🇮🇹ap italian review
2.2 The Great Divide and Stereotypes
Verified for the 2025 AP Italian exam•Last Updated on June 18, 2024
First, let's start off with the reason why Italy is separated culturally. The North of Italy is largely influenced by central Europe and classic European customs, whereas the South is influenced more by the Middle East, and Mediterranean.
North vs South
- Attitude
- North—stereotype to be more hard-working (laborioso/a), business-oriented, and snobbish
- South—stereotype to be more laid-back (rilassato/a) but lazy (pigro/a)
- Culture
- North—proximity to the Swiss border and Alps, so local dialects are shaped by French and Germanic languages
- South—closer to the Mediterranean, so influenced by warmth, olive trees, and wine...
- Economy
- North—prosperous, industrialized
- South—poor, rural
- Food
- North—focaccia, pesto, bolognese 🍞 🍝
- South—swordfish, cod, cannolis 🐟 🍰
Stereotypes
There are stereotypes that divide the culture of the North and the South, but because Italy is such a powerful country, similar to the United States, there are also larger stereotypes about the entire nation and its people.
- Italian Stereotypes
- All Italians love pizza and pasta and they have them every day
- Italians talk with their hands
- Italians have big families with many children 👨👩👧👦 👨👩👦👦 👨👩👧👧
- American Stereotypes
- All Americans are obese and eat fast food every day
- Americans are patriotic and racist
- Americans only care about work
Sometimes, there is truth to these statements, and there are always people that fit the "typical" description, but both Italy and the United States are extremely diverse, and every region/city/town has distinct, unique characteristics.
Racism/Discrimination
Stereotypes are often just humorous ideas, but sometimes, they can reveal deeper traces of racism, discrimination, and marginalization. In a country like Italy where there is a large number of immigrants with different ideas and beliefs, racism and xenophobia can become widespread.
The problem: People blame immigrants for a loss of security, an increase in crime, and a rise in unemployment...
The plan: Festivals and holidays to celebrate different cultures and protect people, government involvement to arrest racist-violent people, construction of safe spaces, programs to integrate immigrants into Italian society...
Strive for Five Vocab
- Lo scetticismo - skepticism
- Il pregiudizio - prejudice
- Il preconcetto - preconception
- Lo stereotipo - stereotype
- L'atteggiamento - attitude
- Fidarsi - to trust
- I luoghi comuni - common places
- Individuare - to identify
- Il razzismo - racism
- Emarginazione - segregation
- Il divario - gap
- Messa in sicurezza - securing, make safe
- Elevare - to raise, promote
Key Terms to Review (18)
Atteggiamento: Atteggiamento refers to a person's mindset or disposition toward a specific issue, person, or group, influencing how they perceive and interact with the world around them. This term often reflects underlying beliefs and values, shaping attitudes that can lead to both positive and negative perceptions about various social groups. Understanding atteggiamento is crucial in examining how stereotypes form and contribute to the broader dynamics of division within society.
Campanilismo: Campanilismo refers to the strong local loyalty and pride that people feel towards their hometown or region, often leading to a sense of identity that is distinct from the larger national identity. This term highlights the deep connections individuals have with their local culture, traditions, and communities, which can sometimes result in stereotypes about different regions and contribute to societal divides within a country.
Divario: Divario refers to the gap or disparity that exists between different groups, often highlighting differences in socio-economic status, opportunities, or perspectives. This concept is crucial in understanding how inequalities manifest in society, leading to stereotypes and social divisions, particularly in discussions surrounding wealth, education, and access to resources.
Emarginazione: Emarginazione refers to the social and economic exclusion of individuals or groups from mainstream society, often leading to a lack of access to resources, opportunities, and social participation. This concept highlights how certain populations, such as minorities or marginalized communities, can be pushed to the fringes, creating a divide that impacts their quality of life. Understanding emarginazione involves recognizing the various factors that contribute to this exclusion, including systemic discrimination, stereotypes, and socioeconomic disparities.
