The Brothers of Italy party, led by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, has proposed new legislation in Italy that could result in hefty penalties for citizens using any foreign language, especially English, in official communication.
The legislation, introduced by politician Fabio Rampelli and supported by the Prime Minister, could see fines of up to Euro 100,000 imposed on individuals for using foreign languages, which are seen as demeaning and mortifying to the Italian language.
The bill, which is still subject to parliamentary debate, would require individuals holding public office to have written and oral proficiency in Italian.
It would also prohibit the use of English in official documentation, including acronyms and job role names in companies operating in Italy. The proposed legislation would require foreign entities operating in Italy to have Italian language editions of all internal regulations and employment contracts.
The draft bill argues that Anglomania, the use of English words, has negative repercussions for society as a whole and makes Italian mandatory for the promotion and use of public goods and services in the country.
Failure to comply could result in fines ranging from Euro 5,000 to Euro 100,000.
Foreign entities would have to have Italian language editions of all internal regulations and employment contracts, according to a draft of the legislation seen by CNN.
“It is not just a matter of fashion, as fashions pass, but Anglomania has repercussions for society as a whole,” the draft bill states. Article 2 would make Italian “mandatory for the promotion and use of public goods and services in the national territory.” Not doing so could garner fines between Euro 5,000 (USD 5,435) and Euro 100,000 (USD 108,705).