La famiglia italiana

La famiglia italiana

Family provides the network of the deepest and most important relationships of Italian society. The Italian family has many stereotypes. When we think of the typical Italian family, we of course think of a big, loud, crazy family with the mother and grandmother cooking and eight kids running around. The father comes home and the kids run up to him and greet him, then he greets his wife and goes to wash up for dinner, which is ready for him because his wife and mother have been cooking it all day. Though the role of the wife in a marriage is still similar, in some ways, to this image, everything else has changed. Today, Italian families are much smaller and the women are out working for themselves. Much has happened over the past few decades to make this change in tradition come about; the Italian family is no longer the big, loud, crazy family that we see in the movies.The typical Italian family, although still very close to its extended family, is beginning do distance itself from other family members. Many of the traditions remain, however they are slowly starting to become more relaxed. Families often live in very close proximity to each other, often in the same house. Italian men tend to live at home until they are married.

Another dramatic change in Italian culture is the rapidly declining birthrate. Overall, Italian families are having less and less children, and are therefore the population is becoming older rather than remaining balanced. There are more people over the age of 60 than there are under the age of 20. One of the main reasons for this dramatic decrease in the birthrate is that families can no longer afford to have many children. With the mother working, she does not have as much time to care for the children and also has children later. Because of this, she has less time to have children and the family will only have one or two. Although women are supported by the government during their maternity leave, many employers do not support this and will threaten the women. They will not hire a woman if she is planning to have a child and will go as far as to fire a woman while she is on maternity leave and say that it was for another reason. Even if she were to be granted maternity leave from her job, the standards in hospitals and infant schools were not adequate. For this reason, women are hesitant to have children, because they know it will hurt their careers.

Another reason for the declining birthrate is the introduction of contraception and the legality of abortion. Italian women terminate one pregnancy for every three live births, which totals around 160,000 abortions for 500,000 live births a year. Birth control has also played a large role in the decline of births. While the birthrate is declining, the divorce rate is increasing; the 1974 the divorce referendum, which passed by 59.1%, and the 1975 family reform laws made this all possible. Unhappy couples no longer had to find a guilty party to separate; they could do so on there own basis.

Family values are still the focus of Italian society, and the Italian family has remained a very close social unit. Whether married, single or divorced, all Italians tend to maintain very strong links with their parents, adult children, and other relatives. Often generations share housing; grown children or elderly parents may live with your hosts. Even if they do not share a home, extended families may eat lunch (pranzo) and/or dinner (cena) together every day. Elderly parents are respected and looked after, sometimes on a daily basis, whether they live at home with their children or independently.

Although roles have changed for women in Italy, the mother remains the dominant figure in the Italian home. She typically runs every aspect of domestic life, and you may see her helping her family in ways you consider excessive or unnecessary. To American eyes, it may seem that Italian mothers spoil their children and husbands, or sacrifice too much to please every member of the family. Especially if the mother also works outside the home, the Italian family dynamic can seem unfair and unbalanced. However, Italians themselves believe that it is the mother who keeps the family together, who creates and maintains the familial links, who is the bond that unifies all members. She, in turn, knows she can depend on the rest of her family in her time of need. Generally speaking, the role of mother and home maker is a much respected position in Italian society

Italian families maintain strong bonds over generations. Children, after leaving home to establish new families, maintain strong relationships with their parents. Usually they live very near to one of the two parental families, make daily telephone calls to their parents (mainly the mother), and visit them weekly. Their relationships with their parents typically display strong reciprocal support and exchanges, including childcare, care of the elderly and ill, help with economic troubles, loans, and advice. One of the main characteristics of Italian families is the strong intergenerational solidarity that allows Italians to overcome difficulties, find jobs, look after children, and ask for loans in situations in which the family network provides what, in other Western countries, is granted by public or private institutions. This sense of connectedness explains the great relevance that family as an institution assumes in Italian culture.

Reflection Questions:

How is the typical Italian family similar or different from your own?

Italian families used to have many children. Nowadays, most families have only one or two children. Why do you think that Italian families are having less and less children?

When you think about your future, do you want to get married? Do you want to have children? Would you prefer being single and focusing on your career? If you plan to have children, how many children would you like to have and why?

Do you currently share your home with elderly family members (like you grandparents or great grandparents)? Many Italian families share their homes with elderly relatives. What do you think about this type of living arrangement?

