2/10/2010 C.E.C. Armenian What if… Completely lost Armenian culture Cultures are constantly...

2/10/20102/10/2010 C.E.C.C.E.C.

ArmenianArmenian

What if…What if… Completely lost Armenian cultureCompletely lost Armenian culture Cultures are constantly changingCultures are constantly changing Culture only exists in our MINDSCulture only exists in our MINDS Can be lost very easilyCan be lost very easily

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Culture isn’t material where you can Culture isn’t material where you can lock it in a safe to keep it from getting lock it in a safe to keep it from getting lostlost

2/10/20102/10/2010 C.E.C.C.E.C.

Mesrop MashdotsMesrop Mashdots

ArmenianArmenian

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Each piece represents a part of cultureEach piece represents a part of culture

Religion

Art

Music

Food

Values Dance

PracticesSocial Behavior

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Armenian language = glue to piece Armenian language = glue to piece culture together.culture together.

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What is gained by What is gained by knowing Armenianknowing Armenian

BilangualismBilangualism JobsJobs

Communicate > one groupCommunicate > one group Retail, transportation, tourism, public Retail, transportation, tourism, public

relations, law, teaching, etc.relations, law, teaching, etc. Cognative skillsCognative skills

Think in languageThink in language More language = More thinkingMore language = More thinking

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What is gained by What is gained by knowing Armenianknowing Armenian

IndividualityIndividuality Seeking individuality after 100% Seeking individuality after 100% assimilationassimilation Identity changeIdentity change

ClothesClothes Tattoos/PiercingsTattoos/Piercings MusicMusic Group of friendsGroup of friends MoveMove

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2/10/20102/10/2010 C.E.C.C.E.C.

Individuality (Dictionary.com) Individuality (Dictionary.com) particular character that particular character that distinguishes one person distinguishes one person from others from others

Last time you told someone, Last time you told someone, “I’M ARMENIAN”“I’M ARMENIAN”

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I am ArmenianI am Armenian Huh!!Huh!! Your what?Your what? Where is that?Where is that? What do you guys speak?What do you guys speak? Can you say something in Can you say something in

Armenian?Armenian? Can you teach me how to Can you teach me how to

say something in say something in Armenian?Armenian?

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2/10/20102/10/2010 C.E.C.C.E.C.

What is gained by What is gained by knowing Armenianknowing Armenian

BilangualismBilangualism IndividualityIndividuality UnityUnity

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““Because I live in America I can Because I live in America I can forget I’m Armenian sometimes, and forget I’m Armenian sometimes, and speaking Armenian speaking Armenian Comforts Comforts me me

– – Nina FrounjianNina Frounjian

““I have more I have more FunFun and feel more and feel more ComfortableComfortable when I’m around when I’m around Armenians – Talene TaraksianArmenians – Talene Taraksian

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What’s lost by knowing/not-What’s lost by knowing/not-knowing Armenianknowing Armenian

Split – Exclusion Split – Exclusion

Big groupBig group Bigger splitBigger split

Group of Armenian speakersGroup of Armenian speakers Group of NON-Armenian SpeakersGroup of NON-Armenian Speakers

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Only ArmenianOnly Armenian DependenceDependence Limited opportunitiesLimited opportunities Limited networkLimited network WorkWork MoneyMoney

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MUST ASSIMILATEMUST ASSIMILATE Only way to benefit from this in Only way to benefit from this in

America is to… America is to… Balance Armenian AND American Balance Armenian AND American

lifelife

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????HOWHOW????