UNIVERZITA PALACKÉHO V OLOMOUCI
FILOZOFICKÁ FAKULTA
Katedra sociologie, andragogiky a kulturní antropologie
Czech Heritage in Texas
České dědictví v Texasu
Magisterská diplomová práce
Bc. Lucie Krajčovičová
Vedoucí magisterské diplomové práce: PhDr. Daniel Topinka PhD.
Olomouc 2014
Prohlášení
Místopřísežně prohlašuji, že jsem bakalářskou práci/diplomovou práci na téma: „název diplomové práce“ vypracoval(a) samostatně pod odborným dohledem vedoucího diplomové práce a uvedl/a jsem všechny použité podklady a literaturu.
V Olomouci dne. ….……….. Podpis ………………………
Acknowledgements
I would like to take this chance to convey my big thanks to Mr. PhDr. Daniel Topinka Ph.D, my supervisor, for his professional help and precious advices during my research, to my study department, especially head of this department for enabling to write this dissertation in English language , to all interviewed respondents whose made time for their cooperation, to my host family and friends in Houston, for unfailing support and last, but not least to my family, especially parents and brother for believing in me during my studies on university and of course for enabling me to write this diploma thesis abroad.
Content
1 Introduction ...... 7
1. Heritage ...... 7
1.2 Background to the study ...... 9
1.3 The aim and research objectives...... 10
1.3.1 The aim ...... 10
1.3.2 The research objectives ...... 11
1.4 Research questions ...... 11
1.4.1 Enumeration research questions ...... 12
1.4.2 Clarification of research questions ...... 12
1.4. Dissertation structure ...... 13
2 Theoretical part ...... 14
2.1 History of Czech immigration to USA...... 14
2.2 History of Czech immigration to Texas ...... 14
2.3 Czechs as farmers in New World ...... 16
2.4 Czech Texans ...... 18
2.4.1. Family traditions ...... 18
2.4.2 Tradition meals and popular bakeries ...... 19
2.4.3 Czech Texans and Czech language ...... 21
2.4.4 Czech Texans and folk dress and costumes ...... 22
2.4.5 Czech Christmas and Easter in Texas ...... 23
2.5 Czechs organizations and societies ...... 24
2.5.1 The Czech Heritage Society of Texas ...... 24
2.5.2 Texas Czech Genealogical Society ...... 25
2.5.3 Czech Center Museum Houston ...... 25
2.5.4 Czech Heritage Museum and Genealogy Center ...... 26
2.5.5 Texas Czech Heritage and Cultural Center...... 27
3 Methodology ...... 28
3.1 Qualitative research ...... 28
3.2 Timetable...... 28
3.3 In- depth interview and pilot in-depth interview ...... 29
3.4 Methods of obtaining respondents ...... 30
3.4.1 Snowball ...... 30
3.4.2 Contacting people on a purpose ...... 31
3.5 Observation ...... 31
3.6 Strengths, weakness and limitation of research ...... 31
4 Analysis of practical part ...... 33
4.2 Respondents ...... 33
4.2 Classification results of the interviews ...... 35
4.3 Analysis of interviews ...... 41
4.3.1 Category I.- Czech language ...... 41
4.3.2 Category II. a)- Holiday Christmas...... 43
4.3.3 Category II. b) Holiday Easter ...... 45
4.3.4 Category III. Food ...... 46
4.3.5 Category IV. a) Family history ...... 47
4.3.6 Category IV. b) Czech history ...... 48
4.3.7 Category V. Problems of being Czech in Texas ...... 49
4.3.8 Category VI. Visiting Czech Republic ...... 51
4.3.9 Category VII. Future in Czech Republic ...... 52
4.3.10 Category VIII. Planned changes in the future ...... 53
4.3.11 Category IX. a) Positives of having Czech heritage ...... 55
4.3.12 Category IX. b) Negatives of having Czech heritage ...... 57
4.4 Summary ...... 58
3 Discussion...... 59
4 Conclusion ...... 62
5 Bibliography ...... 66
Anotace ...... 69
Annotation ...... 70
Appendices ...... 71
1. Photos of some Czech towns and places in Texas ...... 71
6 Interview ...... 71
Dubina church ...... I
Praha ...... II
Czech festival in West ...... II
Interview ...... IV
1 Introduction
Following chapter has been considered as the first and opening section of this research study. The purpose of this chapter is to familiarize the reader with a simple overview of the research intent and stimulus. The main and supporting research questions will be listed in this part, as well as the aims and objectives of this thesis. Finally, in the end of this chapter will be short explanation of overall structure of this dissertation.
This diploma thesis deals with a question of Czech heritage in Texas. The aim of this research study is to find out, if descendants of Czech immigrants, which were immigrating to Texas during the last two centuries (approximately since 1850s) preserved some parts that often mentioned word: heritage. This topic, which has been picked by author, was in the past inflection in many different ways. This dissertation was highly inspired by many travels to Texas by author if this thesis, where has been founded so many small identifications of Czech touch. Sometimes it was surname written down on the board, somewhere a little Czech caution or bakery which was selling “typical Czech kolache”. The touch of Czech culture was breathing from every little part of Texas. In that time author started to weigh up the possibility of studying the subject of “Czech heritage in Texas.” It was often asked, why heritage, why not traditions or language, that is why is very important explain what does the word heritage mean.
1. Heritage
This word will be discussed during the following chapters for many times and author sees high importance to explain the meaning. The original term is coming from 13th century; this term has been used in UK as has been taken from Latin (Sandis, 2014). The explanation of this word is mostly subscribed in very common ways, but can be also seen from different views. According Harrison (2013) is heritage something, what can be seen everywhere in our casual life. From songs, to buildings or cooking traditions in our houses, but it is every time subscribed with one important
7 condition, that these things are somehow connected with past. In his study were mentioned different understandings of the meaning of heritage in UK, Western Europe and North America. The important thing is, that heritage of North America can be seen as copying heritage of Europeans, but it has a trajectory than in Europe. Especially because of the long European history and so many different nations is heritage collected by groups and change during the time. And there are differences between colonized societies and societies, which colonized. As was mentioned before, heritage is something, what would not exist without past, but it could not also exist without present and future. Modernity and modern age helps to keep up with heritage. Modern technique and tries to safe the important parts.
Heritage is not connected only with good things, but also with negatives as it is written in Sandis (2014), but it will stay as a part of past culture. What for one group is a part and something day use for generations, in another culture it is inappropriate.
Scientific heritage is very hard to keep up, in the study of Lourenço (2013) she speaks about scientific heritage as a double orphan. It has two reasons. The first is very simple, there are not so many universities and what a more departments, which would have chance to study heritage. The reason is that there is no money, which would support the research in financial part. Another are culture ministries which do not see responsibility for keeping up and studying heritage as a subject of study.
The heritage in explanations can mean:
According Oxford dictionary online (2014) heritage means an important or merit values, object or qualities, what can be understand as culture traditions, typical buildings etc. which are going over the previous generations.
