A Family Phonetics Lesson

U.S. born children of immigrants are often referred to as first generation. Their children are second generation. I never was quite sure how we stacked up - our dad immigrated but our mother is first generation. When my brothers and I were born ('75, '83, '85), most of the living family members were immigrants, so I suppose if pressed, I'd go with first generation.

For me, growing up in a tightly knit Italian household was as joyful as it was frustrating. Of course, this is an adult realization. It's a little obscured when you're a teenager.

For every ridiculous, unfair, superstitious, racist, and nonsensical comment or directive, there was also unshakable family unity, unquestionable love, an abundance of physical affection, and very very little pretense - or silence, for that matter. Everyone knows just about everything and says just about everything and there's no reason to feel awkward about it. Occasionally this complicates matters in adulthood, but most of the time, it's a complete comfort.

Oh, enough of the grandstanding. Here's where I make fun of the people I love:

American English: I'm going to Poughkeepsie.
Italian Aunt/Grandma/Relative: Wha? You go a Poo-KEEPS? Why?

AE: I don't want to take a bath yet.
IAGR: You gettin da bat-tub. You deesgust.

AE: I need a toothpick.
IAGR: I got toot-peeks in da cabinet.

AE: That will be $13.35 please.
IAGR: Turrteen Turrdee Five. Here you go.

One More!

Sorry for the 3rd post of the day, but I just saw this, and I think you need to be as outraged as I am - this is absolutely distressing and disgusting, particularly when it comes to disabled children. I was shocked to learn it's still legal in some states.

The school officials and other 'family values' groups that still support this archaic, stupid and ineffective method are monsters. Period. Just another of dozens of reasons our educational system is going down the drain fast.

http://www.cnn.com/2008/US/08/20/corporal.punishment/index.html#cnnSTCText

I attended school in Italy from 1980-1983 - at the time, the teachers there were permitted to hit students. The boys were hit the most, sadly...and how much does that promote further aggression? Please don't get me started. Anyway, I was smacked once, across the face, for whispering to my classmate while the teacher was talking. I told my parents when I got home. Despite the fact that they both grew up in the corporal punishment era AND I had the occasional spanking at home, they were livid that someone other than a parent would dare lay their hands on their child. They visited with the principal, and they forced her to sign an agreement that I would never be hit, or they would contact a lawyer. Obviously, I don't know how much legal leverage they would have if such a situation developed during that time, but they still made an effective point.