Questions from a non-Armenian

[BradWilliam]

Hi, and I apologize for butting in...

I'm writing a novel with some Armenian
characters, and have become utterly fascinated and
obsessed with Armenians and their cultural past as
well as their present situation as a people spread
over many continents, with strong traditions and a
capacity to fit in anywhere and be successful. I have
always believed that people are basically the same,
but as someone without a strong sense of my own family
history or cultural background, I have become
convinced that Armenians have something unique and
profound to offer me as a write and a human being, and
I hope to convey that sense to my readers someday.

I have been doing lots of reading about Armenian
history and culture, and have spent many long lunches
with Father Mesrop of St. Vartan's Church in Oakland,
but I feel like I'm still missing a lot in terms of
what growing up in a Armenian family in North American
is like. So wondered if I could ask some questions:

What are the Armenian family nicknames or endearments
that people in North America might still use? (Like,
to use other examples, nana for grandmother, snuki for
sweetie etc).

How important is the cultural and historical past to
most Armenians living in North America?

Is the Genocide (and whether it is officially
recognized by countries like the USA or not) still
very important to Armenians worldwide? How do they
feel about Turkey as a nation now?

What important aspect of Armenian family life (in
North America or elsewhere) should non-Armenians know
about?

What were your favorite traditional Armenian dishes
growing up? Least favorite?

How might Armenians respond to a comic novel written
by a non-Armenian that deals with Armenian characters?
Are there areas where jokes are not appreciated? (I
mean, apart from the Genocide, obviously, which I plan
to deal with seriously, and which in fact forms a
fairly large part of the novel's backstory.)

Do Armenians identify with any other racial or
national groups around the world?

Do Armenians in North America tend to seek certain
kinds of jobs and avoid others?

Do Armenians in North America pay close attention to
life and politics in Armenia?

Are there certain arts, fields or cultural genres that
Armenians are especially attracted to?

What key words (Armenian or English) do you associate
with being Armenian, and why?

What tempermental, intellectual, or emotional
qualities do you associate with your fellow Armenians?
Are there actions or sayings or attitudes that have
struck you as being "typical" in some sense?

Thanks in advance for any answers, insights or advice
you might be able to give. I hope these questions
don't strike you as impertinent or nosy. I'm still
looking to learn as much as I can.

yours, Brad Buchanan

P.S. I know some of these questions will be partly answered when I look at the other threads (like the one on food), but I thought I'd announce myself first, then start looking around. I don't like to feel like a troll. :)


bradwb2002@yahoo.com

[OMG]

those are broad questions. first try reading some threads on the topics you asked about. you might narrow down your questions that way. if you ask how do you say something specific, you are more likely to get a few specific responses.

you might also try the search function at the top of the page. you can put in a keyword and find some threads about what you are wanting to learn. whatever you write be sure to verify that and have several armenians read for accuracy and consistency. with the language, there is eastern and western armenian. slang and older idioms.

you might even want to post some small parts of the novel here and see if you get feedback? i think people might tell you if you say something that is really wrong. maybe people have other comments.

[karoaper]

Hey Brad. Welcome ma man, I'll gladly answer your questions as long as you name two of the male Armenian character "Polos Mukuch" and "Dodi Vago", the latter being a very popular Armenian name. :D


What are the Armenian family nicknames or endearments
that people in North America might still use? (Like,
to use other examples, nana for grandmother, snuki for
sweetie etc).


You mean terms in English? Well in English they'll be your average terms, like nana or sweetie or baby or whatever. In Armenian, common terms of endearment are: jans (my dear), yars (my love), hamovs (means my tasty), kyanks (means my life), jigyars (lit. my liver).


How important is the cultural and historical past to
most Armenians living in North America?


It's not just important, it's crucial. This cultural link is what allows Armenians from all over the planet find in eachother some sense of self-awareness. We are all bound by common history, legacy and culture, and the knowledge of this makes an Armenian from Lebanon a brother of an Armenian from LA. It is also this link that makes Armenians from countries near and far have a sense of obligation and/or emotional endearment to the country of Armenia, a country they may never have set foot on.


Is the Genocide (and whether it is officially
recognized by countries like the USA or not) still
very important to Armenians worldwide? How do they
feel about Turkey as a nation now?


Obsolutely. The Armenian Genocide was a cataclysmic event that has reshaped the nature of Armenian peoples. Imagine, being driven off your paternal lands, which were your home for thousands of years and in the process loosing more than half of your total population to massacres of the worst kind. As far as Turkey, I can speak only for myself, but it is a cancer masquerading itself as a valid organ, a nation that through the centuries has based its survival on parasitic and downright criminal conduct.

