MLG 201 Oral History Project (Fall 2022)

Abstract

Throughout this semester I have learned a great deal about Italian culture and Italian food. For my oral presentation I gathered what I have learned and applied it to my interview. I chose to interview a close family friend named Gelsie, who is a part of the Italian-American community. During my interview I asked many personalized questions that best represented not only Italian culture but Italian cuisine. I asked questions about Gelsie’s Italian heritage as well as questions about family traditions and family recipes. From the knowledge I learned in class about Italian lifestyles and customs, I was able to deduct many elements that are deemed important to many people with an Italian background. Elements such as family,food, and traditions are notably significant, therefore I chose to ask questions involving those such things. It’s important to ask such questions because they give an honest and insightful view into the life of an average Italian-American family today. I went into the interview wanting candid and intuitive answers and I believe I have succeeded in my goal. I gathered a great deal of information from not only my interview but from class as well which have given me a better understanding of Italian culture, food and history.