Languages of Vatican City

Languages of Vatican City

Vatican City is a city state that came into existence in 1929. It is therefore to be clearly distinguished from the Holy See, which already was in existence for many centuries before that date.

The state of Vatican City has established no official language by law. However, in accordance with paragraph 2 of the "Legge sulle fonti del diritto" of 7 June 1929, it promulgates its laws and regulations by publishing them in the Italian-language "Supplemento per le leggi e disposizioni dello Stato della Città del Vaticano" attached to the "Acta Apostolicae Sedis". [The text of the first seven items published in that supplement is given [http://www.vaticanstate.va/NR/rdonlyres/FBFEA0E8-B43A-452A-AAA0-1AF49590F658/2615/Supplemento.pdf here.] ]

On its [http://www.vaticanstate.va/EN/homepage.htm official website] Vatican City uses Italian, English, French, German, and Spanish, but not Latin or Portuguese, which are found on the [http://www.vatican.va/ official website] of the Holy See.

Many languages are used within the state. For instance, recruits to the Pontifical Swiss Guard take their oath in the language of the canton to which they belong: German, French or Italian. [On the website of the [http://engl.schweizergarde.eu/ Swiss Guard shop] ] English also is found.] And the Holy See's semi-official newspaper, "L'Osservatore Romano" is published in Italian, English, French, German, Polish, Portuguese and Spanish. A Malayalam edition was added in July 2008. [ [http://www.vatican.va/news_services/or/or_eng/text.html Vatican News Service] ]

The Holy See itself mainly uses Latin for its most important official documents, which are published in the "Acta Apostolicae Sedis".

Since the state came into existence only in 1929, most of the buildings situated within it predated it by centuries: inscriptions can be found in them mainly in Latin, but also in Italian, Greek, French and German. [ [http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Campo_Santo_Teutonico Camposanto Teutonico] ]

What became Vatican City was from 1870 to 1929 part of the Kingdom of Italy, whose official language also was Italian, and before 1870 it was part of the Papal States, in which standard Italian (based on Tuscan) and various Italian dialects, such as Emiliano-Romagnolo, were spoken, but which for the first centuries of its existence used Latin for all official purposes. Earlier still, it was part of the Roman Empire. In the earliest historical records the term "Vatican" was used to refer to a marshy area, larger than the Vatican City State, on the right bank of the Tiber River, between the Milvio Bridge and the present Sixtus Bridge. During the monarchy and the republican age, the area was known as "Ager Vaticanus". From the 2nd century A.D., the toponym "Vaticanum" was applied to an area corresponding roughly to the present Vatican City State. [ [http://www.vaticanstate.va/EN/State_and_Government/History/The_Vatican_City_during_the_times.htm Vatican City in the Past] ]

References


Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Поможем написать курсовую

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Vatican City — State[1] Stato della Città del Vaticano[2] …   Wikipedia

  • Outline of Vatican City — …   Wikipedia

  • Vatican City — an independent state within the city of Rome, on the right bank of the Tiber. Established in 1929, it is ruled by the pope and includes St. Peter s Church and the Vatican, 1000; 109 acres (44 hectares). Italian, Città del Vaticano. * * * in full… …   Universalium

  • Holy See (vatican City) — Introduction Holy See (Vatican City) Background: Popes in their secular role ruled portions of the Italian peninsula for more than a thousand years until the mid 19th century, when many of the Papal States were seized by the newly united Kingdom… …   Universalium

  • Holy See (Vatican City) — <p></p> <p></p> Introduction ::Holy See (Vatican City) <p></p> Background: <p></p> Popes in their secular role ruled portions of the Italian peninsula for more than a thousand years until the mid… …   The World Factbook

  • Geography of Vatican City — Coordinates: 41°54′10″N 12°27′9″E / 41.90278°N 12.4525°E / 41.90278; 12.4525 …   Wikipedia

  • Music of Vatican City — As the seat of the Papacy, the Vatican City and its predecessor, the Papal States, has played an important role in the development of Christian music. They perform chants of ancient origin, such as Gregorian chants, as well as modern polyphonic… …   Wikipedia

  • Fundamental Law of Vatican City State — Vatican City State This article is part of the series: Politics and government of Vatican City State Fundamental Law Pope …   Wikipedia

  • Coat of arms of the State of Vatican City — Details Escutcheon Gules, two keys in saltire Or and …   Wikipedia

  • List of newspapers in Vatican City — Below is a list of newspapers published in Vatican City. L Osservatore Romano [1] See also List of newspapers …   Wikipedia

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”