#045- Why are we so attached to our cultural heritage?

#045- In this episode Gabi gives his opinion on the reasons why Americans are generally interested in their past and shows examples of why it is a good thing.

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Transcript

  Welcome to the Learning Languages in Society with Gabby podcast, where it's all about the fascinating world of languages and culture. Let's rock.  Hi there. Welcome to another episode of Learning Languages in Society with Gabby, the podcast show that takes you deep into the fascinating world where languages meet culture, communication and real life interactions. 

It is a pleasure to be here with you again, I'm your host Gabby, and today we're diving deep into a topic that's incredibly rich, complex, and personal. Why are Americans so attached to their cultural heritage?  In a country as diverse as the United States, where generations have lived far from their ancestral homelands, it might seem surprising that so many Americans are deeply connected to their roots.

But today, we're going to explore why that connection is so strong. How did it begin? Why does it persist? And https: TheBusinessProfessor. com 

Let's start with a concept called the pool of the past.  Have you ever felt a pull toward the past that you can't quite explain? Maybe you're curious about where your ancestors came from, why your family traditions are the way they are, or even why you feel a connection to a place you've never visited.

Imagine discovering a hidden piece of your family's history. Something that brings your ancestors journey to life in ways you could never have imagined. What if a trip to your homeland revealed something not just about where you come from, but also about who you are today? Well, in today's episode, we're going to explore stories like these.

Stories that show just how powerful the pool of cultural heritage can be. Stories that will surprise you, inspire you, and maybe even make you wonder, what if I went on that journey to discover my roots, what would I find? Stick with me because we're about to embark on a journey across continents, generations, and deeply personal histories to find out why Americans remain so deeply attached to their cultural heritage.

And trust me, you'll want to hear the treasures they uncover along the way, so do not miss this episode.  Now, why is cultural heritage so important?  Well, let's start by asking the big question. Why are Americans so attached to their cultural heritage? In a country that is famously known as a melting pot, the attachment of cultural heritage to cultural identity might seem paradoxical after all many families have been there for generations so why does the pool of heritage remain so strong  for some this might seem unnecessary or even irrelevant  isn't it just enough uh to be american isn't that a full identity in itself Well, here's where things get interesting.

Studies show that identity is deeply intertwined with language, culture, and history. For many Americans, especially those whose families immigrated in the last few centuries, cultural heritage offers a way to anchor themselves in something larger than just a here and now.  Often, it's nostalgia, a longing for a sense of belonging that fuels this attachment.

People want to feel connected to where they came from, to understand their roots, and to pass on something meaningful to their children, much like when adopted children strive to find their roots by searching in the past to find out who their real parents were.  In a rapidly changing world, cultural heritage serves as a steady reminder of where one's family has been, a constant in the face of modern lives and certainties. 

Now, a little story for you, an Italian American's journey to her roots. Let me tell you about Sophia. Sophia grew up in New Jersey in a typical Italian American family. Her parents spoke a little bit of a variety of Southern Italian, of a Southern Italian dialect called Calabrese, especially during holidays, right?

But over time the language and many customs faded into the background. However, Sophia always felt like she was Sofía's visit was meant to be a simple trip to understand her roots, to meet distant relatives and maybe see the home her grandparents had left behind. But when she arrived, something unexpected happened.

While going through old family letters and photos in a dusty attic, Sofia discovered an incredible treasure, hidden artifacts from World War II that had been buried for years. Among them were handwritten notes and medals her great grandfather had received for hiding Jewish families during the war. It wasn't just history anymore.

It was her family's legacy, a part of her past she never knew existed. This discovery transformed her connection to her heritage from a vague sense of curiosity into a deep and profound personal responsibility. She now saw herself not just as a person.  An Italian American, but as a keeper of her family's history, courage and resilience. 

Sofia's journey to Italy changed her life forever. Not only did it help her understand her roots, but it gave her a newfound sense of pride in her heritage. And this is exactly what many Americans seek, that missing piece of the puzzle. Something that helps them understand not just where they come from, but who they are. 

Is the search for roots so persistent?  Sophia's story is just one example of why Americans remain attached to their cultural heritage. There's a sense of mystery and intrigue around heritage that fuels this attachment. People often grow up hearing fragmented stories about the old country, tales passed down from grandparents or found in family records, but these stories are often incomplete.

For many, the search for roots can be frustrating, but and filled with dead ends, often the records they need have been lost to time or bureaucratic red tape. Yet the effort persists. Why? Because uncovering heritage can provide a sense of closure. identity and connection that feels deeply satisfying. In a country built on immigration, it's no surprise that Americans are especially empathetic towards the struggles of their ancestors.

They want to honor the sacrifices made by their forebears, whether it's through learning their ancestors language, visiting their homeland or keeping family traditions alive. There's a desire not to let those stories disappear to make sure future generations understand where they came from.  Now here's another story of a search for a lost family member in Sweden.

Now let me introduce you to the Johnson family who had  A very different experience from Sofia. For years, they'd heard rumors about a long lost relative in Sweden, a sister of, uh, of the wife's grandmother,  who had been separated from the family when they immigrated to the United States in the 1920s. The search took The search took years.

They combed through countless documents, birth certificates, immigration records, and family letters. They faced roadblocks at every turn, missing records, untranslated documents, and differing spellings of names. The process was time consuming, emotionally draining, and often felt hopeless.  As the years passed, the Johnsons began to wonder if they would ever find this missing link.

Uh, was it even worth the effort? Could they uncover the truth? Or was it lost forever to history? But after what felt like endless searching, they finally found what they had been looking for. A confirmation that the missing sister had indeed remained in Sweden. Through this connection, they were able to track down her descendants.