Also ICOMOS (International Cultural Tourism Charter), 1999 described heritage as “Heritage is a broad concept and includes the natural as well as the cultural environment. It encompasses landscapes, historic places, sites and built environments, as well as bio-diversity, collections, past and continuing cultural practices, knowledge and living experiences. It records and expresses the long
8 processes of historic development, forming the essence of diverse national, regional, indigenous and local identities and is an integral part of modern life. It is a dynamic reference point and positive instrument for growth and change. The particular heritage and collective memory of each locality or community is irreplaceable and an important foundation for development, both now and into the future.” (English heritage, 1999)
According Vocabulary.com (2014) is the word Heritage is very often connected with different traditions or aspects connected with culture, which has gone throw many generations which can be connected with some area or people.
Also Vodáková and Petrusek (1996) in Velký sociologický slovník explain the word heritage, which has been understood as something traditional, which has been given from generation to generation. It has been transmission of culture habits, traditions or social inequality. This word can be understood in positive but also negative ways. It helps to accumulate people with same traditions and ensure the functioning of culture. In culture explanation has heritage the selective character which helps to keep up the group of people together. In the time, when is the one of traditions is not used anymore, it is taken out. Important to emphasize that some historical artifact, which has not been used in one generation, can be restored again by another generation.
Another explanation can be taken from law, which is defined as: “…every species of immovable which can be subject of property, such as lands, houses orchards, woods…etc.” (Black, 1995: 570)
1.2 Background to the study
Today, when Europe is mostly involved by USA, what are the main supplies of movies in the TV, advertisements and fashion brands are people turning to American culture of celebrating holidays and traditions. This American culture is being built for last couple of centuries by native people of America and immigrants from all around the world as well. This new America had been called in the past as a “melting pot” which is understand as: “a process in which different groups come together and contribute
9 in roughly equal amounts to create a common culture and a new, unique society…The melting pot metaphor sees assimilation as benign and egalitarian, a process that emphasizes sharing and inclusion.” (Healey, 2004:49) after an article of Glazer and Moynihan, which has been published in 1970 is also used metaphor of America as “salad bowl”, as is being explained in Salad Bowl Branding. Com (2014) where everyone brings a particular part of different culture and in the end it is a part of all American culture. This label of America is used rather than melting pot, which more defines mixed cultures than different ones in one country. Everyone can pick from these cultures the festival or holiday as he/ she likes. During the last couple of years also Czech Republic underwent a process of a change and we can see huge involve of multicultural America.
However, author does not want in this thesis to deal with changes in Czech Republic, but in Texas, USA, by what was this dissertation inspired. The purpose and background of this dissertation was inspired by authors’ travels to USA. The author was travelling during the last three years to Houston, Texas visit her part of family. In the first year she discovered that many places as museum or specific buildings are connected with Czech history. That is why she searched deeper in Texas where she found many villages and little towns called same as in Czech Republic. The interest grown up when she met people with Czech surnames, whose were trying to communicate in Czech language.
As was mentioned before, author is aware of “salad bowl” as America is, and see how Czech Republic undergone by these changes, therefore she would like to research, if this “melting pot” is also involved by Czech- Texans people whose immigrated in last two centuries to Texas.
1.3 The aim and research objectives
1.3.1 The aim The authors’ interest is to find, if Texans people, whose have Czech ancestors are keeping Czech heritage in Texas or if they even know what it means. As was
10 mentioned before, Czechs during the last couple of years took plenty of American traditions and started to celebrate them. The researcher is interested in culture which contains traditions, language, etc. which Czech immigrants brought to USA during the last 200 years.
The main aim of this thesis is to evaluate, if Czech- Texans are still practicing some of their Czech ancestors traditions, if they still feel the jurisdiction to the Czech nation and if they are interested in history and language of them by appropriate primary and secondary data analysis.
1.3.2 The research objectives The research objectives are:
o To describe history and main reasons of immigration of Czechs to USA and Texas o To analyze how has been Czech heritage understood between Czech Texans o To identify strongest and weakest sides of Czech heritage in Texas o To analyze what are traditions, which can be restored and hold for next generations of Czechs in Texas.
1.4 Research questions
According Sharam (2014) research questions are important part of qualitative research. It is important to keep in researcher mind, that even these questions reflect researcher mind, they cannot be used as an interview questions. These questions work as a guide for researcher to build up an interview by his or her own. Andrews (2003) adds that research questions have to be answerable, what means, that researcher should be able to answer on these questions during the researching project. During the time of project can questions change, be reframed or will totally disappear.
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1.4.1 Enumeration research questions Main research questions are:
o What does the heritage means for respondents? o Do respondents see any possibility of restoration Czech traditions in Texas?
Supporting research questions:
o It there any Czech tradition respondents observe during the holidays? o What traditions would they like to survive and why? o Is Czech culture and history in Czech- Texans minds? o Is Czech still kept as a live language and practiced?
1.4.2 Clarification of research questions In this part is the main idea to clarify the intent of picked research questions. Author’s aim of this section is to provide deeper detail explanation and discussion of these opinions.
As was mentioned in previous section, author has chosen two main research questions.
What does the heritage mean for respondents?
Author is interested in respondents’ opinion about meaning of the word: heritage. In the previous sections was the word heritage explained with 5 different resources. The main aim of this research question is to find, if participants, which have been chosen for this research and have Czech ancestors still understand what does Czech heritage mean and also what parts of heritage do they connect with Czech.
Respondents will have the possibility to explain their understanding during the in- depth interview, what should give them enough space to demonstrate and explain their opinion.
Do respondents see any possibility of restoration Czech traditions in Texas?
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With the trend of flash American tradition is also author interest of brought Czech traditions and surviving them for the future generations. This research question focuses in detail on the opinion of research participants as regards the recovery of traditions. If yes, the author would also like to know how do they see the possibility of restoration and what part of the heritage would they restore.
With those two main research questions are also connected 4 supporting questions, which are mainly answering the deeper respondent view. They have been named in the previous section.
1.4. Dissertation structure
In terms of the structure of this dissertation work, the researcher’s main aim is to clarify and simplify to readers the view on this thesis. Thesis will be divided into 6 main sections as: Introduction, Theoretical part with literature reviews, Methodology, Analysis of practical part, Discussion and Conclusion. In this thesis will be 2 supporting sections as Bibliography and closing chapter Appendices.
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2 Theoretical part
2.1 History of Czech immigration to USA
Beginning of Czech immigration to America can be dated in first half of 17th century. The first from Czech immigrants who was known about immigration was August Hermann who reached New Amsterdam, today known as New York in 1633. This area was under the Netherlands rules. (Hewitt, 1983) The major immigration to USA started almost 200 years later, in middle of 19th century, when Czechs fled to United States of America to escape from Habsburg monarchy rules which were not accepted my most of intellectuals. The hopes of better life were crushed and many Czech started to look for a different place to live. “New World” worked perfectly for them; it was a land of freedom, social mobility, which they were hoping to achieve in the monarchy and opportunities for a better life as Hewitt (1983) or Skrabanek (1988) describes. The old land which was still under Habsburg monarchy was threat for most of them. Young boys were forced to stay in the army for two or three years and most of the time they had to fight in very dangerous battles. Chances to have life in Habsburg monarchy, like in USA were almost zero and families which got this opportunity to leave did it. Even of the fact they had to leave relatives, old houses and start a new life in an unknown place.
