The Italian Questione della Lingua

This is an interpretive essay briefly outlining the subject matter and history of the debates on the Italian language. It proposes not to produce new material, but it is selective, concentrating primarily on the sixteenth century. The study offers a clear revision of the complexity of the question, which was debated for six centuries, and the reasons for its final solution. Two appendices include a chronological table of the major documents used and a listing of notes and citations.