The course will try to answer some crucial questions: How was the Italian language born and developed? What are its main characteristics? How are the many dialects perceived in Italy today? What status do they have vis-à-vis the national language? What about the expansion of English? Are the dialects disappearing or still surviving? How is the Italian language facing the new social questions (gender, diversity, etc.)? How are social media channels changing the way the Italian language is written and spoken?