Natale in Italia

Natale e' una festa molto importante e religiosa in Italia. Risponda ai seguenti domande (SU UN FOGLIO SEPARATO - on a separate sheet of paper to be turned in at the end of class)

1. Where did the actual celebration of Christmas most likely originate?http://italian.about.com/library/weekly/aa120600a.htm

2. What is a presepio?http://www.initaly.com/regions/xmas/rosemary.htm

3. Where is the Vatican located? Is it a separate country or part of Italy? (Note that the picture located in this entry is a picture St. Peter's cathedral at the Vatican during Christmastime. A large Christmas tree and a presepio are placed at the center of the large piazza).http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vatican_City

4. According to the article below, what does an Italian Christmas revolve around?http://www.italianfoodforever.com/iff/articles.asp?id=37

5. Name 5 dishes that an Italian family might eat on Christmas Eve or Christmas day:http://www.italianfoodforever.com/iff/articles.asp?id=37

6. Why do Italians eat lentils on New Years Eve (i.e. what do they represent?)?http://goitaly.about.com/od/festivalsandevents/a/newyears.htm

LEZIONE I
Laboratorio Lezione IBenvenuti al laboratorio!
In today's lesson, you will familiarize yourself with some useful websites. Please answer all the questions in your QUADERNO. I will be checking them in at the beginning of our next class. This assignment is worth 20 points.
1. Go to Radio Dimensione Suona, click on 100% GRANDI SUCCESSI, then click on Playlist, and choose an Italian song to listen to (scroll down - there are lots of songs to choose from). Task: Write down the name of the song that you listened to (make sure it's an ITALIAN song, and not Spanish or English). Sometimes flashplayer doesn't work, so you'll have to finish this quesiton at t he library, where flashplayer should work on the computers.

2. Next head over to Google Earth. Now type "Venice, Italy" into the search bar. Click on SATELLITE, so you get the satellite view. What is special about this city, from what you can see from the satellite?

3. Watch this short video on Italians vs. Europeans by Bruno Bozzetto. Task: What are three differences between Italians and Europeans. Do Italians always follow the rules?

4. And just to make you laugh...check out this video entitled "Adamo" at http://www.rivelazioni.com/mm/bozzetto/adam.shtml by the Italian computer cartoonist Bruno Bozzetto.

5. Task: Write down one of the main headlines, in Italiano of course, from today's edition of La Repubblica.

6. Go to http://babelfish.altavista.com/ Click on English to Italian. Task: How do you write: "I am the best student in the world. I love Italian." in Italian?7. How much does a new Lamborghini Reveton - the newest car which debuted at the recent Frankfurt, Germany Auto show - cost? Which car would you prefer, a 2007 Ford Taurus or a 2007 Lamborhini Reveton?http://autoshow.autos.msn.com/autoshow/frankfurt2007/Article.aspx?cp-documentid=5421379

First Female Gondolier in Venice!

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/la-fg-venice-gondolier21-2009jul21,0,1446575.story

Vocab Review

Look up the following words (they will all be on your final exam) and quiz yourself! for translations, visit www.freetranslation.com


Adesso
Non c’è male
A presto!
Ecco!
Dove?
Perchè
Come?
Quando?
Mai
Niente
Nessuno
Ieri
Ci vediamo domain!
Che ora è?
Non capisco.
Certo che mi piace!
Di solito
Forse
Oggi
Prego!
Desidera?
Subito
Sinistra / destra
Scusami
Anche
Vorrei
Voglio
Un panino
Molto gentile
Stasera
Lontano / vicino
Un uomo / una donna
Sono sposato.
Io ero.
Quale?
Tanti auguri a te!
Ho bisogno di…..
Mi piace
Non mi piace
Mi piacciono
Non mi piacciono
D’accordo
Va bene!
Che tempo fa oggi a Chicago? Nevica e fa freddo!
Che ora è? Sono le cinque.

Italian New Summary

1. In one short paragraph, summarize each of the current news articles linked below:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/30547564/

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/30671999/

2. Write down two headlines and translate into English from the main Italian newspaper:

http://www.repubblica.it/

End of the School Year Review

As a review, take the following test online. Write down your answers:

http://www.esl-languages.com/en/study-abroad/online-tests/italian-test/index.htm


Do 20 flashcards. Write your answers on your paper. http://www.italian-flashcards.com/

International Week 2009

It's international week! And we're switching gears from Italy over to another country for a few days. Starting tomorrow, we'll be watching a movie from....INDIA. On Friday, we'll head to the auditorium to see the International night performances - don't forget to buy your tickets for the evening performance in Room 225A this week!