2.2 History of Czech immigration to Texas
“….. I was born from the poor parents in the village of Robnice in 1826, was trained in weaver craft and take to military service in 1847, where I’ve been in duty till 1854 and have had to go through the Italian war with all it’s changes. I have seen beautiful lands, charming regions but also went through all hardships of was in a big quantity, I’ve even been present at several executions of Austrian government trapped
14 conspirators, that propagated freedom to Italian people and wanted to free this people from the Austrian tyranny…”. Quotation a letter of Jan Holecek, published in 1887 in the Czechoamerican calendar “Amerikan”. (Czech friends, 2008)
Immigration to Texas has more family connection than to the other states in America. Everything had started with Ernst Bergmann, born in Zapudov (Bohemia) in 1797 and was an Evangelical priest was the main leader, the man, who started a wave of Czech immigration to Texas. In 1849 was the first who left, after his wife and 4 kids. The journey have not finished only in Galveston where they arrived in 1850, but followed 60 miles west to Austin County and finally settled in German community in Cat Spring, where was also made the first real Czech settlement. But this first group was only a little group of a huge inflow of immigrants.
Another very important figure in Czech immigration to Texas was Josef L. Lesikar who organized the first group of Czech emigrants going to Texas according Hewitt (1983) or Machann (2009). In 1951 he started to receive letters from Reverend Bergmann where he proclaimed great climate, good soil conditions and huge opportunities which were available in America. That made decision to move out from Habsburg monarchy. “The immigration process, from start to finish, operated within a system of family and communal relationships.” (Konecny & Machan & Kingsburg, 2004:9)
Lesikar started to organized group of his family and friends for immigration to Texas. In November 8, 185 there were 16 families ready to leave country and started them trip. Lesikar and his wife cancelled this time and decided to join another group later. Probably it was a right decision they made, because a year later he got a letter from Bergmann that the group of families didn’t do it right, they took wrong boat which didn’t take them to Galveston, but to New Orleans. Many of them died or had to be hospitalized, because of very bad conditions on the boat. From the original number of 74 people, only 38 survived and reached them goal: Austin County in 1852. (Hewitt, 1983)
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Lesikar and his wife left in the second group in the end of 1852; finally, the second group took the right boat strict to Galveston. After a short time he became an important leader of the Czech community which started to grow up. (Hewitt, 1983)
Jan Reymershoffer came to Texas with his wife and kids as a trader with enough goods to open a general store in community of Czech and German people on Cat Spring. After couple of years he opened another stores on the railroad at Alleyton. After he passed away his son took over this family business. (Hewit, 1983)
The Civil War, which was in USA 1861 till 1865 closed ports in Texas, what thwarted to Czech immigrants and only handful of them could left the country. Another reason to prevent immigration was on European side by Austrian was with Prussia what prohibited Czechs immigration until the end of 1866. In November 1867 new Czech group arrived with two boats to Galveston. Plenty of new incoming people were joining their relatives, whose were living in Texas already. In the end of 1860s the number of Czech immigrants vastly increased from 700 listed Czechs to over a 1 700 people. The immigration had followed till almost mid 20th century, when the last immigrant, after 2nd World War came. “By 1900 the number of foreign-born Czechs in the state had climbed to 9,204, and by 1910 to 15,074. After this time, however, Czech immigration decreased; foreign-born Czechs numbered 14,781 in 1920, 14,093 in 1930, and 7,700 in 1940, although the number of Czech "foreign white stock" (defined by the United States Bureau of the Census as those who spoke Czech at home during childhood) had climbed to 62,680 by that year.“ (Online handbook, 2009)
2.3 Czechs as farmers in New World
Czechs came to New World how they called America with the idea settle up and build them own farm. Most of them started with a very poor garden, because they didn’t have enough money to build up they own farm. Only a few Czechs who came to America with enough money were able to buy own farm. Lands were still much
16 cheaper and people could buy them after shorter time than in Old Land in Habsburg Monarchy. Not so long time after they could also buy cattle and poultry. Czechs were very well known for hardworking.”… we worked a lot harder than Americans, who not only admitted it openly but even made fun of how hard we worked” (Skrabanek,1988:17) and cooperating with all neighborhood. “We ate, drank and slept farming.” (Skrabanek,1988: 16)That was the meaning point of them life, before school most of the kids woke up very early to help parents with work around the farm. Not frequently happened that they came to school later, but at school it was accepted. Boys and even girls were in much better shape condition than American kids.
They were farming in plenty of spheres; the main was planting corn and cotton. It took couple of days for all the members of family and workers to pick all the plantations full of cotton. “..young farmers will find hard to believe the going wage in early 1930s for cotton chopping in our community was fifty cents a day.” (Skrabanek, 1988:64) Another thing on this was that most of families provided free meals and water during the lunch and dinner. Most of the Czech families usually sold and kept only very less for the family using.
It was not exception that kids were helping from very young age. “I began to help with chopping in the fields when I was six years of age. But I felt more grown up than my actual age and was excited when Papa (dad) decided my time had finally come to do some cultivating when I was nine.” (Skrabanek, 1988:58) Everyone in the family knew, where and what time and what job should they do. So after there was no discussion about the job. Boys were mostly seen on the plantations, girls were helping moms with cooking and preparing meals for workers.
Czech people were very important at agriculture from very start and even in 1930’s, because “it was estimated that 95 percent of the Czechs in Texas were farmers. From the beginning they had settled in the rich, blackland cotton belt of central Texas….Thrift and hard work enabled them to expand their holdings quickly. Czech were progressive farmers…” (Hewitt, 1983:20) They used modern and smart methods and they were for many years the main base in cotton production in Texas.
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2.4 Czech Texans
Who are Czech Texans? According Kownslar (2004) Czech Texans are immigrants from different parts of Czech Republic; they were mostly from Bohemia and Moravia. Czech Texans were learning both languages as Czech and English too. Czech Texans were wonderful farmers and showed a very powerful strength. Most of those people were Catholics and built up unforgettably painted churches as in La Grange or Ammansville. Czech Texans brought to Texas so many (typical) traditions; one of them is also typical big church weddings or dances as polka or waltz. Czechs brought to Texas many traditions, also with Easter as painting eggs or cooking and baking traditions.
In following parts will be most of them mentioned and discussed in greater detail.
2.4.1. Family traditions Czechs brought from them old country very strong traditions which make them different for ages from the others. Americans, but not only them could see the difference of behaving. “Personal relationships among us Czechs were closer and more solidly entrenched than they were among the Americans who lived near us. And this difference was obvious to both groups.” (Skrabanek, 1988:75) The relationships by Czechs were much closer, and the answer was clear, the loyalty and cohesion was carryover from the Old Country. Also most of Czechs tried to stay as a Czech (not mixed family) for long time.
Another reason why Czechs had so close relations together was that they were more intense in farming than Americans. This situation made cooperation to all family. Working all together made family as a team and they knew how to spend time together. Families loved being together after all work was done, just sits all around one table, talk or do some light house work. “… our conversations in the front of the room were continuous, lively, and punctuated with friendly exchanges and opinions about a variety of subjects.” (Skrabanek, 1988:78). The importance of family working together can be seen as the meaning point for Czechs. Coming to a new and totally
18 different culture needed brave and cooperation. “Each family member functioned as part of the group rather than unattached individual. Family solidarity with little emphasis on individual self interest was dominant paradigm.” (Konecny and Machann & Kingsburg, 2004:9)
There was only one subject in families, which wasn’t really discussed. It was the topic about sex; parents were usually hiding them feelings. It wasn’t too open as Americans. Parents never kissed in front kids and also did not talk about anything what was connected with sex and love issue. Kids were never educated about this subject and also they were not really interested into being educated by them parents.
