Where is Italian spoken? A guide to Italian speaking countreis

Naturally, Italy is the main country where the Italian language is spoken. It’s not only the birthplace of Italian but also home to the largest number of speakers—around 60 million. Italian is the official language of the country and is used in government, media, and education.

Italy’s neighbor to the north, Switzerland, has four official languages, one of which is Italian. Spoken predominantly in the southern part of the country, particularly in the canton of Ticino and parts of Graubünden, Swiss Italian has some distinct characteristics compared to the standard Italian spoken in Italy.

Located entirely within Italy, the Republic of San Marino is a small independent state that has Italian as its official language. It shares many cultural ties with Italy, including the language. Residents speak Italian, but also use the local dialect, which is similar to the Emiliano-Romagnolo language, in their daily lives.

Vatican City

As the smallest country in the world and the spiritual center of the Roman Catholic Church, Vatican City also uses Italian as its official language. While Latin holds a significant role in the Vatican's religious practices, Italian is the everyday language used by the few people living and working in this unique city-state.

Croatia and Slovenia

In certain regions of Croatia and Slovenia, particularly along the Adriatic coast—such as Istria and Dalmatia— Italian is recognized as a co-official language. This is due to the historical Italian presence in the region, dating back to the time when these areas belonged to the Republic of Venice. Local Italian communities still use the language today.

Malta

Many Maltese people are fluent in Italian, and it's not uncommon for Italians to visit Malta and communicate easily due to the shared history and the widespread use of the language. Italian television channels are accessible, and the majority of Maltese people can understand and speak the language to varying degrees.

Albania

In Albania, Italian is not an official language, but it is widely understood and spoken by a significant portion of the population. The historical connection between Albania and Italy, as well as geographical proximity, has contributed to the popularity of Italian in the country.

How Many Countries Speak Italian?

Now, you may be wondering: how many countries speak Italian? While the exact number may vary depending on whether you consider dialects or regional varieties, there are seven main countries where Italian is either an official language or widely spoken. These include:

• Italy
• Switzerland
• San Marino
• Vatican City
• Croatia
• Slovenia
• Malta

In some of these countries, Italian is not the only language spoken, but it remains a prominent language used in government, business, and cultural life.

Are There Any Other Regions Where Italian is Spoken?

Aside from these countries, Italian is spoken by diaspora communities in places like the United States, Canada, Argentina, Australia, and Brazil—where millions of Italians and their descendants continue to preserve the language. While Italian is not an official language in these countries, the Italian-speaking population remains significant and contributes to the global spread of the language.

Is Italy a Spanish-Speaking Country?

A common misconception among those unfamiliar with Romance languages is to confuse Italy with Spain. While both countries belong to the Romance language family, Italy is not a Spanish-speaking country. The two languages share a Latin origin and have similarities, but they are entirely distinct. Spanish is mainly spoken in Spain and Latin American countries, whereas Italian is the official language of Italy and parts of Switzerland.
The cultural and historical developments of each nation have led to unique languages. While learning one of these languages may help with understanding the other, they are not mutually intelligible and each has its own rules, vocabulary, and pronunciation.

Two famous examples include Little Italy in New York, a neighborhood often featured in movies, where people may still speak Italian even generations after immigration—and the southern regions of Brazil, where Italian emigrants from Veneto settled over 200 years ago. Today, some communities there speak the Venetian dialect more fluently than standard Italian.

Conclusion

By exploring countries where Italian is spoken, you’ll discover not only linguistic connections but also the deep cultural bonds that unite these nations through a shared appreciation of the Italian language. So, the next time someone asks, What countries speak Italian? you’ll be ready with a complete answer!