Elevare: Elevare is an Italian verb meaning 'to elevate' or 'to raise up.' It often refers to the act of lifting something to a higher position, both physically and metaphorically, and can relate to improving status or quality. This term can highlight the contrast between different social classes or cultural groups, illustrating how perceptions of elevation can contribute to stereotypes and societal divides.
Familismo: Familismo is a cultural value that emphasizes the importance of family loyalty, support, and interconnectedness within communities. It highlights the significance of familial relationships in shaping identity and social structures, often prioritizing family needs over individual desires and fostering a strong sense of belonging among family members.
Fidarsi: Fidarsi means to trust or rely on someone or something. This concept highlights the importance of trust in relationships and interactions among individuals and communities, serving as a foundation for social connections and a bridge to understanding cultural differences. It plays a crucial role in shaping perceptions, influencing stereotypes, and ultimately determining how individuals or groups interact with one another.
Individuare: Individuare means to identify or locate something or someone within a specific context. It involves recognizing unique characteristics or qualities that distinguish one entity from another, which can play a crucial role in understanding broader themes such as societal divides and the formation of stereotypes.
Laborioso/a: Laborioso/a refers to something that is laborious, requiring a lot of effort, hard work, or diligence. It highlights the challenges individuals face in their pursuit of success, often emphasizing the stereotypes associated with different groups based on their work ethic and societal roles.
Luoghi comuni: Luoghi comuni, or commonplaces, refer to clichés or widely accepted ideas and beliefs that often lack depth or originality. These expressions are frequently used in conversation and literature, but they can perpetuate stereotypes and oversimplify complex issues, making them relevant in discussions about societal divides and perceptions.
Messa in sicurezza: Messa in sicurezza refers to the process of ensuring safety and security, especially in contexts involving risk management or protection from potential hazards. This concept plays a crucial role in understanding how individuals and communities respond to threats, and it highlights the importance of proactive measures in mitigating risks, particularly concerning societal divides and the stereotypes that can arise from them.
Pigro/a: Pigro/a is an Italian adjective that translates to 'lazy' in English. This term is often used to describe a person who avoids work or effort, embodying a stereotype of being unmotivated or idle. In cultural discussions, pigro/a can reflect broader societal attitudes toward work ethic and responsibility, contributing to discussions about the perceptions of different groups and their behaviors.
Preconcetto: Preconcetto refers to preconceived notions or biases that individuals hold about others based on stereotypes or prior experiences. These notions can shape one's perceptions and interactions with different groups, often leading to misinterpretations and unfair judgments. Understanding preconcetto is crucial because it highlights how societal beliefs influence personal opinions and behaviors.
Pregiudizio: Pregiudizio refers to a preconceived opinion or judgment about an individual or group that is not based on reason or actual experience. It often stems from stereotypes and can lead to discrimination, as it shapes how people perceive and interact with others based solely on their group identity, rather than their individual qualities.
Razzismo: Razzismo refers to the belief that certain races possess distinct characteristics, abilities, or qualities, which often leads to discrimination and prejudice against individuals based on their race. This term is linked to the societal divides and stereotypes that perpetuate inequality, as it creates a false narrative about different racial groups, reinforcing social hierarchies and biases.
Rilassato/a: Rilassato/a means relaxed in Italian, describing a state of calmness and comfort. This term is often used to characterize attitudes and behaviors that contrast with tension and stress, highlighting a more laid-back or easygoing nature, which can also challenge common stereotypes related to personality traits in different cultures.
Scetticismo: Scetticismo, or skepticism, is a philosophical approach that questions the validity of knowledge claims and emphasizes doubt and critical thinking. It serves as a tool for examining beliefs and assumptions, encouraging individuals to seek evidence before accepting information as true. This mindset is crucial in understanding the nuances between different perspectives and stereotypes, particularly in how they shape societal divides and perceptions.
Stereotipo: A stereotipo is a widely held but oversimplified and generalized belief or idea about a particular group of people or things. It often arises from cultural narratives and can influence perceptions and attitudes, shaping how individuals view others based on characteristics such as race, gender, or nationality. Stereotypes can lead to misunderstanding and prejudice, creating divides among different groups in society.