Monday, 19 November 2012
Behind the Turkey: The Story of Thanksgiving
This is for Advanced students, but if NB2 want to have a look at it it's fine. First, there is some history so we can know a bit more about such an important day for the Americans. Just click here to both listen and read. Then you could try out('test in order to find out what it is like') this quiz
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Thanks a lot for the information teach! It's fascinating how this celebration not only has continued but has been adapted to the habits of the new inhabitants of the country.
ReplyDeleteOn the other hand I wonder if you do not have fear of been accused of carrying out proselytism of the Yankee imperialism... ;)
As any other kinds of celebrations, this also has been adapted to new circumstances, to a new country. So far so good. Now, if I had been part of the Union army, which was defending the Abolition of slavery, I would have accepted Yankee proudly. Anyway, and as usual, that is a term which began to be used such a long time ago that I quite don't understand why people, above all foreigners, tend to use it so freely without the context in which it was coined.
ReplyDeleteRegarding the proselytical issue, I wouldn't go that far. My only interest is that of showing some cultural aspects of the target language. Haven't you thought about some kind of proselytism on your side by posing such a question? I remember something like that some days ago. A person was utterly bothered, I guess, when commenting about Remembrance Day. According to this person, it had been as a kind of holding the flag of the hideous British Imperialism and so on, so forth. Once again, too far. It was just some reading, some listening...you know, the usual stuff.Nothing more,nothing less.
It's been great discussing it for a while with you. A pity no one else joins in. I hope it'll change in the future.
Hi Roberto,
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry but I just was making fun of the comment about "Remembrance Day". I hope I haven't bothered you, I have had to put an emoticon to let you know that I was joking... ;) Sorry, my fault, quoting to one of my favourites writers: "Please don't shoot the pianist; he is doing his best." (Oscar Wilde)
On the other hand I totally agree with about the cultural aspect of the target language. I think that the culture and history of one country have such an influence on the language that you can't learn it if you are unaware of them.
As usual, is my pleasure discussing for a while with you. I hope soon anyone join us.
See you alligator... ;)
In a while crocodile! =-O No, dear don't worry. It didn't bother me at all:-P
DeleteMaybe I should get used to emoticons. By the way, if no one else has joined in so far, I don't think they'll ever do.I promise I'll try to answer as soon as possible. All the best;-)