half-armenian

[bombtrack79]

What is the feeling about half-Armenians, Armenians born in the US that are totally americanized, etc? I am interested in this subject because I fall into both categories.

Are there certain stereotypes that people have? Do people care? Does speaking the language make a difference?

[Dan]

I'm half-Armenian. I know the language (read, write, and speak), but most of the time I speak English. Some old fashioned Armenians b*** about me not talking Armenian (and tell me I'm speaking English to 'show off', but I'm not.. my Armenian isn't fluent and I don't feel comfortable speaking it around people who know it better than I do -- I guess I'm a perfectionist lol)... That's the only problem I've had with regards to that.

[TJ]

well if you dont speak it around people that know it better than you do then it will never improve.

[Dan]

Originally posted by TigranJamharian well if you dont speak it around people that know it better than you do then it will never improve.

hmmm.. true.. but -- it depends on who i'm around. some people are very critical in a negative way and others in a positive way. depends on the crowd and the day.

[fstkhnan]

Re: half-armenian

Originally posted by bombtrack79 What is the feeling about half-Armenians, Armenians born in the US that are totally americanized, etc? I am interested in this subject because I fall into both categories.

Are there certain stereotypes that people have? Do people care? Does speaking the language make a difference?

if someone is Armenian BUT born in ths US doesnt mean that he's/she's half Armenian.......but some Armenians try to act Americanized...cuz somehow they think its the cooler way of getting around!!!!

[Dan]

See, yes, I DO have a problem with people who do what fstkhnan mentioned.. And being born in the U.S. doesn't mean that one is half-American. If only ONE of your parents is Armenian, then you're half-Armenian.

[surferarmo]

Re: half-armenian

Originally posted by bombtrack79 What is the feeling about half-Armenians, Armenians born in the US that are totally americanized, etc? I am interested in this subject because I fall into both categories.

Are there certain stereotypes that people have? Do people care? Does speaking the language make a difference?

Knowing a language is merely a requisite characteristic which defines us as human beings. It does not define us as being Armenian. I am half Armenian, geneticall, however, I am probably one of the most spirited Armenians you will ever meet. However, you must realize that I was born here in the states. The states have provided me with my life style, with my privaleges and with my rights. Therefore, I am very passionate about America.

The other half is Italian, in case you were wondering.

[SagGal]

Originally posted by Dan ......being born in the U.S. doesn't mean that one is half-American. If only ONE of your parents is Armenian, then you're half-Armenian.

exactly.
however, some people still consider that if their FATHER is armenian and their MOTHER isn't, that they are armenian. i don't think that's true at all. uhm, this will just bring out another topic. but yea, it depends on the parents' nationality.

[Dan]

some people still consider that if their FATHER is armenian and their MOTHER isn't, that they are armenian. i don't think that's true at all.

SagGal, well, I don't know, I guess it's about people's choice as to which they parent they identify with more closely, but I, for one, am proud of being Armenian AND British. Equally. I don't know if others feel this way, a lot of people think this is impossible, since we all tend to be more or less biased and hence leaning towards one group more than the other.. I don't know -- but for me, every day is about being both Armenian and English.

[SagGal]

Dan, u do know what i meant by that though, right? that some ppl look at the nationality of the FATHER instead of the MOTHER. it's not really with which parent they identify more with, just the idea that the FATHER is the dominant one in the family, makes some ppl think that only his nationality matters and his nationality becomes his children's nationality. completely disagree with that idea, but that's what i meant.