Translations from Romanian to Italian and Vice Versa: Linguistic and Grammatical Characteristics of Both Languages

Translations from Romanian to Italian and Vice Versa

Translations from Romanian to Italian and Vice Versa

In recent decades, Italy has witnessed a significant influx of Romanian citizens, making them the largest foreign community in the country today. This migratory phenomenon has deep roots and multiple causes. Translations from Romanian to Italian and vice versa present several peculiarities due to the linguistic and grammatical characteristics of both languages.

Causes of Romanian Immigration to Italy

After the fall of the communist regime in 1989, Romania underwent an economic and political transition phase that prompted many citizens to seek better opportunities abroad. Italy, due to its geographical proximity and linguistic and cultural affinities, became one of the preferred destinations. Romania’s accession to the European Union in 2007 further facilitated this migratory flow, thanks to the freedom of movement within member states.

Data on Migration Flow

According to available data, in 2024, there were 1,073,196 Romanian citizens residing in Italy, making the Romanian community the largest among foreigners in the country. This represents a significant increase compared to the 625,000 recorded in 2007, the year of Romania’s EU accession. Most Romanians in Italy come from the Romanian region of Moldavia and are mainly concentrated in Lazio, Lombardy, Piedmont, and Veneto. The cities with the largest Romanian communities include Rome, Turin, Milan, Bologna, and Verona.

Socio-Economic Impact

Romanian citizens in Italy are active in various economic sectors, with a significant presence in construction, domestic services, and personal care. Many have started entrepreneurial activities, contributing to local economic development. Culturally, the Romanian community has enriched Italian society by maintaining its traditions while integrating into the local context.

Summary

Romanian immigration to Italy is a complex and multifactorial phenomenon influenced by historical, economic, and social dynamics. The presence of this large community has had a significant impact on Italian society, contributing to its cultural diversity and economic development.

The Romanian Language: A Linguistic Overview

Romanian is a Romance language belonging to the Eastern Romance branch, spoken by approximately 25 million people, mainly in Romania and Moldova. Below are some of its main characteristics:

Origins and History

  • It derives directly from Vulgar Latin spoken in the Danubian provinces of the Roman Empire.
  • It has undergone significant influences from Slavic languages, Greek, Hungarian, Turkish, and French.
  • It preserves many archaic linguistic structures compared to other Romance languages.

Phonological Features

  • It has seven vowels: a, e, i, o, u, ă, â/î (the last two represent a specific Romanian sound).
  • The tonic accent is variable and can influence the meaning of words.
  • It has a consonant system that includes palatalized sounds like ce, ci, ge, gi.

Morphology and Grammar

  • Romanian is the only Romance language that has retained noun cases: nominative-accusative and genitive-dative.
  • It has four main verb conjugations and a verbal structure similar to Italian.
  • Personal pronouns vary depending on grammatical case.

Vocabulary and Lexicon

  • About 60% of the vocabulary derives from Latin.
  • It has numerous borrowings from Slavic languages (due to historical influences), French, Italian, and Greek.
  • Many technical and scientific terms come from French and English.

Syntax

  • The sentence structure follows the Subject – Verb – Object order, but with some flexibility.
  • The use of articles is unique: the definite article is postposed to the noun (om – “man”, omul – “the man”).
  • The verb tense system is similar to Italian, with present, past, and future tenses.

Differences and Similarities with Other Romance Languages

  • Similar to Italian and Spanish in verb tense formation and pronoun usage.
  • Slavic influence is evident in many commonly used words and idiomatic expressions.
  • Sentence construction and genitive-dative usage bring it closer to Classical Latin than other Romance languages.

Countries Where Romanian Is an Official Language

  • Romania – It is the official language, spoken by the vast majority of the population.
  • Moldova – It is the official language under the name “Moldovan,” although it is identical to Romanian.

Countries with Significant Romanian-Speaking Communities

  • Serbia – In the Vojvodina region, Romanian is recognized as a minority official language.
  • Ukraine – In the regions of Bukovina and Transcarpathia, there are Romanian-speaking communities.
  • Hungary – Small Romanian communities live in the eastern part of the country.
  • Bulgaria – Some Romanian minorities, known as Vlachs, still speak the language.
  • Greece – There are Aromanian communities that speak dialects close to Romanian.

Countries with Large Romanian Emigrant Communities

  • Italy – Home to one of the largest Romanian communities in Europe, with millions of Romanian-origin residents.
  • Spain – Another country with a large Romanian-speaking community due to migration.
  • United Kingdom, Germany, France, United States, and Canada – These countries host significant Romanian communities that keep the language alive.
  • Romanian is also spoken in smaller communities in other parts of Western Europe, Latin America, and Australia due to migration.