2.4.2 Tradition meals and popular bakeries Czechs were very traditional at eating all together. Meals were very important part of them day. Families were meeting and talking together “..we kids knew that at some point Papa would tell us about the special jobs we were to do on that day.” (Skrabanek, 1988:22) First meal was breakfast they started with, the food was very plentiful and everyone could pick what was favorite meal.
In every Czech family was a rule, that head of the family “papa” started serving himself and after another could follow, after dad it was mom and next from oldest kids to youngest. Usually “our plates were normally heavily laden with freshly fried eggs, bacon or ham, a choice of honey, jelly, or sorghum syrup, and homemade bread and butter.” (Skrabanek, 1988:21)
The lunches couldn’t be mostly family tradition of sitting all together, children were mostly at school and ate them lunches during the lunch break. Dinners were again a family event for all of them. After they gave the food to all workers they sat as a family all together. Mom of this family tried to bring to workers plenty of food that everyone would have enough and they would not disturb the family during the lunch. Skrabanek, 1988)
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Czech bakery is very famous especially for kolaches, how Texans call Czech “koláče“. This type of pastry needs special skills which were practiced by many occasions during the year. Recipe for the kolache is mostly given from generation to generation by women in families. The dough made with love is filled by traditional fillings as quark, poppy seed or plenty type of fruits. This tradition became very popular and most of this pastries were sold and money given to poor people or church. The tradition of this bakery is till today. Kolaches is a brand, but the taste changed a lot. We can find there still traditional kolache filled with fruits, but more popular are that, where is meat or cheese filling. We can find them in whole Texas, but only couples of places are still having similar taste with the originals.
Another meal tradition we can find during Christmas and Easter, what was for Czech very important time. Czech woman were baking sweets almost a month before Christmas to have everything ready. Popular sweet was spicy ginger bread made in shapes and or figures. Gingerbread is mostly decorated by icing made from powdered sugar and egg whites. It depends only on imagination of the artist. “Today these molds, some of which were brought to Texas, are highly prized folk art objects.” (Silverthrone, 1990:97) Another Christmas cookies have long families’ tradition. Most of the recipes are given from generation to generation and baked only for a Christmas like a special occasion. Christmas Eve is mostly about fasting, but in the end there is a typical family dinner, where is mostly served special soup. Depend on a family tradition is possible to find sour kraut white soup or mushroom soup with noodles. Tradition follows with a fried carp. “In Texas, some Czech families still have fish as the entrée on Christmas Eve, but as catfish, oysters, shrimp, or some other kinds of local fish…. Special Christmas bread is traditionally served at supper, but since it resembles a coffee cake, modern Czech families frequently serve it for breakfast. This “bread” is called vanocka…” (Silverthrone, 1990:98)
The same thing happens with Easter. This Christian holiday is mostly about fasting, what means, that there is no too much baking. But there wouldn’t be Easter without baking Easter lamb with a twig of myrtle and red ribbon around neck. This symbol shows Jesus, as a lamb of God, who sacrificed for us. This baked lamb is usually lemon dough, mostly use for lemon cake, just poured to a special, usually very heavy
20 lamb form. Kids were allowed to eat this “lamb cake” on Great Monday. Painted eggs, which were decorated by whole the family were mostly eaten by kids or destroyed on them heads by playing Egg hunt game.
2.4.3 Czech Texans and Czech language After immigration the first language for Czechs was still Czech. “Because the majority of Texas immigrants came from Moravia, the Czech spoken in Texas is largely characterized by Moravian dialects, which vary to some extent from the Bohemian dialects spoken by most Czech-Americans. “ (Handbook online, 2009) Also in the very start of immigration there were settled schools where the Czech language was taught. The first Czech school was opened in Wesleys, and after few others in different counties. It became a problem, when the kids didn’t have chance to attend Czech school. Not all of them were able to speak English at all. Most of children spoke only Czech in their families and didn’t have any English speaking friends to practice a new language. Czech wasn’t taught at community school. So because the main language for most Czech Texans was their mother language which they brought from old country, the communication between New World and them was mostly built by newspapers or kids who learned English at schools.
Czech newspapers started much earlier, the very first one was named Slovan and was published in a magazine-type format. This first newspaper was established in 1879 in La Grange, where we can find till nowadays the biggest Czech community. Another newspaper, which actually became much more popular for Czech readers in Texas as Svoboda, founded also in La Grange in December 1885. After there were plenty of others, which became more popular in 20th century: “Czech-language journalism has been very active in the state over the years. Thirty-three newspapers and periodicals have been published. As of 1993 one weekly newspaper, Našinec, published at Granger, and one monthly, Hospodár, published at West, were still being published entirely in Czech. Other periodicals such as Vestnik and the Brethren Journal contained sections printed in Czech.” (Online handbook, 2009)
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Czech became more progressive with the language even at The University of Texas, which is one of the Top 20 universities in the world. Czech as a study course became established in the 1915, after this year this language became more popular. In 1979 “The University of Texas at Austin, Texas A&M University and a number of high school and junior colleges offer courses in the Czech language. Czech remains a living language among the descendants of the pioneers of 1851.” (Hewitt, 1983:9) Today we can still find Czech as a subject at The University of Texas at Austin; the exact name is Department of Slavic and Eurasian studies. From courses dedicated to Czech language and culture are Introduction to Czech history and culture, Introduction to Czech language and six semester course for Czech language and grammar. There is possibility to study Undergraduate program. Students have the opportunity to study their Master degree and PhD. in a Russian and East European and Eurasian Studies. Since last year this department joined project called “Texas Czech legacy project”. This project started in 2012 and it’s oriented on the history, culture and language of Czech Texans. The aim of this project is to offer an archive of records and texts about their life and show the history of very main part of Texas.
2.4.4 Czech Texans and folk dress and costumes Czech folk dress is a very old tradition brought from Moravia and some parts of Bohemia. Women in old country were wearing these folk costumes every single day, but when the immigrants came to America, they radically changed the style of clothing; even they brought some parts of these dresses to Texas too. Unfortunately, most of these costumes were forgotten and few that were brought to Texas has not found many occasions to be shown. This tradition seems almost forgotten, just in special folk festivals can be seen part of woman and man folk dress and they are mostly mixed, so skirt can be part of Walachia and shirt for woman from South Moravia. The interest of wearing folk dress became more like a part of tradition on festivals or important meetings. One of the festival, which goes till today is Ennis Polka festival. Restaurants offer Czech typical meals as”klobasa” (sausage), kolaches or Czech bread.
