Assoc. Prof. Lanza: Lithuanians in Italy Are Valued for Their Multilingualism

“Asking me what makes the Italian language exceptional is like asking a farmer how his vegetables are superior to others! Italian, being the most similar language to Latin, has shaped a significant portion of the lexical composition of European languages, which is evident even in languages of different origins, such as English. Such cultural status allows it, to some extent, to serve as a means of communication not only with Spanish and Portuguese speakers but also elsewhere in the world. I always remind people that there are more Italians in New York than Lithuanians in Vilnius,” notes Vytautas Magnus University (VMU) Assoc. Prof. Stefano M. Lanza, an Italian who has lived in Lithuania for many years.

According to Assoc. Prof. Lanza, Italian is widely spoken as a second (non-official) language in countries such as Argentina, Australia, and Canada. The main reason for its popularity in various parts of the world is the rich Italian culture. Speaking Italian brings substantial benefits to those working in international environments, including in Lithuania.

“Over the 25 years I’ve spent in Lithuania, connections with Italy have expanded so much that one can find employment with an Italian company without leaving Lithuania. In Italy itself, Lithuanians are highly valued as workers because they have grown up in a multilingual environment and are adept at adapting,” explains Assoc. Prof. Lanza, adding that the Italian studies offered at his university are valuable not just for career pursuits. “VMU studies develop individuals, not employees,” he notes.

Compiled two dictionaries

Assoc. Prof. Lanza not only speaks Lithuanian fluently but is also a linguist who has been interested in the state of the Lithuanian language for over two decades. He completed his doctoral studies in Lithuanian Studies in Lithuania and has published Lithuanian-Italian and Italian-Lithuanian dictionaries. According to him, these languages have many differences: notably, the complex pronunciation of Lithuanian and its highly developed morphology. “On the other hand, this means that for Lithuanians, not only is the initial acquaintance with Italian easy due to its relative simplicity, but success is also guaranteed by starting with the existing similarities, especially those related to sentence structure and lexical commonalities,” he says.

Cultural differences between Italians and Lithuanians, according to Assoc. Prof. Lanza, are riddled with stereotypes, though they contain elements of truth. “Culturally, Lithuanians are Europeans, that is, their past, with certain limitations due to historical circumstances, is rooted in the Western and classical world. Of course, Lithuanians also possess a significant uniqueness, stemming from folklore and tradition. And the rest is more or less stereotypes with a grain of truth when it comes to the Italian temperament, dolce vita, and creativity. Well, okay, Italians don’t make either cepelinai (zeppelins) or šaltibarščiai (cold beet soup),” smiles the VMU associate professor, who is also the chair and treasurer of the Kaunas committee of the Dante Alighieri Society.

Greatest strengths: Flexibility and internationalism

Vytautas Magnus University offers a unique Bachelor’s degree programme in “Foreign Languages and Cultures: Italian Studies and Romance Languages” that invites students to get acquainted with the Italian language and literature, as well as Italy’s history and culture. According to the head of the programme, Dr. Jurgita Macijauskaitė-Bonda, this study programme is unique not only because of its content, tailored to contemporary students, but also because most of the teachers are native speakers.

“All students learn Italian with Italian lecturers! We accept both those who already know Italian and those who wish to start learning from scratch, so even those who can only say ciao should feel confident to apply. Depending on the students’ existing language skills, we create a suitable language learning programme for them,” Dr. Macijauskaitė-Bonda highlights the programme’s flexibility.

She also notes that this programme is distinguished by its international aspect – students have the opportunity to spend at least one semester studying in Italy and can also undertake internships in France, Spain, or other countries, which is a significant advantage when seeking employment in the international market. “It’s also important to mention that we offer numerous extracurricular activities that help enhance Italian language skills, increase their knowledge base, and expand networking opportunities. For example, the Italian Language Club meets even during the summer,” explains the head of the programme.

English does not always suffice

Studies show that 62% of Europeans do not speak English well enough to participate in a conversation, and 59% of internet users in Europe only use their native language online. This is why, according to Dr. Macijauskaitė-Bonda, there is currently a high demand in the market for employees who are proficient not only in English but also in German, Italian, French, Russian, and other foreign languages.

“It should be noted that Italy is one of Lithuania’s most important strategic partners and is included in the list of priority markets for exports, innovation, and tourism. The Italian-Lithuanian Chamber of Commerce has been operating since 2009. Thus, the Italian language, literature, and culture can open up many different paths,” Dr. Macijauskaitė-Bonda asserts, noting that for many, the Italian language is associated with culture, as the country’s contribution to the cultural and historical heritage of Europe and the world is immense.

The study programme “Foreign Languages and Cultures: Italian Studies and Romance Languages” invites students to learn not only Italian but also another Romance language – Spanish or French – and to gain deeper insights into the cultures of these countries. Graduates find successful careers in the fields of culture, education, and tourism, as well as in language schools, publishing houses, foreign company branches in Lithuania and abroad, and in governmental and EU institutions.

University instilled love and respect for the language

Paulina Ulozienė, a graduate of Vytautas Magnus University’s Bachelor’s programme in Italian Studies, who plans to pursue further studies in the doctoral programme in Philology, says that her studies at the university provided her with invaluable experience and knowledge, useful not only in her career but also in everyday life.

“At the university, there was a wealth of events and various student clubs, so being an active student, I always found activities to engage in after classes. I was eager to enrol in the Italian and Romance Languages programme as soon as it was established, and I am still very satisfied with this choice. Although I knew only a few Italian words when I enrolled, I can communicate freely in Italian to this day,” reveals Paulina, who is grateful to the university not only for the support of friendly teachers but also for the opportunity to travel to Italy twice as part of the Erasmus+ exchange programme.

Another VMU graduate, Monika Ramanauskaitė, who also completed these studies and currently works as a marketing manager at Biomedikos centras (Biomedical Centre), emphasises that her university experience provided her not only with skills necessary for a successful career but also with very important professional connections.

“To this day, I am thankful to the university for encouraging me to improve, to get involved in various activities, and to seek opportunities. I notice that the competencies acquired during my studies are still relevant to employers: international experience and the ability to speak less common foreign languages are highly valued. Moreover, in both my professional and personal life, I often get asked how I discovered my love for the Italian language and culture and what helped preserve it. I confidently reply that it was precisely at the university where I learned to love and respect the language, and to develop language skills every day. It becomes a habit, and professional success starts from there,” Monika Ramanauskaitė believes.