Today, answer the following questions for 20 points extra credit:

1. What countries border India?
http://www.woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk/Homework/india/

2. How many states does India have?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/India

3. Complete these sentences:

India is the 7th largest _____________, has the second largest _____________, and is the most populus _______________ in the world.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/India

4. When did India become an independent nation? (independent from Great Britain?)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/India

5. "Namaste!" is how many people greet one another in India. What does this mean and how do you write it in the ancient language of India, sanskrit?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Namaste

6. Why did the Emporer build Taj Mahal?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Namaste

7. What animal is revered in India?

http://www.pbs.org/wnet/nature/holycow/hinduism.html

La Vita e' Bella

1. What was the Holocaust and what does the word actually mean?

http://www.ushmm.org/wlc/article.php?lang=en&ModuleId=10005143

2. How many children did the Germans kill in WWII?

http://www.ushmm.org/wlc/article.php?lang=en&ModuleId=10005142

3. At camps such as Auschwitz-Birkenau, where where children usually sent to directly upon arrival?

http://www.ushmm.org/wlc/article.php?lang=en&ModuleId=10005142

4. Why did Hitler hate the Jews?

http://www.auschwitz.dk/docu/Faq.htm

5. Did the Jews resist?

http://www.auschwitz.dk/docu/Faq.htm

5. Stereotyping, name calling, and exclusion of others based on their religion, sexual orientation, race, nationality or cultural heritage has become all too common in our schools and communities. You are not powerless in the face of hate; there are many things children and adults can do.
Brainstorm one way that you could take a stand against hate in your everyday life:

Italiano - Venerdi il 24 aprile

News from Italia. Summarize the two articles below, one paragraph each, in your own words.

http://www.voanews.com/english/2009-04-20-voa66.cfm

http://in.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idINIndia-39205020090423

Peace Love and Hostelling House Party

Host:
Hostelling International Chicago

Location:
Hostelling International Chicago24 E Congress ParkwayChicago, IL 60605 US
View Map

When:
Friday, May 1, 5:30PM to 7:30PM

Phone:
312-583-2227

Come enjoy our free open house highlighting the hostel's positive impact on tourism and cultural education in Chicago. 2009 is the double anniversary for hostelling, 100 years of hostelling worldwide and 75 years in the USA and we want to celebrate!Mingle with travelers from around the world, enjoy delicious food from local restaurants, dance to world music, laugh at improv comedy, take tours of the hostel, win door and raffle prizes, and enjoy post-party excursions throughout the city including pub crawls, a jazz outing, and documentary film screening. Also find out about volunteering opportunities at the hostel.All are welcome! No entrance fee! Bring your friends and family!Restaurant Sponsors:Dairy Queen, Chutney Joe's, Cafecito, Pizza-Ria, Bar Louie, Cafe Mediterra, and Standing Room OnlyRaffle Sponsors:Trek America, R.E.I. Lincoln Park, Chicago Chinese Cultural Institute, Dream Dinners, Adler Planetarium, Bobby's Bike Hike, Entertainment Cruises, Second City, Chicago from the Lake, ComedySportz, Sears Tower, Kingston Mines, Metro/Smart Bar, Blue Man Group, Joe's on Weed Street, Wine Styles South Loop, Buca di Beppo, Tommy Gun's Garage, Lonely Planet, Barilla, Hackney's, Buddy Guy's Legends, Essex Inn

Italian Food

PART 1 - QUIZ
Take the quiz on Italian food here: http://iteslj.org/v/i/if-food.html
Write down your answers on a separate sheet of paper.

PART 2 - QUESTIONS
go to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Italian_food, and answer the following questions:
1. What is the biggest difference between northern and southern Italian cooking?

2. What's special about Italian coffee? What is it called?

Define the following words:
3. antipasto

4. primo

5. secondo

6. dolce

7. What do most Italians eat at Christmas?

News in Italy - Italian 1 - Tuesday

Summarize the following 2 articles in your own words. At least one paragraph each.


http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/30061140?GT1=43001

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/20763381/


Watch the following video to see the terremoto destruction in Abruzzo:
http://tv.repubblica.it/dossier/terremoto-in-abruzzo/prima-e-dopo-con-streetview/31666?video

Useful Websites for Travel Project

http://www.justitaly.org/

http://www.lonelyplanet.com/italy

http://www.italiantourism.com/

http://www.travel-italy.com/

http://www.slowtrav.com/italy/

Italian II – Travel Project

Task: You are working for a travel agency. You would like to encourage your customers to visit an Italian city. You need to make a brochure showing why the city you chose is such a great place to visit.
You want to include:
A brief history of the city.
Sights to see: what sights are not to be missed when visiting this city?
Recommend two hotels and two restaurants, telling why they are special.
Give a brief biography (one paragraph) of an important person from this city.
Show a map of Italy with a star indicating where the city is found.
Include at least two pictures of the city.

