The Language of Love and Legacy
In many Italian-American homes, Sunday dinner isn’t just a meal—it’s a tradition. And around that table, you’ll often hear a mix of English and Italian echoing through the room. Words like mangia, ciao bella, or ti voglio bene are more than phrases—they’re expressions of love, care, and cultural identity.
How Italian Connects Us Across Generations
In many Italian-American homes, Sunday dinner isn’t just a meal—it’s a tradition. And around that table, you’ll often hear a mix of English and Italian echoing through the room. Words like mangia, ciao bella, or ti voglio bene are more than phrases—they’re expressions of love, care, and cultural identity.
Language is one of the most powerful ways we stay connected to our heritage. Even if you don’t speak fluent Italian, using just a few words passed down from grandparents or parents helps preserve something sacred. It’s how we honor the past while living in the present.
Our goal at Our Language Project is to encourage the next generation to embrace their roots—not just through study, but through simple daily practice. Say “buongiorno” in the morning. Learn a new phrase each week. Call your nonna and ask her to teach you a lullaby she sang as a child.
Because when we speak the language of our ancestors, we keep them with us—forever.
