Literature in Italian

In particular, in the second nineteenth century and in the first half of the twentieth century, Italian established itself as the main language of culture, as well as of official political status. Spanish is now a faded memory, while Sardinian language recedes, despite its peculiar literature producing works and figures of disconcerting modernity such as those of Pascale Dessanai and Peppino Mereu.

The regional intellectual classes are expanding and mainly using Italian even if, in a first phase, they still own Sardinian. Schools are expanding, the press is spreading, public employment is strengthening and all this favors the creation of a middle class with interests that exceed regional limits. The State sends teachers, officials and managers “from the continent” to Sardinia, helping to spread the dominant language. Mainly Italian literary culture magazines are disseminated and books are published with translations, into Italian, also of major international works.

Writers in Sardinia also aspires to be read overseas. Hence the inevitable choice, dictated by historical conditions, in favor of the Italian. Enrico Costa, Sebastiano Satta, Grazia Deledda achieve prestigious results. But other intellectuals such as Ottone Bacaredda, Salvatore Farina, Stanis Manca, Raffaele Garzia, Carlo Brundo also stand out in the early twentieth century. Even the Sardinian language adapts to modernity and finds in German Max Leopold Wagner the scholar who will make it known to the world.

Update

20/3/2025 - 09:07