Forging an entirely new branch of family connections. The emotional reward for their perseverance was beyond anything they had anticipated. They had not only rediscovered their family's roots, but also gained a deeper understanding of their shared history.  That's beautiful, isn't it?  Let's not forget about The cultural heritage is a source of identity and purpose.

Stories like Sophia's and the Johnson family's demonstrate that the search for cultural heritage is often about more than just curiosity. It's about a search for identity, purpose, and belonging. For many Americans, especially in a country with such a short national history, cultural heritage provides a sense of depth, of being connected to something much larger than the individual.

It's an acknowledgement of the struggles, triumphs, and perseverance of those who came before us.  This quest for heritage can be exciting, even thrilling, especially when you uncover stories, artifacts, or connections that you never knew existed. It's like putting together the pieces of a puzzle, and each discovery brings you one step closer to understanding the bigger picture of who you are.

And let's not forget the desire to preserve this connection for future generations. Many Americans feel a deep responsibility to pass on their cultural heritage to their children. Whether it's through language, customs, or stories, they want to ensure that their family's history doesn't get lost in the fast paced, ever changing world of today. 

As we wrap up, uh, with this part of the, um, of the episode. I would want you to, I would like you to think about your own heritage, whether you know a lot about your family's past or almost nothing at all. There's always something to discover. Heritage, heritage isn't just about where we come from, it's about how it shapes our present and future.

It's about the stories we choose to pass down. The languages we continue to speak and the connections we keep alive. In a world that sometimes feels increasingly fragmented and disconnected, the search for heritage offers a sense of relief.  A reminder that we're part of something bigger, something enduring, and it helps us understand not only where we've been, but also where we're going.

So anyway, as we close this episode, which is a little different from the episodes that I've been doing so far, Ask yourself, what's your story? What, what will you uncover if you dig a little deeper? And how will you keep that story alive for future generations? Anyway guys, so stick with me for the second part of this episode. 

Okay, so now we are, uh, back, uh, for the second part of this episode of Why Americans are so deeply attached to their cultural heritage. So if you missed the first part, the first half, uh, well, we have explored the reasons behind this attachment and shared incredible stories of personal journeys to rediscover family roots.

Now, we're shifting gears to dive into something equally fascinating, but perhaps less discussed, the survival of Italian dialects in America, particularly in Italian American communities in New Jersey and other parts of the country. We'll talk about the specific, uh, worlds from, uh, Southern and Northern Italian dialects that are still in use today, especially among the older generations. 

Language is a critical part of cultural identity, and in the case of Italian immigrants and their descendants. It's a living reminder of their connection to their heritage, but here's where things get interesting While many Italian Americans today don't speak standard Italian fluently They've managed to preserve certain words and phrases from the regional dialects of Italy of Southern Italy  Specifically creating a unique linguistic blend that reflects their immigrant past which is really interesting  Okay So what? 

What is the role of dialects in Italian American communities to understand how these dialects have been preserved? We need first to take a step back and look at the history of Italian immigration to the United States  when Italians Began immigrating to the United States in large numbers in the late 19th and early 20th centuries They came from different parts of the world  of Italy, which was still a relatively young and fragmented nation. 

Italy as a unified country had only existed since 1861, and even by the time of mass emigration, the Italian peninsula was still deeply divided by regional dialects. The standard Italian we recognize today was largely based on the Tuscan dialect, but in many regions, people Particularly in the South, local dialects were spoken far more frequently than any standardized form of Italian. 

So, Southern Italy, including regions like Calabria, Sicily, and Naples, was one of the main sources of Italian immigrants to the U. S. As a result, the dialects spoken by these immigrants came, became the linguistic backbone of Italian American communities, especially in places like New Jersey, where the Italian American population is still significant today. 

Uh, these dialects were passed down through generations, even as families assimilated into American culture. But what exactly did they preserve?  Let's look at Southern Italian dialects and at words that persist in Italian American communities. For many Italian Americans in New Jersey, the dialects of Southern Italy are more than just a way of speaking. 

to childhood memories and to the identity their grandparents and great grandparents carried with them across the Atlantic. Over time, some words from these dialects became common knowledge within the community, surviving even as fluency in the language as a whole diminished. Let's look at a few examples of words from Southern Italian dialects that are still in use in Italian American communities. 

Let's have a look at Gavone or Caffone, this word which has its roots in southern Italian dialects, especially from the Naples Area is often used in Italian American communities to describe someone who is uncultured or rude. In Italy, it originated referred, it originally referred to a peasant or someone from a rural background.

But in Italian American slang, it took on a more derogatory meaning, often used humorously or is a playful insult.  Okay, next one, Maron or Madonna, a shortened form of Madonna. This exclamation is used to express surprise or frustration. In Southern Italy, particularly in Sicilian Naples, the Madonna, referring to the Virgin Mary, is frequently invoked in everyday language.

Italian Americans often shorten the word to Maron. Using it as an, uh, as an exclamation similar to, oh my god.  Stunat. This one is derived from the Neapolitan word stonato, meaning out of tune or foolish. Stunat is used to describe someone who is acting dumb or clueless. It's another example of a dialect word that's been carried over into Italian American slang.

Particularly in New Jersey.  Gomba, originating, originating from the Neapolitan word cumpa. A shortened form of  compadre, meaning godfather or close friend. I think the  Spanish version of this word would be compadre. Goomba or Goomba in Italian American communities has come to mean a close, almost brotherly friend.

It's one of the many words from Southern Italian dialects that took on new life in the Italian American experience, often carrying connotations of loyalty and deep friendship.  Okay, next one. A common expression of frustration, this word is derived from the phrase managgia, which probably translates to damned or cursed in southern Italy.