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2.4.5 Czech Christmas and Easter in Texas Czech brought to Texas many traditions. One, very important was connected with December and Christmas traditions. As Czechs in the home country, they also wanted to save traditions. Everything started with 6th of December with tradition of Saint Nicholas which was coming to the kids wore bishop clothes, gold cross and mostly was accompanied by angel and devil. This meaning was for kids very important. Because they knew, that candies will get only kids, who were all year nice. For those, who were mean to parents and didn’t listen to them, devil brought black coal. “In some Czech families December 8th, the Feast of of Immaculate Conception is the day for good children to receive gifts of fruit and nuts placed in their shoes by Maticka (the Blessed Mother) during the night.” (Silverthrone, p.95)
Christmas and Advent especially for Catholics, as Czech mostly were it was very important time. It was the preparing time for a Big Night of 24th, when the Jesus child was born. According tradition was the According Silverthrone (1991) were Czech Christmas mostly about fasting, what is connected with Christianity. For younger kids it was also with a hope of seeing “Gold Pig”. This Christian tradition but change and Christmas nowadays are: “A modern Czech Christmas parody combines parts of “Twas the Night before Christmas” with parts of “Rudolf the Red- Nosed Rein- deer.” (Silverthrone, p. 93)
Czech Easter had plenty of traditions which could be brought to USA too. Sources for Easter in Texas are limited. In early 20th century we can already see mix of Czech and American traditions with White Saturday and Great Monday. The mixed, American part is about eggs and candies cowered somewhere in gardens. “…Oh, well, we went to the Church on White Sunday, dressed in white, I think,three sisters….and then, we went back from Church, oh boy. A surprise! ….uh uh, in our little nests were eggs….uh, candy candy, …but we, with our kids we cooked the eggs. And then we somehow painted them. “(Czech dialect archive, 2013) Also kids played Egg hunt, what is quite dangerous and a little stinky game if these eggs were forgotten in some hidden places. The painting off eggs is very typical thing brought from Czech also.
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Painted eggs can be decorated by different style and colors. Handmade technique is highly prized artifact and there are plenty of variants from wax to entwine eggs.
2.5 Czechs organizations and societies
In USA we can find plenty of organizations and societies oriented on Czech immigrants, the life and culture. It’s same with museums which show traditional dress and costumes, books and halls. It is necessary to note that these organizations are trying to work on associating of Czech Texans and searching for new sources of Czech-Americans families. They organize plenty of different events during the year for meeting of proud Czech Texans and visitors too. The aim of these events is to show, teach, keep and follow with traditions which have been brought by Czech ancestors’ years ago. In Texas we can find these organizations and museums. It is sad, that not all of them are working properly.
2.5.1 The Czech Heritage Society of Texas “The Czech Heritage Society of Texas was founded on October 30, 1982 in Taylor, Texas at SPJST Lodge #29. Thirty-two Charter members were present at this meeting called by the society’s founder, the late Albert J. Blaha.” (The Czech Heritage Society of Texas, 2014)This organization is probably the most important organization in whole Texas. Main idea of it is to follow and provide Czech history, language, culture and much more. They also help with finding Czech relatives and heritage. The Wallachian Bellfry, which stays now in the center of Czech Heritage Society was given as a present from Czech city Roznov pod Radhostem, which has old open-air museum. Czech heritage society also publishes a newspaper called Cesky hlas (Czech voices), I keeps member of society informed about all interests, like historical, genealogical etc. “CHS has also published numerous genealogical resource books which have been placed in numerous libraries and has been involved in cultural and genealogical exchange programs between Texas Czechs and the people of the Czech Republic.” (TCHST, 2014)
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The Albert J. Blaha Research Fund, which was established in 1988 in his memory, provides financial support to students, whose want to orient them studies for history and genealogy of Czechs in Texas.
Czech Heritage Society also established beauty competition. It’s running since 2003 and it’s called: Miss Texas Czech Slovak Queen Pageants. As a part of this competition is also Texas Little Czech Sister for younger girls. Girls are wearing during the competition typical Czech folk costumes. The webpage of TCHST (2014) says that it is the competition completed of several disciplines as personal interview with three different judges, also interview on a stage where are competitors asked about heritage relations and the last discipline is a talent competition, where can girls sing or dance.
2.5.2 Texas Czech Genealogical Society According web page of Texas Czech Genealogical Society (2013) was this society was founded in November 16th 2000 and has 73 official members. This society has the main aim in promotion of studying genealogy of group which is called “Texas Czechs”. They also want to identify sources of genealogical interest. Very important purpose is to make all interests for general public, as publishing materials, rare books or personal notes for example. They also provide educational activities and support during the genealogical research.
2.5.3 Czech Center Museum Houston This museum has been established in 1995. “Is a non-profit cultural arts organization, with no political or religious affiliation? The Center is based in Houston and was created to celebrate, share and promote the rich cultural abundance of a major Slavic ethnic group and their history.” (Czech Center Museum Houston, 2014)
The main aim and goal is to show and highlight the Czech history and culture for people who are interested in these things. CCMH has joined a group of museums in Museum District of Houston and it is 19th museum in this group.
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This museum brings the resources of rich culture group which has settled in many states of America, not only in Texas. Museum is offering exhibitions for general public of housing, folk costumes, artifacts, painting, crystal etc. There is a permanent and changing exhibition. “A unique feature of the new Czech Center Museum Houston is an ecumenical chapel for religious services, weddings and renewal of vows.” (CCMH, 2014) The mission is same as in organizations mentioned before, and that is to provide Czech culture, history and language and try to unify Texas Czechs/ Slovaks and their community.
Events organized by a museum are for example movie screening about history in Czech or exhibitions or presentations about important moments or people in Czech history.
2.5.4 Czech Heritage Museum and Genealogy Center The history of building up this museum started in 1950s when the very first discussion has started. People were collecting books and other artifacts which would show Czech history and immigration to America too. First museum was opened in 1971 SPJST Supreme Lodge Home Office in Temple, Texas. After that it became bigger so it moved. In 2000 they made a decision of moving the museum to another place and it everything happened in 2010. Museum works as a non- profit organization. The mission is: "The Czech Heritage Museum & Genealogy Center is dedicated to fostering educational, cultural, and genealogical opportunities, specifically as it pertains to people of Czech Heritage. It accomplishes this by providing genealogical material; sponsoring educational programs; and collecting, researching, preserving, and exhibiting artifacts and manuscripts to implement these programs." (Czech Heritage Museum and Genealogy Center, 2014)
As a current exhibit is able to visit Czech folk-art and ingenuity. Czech genealogy Center owns the biggest genealogy collection in Texas. There are able to find family histories, references, passenger lists or books.
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2.5.5 Texas Czech Heritage and Cultural Center This center is located in La Grange, which was already mentioned like the city of immigrants in the past. La Grange is a city in a Fayette County, which has the largest Czech population, also many historical places, persons and events were in this County.
Umbrella organization of Texas Czech Heritage and Cultural Center is called Texans of Czech Ancestry, shortly TOCA. Under this organization are for example: Sokol, Catholic Damile Fratemal, Catholic Union of Texas, Czech Educational Foundation of Texas, Czech Heritage Society of Travis/ Wiliamson Counties and others.
This organization, as well as others is a non-profit and multi- functional organization. One of aims is to try raising money for developing Czech Center.
Since 1995 there was a discussion about settle up a center, where will be more than a library with books about Czech history, they wanted a place, which will promote and show Czech heritage in Texas. So in 1997 was admitted and declared as an official organizations as Texas Czech Heritage and Culture Center.
