Actually, my father’s side of the family is Italian. My paternal grandfather was an immigrant, my paternal grandmother was born here. Grandpa spoke both Italian and English fluently, and he was fluent in English by the time he was in the US for three years, so I’m told. Grandma spoke very little Italian. None of the kids learned Italian (that would be my dad and my aunts and uncles, all of whom were US born.)
I’m a little sad about that: It would have been nice to have learned some Italian at home!
Most immigrant families in the early part of the twentieth century prided themselves on learning English, becoming citizens, and being assimilated into the “melting pot.” It is only in recent years that immigrants have become more insular and do not participate in the dominant culture. Perhaps they fear the loss of their identity. The more recent dominant culture certainly does not make them feel welcome or valued. I can understand those fears. A balance, in my opinion, of inculturation and diversity would be ideal.
On the other side of the family I am of Iroquois descent. Some of the old people on Mom’s side were fluent speakers of Ongegawe–the language of the Seneca. Only one of my grandmother’s second cousins who was a fluent speaker was still alive by the time I was born. My grandparents and my mother, aunts, uncles, and second cousins spoke a little, and transmitted some of that to me.
As half of my ancestors can tell you, we are largely an immigrant nation. Perhaps the idea of a “melting pot” was the wrong intellectual and cultural model. How much richer and more harmonious this nation would have been if we had become a tapestry, each element with its own contribution to the grand design, is a subject for happy and wistful thought for me.
Local Catholic Churches who have a Mass scheduled in the language of the heritage of its parishioners have my support and admiration for keeping the young people’s roots alive and nourished.
I had considered not adding this remark, but I will: If the preservation of ethnic identity disturbs you so much, I will presume that we will NOT see you at the church-sponsored Italian festival, with ALL that wonderful Italian food! That’s YOUR loss!
I’m sure you can go to an English mass at the same parish.
Definitely!!! I’ll be in Italy for a month performing this summer and can’t wait. Funny thing is, we’re having an Italian conductor, Italian orchestra, but a German opera. haha! I’m hoping I can see a couple Italian operas when I’m not rehearsing or performing.