Here are the general rules:
* As an adjective: "Italian" is NOT capitalized when used as an adjective describing a noun.
* Example: "She ate a delicious Italian meal."
* As a noun: "Italian" IS capitalized when referring to a person from Italy or the Italian language.
* Example: "He is an Italian citizen." "She studied the Italian language."
* As part of a proper noun: "Italian" IS capitalized when it's part of a proper noun.
* Examples: "Italian Republic", "Italian Renaissance"
Here are some additional things to consider:
* Formal vs. Informal: In formal writing, you're more likely to capitalize "Italian" even when used as an adjective, especially if it's part of a name or title.
* Context: Consider the context of your writing. If you're unsure, it's always better to err on the side of capitalization.
Here's a quick summary:
* Italian (adjective): No capitalization
* Italian (noun referring to a person or language): Capitalization
* Italian (part of a proper noun): Capitalization