There is a major building in La Grange, after amphitheater which was donated to TCHCC and restored. There are plenty of other old farm houses, which were donated by families to this organization and now these buildings are used for purposes of TCHCC. Texas Czech Heritage and Cultural Center (2014)
“In June of 2007, the Texas Czech Heritage and Cultural Center was recognized and honored with the Masaryk Gratias Ahit. This prestigious award is presented by the Czech Foreign Ministry for work in the promoting Czech heritage and culture.” (Texas Czech Heritage and Cultural Center, 2014)
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3 Methodology
According Kothari (2004) is research methodology completed of many steps, which has been chosen before. According him it is a way how to solve research problems. “Research methodology has many dimensions and research methods do constitute part of the research methodology.” (Kothari, p.8)
Firstly will be introduce the type of research which has been chosen, method of research, timetable of research and type of collection the dates, in the end of this chapter will be outlined. Very important part of methodology charter is also strengths, weakness and limitation of research.
3.1 Qualitative research
This researched study is based on qualitative methodology. Qualitative research has been chosen for closer connection with respondents and better description of the subject of interest. “Qualitative researches are interested in understanding how people interpret their experiences, how they construct their worlds, and what meaning they attribute to their experiences.” (Sharam, p.5) Qualitative research is deep research with less people as in quantitative research. In this type of research are deep interviews more important than short answers or questionnaires. The researcher is interested in a construction of participants social worlds. They are trying to read between lines and understand what parts are important for the phenomenon that researcher is involved.
3.2 Timetable
According Silverman (2005) is very important to plan project before it is even started. It mostly shows that researcher thought about the time before he or she
28 even started to do the project. Also timetable is very important for clarify the researcher plans for next months. Researcher and also readers after get a clear view on things which has to be done and it is easier to plan the timetable after.
First timetable was made before leaving Czech Republic to USA. The plan was divided for 6 months during the year 2014.
Operation Timing Literature review June- December 2014 Interview schedule design July- August 2014 Pilot of interview design August 2014 Conduct interview September- October 2014 Data analysis June- November 2014 Write up findings October- December 2014 Other adjustments June- December 2014
During the research parts has been modified and delayed as needed. Important literature has been hard to reach and especially for that mason the research started month later. After all the communication with respondents was started and analyzed during October 2014. The hardest part in this matter was to reach all of respondents.
3.3 In- depth interview and pilot in-depth interview
In Klenke (2008) we can find that in the in-depth interview is very important to have skills, which can allow to make a deep interview with respondent. Especially during the first minutes of meeting are social skills and empathy very important. As well as competence of reaction, represeation etc.
In the in-depth interview there are advantages for both side, as for the researcher, than for participant too. It allowes them to make a deep description of the meaning
29 of the words, it gives them a time and space to express them feelings and emotions. This interview can be more aduous of time, but it gives more space for questions and answers. There is no neccesarry to make a specific questions for this type of interview. Usually, during the research questions become by themselves.
„ Interviewees respond to interviewers based on who they are- in their lives as well as social categories to which they belong such as age, tender…“ ( Klenke, p.131)
Before the main interviews for the research is good to make pilot type, which helps to get prepared for the in- depth interview. In case of in-depth interview, pilot testing revealed some weaknesses and helped to construct a better formulated in- depth interview and clear ideas what to talk about during the time of conversation with respondent.
3.4 Methods of obtaining respondents
The main object with what qualitative analysis works are respondents. The process to get right interviewees is mandatory in whole research. Also the way of getting contacts and contacting them is an important part.
3.4.1 Snowball Snowball method of getting in touch with respondents is a method based on the first person. “The snowball method relies on research participants referring the researcher on to other potential candidates. One participant gives the researcher the name of another subject, who in turn provides the name of a third, and so on…the snowball approach is a really method for finding a sample of people who it is otherwise difficult to reach…” (Burnett, p.172) In this dissertation was this application use with the pilot respondent whose was a person from my host family. From her I got contact to her parents and after to them friends. Except only two people whose were searched on the purpose at the internet as members of societies in Texas was this method very successful and got satisfaction.
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3.4.2 Contacting people on a purpose Another method used in this researched is based on the aim to contact exact people whose have exact information about the aim of study. In this thesis was used search on the internet with the first recommendation of another respondent. Both of contacted interviewees were willing to help as much as possible with all questions what made this research much easier.
Author of this dissertation contacted over 30 possible respondents throw email or telephone conversation during research in July and August 2014. Only 18 answered and 14 of them were able to accomplish an interview with researcher in a time she needed.
3.5 Observation
Next form of research was picked observation, which is often contained in qualitative type of research in the environment of respondents. Important part of observation is also collecting information and making notes. This method was used during the research in Texas, United States. I had a chance to see behaving of respondents during the interview and let them feel in a very familiar
3.6 Strengths, weakness and limitation of research
Very important part of research is self- evaluation of researcher. He/ She has to be prepared of the reflection of weakness, strengths and nevertheless limitation of research as well.
As a very strong part of this dissertation author regard her subject of thesis and interest of the aim in the research, her Czech background and nationality giving to people interest and trust. According to the author, further strength of this study is her Czech perspective view and knowledge of Czech culture which is very important especially in analysis of obtained data. 31
On the contrary, despite the best efforts made by the author of this thesis, there can be recognized some weak points too. Firstly, author was conducting research in unfamiliar surround and during the research has been founded some difficult points to overcome. Especially meeting with respondents “face to face” can be highlighted as the most critical point, Texas State is second biggest state on USA and it was very hard to travel and get together with interviewees.
Moreover, even the author is learning English from her childhood, and she was living during her last couple of years she made a huge progress in her knowledge and using the language, author admits that there still exist certain language barriers whereas the English is not her first language.
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4 Analysis of practical part
Practical part is based on interviews with respondents from Czech- Texans families. First plan about interviews was to use narrative speech with respondents. Unfortunately, in the end, with most of them it worked more or less like an interview with basic circuits of questions, based on a theoretical part and aim of research. Very hard part of research was to reach all of respondents and set up the time and date of meeting. Unfortunately, not all of them were able to reach by personal meeting “face to face”. With some of them was made a Skype call or phone call.
4.2 Respondents
“The interaction between interviewer and respondent can be looked at from the perspective of either party or from the interaction itself” (Sharam, 2009: 107)
As was mentioned before, to find right respondents is thing very necessary to get data important for the analysis. It is very important to make them trust and feel comfortable. Those respondents were gotten mostly by snowball method which helped to get in closer contact with them. Respondents were from very different parts of Texas and the main problem was to find a way how to communicate and meet with them. For this research has been picked 12 people, 6 woman and 6 man, some of them knew each other before. Some of the interviewees also knew author of this dissertation before. Those people knew the subject of thesis and also were lightly prepared about rounds of question they will be asked. None of them during the research had a problem with answering. If there was any non-understanding, the researcher gave an understandable explanation. Ages of respondents were different. Author tried to affect generation of her grandparents, parents and younger’s in her own, or around her age. “What makes a good respondent?...a good respondent as an “informant”- one who understands the culture but is also able to reflect on it and aticulate for the researcher what is going on” (Sharam, 2009: 107)
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In the next part are respondents shortly introduced by them age, where they were born and if they have any experiences with Czech language. Author mentioned visiting Czech Republic by interviewees.
