by MK
In a year shaped by seismic global shifts, the Treccani Institute, Italy’s venerable publisher of encyclopedias and dictionaries, has declared rispetto (respect) as the Word of the Year for 2024. This selection underscores a stark reality: the absence of respect in today’s society and the urgent need to restore it.
For us at InTrieste magazine, 2024 has also been defined by a singular word: team. Without the collective spirit and collaboration of our team, our magazine would not have reached its heights this year. On a personal level, my word of the year is perseverance—a term I’ve long cherished for its meaning and origins. Stemming from the Latin perseverantia, it conveys steadfastness in the face of difficulty. As a long-distance runner for over two decades, I’ve learned that just when you feel you can’t go any further, a renewed sense of determination takes hold. Suddenly, the journey becomes its own reward, no matter how many kilometers lie ahead or behind.
This focus on words—whether deeply personal or profoundly societal—underscores their power to reflect and shape our shared experience. Treccani’s statement described rispetto as the word that best captures the “changes, concerns, and trends of the moment.” At its heart, rispetto calls for esteem, attention, and regard—qualities that too often seem elusive in our interactions with others, institutions, and the environment. Derived from the Latin respectus, the word signifies a mindset of thoughtful consideration, a principle the institute believes is integral to societal progress.
Valeria Della Valle and Giuseppe Patota, Treccani’s co-directors, emphasized that a deficit of respect underpins many of the world’s pressing problems. “The lack of rispetto lies at the root of violence against women, minorities, institutions, nature, and the animal world,” they stated. By spotlighting rispetto, Treccani seeks to inspire meaningful dialogue and action while reaffirming its role as a cornerstone of civic life.
Curious about how others perceived 2024, we took to the streets of Trieste to ask residents about their defining words of the year. The responses were as diverse as the city itself, though positivity dominated: hope, resilience, family, and growth were among the most frequently mentioned.
What about you? What word defined your 2024, and what will shape your 2025? Words hold the power to transform—choose wisely, for they might just herald the change you’ve been seeking.