What important aspect of Armenian family life (in
North America or elsewhere) should non-Armenians know
about?

The sanctity of the parent, especially the mother. No, "your mama's so fat" jokes among Armenians, unless one of them wants to die. No self-respecting Armenian will ever think of sending their parent to the rest-home. Rest-homes are an abomination and not part of traditional Armenian family values.

At the same token, parents are not so eager to send their kids out when they turn 18. It's certainly still important for an adult to stand up on their feet and provide for the house, but it is not a shame to live with the parents and the parents in fact like it that way.


What were your favorite traditional Armenian dishes
growing up? Least favorite?

One dish any Armenian is bound to love is the "Khorovats", which is an Armenian barbeque: big chunks of marinaded meat on long steel sticks slow cooking over wood ambers.


How might Armenians respond to a comic novel written
by a non-Armenian that deals with Armenian characters?
Are there areas where jokes are not appreciated? (I
mean, apart from the Genocide, obviously, which I plan
to deal with seriously, and which in fact forms a
fairly large part of the novel's backstory.)

As long as it's original and like you said does not make fun of painful things, I personally won't mind.


Do Armenians identify with any other racial or
national groups around the world?

What do you mean identify? We have amicable feelings towards our historical and even modern geo-political alies: Greeks, Russians, Persians.



Are there certain arts, fields or cultural genres that
Armenians are especially attracted to?

Armenians are historically gifted stone-masons. Whether Armenians build huge cathedrals, like the Zvartnots Cathedral that is an architectural marvel given the time it was built (too bad it is mostly in ruins), or small ornamental khachkars or cross-stones, the work is an unmistakable work of art.

[OMG]

i think karoaper made lots of good points. i would say that you try to learn lots about armenian culture and you'll write better. whatever you write about the genocide, make be certain that you get others feedback for certain.

there are other things that aren't joked about too. if you write something like that and show that you will get a feedback. i think your armenian characters should be good people too. :)

[Davo88]

Karoaper did a fairly good job answering your questions. What kind of Armenian family will this be? Western Armenian (from Lebanon, Syria, Egypt, Iraq, Turkey, etc.) or Eastern Armenian (from Armenia, Iran, Russia...)?

This is important, because it wouldn't seem very authentic if you mix Eastern Armenian names with Western Armenian expressions, etc.

[BradWilliam]

Thank you for your quick and thoughtful replies.

The family I am writing about is Western Armenian, from Turkey, and then they moved to Egypt before emigrating to North America.

I suppose I am also curious about religion, and how important it is for contemporary Armenians. I know this too is a broad question, but is religion more of a cultural, social thing thse days for Armenians around the world, or is there a strong current of faith in young Armenians? I will admit that I am not a religious person myself, so religion is one thing that my Armenian (and non-Armenian characters) tend to joke about.

Having said that, I am trying to frame the plot of the narrative so that ultimately religion is seen as a constructive, unifying force in people's lives. I get the sense that Armenians are very proud of their religious heritage, and so they should be, seeing how much persecution so many of them have suffered (as Christians in parts of the world that were and are hostile to Christianity). I suppose I feel that I come from a generation who cannot quite take religion seriously before poking some fun at it. I just wonder if that is still a particularly sensitive issue for people today.

I plan to take your advice and do more reading online, here and elsewhere, but I find that asking direct, broad questions sometimes elicits the most telling answers.

I also hope to feel confident enough in my work to post some of it here someday. Right now, though, I'm still struggling to make the writing presentable.

[karoaper]

Brad, btw I was kidding about those names.

[BradWilliam]

karaoper: I thought so, but couldn't be sure... :)

[Che_Ka]

As your characters are Western Armenian in origin, I'll add some nicknames more often used by Western Armenians:

Hokees ("my soul") -- the most common, can be used by parent to child, or between lovers, or even friends

Yavreeg (Turkish, not sure what it means in Turkish) -- used as a term of endearment toward young children

---

Also, as your characters lived in Egypt for a couple of generations, they would also use Arabic terms and phrases. You might consider that as well. :)

[dani87]

Yavreeg (Turkish, not sure what it means in Turkish) -- used as a term of endearment toward young children


It's Yavrum in turkish ( this is also used as a term of endearment toward young children;) in turkish) (The turkish word for child is yavru and also çocuk).....:cool:

[Armenian]

jigyars (lit. my liver).

