The primary language of Italy is Italian. Italian is a Romance language that evolved from Latin, the language of the Romans. It is spoken by the majority of the population in Italy, as well as by Italian communities around the world. Standard Italian has its roots in the Tuscan dialect, which was popularized through the works of famous authors, such as Dante Alighieri, Petrarch, and Boccaccio. In addition to Italian, various regional dialects exist throughout the country, reflecting Italy's rich cultural and linguistic diversity.