Rome: Citizens in Italy will soon be fined heavily if they use English or any other foreign language for formal communication, according to CNN. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s Brothers of Italy party has introduced new legislation that proposes fines of up to Euro 100,000 for using any foreign language, especially English, in official communications.
CNN reports, “If Italians use English or another foreign language during their official communications, they could be fined Euro 100,000 (USD) under a new law introduced by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s Brothers of Italy party.” 108,705) shall be liable to pay.
In the Italian Chamber of Deputies (lower house), politician Fabio Rampelli introduced legislation that was supported by the Prime Minister. While the law talks about any foreign language, but specifically based on “Anglomania” or the use of English words, the draft “condemns and denigrates” the Italian language, saying that it is even more Worse because the UK is no longer part of the European Union.
The bill still has to go to parliamentary debate, and it requires those holding an office in public administration to have “written and oral knowledge and mastery of the Italian language”.
It also bans the use of English in official documents, including “acronyms and names” of job roles in companies operating in the country.
Foreign entities must have Italian language versions of all internal regulations and employment contracts, according to a draft law seen by CNN.
The draft states, “It is not just a matter of fashion, as fashions pass, but the effect Anglomania has on society as a whole.” Article 2 would make Italian “compulsory for the promotion and use of public goods and services in the national territory”. Failure to do so can result in a fine of between Euro 5,000 (USD 5,435) and Euro 100,000 (USD 108,705).