Language Corner Newsletter - May 2022

The Language Corner

Multicultural Club The Multicultural Club has been taking place all year with many new languages showcased. These included, Japanese,Vietnamese, Bangla, Russian and Mina to name but a few. All students are welcome and this club focuses on the cultural and linguistic diversity of all members of our school community. We are looking forward to seeing you all next year!

The Language Corner

May 2022

HOLIDAY GREETINGS

With the Summer holidays approaching our multicultural prefects have collected some holiday greetings from our school community.

Ukufisa wonke umuntu ihlobo elijabulisayo, elinokuthula nelanga."

í sult Bainig ire an as sao raidh! tsamh

j të ‘Ju uro AddIt’s të një verë e v ë h t i j g mbarë. jmë që Shpreso shkëlqej dielli të

ბთ გისურვე ყველას რ ა ნ ა წყ მშვიდ დ სზაფხულ ნეთ ისიამოვ გებით არდადე

Shob grish aike shun d moka l r sh or janai ubetc ha show bohu sansk jounne iriti ashse netri septe ,, mber dekha hobe

sretno svima za sjajan jetni praznici

EXAM TIME

Wishing all our 3rd year and 6th year students the very best of luck in the exams in June

uror im tut r o d și e L anul 3 n i d r es și elevelo lt succ u m 6 nele anul exame a l c o r no nie din iu

‫ی طرف سے‬ ‫ہم سب ک‬ ‫سیکستھ ایئر‬ ‫تھرڈ اور‬ ‫نات کے لیے‬ ‫کے امتحا‬ ‫ک تمنائیں۔‬ ‫نی‬

szystkim Życzymy w ecim i naszym trz u szóstym rok a n ia powodzen er w cz wcu. egzaminach

iems mūsų linkime vis o 3 ir 6 kurs m studenta s ant sėkmės laik esį birželio mėn egzaminus

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hinin ilin lahat g namin sa n ikaan g ikatlo a im n t a mara ming taon ng suwe kanil rte ang p agsus sa ulit

祝初三和高 三学生考试 顺利

MAy 2022

A Focus on Culture

Desi Culture

“Desi” refers to the three countries; India, Pakistan and Bangladesh who were once a united country.

Food

Rice and flatbreads are basic staples in a desi person's diet and are usually accompanied by food rich in spices. Curries like Butter Chicken or Nihaari, a lamb stew are great to eat with these. Biriyani and Pulao are the most made rice dishes. Flat breads like Naan which is thick and chewy, or Paratha which is a layered flatbread made by kneading the dough several times, are served with these dishes. Legumes and lentils are essential and are used in curries or dishes of their own, such as Daal. Lentil flour is often used in many sweet and savory dishes as well. Desi people consume a lot of meat like lamb and chicken but there are many Indians who are vegetarian due to their religious beliefs. Paneer (fresh cheese) is commonly used as a substitute for meat and is often used in vegetarian dishes. As many know, desi countries are famously known for their aromatic spices. The most staple spices are coriander, cardamon, cloves, turmeric, cumin, bay leaf and nutmeg. Garam Masala is a mixture of all these spices and is usually made at home where they are fried and then grounded into powder. This masala is used to garnish curries, soups and even fruit to enhance its flavours.

It is fair to say that many desi people have a sweet tooth. These sweets are commonly consumed at parties and festivals and make great gifts for friends and family. The most popular sweets include Jalebi, Kheer, Gulab Jamun, Rasgulla, Halwa and so much more.

Most of the drinks consumed in desi countries are sweet. Take for example, filter coffee which is sweeter and milkier than regular coffee. Roof Afza is a sweet, concentrated squash made from orange, pineapple, carrot, mint and rose petals and is usually mixed with water or milk. It can also be used as a syrup to put on top of ice cream and such. Lassi is a yoghurt drink that is made in several salty, sweet, or fruity flavours.