In Italian American households, you'll hear managgia as a mild, exasperated complaint, a linguistic remnant from the older generations.  Now let's talk about ziti. If you're familiar with, um, Italian American cuisine, you've probably heard of baked ziti. What you might not know is that ziti comes from a southern Italian dialect word for a type of pasta that was traditionally served at weddings.

In some southern Italian dialect, Zita means bride, and this pasta was associated with a celebratory meal.  Today, ziti is a beloved dish, especially in Italian American communities, keeping it, keeping a bit of Southern Italy alive on American dinner tables.  Okay, so let's talk about language now. What is the importance of dialects in maintaining identity?

For the older generations of Italian Americans, these words are not just linguistic quirks, they're deeply tied to identity and memory. Many elderly Italian immigrants and their descendants may not be fluent in standard Italian, but they still carry the rhythm and expressions of the dialects they grew up with.

These words, spoken in family kitchens, at holiday gatherings, or even just in passing conversation,  help keep their cultural heritage alive.  But there's also a sense of loss. As the older generations pass on, many of these dialect words risk disappearing. Younger generations might understand a few phrases here and there, but the full richness of these dialects often gets lost in the process of assimilation.

For many Italian Americans, there's a frustration in knowing that a piece of their cultural identity is fading, despite efforts to hold on to it.  Okay, let's talk about Northern Italian dialects in the United States because we've been talking only about Southern Italian dialects while Southern Italian dialects dominate in Italian American communities.

There are also smaller pockets of Northern Italian dialects speakers, especially among older immigrants who arrived from regions like Veneto, Lombardy and Piedmont. Northern Italian dialects are quite different from their southern counterparts and they carry a distinct set of words and expressions that have also survived among elderly Italian immigrants in America.

Let's explore a few of these, uh, words, a few of these examples, right?  Okay, our next word would be ciacola. In the Venetian dialect, ciacola means to chat or to gossip. It's a casual word used in everyday conversation and among older Italian Americans from northern Italy. It might still be used to describe a friendly, informal talk.

This word Uh, the lesser known compared to Southern Italian, uh, expressions carries the warmth of community and, and a small talk that was so central to life in the Venetian region.  Okay, here's another expression, Gheze.  This is a phrase in Venetian dialect that translates to there is or there are. It's a staple of everyday speech in Veneto, and for older Venetian immigrants, it might slip into conversation, even when they're speaking English.

For example, you might hear someone say, 'cause I no food left, as a playful mix of English and their native dialect.  Next one, barlafus. In the Lombard dialect, barlafus is a  somewhat humorous term for a useless person or someone who doesn't know how to get things done properly. It's still, it's still heard in some Northern Italian American households, especially when referring to someone who is flumbing through a task. 

Tacabanda in the Piedmontese dialect. Now this phrase means hang in there or stay strong. For older Piedmontese immigrants, this expression might be used to encourage younger family members or offer support in tough times, keeping a part of their dialect and cultural wisdom alive.  Okay, so why do these words matter? 

Well, the fact that these dialect words have survived for so long, despite the pressures of assimilation, the passage of time, and the dominance of English, it's a testament to the resilience of cultural heritage. For many Italian Americans, these words are more than just relics of the past. They are living connections to their, to their ancestors and a way as a way to keep a part of Italy alive in the United States.

However, there's a growing urgency to preserve these linguistic traces before they disappear entirely. As the elderly generations pass on, there's a real risk that the rich diversity of Italian dialects spoken in America will fade into memory. That's why language preservation efforts, whether through storytelling, family traditions, or even language courses, Are so crucial  as we wrap up this second part of today's episode It is clear that the words from southern and northern italian dialects That have persisted in italian american communities are more than just quirky slang or family phrases They are living pieces of heritage They remind us of the journey  Our ancestors took the sacrifices they made and the identities That they carried, uh when first when they first migrated You  Okay, so now we are going to discuss our third part of this, uh, episode, um, so welcome back and let's deep dive into this fascinating topic. 

So we were discussing, um, Italian American identity, cultural heritage, and the powerful role language plays in shaping that connection. So in the first part of this episode, we explored The personal journeys, many Italian Americans, uh, take to uncover the roots. And in part two, we discussed the survival of Italian dialect, particularly in New Jersey and among elderly immigrants.

Now we're going to extend this conversation and tackle an important question. Why do Italian Americans feel so deeply connected to Italy? Even generations after their ancestors.  Uh, ancestors first immigrated. Is this connection legitimate or is it just a cultural fad? Uh, some Italians in Italy might claim, well, let's break it down. 

So Italian Americans, a legacy of continuity, not just a single link to the past. This could be a good, um, title for. This third part of, uh, of this episode. So let's start with the common, uh, perception that some, that some Italians in Italy have about Italian Americans,  that they only call themselves Italian because a distant ancestor once came from Italy.

There's an assumption, particularly in modern Italy, that Italian Americans are clinging to a romanticized version of their heritage. Something more akin to a cultural trend. Than a deep rooted identity, but the reality is far more complex and far more personal Yes, there are certainly many italian americans who have only one Or two ancestors who immigrated from italy in the in the early 20th century But to dismiss their attachment to italy as shallow is to misunderstand the profound ways in which cultural heritage is passed down in immigrant families Italian americans are not just nostalgically reminiscing about a country their great grandparents left a century ago.

For many, their ties to Italy are deeply personal, direct, and continuous.  So here's the frustration. Many Italians in Italy mock or dismiss Italian Americans as being too Amer Americanized or even fake Italians. They joke about how Italian Americans don't speak proper Italian, how their traditions are outdated, or how their understanding of Italy is warped by movies, food, or popular culture.

