3.8 Effects of Diffusion

Acculturation:

• Adoption of pasta in Italian cuisine, introduced through cultural exchanges with the Middle East.

Assimilation:

• Gradual assimilation of regional dialects into standard Italian, contributing to a shared linguistic identity.

Syncretism:

• Celebration of Carnival in Venice, blending Roman, Christian, and local traditions into a unique festival.

Multiculturalism:

• Italy's multicultural heritage seen in Arab-Norman architecture in Sicily and Greek influences in Southern Italy.

Nativism:

• Current debates on immigration highlight discussions around preserving Italian cultural identity.