Who They Are |
From the Miorita, a traditional pastoral ballad, to the delicious mamaliga, a rural style porridge meal, Moldovan culture is steeped in tradition and agrarian lifestyles; the day begins and ends around family, food, and religion. Homegrown foods and wine from their farms make up their diets most days, and during celebrations, wonderful folk dance and traditional music fill their villages and small towns. While family size was traditionally larger, ranging from five to seven children, it's much smaller today, ranging from one to two children per couple. The major religion practiced is Orthodox Christianity, as influenced by neighboring countries, but there is a growing Jewish population in urban areas. Because of the Orthodox presence, major holidays include Christmas and Easter, and other holidays include the Moldovan Independence Day (August 27th) and Sarbatoarea Limbii Moastre (August 31st), their national language day. Each village celebrates their hram, a celebration of the establishment of their village, on different days depending on their establishment.
English language media has greatly influenced the young people and the "norms" of Moldova, such as in their clothing choices, now predominantly t-shirts, jeans, and sweatshirts, music choices, now introducing rock 'n roll in more urban areas, and t.v. show choices, now a large showing of English language cartoons and shows. A growing number of young adults, after exposure to English language media, aim to study abroad or speak English in their work for international countries, and in young children who pick up American slang from cartoons. English language media and culture are now readily available to the Moldovan peoples via Jurnal TV, the main cable network, and are an increasing motivation to learn and speak English. |
Pictured above: Alla Liubinscaia, a Cal Poly anthropology major from Chisinau, Moldova.
In an email interview, Alla told us about her history with English, her nation's traditions, and culture today.
(WE) Where did you grow up and how long did you live there?
(A) I grew up in the capital of Moldova, Chisinau. I lived there for 12 years and finished grades 1-5.
(WE) What is the Moldovan culture like? Any traditions that you liked or disliked?
(A) I was raised more in a Russian culture (if something like that exists). Moldova was one of the 15 Republics during the Soviet Union. However, authentic Moldovan culture is somewhat of a mix between Russian and Romanian cultures. I absolutely love Moldovan cuisine. Again, it is the mix of Russian and Romanian, as well as European cuisine, but some of my favorite authentic dishes are mamaliga and stuffed cabbage rolls, or how we call them Golubtsi. I despise borsche, which is also part of Russian cuisine. I know Moldovan culture is very rich in folk tradition. Folk dances, literature, and costumes are a big part of Moldovan culture. I absolutely loved folk dances that include 8 girls and 8 guys, and the dance includes them dancing in pairs, then coming to a circle and dancing in a circle together. Moldova is the greatest producer of wine; we have many wineries and have one of the best wines in the world. Krikova's wine cellars are the best in my opinion.
(WE) When did you come to the US?
(A) I came to US when I was 12.
(WE) When did you start learning English?
(A) Although I started learning English in 3rd grade and had private lessons, my language was so weak and basic that when I first came to US, it was pretty difficult to adjust. It was also pretty difficult because in Moldova we learn British English.
(WE)What was your first language?
(A) Russian.
(WE) How many languages can you speak?
(A) I can speak 3 languages: Russian, English and Romanian.
(WE) Did you know a lot of people who spoke English back home?
(A) I did not know that many people who spoke English, only my teachers who taught English.
(WE) How did you learn English - in a classroom, online when you moved to the US?
(A) Learning English in Moldova is a combination of classroom lessons, listening to music, and lots of reading. I had great friends that whenever I didn't understand a words, they would explain it to me and help me out. That by itself was a big help because I wasn't discouraged or embarrassed. I felt comfortable making mistakes and learning. Whenever I would read something and come across some new word, I would use it the next day as many times as I could with my friends, probably annoying the hell out of them
(WE) Was it difficult to learn/could you practice with the people around you back home?
(A) It was not difficult to learn once I came to US, but it was pretty difficult to learn it in Moldova because everyone either spoke Russian or Romanian around me. The only way I could learn basic stuff back home was through listening to songs and memorizing the lyrics.
(WE) Did you use English on social media?
(A) Back then, there was no social media in that country. We spent our days playing outside and not many kids had computers or phones back then. I still keep in touch with my friends and I want to say that 70 % of them use English on Instagram or Facebook, although they all still live in Moldova. ( I guess it's a trend now to be cool).
In an email interview, Alla told us about her history with English, her nation's traditions, and culture today.
(WE) Where did you grow up and how long did you live there?
(A) I grew up in the capital of Moldova, Chisinau. I lived there for 12 years and finished grades 1-5.
(WE) What is the Moldovan culture like? Any traditions that you liked or disliked?
(A) I was raised more in a Russian culture (if something like that exists). Moldova was one of the 15 Republics during the Soviet Union. However, authentic Moldovan culture is somewhat of a mix between Russian and Romanian cultures. I absolutely love Moldovan cuisine. Again, it is the mix of Russian and Romanian, as well as European cuisine, but some of my favorite authentic dishes are mamaliga and stuffed cabbage rolls, or how we call them Golubtsi. I despise borsche, which is also part of Russian cuisine. I know Moldovan culture is very rich in folk tradition. Folk dances, literature, and costumes are a big part of Moldovan culture. I absolutely loved folk dances that include 8 girls and 8 guys, and the dance includes them dancing in pairs, then coming to a circle and dancing in a circle together. Moldova is the greatest producer of wine; we have many wineries and have one of the best wines in the world. Krikova's wine cellars are the best in my opinion.
(WE) When did you come to the US?
(A) I came to US when I was 12.
(WE) When did you start learning English?
(A) Although I started learning English in 3rd grade and had private lessons, my language was so weak and basic that when I first came to US, it was pretty difficult to adjust. It was also pretty difficult because in Moldova we learn British English.
(WE)What was your first language?
(A) Russian.
(WE) How many languages can you speak?
(A) I can speak 3 languages: Russian, English and Romanian.
(WE) Did you know a lot of people who spoke English back home?
(A) I did not know that many people who spoke English, only my teachers who taught English.
(WE) How did you learn English - in a classroom, online when you moved to the US?
(A) Learning English in Moldova is a combination of classroom lessons, listening to music, and lots of reading. I had great friends that whenever I didn't understand a words, they would explain it to me and help me out. That by itself was a big help because I wasn't discouraged or embarrassed. I felt comfortable making mistakes and learning. Whenever I would read something and come across some new word, I would use it the next day as many times as I could with my friends, probably annoying the hell out of them
(WE) Was it difficult to learn/could you practice with the people around you back home?
(A) It was not difficult to learn once I came to US, but it was pretty difficult to learn it in Moldova because everyone either spoke Russian or Romanian around me. The only way I could learn basic stuff back home was through listening to songs and memorizing the lyrics.
(WE) Did you use English on social media?
(A) Back then, there was no social media in that country. We spent our days playing outside and not many kids had computers or phones back then. I still keep in touch with my friends and I want to say that 70 % of them use English on Instagram or Facebook, although they all still live in Moldova. ( I guess it's a trend now to be cool).
Meet EvelinaEvelina is a 26 year old Youtube fashion sensation! Originally from Moldova, Evelina grew up speaking Russian and Romanian, and moved to the US to study at an American school. In her video, "My Weird Accent", Evelina talks about her experiences on Youtube and in the US with a "weird accent".
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