The contrast between a formal and an everyday language in vernacular preaching can take diverse forms. The first aspect is the relationship between Latin and vernacular: manifested either as a distinct option in favour of one of the two languages, or as the use of Latin words or phrases within a vernacular text. In the latter case the amount and function of the Latin may vary. The second aspect of the problem is the choice between literary Italian, the local vernacular or an intermediate variety. The third is the variation between a higher and a lower register within the Italian language.

The opinions of Alessandro Manzoni and Graziadio Isaia Ascoli regarding thebest way of increasing the use of the Italian language within the newly formedItalian state diverged significantly. However, there was common ground on somepoints. First, they were more interested in what the best linguistic model wouldbe rather than in how to spread it among the people. Second, they were focusingon the educated public rather than the common people. Third, they both tendedto overestimate the success of the foreign models of linguistic unification thatthey were studying. As far as the first two points are concerned, a more pragmaticperspective was expressed by Raffaello Lambruschini, although his contributionlacked a constructive aspect.

The article is an introduction to the monographic issue of Moderna Språk dedicated to Pasolini. It explains the reasons why the special issue was created and summarizes the articles content.

The study adopts a historical perspective, analyzing from a linguistic and rhetorical point of view the parliamentary speeches of three Italian populist politicians before April 1992, that is to say, before the fall of the traditional Italian parties that dominated the scene in the second half of the 20th century and the beginning of a new political era. The aim is to ascertain whether the formal characteristics of Italian populist discourse are completely dependent on the general political landscape and on the mass media or whether it is possible to identify any linguistic or rhetorical features that are inherently linked to Italian populism.

Bernardino Ochino of Siena, former Vicar-General of the Capuchin Friars, converted to Protestantism and fled Italy in 1542. After reaching Geneva in the same year, he published a book of Prediche (sermons) together with other works. These sermons were addressed to the Italian people (probably with the aim of promoting the breakthrough of Protestantism in Italy) and show some influence from Calvin’s Institutio Christianae Religionis. While never preached, Ochino’s Prediche have all the features typical of the genre to which they are supposed to belong: personal deixis, questions and exhortations, and repetition of words and clauses. Moreover, Ochino’s sermons show a distinctive rhetorical feature, the frequent use of corrections. Rather than being linked to Ochino’s polemical view of the Catholic Church, this feature relates to his way of conceiving arguments, both before and after his conversion to Protestantism.