Most desi food is eaten without utensils and instead, use hands. The right hand is specifically used to eat with as the left hand is traditionally reserved for dirty things like cleaning yourself after using the toilet.

The Language Corner

MAy 2022

A Focus on culture Desi Culture

Etiquette

It is important to be aware of the diversity of traditions and practices regarding etiquette within Desi culture.

Basic Etiquette • Never sit higher than an elder. If they are seated on the floor, you should also sit on the floor to avoid being higher than them.

• Objects are generally passed with one’s right hand or both hands. The left hand is thought to be reserved for cleaning, and the left hand alone should never be used to pass an object.

• Desis typically have a relaxed approach towards timekeeping and punctuality. It is common for people to arrive at events 30 minutes to an hour after the designated time. However, Indians will usually observe punctuality in a formal context such as important business meetings, appointments or when visiting a doctor or going to the airport.

Clothing Traditionally, desi people wear draped and wrapped garments that are modest and colourful on a day-to-day basis. For women, a sari is draped around the woman's body in a range of styles and is always worn over a blouse. Instead of a sari, a salwar kameez can also be worn. “Salwar” is loose trousers while “Kameez” is a long tunic. A dupatta (a thin scarf) is worn across the chest, on the shoulders or loosely around the head to keep a modest look. Depending on their religious beliefs, some choose to wear a burqa, a full body veil, when going outside the home.

Desi men traditionally wear Lunghis (a type of sarong), which are thin garments wrapped around the lower waist, secured with a knot. Dhotis are like Lunghis but instead of a skirt look, they look more like loose trousers and are more formally worn.

On special days, men wear kurtas which are loose, collarless shirts or a formal salwar kameez.

Desi women tend to wear gorgeously embroidered dresses like an Anarkali suit, a lehenga or a salwar kameez on special days. Anarkali suits are specially worn during festivals and weddings and are heavily embroidered. They are long dresses that can touch the floor and can be sleeveless or not. Lehengas come in three pieces- a long skirt, a blouse, and a shawl-like scarf. They are commonly worn through wedding ceremonies. Gorgeous Salwar kameez are also worn and are more comfortable to wear during an event as it is not as heavy as the other types of formal clothing. Beautiful saris are worn as well, but mainly on older women.

After the 1970’s, the western ideas of fashion influenced the way the younger generation in desi countries dressed. Kurti’s/kurta’s are worn over skinny jeans instead of loose trousers or wear completely westernized clothing but for special occasions most children wear their traditional clothing again.

The Language Corner

MAy 2022

A Focus on culture Desi Culture Visiting • Always greet the elders in the home first respectfully.

• When visiting someone's home it is respectful to remove your shoes before entering.

• It is common to be offered a cup of chai (spiced tea) when visiting someone’s home or occasionally when visiting a shop.

• There is often an expectation that the guest will accept what is offered (especially chai).

• While a gift for the host is not expected, it is generally appreciated. A small token gift, such as chocolates or a gift for the host's children, is usually adequate.

• The host may fill your plate for you or encourage you to serve yourself with a bit of everything Desi culture is a broad term however diversity is celebrated among everyone.

Problems are usually managed in a cheerful, cooperative, and innovative manner, along with a light-heartedness towards situations that may be frustrating, like what is the right term: gol gappe or pani puri?

A sample of words in Bangla Hello = hello How are you = apne kemon asen?

I am good, thank you = ami bhao asi, dhonnobhad Stay safe = bhalo thaken Bye = allahafez

The Language Corner

MAy 2022

Festival Celebrations May Day

May Day is one of the quarter days in Irish calender custom. May Day, or Lá Bealtaine takes place on the 1st May and associated with this day is a richness of beliefs and customs. The four quarter days are St Brigid’s Day, May Day, Lughnasa and Samhain. Much of the activity during this quarter day takes place on May Eve. Activities include the preparation of the May Bough and the May Tree or bush.