But this dismissive attitude overlooks something important, the generational depth of Italian American communities and the continued presence of first generation italians in america.  So let's talk about first generation italians. That's a living, uh, which is a living legacy of italian culture. So contrary to the assumption that all italian americans are several generations removed from italy, many in the united states today are first generation or second generation americans, whose parents, grandparents, uh, And even entire extended families immigrated much more recently.

These Italian immigrants brought with them their, their language, their customs and traditions and established businesses, communities, and even religious institutions that continue to thrive today. For example, in places like New Jersey, New York, and Chicago, there are neighborhoods where Italian is still spoken at home, in restaurants, and in family run shops.

These families have only been in America for a generation or two, and they actively preserve Italian customs, festivals, and language, not as a distant memory, but as a part of everyday life. Many Italian American children grew up with those You know, close ties to their relatives in Italy, visiting their ancestral towns regularly, and maintaining a living connection to their heritage. 

Now the business legacy. So Italian culture is a foundation for success.  One of the most concrete examples of how Italian culture is alive and well in America is the success of Italian American businesses. Across the US, you'll find Italian restaurants, bakeries, uh, important businesses that have been passed down through generations.

These establishments aren't just about selling food. They are hubs of cultural heritage where Italian American families gather, share stories and celebrate their roots. Take the example of a family owned pizzeria in New Jersey that has been operating since the 1950s. The family that runs it now is. It's, uh, I think it's third generation, uh, of ownership.

The grandfather who started the business came from Naples, bringing with him his family's recipes, the Neapolitan dialect and an unwavering commitment to traditional Italian cooking. Today, the grandchildren still run the business, speaking Italian at home, visiting Naples regularly. And even sourcing some ingredients directly from Italy.

This is not a case of someone holding onto a distant memory. This is a family that lives its Italian heritage every day.  So, uh,  let's also keep in mind the emotional attachment, uh, to Italy. So the cultural heritage, which is a cultural heritage, not just a trend. For many Italian Americans, the connection to Italy is not something that fades with time.

It actually deepens with each generation. How? Well, because the stories, the food, the language, and the values are passed down from parents to children. And even if the ties are several generations old, they remain central to family identity. Italian Americans don't just see Italy as a distant land, they see it as an essential part of who they are, woven into the fabric of their daily lives.

It is also important to recognize that the attachment to Italy goes beyond surface level markers, like food and festivals, Many Italian Americans are genuinely invested in preserving their linguistic and cultural heritage. Italian Americans organizations across the country work to teach younger generations, the Italian language, celebrate traditional holidays like  Ferragosto or La Befana and encourage travel or traveling to Italy to reconnect with family members.

This is not a casual or trendy interest. This is a cultural preservation, which I hope you can see.  Why Italians in Italy are wrong to mock or dismiss Italian Americans. Well,  Uh, so yeah. Why do Italians in Italy sometimes dismiss Italian Americans? It's worth considering that part of the issue may be rooted in misunderstanding or even, I don't know, envy perhaps, or just history.

Italy has changed dramatically in the last century, and the country today is very different from the one that many Italian immigrants left behind while Italians in Italy have had. To grapple with the realities of modern economic and social changes, Italian Americans often idealize the old Italy, the old country, preserving customs that have faded in their homeland. 

So, for Italians in Italy, it might be frustrating to see Italian Americans hold on to traditions that seem out of step with contemporary life in Italy. Well, after all, Italy today is much more cosmopolitan and globalized than it was a century ago. Uh, but this is where the disconnect happens. Italian Americans are not.

Trying to live in a time warp. They are preserving the Italy that their ancestors carried with them. The Italy that helped shape who they are today.  So, Italian Americans are also deeply respectful of their heritage. They don't see their attachment to Italy as a gimmick or a fad. They see it as a way of honoring the sacrifices their ancestors made when they left their homeland.

They celebrate Italian holidays, speak the dialects of their grandparents, And sometimes they do so very well, actually, you know, not just, you know, uh, the, uh, the angle, the Anglo version of those dialects, but you know, they'd really do speak those dialects really well and cook recipes that have been handed down through generations, not as a way of pretending to be something they're not, but as a way of keeping alive the values, culture, and identity that shaped. 

What Italians in Italy often don't realize is that, for many Italian Americans, the journey back to Italy is one of the most emotional and profound experiences of their lives. When they return to the villages their ancestors left behind, they often find relatives they never knew existed, uncover hidden family histories, and reconnect.

With a homeland that may feel foreign, but yet familiar. This is about playing dress up. It's about, it's not about playing dress up. It's about seeking something real and meaningful.  So, yeah, so what's the takeaway? Italian Americans are not clinging to a superficial version of their heritage. For many, especially first and second generation immigrants, the connection to Italy is still strong, living, and deeply personal.

They may speak dialects instead of standard Italian. They may celebrate traditions that have evolved over time. But they are no less Italian because of it. So instead of mocking and dismissing Italian Americans, Italians in Italy should understand and appreciate the ways in which these communities have kept their cultural heritage alive.

While Italy has modernized and globalized or has been modernized and globalized, Italian Americans continue to preserve an important part of Italian identity. Maybe it's an identity rooted in the family, tradition, language, and shared history. Maybe it's not the kind of, uh, modern, uh, Italy that people in Italy live nowadays, but it's still valid, right? 

Anyways, uh, that's the heart of the matter, the attachment Italian Americans feel to their cultural heritage. Is real deep, uh, it's really deep, it's legitimate, it's not just a trend and it's not a myth, it's a legacy of, uh, love, sacrifice and continuity passed down through generations and I, I believe that it deserves respect. 

So, right, anyway,  let's, uh, talk a little bit now about the, um, the history of, uh, the waves of, uh, Migrations, uh, from Italy to the United States. So let's, let's talk a little bit about that. So the history of Italian migration to the United States, uh, let's, uh, look at the, a detailed examination of the most.