:laugh:

As far as Turkey, I can speak only for myself, but it is a cancer masquerading itself as a valid organ,

:laugh: es mek@ shat lavn er.

No, "your mama's so fat" jokes among Armenians, unless one of them wants to die.

:laugh: Ay, mama jan!

Armenian barbeque: big chunks of marinaded meat on long steel sticks slow cooking over wood ambers.

:laugh: Ay, akhper, khoharar es tarel?

I fully endorse everything Karoaper had stated :cool:

Apres Karo Jan.

[Yedtarts]

"Janig" or “Janigus” is also a term western Armenians use when talking to kids or loved ones. I think it comes from “Jan” which means “Dear”. Janig = little dear, Janigus = my little dear. And most traditional food for all Armenians is the “Harissa” (I love it) Eastern and western Armenians make this. For western Armenians is the "Kebab" for barbeque, and "Lahmajou" is also common and favorite food, let's not forget "Dolma" and "Sarma" very typical western Armenian foods.
And “Basturma” that is the most common thing that is identified as Armenian.

For "Lahmajoun" we jokingly say "Meg@ mener-al lahmajoun m@ oudeyink" :laugh:
Meaning: usually at funerals or after 40 days of someone’s death we serve “Lahmajoun” with “Tan” (a drink made with yogurt), and since Armenians love “Lahmajoun” so much they can’t wait for someone’s death so they can eat “Lahmajoun” served with “Tan” :evil: this we say it jokingly of course

[jgk3]

Patlejan Cheltik is one of the only Armenian dishes I like. It's eggplant, chunky tomato sauce and garlic... I'm not sure if they're all fried together? but yeah, it's supposed served cold afterwards. I prefer it still hot.

I also like babaganoush. Again, eggplants, but in it's mushy form. It's broiled I believe, not sure... You can add whatever the hell you want in it to cook, garlic, chili, onions, peppers, as long as they're similarly diced to oblivion.

I doubt these dishes are exclusively Armenian, but then again, which ones are?

Oh, btw, I never liked Lahmajoun or any Armenian dish that comprises of bread, for the simple fact that I dislike bread.

[Yedtarts]

Correction :o
For "Lahmajoun" we jokingly say "Meg@ merner-al lahmajoun m@ oudeyink"

[Yedtarts]

babaganoush = Babaghanouj or Aboughanouj is not Armenian

There's "Immam Bayeilteh" made with eggplants lots of onions and garlic, you eat it at room temperature, it's very tasty, I know Eastern Armenians make it too because I ate it at Montecristo in Armenia, it was good but not as good as my mother makes. This one too I don't think it's Armenian

"Vospov Kufte" (Kufte with lentils) maybe this one is Armenian :confused:

[Selpak]

And “Basturma” that is the most common thing that is identified as Armenian.


i just ask. why do you think so?

[Janavar]

it was good but not as good as my mother makes


:laugh: :laugh: :laugh:

Brad, this one is an abolute treasure and something every Armenian says about his mother's cooking, even if it's the fanciest and most expensive restaurant there is, it is true that our mothers make it better.

[jgk3]

i just ask. why do you think so?

It's also a typical source for our unique body odeur :P

[karoaper]

:laugh:



:laugh: es mek@ shat lavn er.



:laugh: Ay, mama jan!



:laugh: Ay, akhper, khoharar es tarel?

I fully endorse everything Karoaper had stated :cool:

Apres Karo Jan.

Ehh, en iskakan khorovats utel@ iren hoyakap patchara Hayastan gnalu hamar. Araji ban@ vot mtkis unem arnelu henc vor tun u tegh unenam, mi tas@ hat shampurner en.

Stegh amar@ es krak sirogh antarneri mot durs@ khorovats vochel karas anes.

[ARK]

babaganoush = Babaghanouj or Aboughanouj is not Armenian

There's "Immam Bayeilteh" made with eggplants lots of onions and garlic, you eat it at room temperature, it's very tasty, I know Eastern Armenians make it
i'm eastern armenian but have never heard of it!

"Vospov Kufte" (Kufte with lentils) maybe this one is Armenian :confused

i believe everything with kufte belongs to turks.

ps: nobody mentioned we are very good musicians. we have the Great Aram Khachatrian!

[Crissy]

Agree with ARK, we have some of the greatest musicians. At least one member of any given family has had come musical lessons or art lessons. Very creative people we are :)