Peculiarities of Translations from Romanian to Italian and Vice Versa

Translations from Romanian to Italian and vice versa present several peculiarities due to the linguistic and grammatical characteristics of the two languages. Here are the main aspects to consider:

Characteristics of Translations from Romanian to Italian

  • Grammatical Case System
    Romanian has retained four grammatical cases (nominative-accusative, genitive-dative), whereas Italian has lost them. This requires reformulation and adaptation in translation to maintain the fluidity of the Italian language.

  • Postposed Definite Article
    In Romanian, the definite article is postposed to the noun (băiat – “boy”, băiatul – “the boy”). In Italian, the article is preposed, so the translation must account for this difference to maintain syntactic coherence.

  • Influence of Slavic and Latin Lexicon
    Although Romanian is a Romance language, it has numerous Slavic borrowings. Some terms may seem familiar to Italian but have different meanings (a întreba in Romanian means “to ask,” while întrebare means “question,” similar to the Italian interrogare).

  • Word Order
    Romanian has more flexible word order than Italian. Translation must adapt the structure to avoid an unnatural rendering in Italian.

  • Verb Forms and Tenses
    Romanian has specific verb forms like the presumptive mood, which has no direct equivalent in Italian and may require paraphrasing.

Characteristics of Translations from Italian to Romanian

  • Mandatory Use of Subject Pronouns
    Italian is a pro-drop language, meaning the subject can be omitted (Vado al mercato – “I’m going to the market”), while in Romanian, the subject is often required (Eu merg la piață – “I am going to the market”).

  • Multiple Pronouns and Declensions
    Romanian has more complex pronouns and an articulated declension system. Translation from Italian must be precise to maintain the original intent.

  • French and Italian Loanwords
    Many modern Romanian terms derive from French and Italian, making some translations more immediate. However, some words of Italian origin may have different nuances in Romanian.

  • More Concise Structures than Italian
    Italian often constructs longer and more redundant sentences compared to Romanian, which tends to synthesize complex concepts into shorter phrases. The translation must maintain the same level of detail without losing meaning.

  • Translation of Idioms and Colloquial Expressions
    Italian proverbs and colloquial expressions often have no direct equivalent in Romanian and must be adapted to retain the original sense.

Common Challenges in Romanian-Italian Translation

  • False friends: Words that look similar but have different meanings (sensibil in Romanian means “delicate,” not “sensitive”).
  • Cultural adaptation: Some Italian cultural references may not have a direct Romanian equivalent and vice versa.
  • Syntax and sentence construction: Italian tends to build longer, more articulated sentences than Romanian.

In Conclusion

Translations between Romanian and Italian require careful attention to grammar, syntax, and cultural differences to ensure a smooth and natural result.

Where to Find Official Information

For more details on the procedures, it is recommended to consult the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (esteri.it) or the relevant authorities such as Prosecutor’s Offices and Prefectures.

Conclusion

The apostille and consular legalization are essential tools for ensuring the validity of documents abroad. Understanding the correct procedures helps avoid delays and bureaucratic complications, facilitating the use of documents in international contexts.

Sources

Prefecture – Territorial Office of the Government of Siena

Cultural and Community Associations

  • Association of the Syrian Arab Community in Italy (A.C.A.S.I.) – Emilia Romagna Section
    This association represents the Syrian community in Emilia-Romagna, promoting cultural and social activities.

  • TAQWA Islamic Culture Association
    Operating in Emilia-Romagna, this organization is dedicated to spreading Islamic culture and supporting the local Muslim community.

  • Acmid-Donna
    An association of the Moroccan women’s community in Italy, focused on improving the conditions of Arab women and children both in Italy and in their countries of origin.
    romamultietnica.it

  • Association of North African Immigrants in Italy (AINAI)
    This organization provides support to North African immigrants, facilitating integration and promoting their cultural heritage.
    romamultietnica.it

Informational and Cultural Platforms

  • Arab.it
    A website dedicated to Arab and Italian culture, social sciences, and economics, offering articles, resources, and translation services.
    arab.it

  • Pontifical Institute for Arabic and Islamic Studies (PISAI)
    A research and study center preparing for Islamic-Christian dialogue, promoting mutual understanding between the two cultures.
    Pisai

Support and Charity Organizations

  • Islamic Relief Italy
    A humanitarian organization providing assistance and support to Muslim communities in Italy and abroad through development projects and emergency programs.
    Islamic Relief

  • Union of Islamic Communities and Organizations in Italy (UCOII)
    An association that brings together numerous Islamic communities and organizations in Italy, promoting unity and representing Muslim interests in the country.