Significant waves. Okay. Italian migration to the U S is one of the most well documented and culturally impactful immigration stories in American history from the late 19th century to the mid 20th century, millions. So, you know, literally millions of Italians left their homeland to seek better opportunities in America.

And that's a reality that a lot of Italians in Italy should embrace. These waves of migration, these waves of migration were driven by a complex web of social, political, and economic factors in Italy and shaped by regional diversity within the country.  So I will explore the causes and patterns of Italian migration to the US.

Detailing when these migrations took place, the regions of Italy from which people migrated, uh, the areas in America where they settled, the jobs they performed, the dialects they spoke, and the interactions between different waves of Italian migrants, right? So keep in mind that this is just a little summary.

It might not be 100 percent accurate. But I'm going to give it a go.  So, what's the overview of Italian migrations to the United States? So, major periods of migration. Italian migration to the U. S. occurred primarily in two significant waves. So, the first wave, uh, was from the, from 1880. To 1914, this was the largest and most influential wave of Italian immigration.

So approximately 4 million Italians migrated to the U S during this period, during this period, primarily from Southern Italy. Um, so including Sicily, right? There was another wave, the second wave. So from 1945 to 1970,  uh, more or less. So after World War II, another large wave of Italians. Uh, those smaller than the first one sought new opportunities in the United States.

This group came from various parts of Italy, but again, the South was heavily represented. Each wave was characterized by different motivations, social contexts, and regional origins reflecting the diversity of Italy itself. Because Italy, it's a really, really diverse country,  uh, in and out of itself. You can see all the different regions are really distinct.

So by examining these factors closely, we can better understand why Italian migration has such a lasting impact on, on the social fabric of, um, of contemporary America, I would say. Now, causes of Italian migration to the United States. So to comprehend why Italians migrated in such large numbers, because we're talking about millions of people, it's essential to understand the conditions in Italy during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Italy, newly unified as a nation in 1861, was still a patchwork of economically politically and socially divided regions. The reasons for migration can be broken down into several key factors. Well, first of all, obviously economic hardship. So Italy was a largely agrarian society at the time of the unification.

And economic opportunities were scarce, particularly in the south. The regions of southern Italy, including Calabria, Campania and Sicily, were marked by extreme poverty, high unemployment and limited land ownership. After unification, the Italian government heavily taxed the south, exacerbating an already difficult situation.

So many peasants, unable to make a living off the We're forced to leave in search of better opportunities. This is pretty much, uh, the same situation. A lot of other, uh, immigrant groups face nowadays,  uh, not only the case of Mexicans to the U S for example.  But I mean, I think it's pretty much everywhere the same.

Okay. Agrarian crisis. That's another one. The agrarian crisis of the 1880s was a significant, significant factor in pushing Italians to migrate a combination of natural disasters. such as droughts and soil depletion, the introduction of foreign, uh, competition, particularly American grain and poor infrastructure in Southern Italy left many farmers destitute.

The collapse of traditional agricultural systems led to the widespread rural poverty.  So there you go. There was also an agrarian crisis. And now just to complete the whole picture, there was a political instability, there was political instability and social discontent. In the years following unification, Italy's struggle with political instability, particularly in the South, the Italian government dominated by Northern elites failed to address the concerns of Southern Italians leading to resentment and unrest.

Organized crime, including the rise of the mafia in Sicily, added to the lawlessness. and insecurity further prompting people to leave.  There you go. So political instability and social discontent, all of these things are intertwined somehow. So economic hardship, political instability, uh, agrarian crisis, all of these things are connected. 

Uh, and then there was another, uh, factor. The fourth factor was population growth and lack of opportunities. The population of Italy grew significantly in the second half of the 19th century, further straining limited resources. Now, the industrial revolution that had transformed Northern Europe and America largely bypassed Italy, meaning that job opportunities outside of agriculture were rare.

Overcrowded cities and limited prospects for advancement  pushed many Italians to look for opportunities abroad. So, you know, uh, the United States became a pretty, uh,  a pretty good destination, I would say. So  That's where, you know, that's one of the reasons why they left. So here's four of those causes,  uh, economic hardship, agrarian crisis, political instability, and social discontent and population growth and lack of opportunities. 

Now let's talk about the regional origins. of Italian migrants. So Southern Italy and Sicily, as we mentioned before, uh, was, uh, one of the major places where, uh, Italian immigrants, uh, came from. So the vast majority of Italian immigrants to the U S during the first wave of the pandemic. came from Southern Italy and Sicily.

Regions such as Calabria, Campania, Naples, Apulia, and Sicily were particularly well represented. These areas had been left behind economically during the industrialization of Northern Italy and their inhabitants often lived in extreme poverty. Additionally, the harsh climate and underdeveloped infrastructure of Southern Italy made agriculture still the backbone of the Southern economy.

Difficult and inefficient, so it's just like the situation was so hard that not even living off agriculture was possible, you know,  key characteristics of this, uh, of these people, well, of these regions. So Calabria, Campania, Naples, Apulia, Basilicata and Sicily. What were the push factors? Well, poverty, lack of land, high taxes, political instability, agrarian crisis, and overpopulation.

Uh, and what were the dialects they spoke? Well, southern dialects such as Sicilian, Neapolitan, Calabrian, which were often mutually unintelligible with northern Italian dialects.  There you go. So that's an interesting point. A lot of the Italians that migrated from different regions did not, did not speak, uh, dialects,  uh, that were mutually intelligible, which meant that even though they came from the same country, let's put it that way, they did not understand each other.

