Another Italian-centric language is now threatened with extinction. This time, it's Italiese—Toronto Italian. According to the Toronto Star, in "Say Arriverderci to the Basimento," "...so many Italians immigrated here [Toronto] after World War II that Toronto became, by the mid-1960s, the largest Italian city outside of Italy...and in time roughly 500,000 people in Greater Toronto were speaking a new tongue, Italiese."
But according to the article, "...Italiese is destined to die within a generation or two, its need and usefulness evaporating," a victim of globalization and cultural homogenization. That's why the Frank Iacobucci Centre for Italian Canadian Studies at the University of Toronto has been compiling a record of Italiese before its inevitable passing. The Centre has even compiled an Italiese dictionary.
Comments
Oh no! I’ll be in Toronto for presentations of LA BELLA LINGUA in December. Can anyone tell me where I can go to hear some Italiese before it’s too late?
Dianne – The downtown core has seen a massive loss of Italians due to everyone basically moving to the suburbs. Try Woodbridge. Although in the city, College and/or St.Clair street might have some small pockets left.
Ti ringrazio, Vito.
i think Etobicoke also has absorbed many italians, who have found nicer homes with more space out that way.