To make your brochure:
Go to Microsoft Office
Select ‘Open a New Document’
You will see a list of templates. Click on ‘Brochure’: this is the template you will use to create your travel brochure.

Check our class website, www.ciaoschurz.blogspot.com for links to help you do your research. Remember, just like with every other written project in high school, college and beyond, everything must be written using your own words.

This project is worth 200 points and is due on April 28.

Terramoto in Abruzzo

http://tv.repubblica.it/dossier/terremoto-in-abruzzo/prima-e-dopo-con-streetview/31666?video

Rome slide show

http://www.budgettravel.com/bt-srv/gallery/0904_RomeMyCut/index.html?jumpToPic=0

2009 Italian National Honor Society

Congratulazioni a questi studenti meravigliosi!

Personality Test

There is a very, very tall coconut tree and there are 4 animals: a Lion, a Chimpanzee, a Giraffe, and a Squirrel , who pass by.
They decide to compete to see who is the fastest to get a banana off the tree.
Who do you guess will win?
Your answer will reflect your personality. So think care fully . . .. Try and answer within 30 seconds.
Got your answer? Now scroll down to see the analysis. .....






































If your answer is: Lion = you're dull. Chimpanzee = you're a moron.
Giraffe = you're a complete idiot.
Squirrel = you're just hopelessly stupid.
A COCONUT TREE DOESN'T HAVE BANANAS.
Obviously you're stressed and overworked. You should take some time off and relax!
Try again next year.

Notizie dall-Italia - News from Italy

http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/europe/03/25/italy.swtizerland.alps.border/index.html?iref=newssearch

http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/africa/03/31/libya.migrants.plight/index.html?iref=newssearch

http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/africa/03/31/libya.migrants.plight/index.html?iref=newssearch

Italian I - Tuesday March 24

http://italian.about.com/library/fare/blfare257.htm
http://www.gwc.org.uk/ModernLang/hotpot/italian/Italianvocabulary/voc1.html

1. Use the websites above to define the following Italian words on a separate sheet of paper. Listen to their pronunciation and practice.
at home
fridge
table
ceiling
closet
to do the shopping
to buy
nursery
chair
armchair
to be out
bed
wardrobe
chest of drawers
at my house
washing machine
dish-washer
bath
shower
to be at home
window
bedroom

http://www.casecasali.net/en_lista_proprieta.php?c=list&s=1

Find three houses that you are interested in buying from the above website and for each, tell me:

(use http://www.freetranslation.com/ to help you translate words)

1. Quanto cosa?

2. Qual'e la citta' piu vicina? (nearest town)

3. C'e una piscina?

4. Quanto e' grande?

5. Quante 'camere da letto' ci sono?

6. Quanti 'bagni' ci sono?

7. C'e un posto per la macchina?

8. Descrive la casa in una frase.

La moda italiana - Valentino

1. Who is Valentino Garavani?

Hint: Selma Hayek is wearing one of his designs in the picture.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valentino_Garavani

2. What are some of the luxuries Valentino enjoys in his life as a famous fashion designer?

http://www.oprah.com/media/20090313-tows-valentino-life

3. Flip through the slides featuring Valentino's new ready-to-wear line of clothing. Describe your favorite outfit featured, in italiano:

http://www.oprah.com/slideshow/oprahshow/oprahshow2_ss_20041020/1

4. Look through Valentino's dresses. Describe your favorite one, in italiano.

http://allwomenstalk.com/top-9-valentino-dresses/

Cinema Paradiso

1.

Cinema Paradiso takes place on the island of Sicily. Click on the link below and write 5 facts about Sicilia.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sicily

2.

Draw your own verson of La Bandiera di Sicilia:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Sicilia-Bandiera.png

3.
Qual'e' la capitale di Sicilia?

4.

ere is the English script from Cinema Paradiso. Write down the line you found the most memorable:

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0095765/quotes

Italian Flashcards

1. Register for a free account at http://www.italian-flashcards.com/
2. Review the Practice Words. Click on LOOP to move from card to card.
3. Take the English multiple choice test and the Italian multiple choice test. Write just the answers on your sheet of paper. You will log this assignment into your compito log tomorrow.

Amore e altri aggettivi

Quiz on adjectives...