Respondent number 1.: 68 years old woman, who was born in Texas, grew up in the Czech family, during her life visited Czech once.
Respondent number 2.: 69 years old woman was born in Czech republic in Frydek- Mistek, during her childhood moved with parents to Texas.
Respondent number 3.: 71 years old man, was born in Czech during the Second World War in Velke Pavlovice, moved with his parents to Texas after the war.
Respondent number 4.: 66 years old man, was born in Texas in Czech family. This family came to USA in 19th century, during his life had no chance to visit Czech Republic.
Respondent number 5.: 46 years old woman was born in Texas in Czech family that came to Texas in 19th century. During her life visited Czech Republic twice.
Respondent number 6.: 49 years old woman, was born in Texas in Czech family which came to Texas before First World War, never visited Czech republic before, planned trip for 2015 with Czech heritage society.
Respondent number 7.: 47 years old man, was born in Texas in a Czech family, which was one of the first Czech families in Texas. Visiting Czech Republic very often, because of his work.
Respondent number 8.: 50 years old man, was born in Texas to half Czech and half Irish family, studied Czech on the university in Austin, visited Czech Republic once in his life.
Respondent number 9.: 28 years old man, was born in Texas in the half Czech, half German family. Visited Czech Republic twice during his business trip.
Respondent number 10.: 30 years old man, was born in Texas to half Czech and half German family, during his life has never visited Czech Republic.
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Respondent number 11.: 26 years old woman, was born in Texas to Czech family, lived one year in Czech Republic during her exchange program on university.
Respondent number 12.: 25 years old, woman, was born in Texas to half Czech and half Polish family, has never visited Czech republic before.
After rewriting all the interviews, which were of approx. twenty five to forty minutes followed by their sequential analysis with stepwise categorization results. Those results were classified into categories form classification from the perspective of an outside observer. Thus was formed a clear system allow subsequent processing and generating analytical story.
4.2 Classification results of the interviews
This part of chapter discusses the analysis of the interviews, classification and subsequent evaluation categories.
Category I.
never learned
learned as a child
Czech language learned on university
knowledge of basic words or sentences
The first category consists of answers of 12 respondents which has been somehow involved in growing in Czech families. Only two of respondents learned Czech during them childhood, it was generation of author grandparents. They still remember how to speak, however speaking is not fluent anymore. Two of them studied Czech at the
35 university and one of them uses Czech in a daily life. Three of respondents have never learned Czech language and the rest, what means five people knows basic sentences or words, which cannot be use for fluent communication.
Category II. a)
American traditions
Holiday- Christmas Czech traditions
Traditions from another countries
Category II. b)
American traditions
Holiday- Easter Czech traditions
Traditions from another countries
Second category is divided into two parts for Christmas Holiday and Easter Holiday. Both of them are being very important fests and the aim was to find out if participants of this research joining and have knowledge about Czech traditions or if they celebrate only according American traditions. Great surprise was, that most of respondents still use and incorporate Czech traditions into another. Most of respondents are also coming from mixed culture families and they use not only Czech or American traditions.
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Category III.
Cooking at home Czech food
Food Tasted Czech food
Mixing Czech food with another world cousins
Never tasted Czech meal
Czechs are mostly very proud of them cousin, that is why author created Category III.. For five of 12 respondents is Czech cousin very familiar and they or them families cook Czech food in them homes. Only one person out of the rest never tried Czech meal or at least did not realize that. The rest tried Czech cousin and now mixing Czech recipes with other countries. Czech recipes seem to be very highlighted point of respondents in this thesis.
Category IV. a)
High knowledge of family immigration history Family history Awareness of family immigration history
Category IV. is divided into two parts again, in the first part respondents spoke about family history, especially about immigration to USA or to Texas. For most of them the awareness slowly death, however, 4 out of 12 respondents are still highly interested in them own heritage and family immigration history.
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Category IV. b)
Czech Republic is still Czechoslovakia
Czech history Awareness of Czech history
Any knowledge of Czech history
Part b) of this category speaks about the knowledge of Czech history. Interesting point of it was formed by fact, that people upper 60ties, even knew of Czech and Slovakian separation were using the old Czechoslovakia title. The basic knowledge about the history had most of respondents. Only one person had not almost any idea about Czech Republic as a country.
Category V.
Problems at school
No problems at all
Problems of being Czech in Texas Problems at work
Being Czech highly appreciated
Fifth category discusses problems of being Czech. Respondents, during them life could be exposed of problems of being a Czech. Some of them had problems during them school life, some of them at work, two of respondents were extolling the fact, that they are still considered as Czechs. On the other hands most of them have never been exposed to the problems. This category can also show interesting fact about the difference between generations.
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Category VI.
Visiting often because of work
Visiting Czech Republic Never visited Czech Republic
Visited Czech Republic once or twice
Lived in Czech Republic
In this category were Czech Texans talking during the interview about visiting Czech. Four of twelve respondents have never had a chance to visit Czech Republic. Some of these plan to visit this country in the future. One of respondents is visiting Czech often, because it is in close connection with his job, another man visited Czech twice, also because of his work. He know that job will send him there more often there in the future. One of the younger women lived in Czech for two semesters during her exchange study in Europe and two was born in Czech. Last three respondents have visited Czech at least once.
Category VII.
Living in Czech Republic for retirement
Future in Czech Republic Do not see any possibility of living in Czech Republic
Returning to Czech Republic as a visitor
Category VII. is formed by opinions about future live in Czech Republic. Most of respondents, even they have ancestors and history in Czech Republic don’t see 39 possibility of future in Czech. Only two out of twelve are thinking, that Czech Republic could be good place for staying there during them retirement. No one of respondents has not thought about staying in Czech and find a job there. Even they don’t think about living in Czech Republic in the future, they still plan to visit this country as tourists.
Category VIII.
Start to learn Czech language
Celebrate more Czech traditions
Planned changes in the future Find and start to cook Czech recipes
Find more information about family history
Category VIII. is completed of ideas and plans of future changes. All of respondents, what was really surprising, expressed the view, which they started to think about possible changes for the future. Four of them want to learn Czech much more better, eleven out of twelve plan to celebrate more Czech traditions and start to cook or bake according Czech recipes. Just four are thinking that history of the family could be very interesting subject for researching during them free time and they plan to start to look for it.
Category IX.a)
Relatives in another part of the world
Positives of having Czech heritage Possibilities of different lifestyle
Raise interest
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Category IX. b)
Czech accent
Negatives of having Czech heritage Hard to meet relatives living in Czech Republic
Difficulties with writing surname down
The last category is again divided into part a and b. It can give to a reader view of positives and negatives which can Czech heritage bring to Czech Texans. It is like a coin which has two sides. One the one side can Czech surname and knowledge of language bring an opportunity for a job, on the other side were respondents sure, that Czech accent can bring also negative during the finding job process. Positive thing is also about meeting relatives from the different country and as author commented before, it can be very hard to meet them during the year.
4.3 Analysis of interviews
This part of chapter presents the analysis results of the research which was conducted of the topic this dissertation work. As already mentioned in the upper text, being attended 12 in-depth interviews with respondents. From these interviews, and gradually acquired data was created 10 categories which in turn were commented and evaluated.