So that's why regions were so important in their identity. Rather than the identity of the, of the newly formed country, let's, let's say, let's put it that way. Okay, Northern and Central Italy. While the vast majority of Italian immigrants during the first wave came from the South, some migrants also originated from Northern and Central Italy.

Although they were in the minority, In the early phases of Italian migration, so before the 1880, there were more migrants from northern regions like Piedmont, Liguria, and Veneto. However, northern Italians were generally better off than their southern counterparts, and after the early phases of migration, were less represented in later waves. 

Also, there was less discrimination towards Northern Italians than Southern Italians in the U. S. Which is something that people don't usually talk about, but I think it's, um, it's worth mentioning. And,  yeah, and, and,  probably racial profiling was one of the reasons they were less discriminated. But more on to that later, okay so  Let's talk about patterns of settlements in the u.

s. So where basically where did they settle once they hit the u. s? So the the heart the urban hubs  Mostly, so I would say in New York and New Jersey and and beyond so the majority of Italian immigrants settled in large urban centers particularly in the northeastern regions Uh, parts of the United States like, uh, New York City became the most significant hub for Italian migrants with Italian speaking communities forming in areas like Little Italy in Manhattan and the Bronx.

Other urban centers such as Newark, New Jersey, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and Boston are Massachusetts also attracted large Italian populations.  Now let's talk about jobs and economic contributions. Italian immigrants in the, in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, primarily worked in labor intensive law skilled jobs.

So a lot of them, uh, had no education. Basically they worked in agriculture back in the old country. So when they naturally, when they landed in the U S they. Tended to, uh, to work in labor intensive and low skill jobs, right? Many came from rural farming communities and had little formal education. So they took whatever work was available in American cities, right?

Construction was one of the main ones. Italian immigrants played a significant role in the construction of, uh, American's urban infrastructure. Many worked as laborers on, uh, railroads, bridges, tunnels, and roads. Italians were also. Instrumental in building iconic structures like the Brooklyn Bridge.  Uh, another, uh, there  was another, um, what do you call it?

Another, uh, field where they worked, which was a factory work. So many Italians found employment in the growing American manufacturing sector. They worked in factories, producing textiles, garments, shoes, and other goods. These jobs were often grueling and paid poorly. But they provided steady work for Italian immigrant families. 

Now, they also owned small businesses. Over time, some Italian migrants were able to save enough money to open small businesses, such as grocery stores, uh, pizza places, pizza parlors, uh, bakeries, etc. These businesses became important hubs of Italian American communities, offering familiar foods. And goods from Italy and providing a social space for Italian immigrants to gather. 

Uh, another field agriculture. So although most Italian immigrants settled in urban areas, some went to rural areas in the Midwest and California, where they, where they worked as farm laborers or established their own farms. In California, Italians played a significant role in the development of the wine industry. 

Now language and dialects. So communication and division. Uh, so what languages did they speak or what dialects did they speak? One of the most, uh, interesting aspects of Italian migration is the linguistic diversity among immigrants. Italy, even after the, after unification, was a nation of many languages.

Standard Italian, based on the Tuscan dialect, was not widely spoken outside of educated circles, particularly in the South, right? So, most of the people spoke, uh, Southern, uh, dialects. So the majority of Italian immigrants spoke regional dialects from Southern Italy, including Sicilian. Neapolitan and Calabrian.

These dialects were often mutually and intelligible with each other,  uh, with each other and, uh, and with the standard Italian. So which, that  created a communication barrier, even within Italian American communities. This is something that I, uh, I hinted at this thing before, just a few minutes ago, saying that.

Although people think of Italy as just one big place where everybody spoke the same language, this was not at all the case. When, uh, when, uh, when the immigration started coming from different waves to the U. S., they started, they spoke their dialects, uh, regional dialects. And if you've been to Italy,  uh, you will see that from one place, Uh, maybe, I don't know, 20 miles away from a different place, they speak a complete different dialect.

So, it's incredibly diverse, linguistically speaking, and, and so, I mean, it's obvious that  all these communities, once they were settled in America, they, they, they thought of each other as being different, you know?  And, this is something to keep in mind also, in regards to how identity hits, you know,  Uh, identity hits hard when, when, when you're talking about dialects and language.

So if I cannot communicate with my neighbor in a mutual language, how much of a, I don't know, of a, how, how can I relate to this person? How can I think of this person as being from the same place I am from? How does identity? How can identity be shaped in a place where everybody speaks a different, a different dialect, right?

It's just, uh, it, that's crazy. The standard Italian they speak, uh, in Italy nowadays have absolutely nothing to do with all this. You know, it derives from the Tuscan dialect that was spoken, uh, back in the day. And, and not many people spoke that, spoke Italian, right? Spoke standard Italian.  If you've been to the South, With, uh, of Italy you will see that a lot of people still use, uh, the dialect, still use the dialect and, um, now it's seen as a  less favorable trend or trait, um, if you come from a rural area you will be likely to speak dialect and not the language, not Italian, not standard Italian, so, uh, a lot of people will think of you if you only speak dialect as someone who's poorly educated, basically, that's how it is nowadays. 

Anyways, so dialects spoken by Italian migrants, uh, we talked about southern dialects. For example, Sicilian, Neapolitan, and Calabrian.  Uh, we also, uh, talked about northern dialects such as Venetian, Lombard, and, uh,  Ligurian, right?  Now, uh, mutual intelligibility and cultural divisions. So, as I said before, because of the Wide variety of dialects spoken.

Italian immigrants from different regions often had difficulty communicating with each other. Southern Italians in particular felt isolated, not only from their American neighbors, but also from Northern Italians who they sometimes viewed as condescending or elitist. These linguistic and cultural divisions were reflected in the fragmented nature of Italian American communities, which often organized themselves around regional identities.

