* Vulgar Latin: Around the 5th century AD, the spoken language of the Roman Empire, known as Vulgar Latin, began to diverge into regional dialects. These dialects would eventually form the basis of the Romance languages, including Italian.
* Emergence of Literary Italian: By the 13th century, Tuscan dialects, particularly those spoken in Florence, began to gain prominence due to the influence of writers like Dante, Petrarch, and Boccaccio. Their works helped standardize the language and establish a literary tradition.
* Formalization of the Language: In the 16th century, the Italian language was further standardized by the Accademia della Crusca, which created a dictionary and grammar rules.
* Unification of Italy (1861): With the unification of Italy, the Tuscan-based dialect became the official language of the newly formed nation, gradually replacing regional dialects in formal settings.
Therefore, while the origins of the Italian language can be traced back to Vulgar Latin in the 5th century, the modern standard Italian we know today emerged and was formalized around the 13th and 16th centuries.
So, it's more accurate to say that the Italian language has been evolving for over 1500 years, with its modern form solidifying over the past few centuries.