In many parts of rural Ireland the May Bush was outside the homestead and this was often decorated with ribbons and pieces of cloth. The tradition was most prominent in Leinster and the midlands. The tree was usually a hawthorn tree. Occasionally the bush was decorated with eggshells. The May Poles were another custom that marked the May Day Festival. Often these were erected in towns around the country and in Dublin there was a May Pole in Finglas and Harolds Cross and the May Pole was the site of great festivities and celebrations and the procurement of the May Bush was a great source of competition between 'The Liberty Boys' and 'The Ormond Boys' representing north and South of the Liffey.

By The Multicultural Club

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Africa Day Africa day is celebrated On May 25th. The day is a yearly commemoration of the foundation of the African Union. This took place in Addis Ababa in Ethiopia on this day in 1963. Every year ince 2006, Irish Aid at the Department of Foreign Affairs has supported events to mark Africa Day in Ireland. Irish Aid hosts many events and these can all be found on the Irish Aid website so make sure to check this out for events taking place.

We use this day to spend time with family and friends, eat traditional food, dance, and listen to traditional music. We also play instruments like the drums. We show are masquerade and play games.

In Ireland, Africa Day represents an opportunity to acknowledge a diffuse, diverse and important group of people from 50 African countries, who enrich and make a valuable contribution to Irish society.

By Divine Togetherness, 1st Year, Rang Bríde.

MAY 2022

Festival Celebrations Eid al Adha

Eid al Ahda – the feast of sacrifice Eid al-Adha is celebrated by Muslims all over the world as a major holiday for a period of three to four days. The majority of Muslims will attend the special prayers held at different major mosques and Islamic centers all over the world.

On these days, Muslims go to each other's houses and celebrate by eating tasty food and enjoying each other's company. Other Muslims head out and buy a large cow, lamb or goat and sacrifice it according to the Islamic law. The meat is then divided and distributed amongst family, friends and to the poor.

The Feast of Sacrifice dates from the historic event when Prophet Abraham was commanded by God, in a form of a dream vision, to sacrifice his son, Ishmail. But while he was in the act of sacrificing his son, God sent the Angel Gabriel with a huge ram.

Gabriel informed Abraham that his dream vision was fulfilled and instructed him to sacrifice the ram as a ransom for his son.

The story is mentioned in Chapter #37 of the Holy Qur'an.

Both articles Senthya Uddin, 5th Year, Rang Fiachra.

Eid ul Fitr

Eid ul Fitr is a major Islamic festival celebrated by Muslims at the end of Ramadan.

When is it celebrated?

There is never an exact date for definite as the day relies on the sight of the crescent moon. Eid can be delayed if the day is too bright to see the moon or the cloud blocks it. This is also the reason that Eid starts on different days around the world.

Why is Eid ul Fitr celebrated?

Muslims gather together to show gratitude towards God after a month of peace and reflection. The celebration serves a great reminder to Muslims about what they have and should be grateful for that others don’t.

How is Eid celebrated?

Muslims start their day by praying then getting dressed into their best clothes. It is important to be clean and fresh on this day and look your best.

After that Muslims go to each others houses and treat each other with tasty food. Parties are also really popular and can be held at arenas.

Gifting is a big tradition during Eid. Children receive eidi (eid money) usually from their elders.

As well as money gifts such as jewelry, toys are given.

Giving back is a huge aspect of Eid. Donations are giving to the mosque to help out less fortunate people. The payment to charity is known as (zakat). This follows one of the 5 pillars which must be followed by all Muslims. Food can also be given out, Muslims also voluntarily work in soup kitchens to give out their own food to those in need.

Greetings y the phrase, “Eid a d e h t On from one mubarak” is heard r. This e h t o n a o t m i l s u M them a h s i w o greeting is t rase can h p s i h T . y a d d e s s ble n Muslims to also be used by no im friends. l s u M r i e h t t e e r g

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