The Routledge Introduction to Italian Linguistics offers a systematic and comprehensive overview of the linguistic structure of the Italian language, including phonetics and phonology, morphology and morphosyntax, syntax, semantics, and sociolinguistics.

The manual includes a historical sketch of the Italian language, which outlines the central phases of its emergence and process of standardization. Written in clear, concise language and taking a descriptive, theory-neutral approach, this is the ideal companion for advanced students of the Italian language and those studying Italian and Romance linguistics. After sketching the most important phases of the process of standardization of Italian and introducing the main varieties of Italian as classified from a social and geographical perspective, this introductory text addresses the core topics of Italian linguistics as pertaining to the sound system and word and sentence structure.

The text adopts a descriptive approach and requires no previous knowledge of linguistics since technical terms are carefully explained and illustrated by numerous examples. Thus, it can serve as a reference tool for instructors of Italian and anyone interested in advancing their knowledge of the Italian language or familiarizing themselves with Italian linguistics.

Cinzia Russi is Professor of Italian and Romance Linguistics at the University of Texas at Austin, USA.