FROM BILINGUALISM TO PLURILINGUALISM, FROM MULTICULTURALISM TO INTERCULTURALISM. BEING ITALIAN IN ISTRIA

Abstract

The paper is a reflection on bilingualism and plurilingualism in a society in which monolingualism becomes more and more an exception. The themes of multiculturalism and interculturality are addressed. After some basic considerations on the phenomenon of bilingualism and on the advantages of being bi/plurilingual, we discuss the typical phenomena of bilingual communication such as interference and code switching. Moreover, when it comes to bilingualism in a land like Istria, it is also necessary to tackle the discourse of identity; a many facetted identity which is a result of the Italian component but also the Adriatic and Triestine one. The question of the future of bilingualism in Istria is discussed in the end and the idea that since we all belong to a minority it is important to educate the citizens to a European citizenship by working on an approach that develops from the cultural roots of the individual.