Progetto di ricerca sul mantenimento dell'italiano

Italian Language Project by Katia Ansalone

Dear reader,
 
thanks for taking the time to read about this project.

Essentially what I'm interested in is the question of "double identity:" what it means for second/third generation Italian immigrants to be half Scottish and half Italian: do they feel enriched/hampered by this? Do they feel they belong equally to both communities? Or do they feel as though they were neither fish no foul, so to speak? Can we say there is something like a "Scots/Italian (i.e.:"mixed") identity," as it were, and if so how do people feel about it? Is this a matter of pride? Or do they feel there's a stigma attached to being part of a particular ethnic group?
 
Secondly, assuming that such an identity exists, how is it expressed through language: i.e.: do you really have to speak Italian to feel Italian? Are those who can speak the language more Italian than those who cannot? The underlying assumption would be that people may choose other aspects of culture (food, religion, a football team even) to feel part of an ethnic group.
 
There is also a final third section listing some commonly-used words/expression to translate into English, Italian and dialect to establish the link between language competence and identity (are those who are at home with all 3 varieties also the ones who feel more Italian?)
 
This is, in a nutshell, the general overview of the project. Probably the matter is a bit too complex to be achieved in a 5000-6000 word-project but this will be the starting point for major research along the same lines (I have to write a thesis).
Best wishes
Katia

Please copy and paste the following and send the completed form to katiaansalone123@hotmail.com
Subject: RE: Progetto di ricerca sul mantenimento dell'italiano

The questionnaire is also available in Italian and if required can be forwarded to you, please email for details.

QUESTIONNAIRE 

1)      Gender                

 2)      Year of birth

3)      Place of birth

4)      Where were your parents born?

5)      Where were your grandparents born?

6)      How long have you been living in Scotland?

 7)      How long have your parents been living in Scotland?

 8)      How long have your grandparents been living in Scotland?

  9) Qualifications

 10) What is your occupation?

11) Italian language competence of respondent’s family

 12)  Dialect competence of respondent’s family

 13)  English language competence of respondent’s family

  14) Partner’s language ability

    15) Respondent’s language abilities

 16) What language do you speak with your family members?

 17) What language/s do/did your parents speak when they talk/ed to each other at home?

18) What language do your children speak when they talk to each other/ play together?

 19) What language do you speak with your colleagues at work or with your schoolmates?

20) What language do you speak with your friends?

 21) What language/s did you know before starting school?

 22) In what language do /did you have classes at school?

 23) In what language do you think?

 24) In what language do you count in your mind?

 25) In what language do you write for professional reasons?

 26) In what language do you write for personal reasons?

27) In what language do you read books and magazines?

28) In what language do you listen to radio programmes or watch tv?

29) What is the language (including dialect) you feel more attached to?

30) In what language, in your opinion, is it easier to make jokes?

31) In what language, in your opinion is it easier to express one’s feelings?

 32) Have you ever experienced contempt or hostility on the part of your interlocutor for speaking:

33) What is the language you feel more comfortable with?

34) Do you sometimes happen to use Italian or dialect in order not to be understood by those around you?

35) How often do you go to Italy?

36) Are you a member of any Italian Cultural Association (please specify)?

37) How often do you meet with other members of the Italian community?

38) Do you consider yourself to be:

39) How important is it, in your opinion, to be able to speak Italian in order to feel Italian?

 Please use this space to add any further comments if you wish

TRANSLATION QUESTIONNAIRE

 Could you give a short definition of the following expressions:

Many Thanks !!!

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