In cities like New York and Chicago, Sicilian, Neapolitan, and Calabrian immigrants form separate enclaves. Each with its own social networks, businesses, and cultural organizations, right? So the division that you can see sometimes in Italy nowadays from, you know, in the north of Italy and the south of Italy was also division that was transported somehow.

Uh, to the U. S. once they settle there. So, that's, that's an interesting thing.  Anyway, now let's talk about relations between older and newer Italian migrants. So, the old Italians versus the new Italians. So, that's a strained relationship. As with many immigrant communities, tensions often  arose between earlier Italian immigrants.

So, the old Italians, right? And those arriving in subsequent waves. Which were the new Italians, right? These tensions were driven by differences in regional origin, obviously socioeconomic status. Well, those who came later had obviously less money and, and, and, and we're not really acquainted with. American culture.

So the language, that was a big one. Also, they obviously didn't speak English. And so, you know, they weren't regarded as, as lower in the hierarchy, I would say, and experiences of assimilation in the United States, right? So they had not had, you know, The experience, uh, enough experience to assimilate in the country yet.

So in the case of Italian migration, these differences were particularly pronounced because Italy itself was not yet fully United in terms of national identity at the time of these migrations.  Okay. Regional divisions. One of the most significant sources of tension between earlier and later Italian immigrants was their regional origins.

Many of the first Italian immigrants to the U S. So those arriving before 18, 1880 were from Northern and Central Italy. These old Italians often saw themselves as culturally and economically superior to the new Italians who were primarily from Southern Italy, um, comprising Sicily, et cetera. The Southerners were often viewed by the Northern compatriots as.

backward, uneducated, and culturally distinct.  So there was, there was northern prejudice against southerns, southern, southerns. So the stereotype of southern italians as lazy or uncivilized was unfortunately prevalent among northern italians both in italy and in the united states. So this division was rooted in In historical differences between the North and the South of Italy, with the North having been more industrialized and integrated into the broader European economy, while the South remained largely rural, poor, and, uh, reliant on agriculture, right? 

There was a fragmentation of Italian American communities. As I said before, in American cities, these divisions led to fragmented Italian American communities. with distinct neighborhoods for Northern and Southern Italians. In some cases, immigrants from different parts of Italy even formed separate mutual aid societies, fraternal organizations, and social clubs based on regional identity. 

So assimilation and class differences. Earlier Italian immigrants, particularly those from Northern Italy, had often experienced a higher level of economic success and social integration in the U S by, by the time the larger wave of the Southern Italians arrived. So these old Italians, let's say, had established businesses, social networks, and even political influence in cities like New York, Philadelphia, and Chicago.

Many had arrived. Or, sorry, many had achieved a degree of upward mobility and had begun to identify more closely with their American identity rather than with their Italian roots.  So the newer Southern Italian immigrants arriving in large numbers during the late 19th and early 20th centuries were often seen as competition by the more established Italian American communities.

They were willing to work for lower wages, which undercut the labor market for earlier Italian migrants who had already established themselves in industries like construction and manufacturing.  So there was also a cultural disconnect. Many older Italian immigrants felt a sense of cultural superiority, superiority over their new arrivals.

So believing that they had worked hard to assimilate into American society. Learn English and improve their social standing. In contrast, the newer immigrants, particularly those from rural areas, often struggled with the language barrier and clung more closely to traditional Italian customs, which the earlier migrants had gradually abandoned in favor of assimilation. 

There were political and social tensions, right? The, these differences often spilled over into the political and social spheres.  So, uh, in some cities, earlier Italian immigrants who had, by this point, gained political clout and influence in local governments were wary of the newer immigrants. They feared that the sheer number of Southern Italian migrants would damage their reputation and undo the work they had done to gain respect in American society. 

Obviously, there was stereotypes and prejudice, so unfortunately, Southern Italians were not We're frequently stereotyped as criminals or mafiosi due to the rise of organized crime in Southern Italy and its export to the United States through immigrant networks. This only further exacerbated tensions between different waves of Italian immigrants as many Northern and Central Italian Americans.

Sought to distance themselves from this negative associations.  Now, what was the role of Italian American identity in bridging the divide? Over time, despite the initial tensions, Italian Americans began to forge a more unified identity. This process was driven by several factors, including shared experiences of discrimination, labor struggles, and the eventual success of Italian Americans in various fields, from business to pension.

Politics to arts, et cetera. So yes, there was, it was a shared experiences of discrimination. One of the key unifying factors for Italy, for Italian immigrants, regardless of the regional origin was the shared experience of discrimination in the US. I think they were not even considered white as in. White, not just, uh, okay, what white means  is not the color of the skin  only, but basically, uh, how they tell apart people  or how they used to tell apart people or migrants, uh, to the U.

S. from Europe. So you'd say people from, uh, northern European stock were usually regarded as white. So we're talking about Irish or  probably not Irish, but maybe English in general, Germans and so on, uh, Scandinavians and so on, but, but not Italians, right? So there was for a time a sentiment of,  of distance between, you know, the others, right?

Other Europeans, the way where they were, uh, the way they were welcomed.  So, yeah, that's pretty bad. That's, that's just pretty bad. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Italian immigrants were often the target of, uh,  Uh, nativist sentiment and faced significant hostility from the broader American public.

They were frequently stereotyped as uneducated, dirty, and prone to criminality, and were considered racially other, right, by the predominantly Anglo Saxon population of the, of the time.  There was labor exploitation, right? So Italian immigrants, whether from the North or the South, were often exploited by American employers.

