Italian evolved over many centuries from spoken Latin and diverse regional dialects. It was not until Italy’s political unification in the 19th century that the quest for a shared language became a vital national necessity, finally forging a unified identity for its people.
With his masterpiece 'La Divina Commedia,' Dante Alighieri proved the Florentine vernacular held the same depth as Latin. His influence was so profound that Florentine became the golden foundation upon which modern Italian was eventually built.
Today, Italian has a global presence in music, literature, fashion, and cuisine. Mastering the tongue is your key to experiencing Italian culture, the beauty of opera, and the authentic 'gioia di vivere' in its purest daily form.