Look at the links and answer the questions:

1. Come si dice " shy" in italiano?http://italian.about.com/library/fare/blfare128a.htm

2. Come si dice "full" in italiano?http://italian.about.com/library/fare/blfare128a.htm

3. Come si dice "bad" in italiano?http://italian.about.com/library/fare/blfare128a.htm

4. Come si dice "angry" in italiano?http://www.enchantedlearning.com/languages/italian/subjects/adjectives.shtml]

5. Come si dice "empty" in italiano?http://www.enchantedlearning.com/languages/italian/subjects/adjectives.shtml

6. Come si dice "sporco" in inglese?http://www.enchantedlearning.com/languages/italian/subjects/adjectives.shtml

7. Come si dice "early" in italiano?http://www.enchantedlearning.com/languages/italian/subjects/adjectives.shtml

8. Come si dice "cold" in italiano?http://www.enchantedlearning.com/languages/italian/subjects/adjectives.shtml

9. Come si dice "shut/closed" in italiano?http://www.enchantedlearning.com/languages/italian/subjects/adjectives.shtml

10. How would you describe this person in italiano (give me two adjectives)?http://www.sports-photos.com/catalog/images/MichaelJordan3Clr.tif.jpg

11. A very useful Italian expression is "Amore e' cieco" (love is blind!). Keeping that in mind, how would you describe this person in italiano? (give me two adjectives)http://images.wikia.com/uncyclopedia/images/thumb/3/33/Ugly_man_2.jpg/180px-Ugly_man_2.jpg

12. How would you describe this person in italiano? (give me two adjectives)http://images.eonline.com/eol_images/Profiles/20060913/244.winfrey.oprah.091906.jpg

13. How would you describe this person in italiano? (Give me two adjectives).http://img2.timeinc.net/people/i/2006/specials/sma06/sma_gallery/johnny_depp.jpg

14. Who is this man?http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Prodi27032007.jpg

15. Come si dice "I love you a lot" in italiano?
Wishing you all tanto tanto AMORE in your lives!

Music Video:PERDONO (by Tiziano Ferro)

Music Video Code provided by Video Code Zone

I Rani

Nuovi animali scoperti in Columbia.

Che cos'e' una rana?

http://www.repubblica.it/2006/12/gallerie/ambiente/anfibi-colombia/10.html

Italian Flashcards

1. Register for a free account at http://www.italian-flashcards.com/

2. Review the Practice Words. Click on LOOP to move from card to card.

3. Take the English multiple choice test and the Italian multiple choice test. Write just the answers on your sheet of paper. You will log this assignment into your compito log tomorrow.

il nuovo presidente

1.Translate the title and first 7 sentences after of the Obama article below:
http://www.repubblica.it/2009/01/sezioni/esteri/obama-insediamento-2/calabresi-giuramento/calabresi-giuramento.html

2. How is our new president planning on making college more affordable?
http://www.barackobama.com/issues/education/index.php

3. How did our new president afford college?
http://www.whitehouse.gov/administration/president_obama/

4. Watch inauguration videos at http://video.corriere.it/?vxSiteId=404a0ad6-6216-4e10-abfe-f4f6959487fd&vxChannel=tuttiivideo&vxClipId=2524_58fe85d2-e78e-11dd-833f-00144f02aabc&vxBitrate=300 (be sure to check out The President and First lady dancing! That's amore!!!" )

Per fortuna! (Luckily!)

Final Exam Review

Click on the link below. Take the practice test to prepare for the final exam. Write the correct answers on a separate sheet of paper.


The link:

http://www.esl-languages.com/en/study-abroad/online-tests/italian-test/index.htm

Lo slang in italiano!

Go to:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/languages/italian/cool/
and make a list of 25 Italian slang expressions.

Listen to and practice the pronunciation. Write down each expression and tell me what it means in English.

La communita' europea

La communita' europea

1. When was the European Community founded? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_Union

2. Which countries belong to the European Community?http://www.eurunion.org/states/offices.htm

3. Which countries are CANDIDATES for membership in the European Community?http://www.eurunion.org/states/offices.htm

4. Why would these European want to form an alliance? Read the quote below for a clue:
"The EEC had as its aim the eventual economic union of its member nations, ultimately leading to political union. It worked for the free movement of goods, service, labour and capital, the abolition of trusts and cartels, and the development of joint and reciprocal policies on labour, social welfare, agriculture, transport, and foreign trade."

5. Which city is the administrative capital of the European Union? http://www.brussels.org/

6. How many official languages does the European Community have?http://ec.europa.eu/education/policies/lang/languages/index_en.html

7. What is the highest denomination banknote of the EURO, the official currency of thirteen of the EU member states? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Euro_banknotes.png