And often also exploited by  fellow Italians who migrated before. So that's pretty bad.  So everybody viewed them, viewed the newcomers as a cheap source of labor. So many Italian immigrants worked in dangerous. Low paying jobs, such as construction, mining, and factory work. These shared struggles somehow helped to foster a sense of solidarity among Italian Americans, regardless of their regional background. 

So there was some community building, let's say Italian immigrants established mutual aid societies and fraternal organizations to support one another in times of need, uh, take into account that all of these good changes, um,  Started happening with time it just did they just did all of these things that didn't didn't just happen as they migrated but they all of these changes happen with with time and and and you know on sheer sacrifice from all these migrants  these Organizations such as the sons of Italy founded in 1905 played a crucial role in helping Italian immigrants Navigate life in the United States and provided a space for For Italians from different regions to come together. 

And then there was the rise of Italian American political and social influence. As Italian Americans began to achieve success in various, in various sectors of American society, they started to gain political influence, right? Italian American. Politicians like Fiorello La Guardia, who served as the mayor of New York City from 1934 to 1945, helped improve the reputation of Italian Americans and demonstrated that they could be successful, respected members of American society. 

So there was cultural integration after that. Over time, Italian Americans began to integrate more fully into American culture while still maintaining their Italian heritage. Festivals like the Feast of San Gennaro in New York City became important cultural events that allowed Italian Americans to celebrate their heritage while also demonstrating their pride in their new home. 

And then after that, we had World War II and the Americanization of Italians, right? The experience of World War, World War II was particularly transformative for Italian Americans, many Italian Americans served in the U S military. And their contributions helped to break down some of the barriers that had previously separated them from the broader American society.

After the war, Italian Americans increasingly saw themselves as fully integrated members of American society, though their connection to their Italian roots remained strong. And so there's this contradiction between helping the U. S., right?  Uh, in, in World War II and identifying themselves as, as Italian, right?

A lot of Italians nowadays, Italians from Italy, do not like the fact that those who call themselves Italian or, or Italian Americans did in fact help Italy. Americans during the war, right? So not, not cool. That's what they would say, right? Now the enduring legacy of italian migration to the united states italian american identity today So let's talk a little bit about that part.

What is it today? Uh, what is it like today to be italian american? So this community is one of the largest ethnic groups in the united states, uh with an estimated 17 million People of Italian descent. That's a lot of people. I think Brazil is one of the countries with the United States  that hosts the largest, uh, population of, uh, descendants, uh, from, from Italy.

Which is crazy. 17 million people. While the vast majority of Italian Americans are now several generations removed from their, from the original immigrants, the Italian American community continues to celebrate its heritage through language, food, festivals, and cultural organizations. So Italian Americans have left an, um, a mark on American culture, from the iconic cuisine of Italian American dishes like pizza and pasta, to the influence of Italian immigrants in industries like construction, fashion, and entertainment. 

While the use of Italian dialects has diminished over time, particularly among younger generations,  Uh, which you can see a lot of younger people, a lot of the young people do not speak any of those dialects and probably just know how to mumble a few words or phrases. Some of, some of them probably, probably take an interest and, and, and learn, uh, Uh, and, and strive or try to learn the dialect, but most of the people just really forget about it altogether.

Okay, there are still pockets of Italian American communities where dialects like Sicilian, Neapolitan, and Calabrian are spoken, particularly by older immigrants. So efforts to preserve the Italian language and culture continue through organizations like the National Italian American Foundation, um, and Italian language schools in major cities. 

Uh,  there you go. Now a conclusion. What's a conclusion for all of this? This is a story of resilience and nudity, you know, the history of Italian migration to the US is a history, sorry, is a story of hardship, uh, but then eventual success. And I think it's been the case, uh, for most of, uh,  most of the ways of Italian migrations across the world.

I would say Argentina, Brazil, some other places in South America. And, um.  Uh, also Canada and, uh, Australia and some other, uh, and even countries such as England. They host huge, uh, Italian communities. So,  and, and it's been pretty much the same thing, you know, they faced hardship, they had resilience and eventual success, which is pretty cool.

So despite the initial tensions between different waves of migrations and, and all that Italian Americans ultimately forged a unified identity that allowed them to thrive In their new homeland. Now the cultural, social, and economic contributions of Italian immigrants have had a lasting impact on American society and their legacy continues to be celebrated today.

So you can also see it in Hollywood movies. You could say, you can see it everywhere, right? So there's a huge marked. Italian, uh, culture, let's say, uh, in the U S today,  Italian migration to the U S was not just about individuals seeking better economic opportunities. It was about families, communities, and an enduring connection to a homeland that shaped their values, traditions, and identity.

So despite the challenges they faced, Italian migrants, they, um, they persevered and their story remains one of the most powerful examples of the, of the immigrant experiences in America. Yeah. Anyway, guys, thank you very much for listening to me. Uh, if you liked this episode, please just subscribe to my podcast.

It can be, um, uh, Spotify or Apple podcast, whatever you like, whatever you prefer. So just, uh, just subscribe and, uh, listen to me, listen to the work that I do. And I really hope to have you listening to my next episodes next time. So,  yeah,  just to. Just to close the loop, I would say that Italian migrations or Italian, the Italian waves of migrations in the U.S. particularly is a story that tells everything that I like about social linguistics because it explains how  Languages, people, dialects, and all of these things. There's this clash of cultures with a new reality. 

Uh, often, you know, facing hardship and, and, and hard work and,  and, uh, and striving to, uh, To, to do better, you know, and, and these people have been able to overcome all these obstacles and to get ahead in life and, and, and do what they've done, you know, they, they totally put a huge cultural print on modern society in the U.S. and I think it's beautiful. So, yeah, pretty cool stuff. Anyway guys, uh, hope to, hope to see you soon, so, you're awesome, and please subscribe, bye bye.