Abstract

This essay examines the Italian querelle about the proper definition of those immigrants who have recently come to Italy and have started a literary production writing in Italian, a language they learnt in adulthood in their destination country. Traditionally, they are defined as belonging to the "Italian migrant literature", but part of them refuses this definition, considering themselves Italian writers tout court. After retracing the historical genesis of this label - and of the other ones which have been suggested -, the critical position of those Italian-born intellectuals who generally do not consider the production of non Italian-born authors is analyzed, trying to point out their deepest reasons. In conclusion, a proposal to go beyond the querelle and settle new objectives is provided.