Cultures of Europe Literacy Rate, Language, Customs and Traditions. I have sound!! Turn on Speakers

Languages Of Europe Over 200 native languages in Europe Most can be put into three categories -Germanic -( English and German). The largest native group with 20% of European speaking a Germanic Language. -Romance -( Italian, French & Spanish). These language come from Latin- the language of the Roman Empire- Romance. -Slavic- mostly Northern and Eastern European Countries. Include Russia. Written in the Cyrillic Alphabet.

Languages Of Europe -The European Union ( EU) recognizes 23 official languages in Europe. -Because of the language diversity European school children usually learn 1-2 other languages in addition to their native one. -Over ½ ( 400 million) Europeans speak English because it is often a choice for their 2 nd language.

Germany:Language The official language of Germany and Austria is German. - Germanic Language Follow the link to here a song sung in German!! net/learntospeakger man/hallowiegehts. htm

Germany: Literacy Rate The literacy rate in Germany is % * Students in Germany must attend school through the 9 th grade. After that students either go to a trade school or keep attending public school until the 13th grade ( roughly 18 years old) If they want to go to college. *

Oktoberfest “Oktoberfest is a 16-day festival held each year in Munich, Bavaria, Germany, running from late September to early October. It is one of the most famous events in Germany and the world's largest fair, with some six million people attending every year. The Oktoberfest is an important part of Bavarian culture”- Definition from Wikipedia.com Wurstl- tradition Bavarian Sausage Children dressed in tradition Bavarian Dress Bavarian – the old name of Germany. The culture od Germany and the high Alps region is called Bavarian Culture. Yodeling is traditional form of music commonly found at Oktoberfest.

St. Nicholas Day is celebrated on December 6th in Germany as well as in other European countries. On the evening before the 6th, children place their newly cleaned shoes in front of the door in the hope that Nicholas might fill them with nuts, fruits, chocolate, and sweets. Germany: Customs Traditions: The Christmas Tree originated in Germany. A fir tree was brought in to the house and decorated with candles in honor of the Advent. Later candies and stripes of cloth were tied to the tree for decorations.

CountryLiteracy Rate LanguageCustomsTraditions Germany %German (Germanic Language) Oktoberfest Bavarian Culture in the Mountains Christmas- gave us first Christmas tree

Russia: Language Russian is a Slavic Language Between million speak Russian ( based on 2008 estimation) A Russian Proverb Руководитель без народа, что цветок без солнца Translation: A ruler without a nation is like a flower without the sun

RUSSIA: Literacy Rate Russia’s Literacy rate is % Russia has a free education system guaranteed to all citizens by the Constitution and has a literacy rate of 99.4%.Entry to higher education is highly competitive. As a result of great emphasis on science and technology in education, Russian medical, mathematical, scientific, and space and aviation research is generally of a high order- from Wikipedia.com Follow link to here the Russian alphabet

RUSSIA: Customs and Traditions Ballet is a highly prized art form in Russia

One tradition in Russia is to eat milk pudding and cheesecake on Christmas. RUSSIA: Customs and Traditions Milk Pudding Cheesecake

CountryLiteracy Rate LanguageCustomsTraditions Germany %German (Germanic Language) Oktoberfest Bavarian Culture in the Mountains Christmas- gave us first Christmas tree Russia99-100%Russian (Slavic Language) Ballet originated in Russia Christmas

France: Language -French is the official language of French -French is one of the Romance Languages

France: Literacy Rate The Literacy rate in France is 99% Children in France must go to school until they are 16 years old.

France: Customs and Traditions Bastille Day “Liberté, égalité, fraternité”- Liberty, Equality, Fraternity ( motto of the French Revolution & France) Bastille Day is the French national holiday which is celebrated on 14 July each year. It commemorates the 1790 storming of the Bastille fortress-prison was seen as a symbol of the uprising of the modern nation, and of the reconciliation of all the French inside the constitutional monarchy which preceded the First Republic, during the French Revolution.- definition from Wikipedia.com

Christmas In France during Christmas there are family reunions, gifts, and candy for the children. There are also gifts for the poor and people give to charities. Because France is 80% Roman Catholic and most families attend Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve. France: Traditions

CountryLiteracy Rate LanguageCustomsTraditions Germany %German (Germanic Language) Oktoberfest Bavarian Culture in the Mountains Christmas- gave us first Christmas tree Russia99-100%Russian (Slavic Language) Ballet originated in Russia Christmas France99%French (Romantic Language) Bastille Day- July 14. Ended the Monarchy in France. Christmas- Midnight Mass France is 80% Roman Catholic

Italy: Language -Italian is the official language of Italy -Italian is one of the Romance languages. Follow the link to hear some phrases in Italian ages/italian/guide/phrases.s html How to say hello in Italian: Ciao an informal term for Hello. It can also be used for Goodbye.

Italy: Literacy Rate The literacy rate in Italy is 98% Children in Italy go to school from age 6-15.

Italy: Customs & Traditions Christmas & Easter are major holidays. Italy is the home to the head of the Roman Catholic Church. The Pope lives in Vatican City in Rome.

Italy: Traditions Opera A very popular form of performing arts that originated in Italy. Follow the link to see an Opera performance: rmecA&feature=related Clip from Phantom of the Opera copyrighted 2004 by Odyssey Entertainment.

CountryLiteracy Rate LanguageCustomsTraditions Italy 98%Italian (Romantic Language) OperaChristmas & Easter Rome is home to the Pope, the head of the Catholic Church.

United Kingdom

United Kingdom: Language English is the official Language of the United Kingdom. It is a Germanic Language. Other Languages commonly spoke in the UK are Gaelic (Irish), Celtic (Scottish), and Welsh (Wales)

United Kingdom: Literacy Rate The Literacy Rate is 99%. The UK is home to some very famous and old university's such as Oxford (England), Cambridge (England), & St. Andrews (Scotland).

United Kingdom: Traditions The United Kingdom has been steeped in traditions and customs for centuries. Some of the unique celebrations are the Highland Games (Scotland), Guy Fawkes Day (England), Boxing Day (England), and Cheese Rolling (England) and singing traditional music.

United Kingdom: Customs In England afternoon tea is a custom that has carried on for centuries. Traditionally at four o’clock every afternoon, afternoon tea is served hot with small pastries or sandwich's.

CountryLiteracy Rate LanguageCustomsTraditions Italy 98%Italian (Romantic Language) OperaChristmas & Easter Rome is home to the Pope, the head of the Catholic Church. United Kingdom 99%English (Germanic Language) Also Welsh, Celtic, & Gaelic in other parts. Afternoon TeaMany traditions from Scotland, Wales & England.

The End La Fin- French Ende- German το τέλος (to télos)- Greek В конце (V kontse)- Russian alla fine- Italian