1. GROWING-UP PORTUGUESE IN CALIFORNIA Deolinda M Adão, PhD METROPOLIS 2011 Azores – Ponta Delgada September 12 – 16, 2011

2. Considerations: California is home to a very large Portuguese community going back more than 100 years. There are actually two Portuguese communities one consisting of the decedents of immigrants entering the state from the early 1800’s to the end of the second decade of the 1900’s and the other of immigrants arriving from the late 1950’s to the early 1970’s.

3. Aging community members born in Portugal. Lack of influx of new immigration from Portugal. Decreased participation in community life. Increased integration into US society and with other ethnic communities. Families moving out of areas traditionally with high concentration of Portuguese families.

4. Questions: How are the relations between the descendants of the first wave of Portuguese immigrants and the immigrants of the second wave negotiated? How are the relations between the immigrants of the second wave and American society as a whole negotiated? How can the community rejuvenate itself from within rather than from new immigrant influx?

5. The survey GROWING UP PORTUGUESE IN CALIFORNIA What is your gender?Male__________Female_________ What is your age? ___________________________________ Where were you born? _______________________________________________________ If you were born outside of the United States, at what age did you come to the US? __________ Where was your mother born? _____________________________________________ At what age did she come to the United States? ___________________________________ If she was born in the United States, where were her parents born? Father ________________________________________________ Mother ______________________________________________ Where was your father born?____________________________________ At what age did he come to the United States? ________________________ If he was born in the United States, where were his parents born? Father ________________________________________________ Mother ______________________________________________ Do you speak Portuguese? ______________________________ Have you ever taken Portuguese classes? ______________ If yes, where and for how long? ____________________________________

6. Do your parents speak Portuguese? Father ________________Mother ________________ If the answer is no, who were the last family members to speak Portuguese? Where do you live? ___________________________ Where have you lived most of your life? Since childhood did you participate in Portuguese Community functions? __________________ Please list the functions and activities connected to the Portuguese community in which you participated as a child (up to 13 years of age) and indicate your age(s) at the time. Please list the functions and activities connected to the Portuguese Community in which you participated as a teenager (up to 20 years of age) and indicate your age(s) at the time. Please list the functions and activities connected to the Portuguese Community in which you participated as an adult, indicate your age(s) at the time, and if you currently still involved in that activity.

7. What is your highest level of education? _____ Are still continuing your education or do you plan to continue in the future?_____________ As far as professional activity, do you consider yourself? A laborer _____________ Clerk ________________ Professional __________________ Administrator ________________ Other (please describe) _____________________________________ What religion do you consider yourself? ________________________________ Do you actively participate in that religion?_____________________________ In what form? ______________________________________________ What is your legal status? Single _____ Married ____ Divorced _____ Other _____ Do you have children? ________ How many and what ages? _______________________________________________________ Are you raising them participating in events and activities of the Portuguese Community? Which? __________________________________________________________

8. If you do not have children, if and when you do are you planning on raising them participating in events and activities of the Portuguese Community? ___________ Which? ____________________________________ What do you consider yourself? Portuguese ______________________ American _______________________ Portuguese-American __________________ How do you display your Portuguese pride? ______________________________ What are the colors of the Portuguese Flag? ______________________________ When is the National day of Portugal? ___________________________________ Is Portugal a monarchy or a republic? ___________________________________ What is the name of the current President of Portugal? ____________________ What is the name of the current Prime-Minister of Portugal? _______________ Do you listen to the Portuguese Radio? _________________________________ What station? __________________________ Do you have RTPi in your home? _________________ For how many years? _________ Do you receive the Portuguese newspaper in your home? __________________ Have you ever visited Portugal? _______________________ What part of Portugal did you visit and when? ______________________ How important do you consider that participating in the Portuguese community has been to you and how has it contributed to your notion of self and community?____________________ Please include any other comments you would like to make in regard to your experience in the Portuguese community of your area

9. The First Generation one or both parents born in Portugal 82 % speak Portuguese to varying degree of proficiency. 100 % actively and regularly participated in activities of the Portuguese community from childhood to adulthood. 100 % of those with children are raising them to participate in activities of the Portuguese community. 80% of those with children are trying to teach them Portuguese. 100% stated that participating in Portuguese community events gave them a sense of belonging and contributed to their perceived ethnic identity. 100% identified themselves as Portuguese-Americans One individual married someone born in the Azores and is presently running a bed and breakfast in the archipelago.

10. The Second Generation At least one grand-parent born in Portugal 20% speak Portuguese to varying degrees of proficiency. 100 % participated in Portuguese community activities – only 60% as adults, but 100 % expressed a desire to be more involved in the community. 12% are trying to teach their children Portuguese, but it becomes problematic particularly if their spouse speaks a language other than English. 100 % stated that participating in events of the Portuguese community contributed to their perceived ethnic identity. 100 % identified themselves as Portuguese-Americans.

11. 3 rd Generation and beyond a great-grand-parent, or beyond born in Portugal To date there are no respondents in this category.

12. Conclusions With no new immigrant influx, in order to survive the community must continue to engage its youth, and most importantly allow them to begin to shape community organizations in such a form as to permit their continuation into the future. Develop and foster Portuguese language and culture programs at California institutions of learning at every level (K-graduate school) in order to establish Portuguese as one of the languages taught in California Public schools.

13. Support study-visits and exchanges for California students (especially those of Portuguese ancestry) in order to increase their familiarity with Portuguese Language and Culture, as well as Portugal’s contemporary reality. Support entrepreneurial projects between Portugal and the Portuguese community of California. Support cultural exchanges between Portugal and the community.

14. Construct a memorial, as complete as possible of the many aspects of the Portuguese community of California since its inception and inscribe its contributions to the progress and development of the State of California. Forge strong relationships with Portuguese governmental and social entities.

15. Thank you.