Sad, but true.
Since I was a teenager, it's been a desire of mine to "be" Italian. It's not as easy as that, though. You don't become Italian like you become a blond or become younger, with a bit of dye here and a nip/tuck there. Indeed, if you’re like me – born in America to two American parents and married to an American living in America – you stand no chance of becoming Italian.
In accordance with Italian nationality law, with no connection to Italy via marriage or parents, I can never be granted Italian citizenship. It’s just one of those “things” I’ll have to live with.
Since I was a teenager, it's been a desire of mine to "be" Italian. It's not as easy as that, though. You don't become Italian like you become a blond or become younger, with a bit of dye here and a nip/tuck there. Indeed, if you’re like me – born in America to two American parents and married to an American living in America – you stand no chance of becoming Italian.
In accordance with Italian nationality law, with no connection to Italy via marriage or parents, I can never be granted Italian citizenship. It’s just one of those “things” I’ll have to live with.
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| Capishe? |
But I can be Italian by association and that’s how I make it work for myself.
I participate in a "Meetup" group (http://www.meetup.com/) in DC for Italian language lovers. There are more than 2,000 group members. On average, about 40 to 50 of us meet regularly at a restaurant in DC where, for two to three hours we hang out, eat and chat – in Italian. It’s wonderful.
Inevitably, each time I attend, there are newcomers. So, some of the questions are the same from week to week: “Why do you choose to speak Italian?” “Do you study Italian somewhere in DC?” “Are you Italian?”
That last question always pains me. I want so much to say, "Yes," but I can't and I’ll never be able to.
So instead, I say I grew up in Brooklyn and I'm Italian in my heart.
Now, if only what came out of my mouth was Italian ….
Seriously, I jest. My language skills are pretty good, but compared to some of the Americans who attend the Meetup, I’m just a beginner.
I participate in a "Meetup" group (http://www.meetup.com/) in DC for Italian language lovers. There are more than 2,000 group members. On average, about 40 to 50 of us meet regularly at a restaurant in DC where, for two to three hours we hang out, eat and chat – in Italian. It’s wonderful.
Inevitably, each time I attend, there are newcomers. So, some of the questions are the same from week to week: “Why do you choose to speak Italian?” “Do you study Italian somewhere in DC?” “Are you Italian?”
That last question always pains me. I want so much to say, "Yes," but I can't and I’ll never be able to.
So instead, I say I grew up in Brooklyn and I'm Italian in my heart.
Now, if only what came out of my mouth was Italian ….
Seriously, I jest. My language skills are pretty good, but compared to some of the Americans who attend the Meetup, I’m just a beginner.
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| Mama mia! I had no idea I spoke Italian so well! |
Picture then, please, my absolute thrill and delight when, about a month ago, I reflected on the fact that the night before I’d been speaking fluent Italian. Bravissimo!
Alas, the feeling only lasted for a moment. I looked around, realized it was morning and I was in bed and that my superior language skills were, literally, a figment of my imagination.
Next time someone at Meetup asks if I’m Italian, I’m simply going to say, “In my dreams.”
Alas, the feeling only lasted for a moment. I looked around, realized it was morning and I was in bed and that my superior language skills were, literally, a figment of my imagination.
Next time someone at Meetup asks if I’m Italian, I’m simply going to say, “In my dreams.”
LOL... Good one. My husband's father was born on the ship as his grandparents migrated to America. I'm not Italian either, but I'm proud to carry the name. :-)
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