Language is essential to maintain a cultural, national identity

TORONTO – Anyone needing an appreciation of the importance of language to the preservation and promotion of identity and culture needs look no further than the experience in Canada. More poignantly, they may become more aware of the key role that language has played, and continues to play, in “National identity” issues.

It is significant to recall that in the secrecy of questions posed, and answers given, during the latest census, 2021, circa 1.5 million respondents (two thirds of them in Ontario) self-identified as Italian. About 20% professed to speak or read that language at home or in their commercial affairs. These are remarkable numbers, in absolute as well as percentage terms – especially since there has not been significant immigration from Italy to Canada in the last quarter century to keep the Canadian Italian population vibrant and current in cultural and language terms.

Rather than unleash an easily justifiable torrent of criticism versus institutions and personalities seemingly indifferent, or negligent, in the face of this cultural challenge, a couple of school trustees in the York Catholic District School Board (YCDSB) – Maria Iafrate and Angela Saggese, decided to look for guidance and help.

They found it first at Consulate General of Italy, in Toronto, where Consul-General Luca Zelioli and the Director of Education af the Italian Consulate, Laura Innocenti provided three essential inputs, the sine qua non for any serious consideration for help by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. One, assistance in compiling application forms professionally covering even the minutest of details to satisfy disbursements. Two, introduction to local private sector associations of professional and/or business who could show commitment, in dollar terms, to linguistic and cultural goals of the Italian Canadian. Three, ensure they register a not-for-profit entity to fill in the application and negotiate locally with [an] educational authority for help in delivering the program.

There are hundreds of applications for funds from Italian Foreign Affairs pouring in from Italian communities everywhere. According to Christian Di Sanzo, member of Italian parliament elected from North America, without the earned support of the Consul General no application will meet with favour in Italy. Luca Zelioli (in the pic above) and Laura Innocenti were able to provide guarantees of the bona fides of Iafrate/Saggese’s YCDSB ItaliaLinguaCultura.

Its application for 2025-26 was the only one such application to be approved – and just in time to celebrate Italian Heritage Month in Ontario (and Canada). They will have to replicate the effort again next year. Hopefully, its outcome will should be easier to secure: there is no shortage of ‘successful’ businesses and professionals capable of making tax-deductible donations – large or small – to confirm the Consulate’s trust and to keep the initiative afloat. Some have already responded: CIBPA and Heritage Calabria.

In the pics above, from left: Chef Luciano Schipano (Heritage Calabria), Robert Sacco (CEO of CIBPA), Laura Innocenti (Director of Education at the Italian Consulate) and YCDSB trustees Maria Iafrate and Angela Saggese

More Articles by the Same Author:

• Italia, fondi per confermare l’identità nazionale all’estero
• CIBPA business partnership for Italian language and culture
• Sacco (CIBPA): “Così promuoviamo la cultura italiana in Canada”
• An accord between Italy and YCDSB on language highlights board meeting
• L’accordo con l’Italia corona un anno di successi al YCDSB