lives.
6% – I want to keep my brain in shape
Learning a language is an excellent way to keep our brains working at full capacity. Learning a second (or third, or fourth) language can literally grow certain parts of your brain, building your memory, concentration, and communication skills. Some studies even show that learning a second language can help keep memory-related conditions like dementia or Alzheimer’s at bay.
9% – I am interested in learning new languages/linguistics
Some people (including myself) are language enthusiasts. We love learning a new language and studying linguistics. This may be a leisure time hobby for some, or something fun to study in your spare time.
13% – I fell in love with the language
Just like the language enthusiasts above, there are some people who just love all things Italian. Italian is one of the most beautiful languages. I say this both as an opinion and as a fact. Italian is an extremely melodic language, with research conducted by phoneticians to prove it. This is one of the many reasons why voice teachers insist their students learn Italian arias: the language makes the most easily beautiful sounds.
13% – I am planning a trip to Italy and want to speak with the locals
Travelling to Europe, particularly to Italy, is a dream for many. 13% of our readers are preparing for an upcoming trip to Italy – and they want to be able to get around confidently and independently. Some of our readers have even shared that their trip is going to be a bit longer than your average vacation: 1-3 months or even longer!
21% – I have Italian ancestry
Last, but certainly not least, is the most popular reason Daily Italian Words readers are learning Italian. Nearly one quarter of our readers have confirmed they are descendent from Italians. Many of our readers are Italian-Americans or Canadians, having Italian parents or grandparents but having been born in a country like the US or Canada. Learning the language is an excellent way to keep the Italian part of your heritage strong and close to your heart.
Thank you all for your time and your stories!
Heather Broster is a graduate with honours in linguistics from the University of Western Ontario. She is an aspiring polyglot, proficient in English and Italian, as well as Japanese, Welsh, and French to varying degrees of fluency. Originally from Toronto, Heather has resided in various countries, notably Italy for a period of six years. Her primary focus lies in the fields of language acquisition, education, and bilingual instruction.
See survey for reasons
I really look forward to my Italian word of the day and try to incorporate it when I text my Italian friend
Love your posts!
I have been wanting to learn Italian since the first time I went to Italy – 62 years go. In fact, it ended up on my bucket list!
I fell in love with the country and it’s people, which is so passionate – illustrated by its architecture, colours, culture, geographical beauty, styles and the sheer noise, lol.
However, the best laid schemes of mice and men often go awry and my life passed by without my learning this beautiful language – until now.
I began nearly four years ago by joining the U3A and attend lessons once per week during term time.
In addition to the interruption of the pandemic, I’ve discovered that age makes a huge difference – my brain, which was once like a sponge and soaked up new information so easily, now struggles to remember. Deafness doesn’t help either so I really struggle with speaking and listening!
But, I’m not giving up which is the reason I love apps like my “Daily Italian Words”. I’m always pleased to discover that I know several of them already and love learning the new ones.
Before I die, my ambition is to be able to have a reasonable, if simple, conversation in Italian without making a complete idiot of myself.
This I shall do – sono determinata!!!
Your posts are always a pleasure to read. Clear concise and charming.
Thank you Heather and team.
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Many thanks.
I have been studying Italian for 20 yrs. because I love the country, its culture and the language. It has been useful to understand the language on annual visits to Italy and try to respond in Italian.
Now as an elderly person I continue to study the language although I can no longer travel often, because it’s good to make the brain cells keep working and it enables me to read Italian authors. Many thank for the daily Italian words which help me to enrich my vocabulary.