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Language And Cultural Barriers In Italy For Expats

Are you an Expats looking for information on Italian culture, customs, manners, etiquette, and values in order to better understand the people? Expats who relocate to Italy may face some culture shock. It can be challenging to adjust to a new country, especially when cultural differences are mixed with the obstacles of mastering a new language like Italian. Even seemingly effortless operations like locating a house, dentist, school, bank, and the ways to send money online might be complicated for a newcomer to Italy. We can assist you in overcoming the language and cultural hurdles that you can probably encounter in Italy.

All You Need To Know About Italy’s Language & Culture:

  • Italy’s Language

Italian is Italy’s official language, and native Italian speakers make up 93 per cent of the country’s population. A regional dialect is spoken as a first language by roughly half of the population. Many dialects are considered distinct languages by linguists because they are mutually unintelligible, even though they are not legally recognised.

Friulian is one of these dialects, spoken by 600,000 people in northeastern Italy, or 1% of the total population. Ladin, Slovene, German (which has equal status with Italian in Alto-Adige), and French (which has legal status in the Val d’Aosta Alpine area) are other northern minority languages.

Albanian, Croatian, and Greek are spoken by 0.2 per cent of the population in Italy, especially in the south. Catalan is spoken by around 0.07 per cent of the population in Alghero, Sardinia. Approximately 1 million people speak Sardinian on the rest of the island, accounting for 1.7 per cent of the Italian population.

You can get by without speaking Italian for a while if you reside in a big city; public transportation, hospitals, and government offices all communicate in English. All are required to have some English-speaking workers nowadays. However, if you plan to stay in Italy for an extended time, you must master their language entirely.

  • Italy’s Culture 

The country is a fascinating area to live and work in because it is sprinkled with diverse churches, monuments, museums, and great works of art. Italians are known for their strong familial ties, which serve as the foundation of the social structure. 

They’re also well-known for their culinary skills. In almost every city on the earth, Italian cuisine is renowned. No matter where you travel, you can find pizza and pasta on practically every menu. Among the most popular Italian exports are cheese, wine, and preserved meats.

Coffee is an essential thing in Italian culture, and coffee shops worldwide have grown up as a result of Italian coffee shops. Over 60 million people live in Italy, most of whom (almost 90%) are Roman Catholic.

Key Points You Need To Know Before Moving To Italy

Before relocating to Italy, there are a few things that every expat should be aware of.

  • Unfurnished in Italy refers to an empty residence with no furniture or other essentials.
  • Many Italian banks offer exorbitantly high-interest rates, notably on loans. So, if you’re looking for the best online money transfer solution, go with ACE Money Transfer. 
  • If you live in Italy and are a resident, the costs of purchasing a home there can be deducted from your income tax.
  • Children of expats in Italy receive free public education regardless of their residence status (registered or unregistered).
  • Non-Europeans must obtain an Italian license after a year of residence.

Final Words 

Expats planning to relocate to Italy must try to acquire at least some basic level of the Italian language as in most circumstances, an excellent working understanding of the Italian language will be required. They should also look for the best online money transfer methods and a job before moving, as job possibilities are few on the ground. 

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