4.3.1 Category I. - Czech language Never learned
“Well, I’ve never had a chance to learn at least some words in Czech….” is an answer of one from respondents. During the conversation had an author possibility to learn
41 about kids child hood, unfortunately, most of people from age of authors parents did not have chance to learn fluent language and two of them do not know Czech at all. Another respondents is commenting her guiltlessness apologizing: “ Ehm, let me tell you….ehm, both of my parents, they don’t know Czech either. And, uhm…they just didn’t think I ever goona need it…So why should I learn it? …well, maybe now, or in the future…”
Learned as a child
Two of respondents author had chance to meet learned Czech during them childhood. Both of them born in Czech Republic during or after Second World War and immigrated to USA. Both parents had mostly only one language and it was Czech, so these kids learned Czech as a first language. Unfortunately…” Uhhh, yeah, well, now I almost don’t use Czech in a daily life, it is being hard to use it. But sometimes, sometimes yes, when we have Ladies church meetings in Dubina, we all are Czechs.....and, uhm, we just have to speak Czech…and I learned Czech as child, just…I don’t really need it in Texas” another respondent learned Czech for first 5 years of his life, after immigration to USA came a hard tme: “Yes, yes, well, uhm, my parents have never learned English fluently, so I had to talk with them only in Czech, because it was easier, but it was big problem for me, uhm, just to switch languages.” In these two examples we can see, how hard is to keep language, which is used only rarely and another, English, in this time, is more used.
Learned at university
Two of respondents were really interested in Czech during them studies, that is why they also picked Czech language as a subject on university. One of them also studied Czech history and was educated in the department for Czech language and history. His knowledge is used during his work. “Well, I knew I want to, ehm, I want to know a lot about Czech history, and when I picked university after high school, I’ve just, it was just easy to decide what subject I’m gonna study….I’m sure Czech was right
42 choice…”. It is very important to mention, that Czech is used in his job and it is vey important part of his life.
Second student spent a year on a university in Czech: “…so I just had to learn Czech, you know, I had to pass some exams, which were only in Czech…I may not speak perfectly, but I’m trying to do my best…”. This woman is still a college student and trying to improve her Czech, unfortunately it is very hard to find a class where students could make higher level of them language knowledge
Knowledge of basic words and sentences
The rest of respondents are people, who grew up in Texas and them parents tried to keep them in English language speaking. Even of that fact, they still know easy sentences or basic words at least. Very common word is kolache (koláče), pivo or basic sentences as: „Ahoj, jak se máš?” or “Jmenuji se Clayton.” Even of the fact that readers can think that those basic sentences can learn everyone, during the communication could author notified that respondents are very proud of it.
4.3.2 Category II. a) - Holiday Christmas Very important parts for Czech families are holiday. Especially Christmas and Easter are times, when families are meeting up together and trying to celebrate it. This part was also a point which author wanted to research and find out, if there are still some traditions, which come from Czech families and Czech Republic.
American traditions
One and very important traditions during the Christmas time is an Santa Claus vs. Jesus Child argumentation. Respondents, which are in the age of authors’ grandparents age used to have an combination of both, during the Christmas they were celebrating come of Jesus which brought some presents and Santa Clause brought mostly only candies. Woman just changed this tradition after they married and wanted to grow up them kids and American climate: “ Ehm, I really like that tradition, that small Jesus is bringing presents, uhm, but my kids, you know, they
43 knew from school that we have Santa Claus who is coming by chimney and bringing all presents, uhm, so…yes, I reminded them that Jesus born 24th, but we don’t yes, we celebrate it mostly 25th..” Most of younger generations are using American traditions, just because they were raised in this traditions: “ I do that every, every every year, that I put my big sock on the chimney, and I just get it in the morning full of candies or presents…I think it is so sweet.” , also Christmas carols are used mostly American ones, however…
Czech traditions
During the interview was very nice surprise, which respondents know about Czech traditions too. Some of them were celebrating Czech Christmas during them childhood as for example Jane: “Ehm, so, when I was a kid, we mostly had a carp, my mom put it to the oven and baked it, also she baked sausages and we all made potato salad, hmmm, ehm, that was very good. I love it, it is my favorite, I mean, till today. And we wanted to see the pig, I mean, when you fast during 24th of December, you can see the gold pig, but I never did.”, but not only older people were celebrating Christmas with Czech traditions: “My mom, she cracked nut shells for us and we ate nuts. After we put some water into the bowl, and…uhm, we put also candles and send them from one side to another, we, uhm, we still actually do that, and whose went furthest he or she would probably leave house next year…”, seems like Czech traditions are bringing nice memories to all generations.
Traditions from other countries
As was mentioned before, some of respondents are having Czech ancestors, but also from different countries, from example from Germany or Ireland. Those people were mixing Christmas carols; traditions and food together…like one big page from which they can just pick them favorite one.
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4.3.3 Category II. b) Holiday Easter American traditions
Easter is very similar with celebrating them, as Christmas. Families in America, even those, which are multinational, are divided into two group. First it with families, which take Christmas more as Christian fast, and they fast for 40 days, don’t eat meat, those celebration can be compared to Czech traditions for Catholics too. On another said there are families, which use Easter as a chance to celebrate and have fun with friends. Those families are playing games; probably the most popular tradition in USA is game called: Cracking eggs. Also Carol was mentioning this game: “As kids we played that came with cracking eggs, mostly there were only shells which were full of flitters and you got point, if u cracked it on someone’s head. Uhm, yeah, that was really fun, but I never won….” Also Peter is remembering game, let’s called it a little stinky egg game: “….uhm, our parents, when we were child, they just hide eggs in the our yeard and we had to find them, who found the most, then he or she, uhm, they got the most candies…but sometimes happened, that,uhm, we forgot or we couldn’t find one or two and after some time It started to smell soooo badly..” Well, not all of traditions can be nice…
Czech traditions
Favorite Czech tradition between boys has to be mentioned knitting up from willow sticks by which boys were beating girls. This tradition is not really favorite between woman part of participants. They were more remembering baking Easter lamb as a cake or decorating Easter eggs with different style of decorations. Some of traditions go till today: “Yeah, I just love to pain eggs and after have that all colors Easter eggs salad….no one knows better than my grandma that amazing recipe.”
Traditions from other countries
In American traditions can be seen definitely influence of traditions from all around the world. As was mentioned before, game, which can be smelly, came from Germany. Parents there were mostly hiding candies in paper eggs all around the garden and this game is called Easter bunny. Also one of respondents knew
45 remembered that game during interview: “ We were boys and we just wanted to have fun, so we were hoping, that mom will hide all that old eggs and we will never find them, but according her tradition she covered just candies….well, uhm, it was yumii game, but not funny anymore…”
4.3.4 Category III. Food In this category is very important to say, that Texas cousin is very favorite in the States. Not only because of Tex- Mex, what is combination of Texas Mexican food, but also because of plenty of possibilities to try Czech cousin. Especially Czech bakeries are able to find all around Texas.
Cooking Czech food at home
This category is formed by four different subcategories of respondents. Very little part of respondents is cooking Czech food at home and they like it. There were only 2 of them, who cook also for families. Denise has a big passion for cooking and her answer has to be mentioned: “I think that the biggest passion for cooking was given by my grandma which was Czech, she loved to cook and bake and every single recipe saved to a big book. I’ve never ever could thought, that such a big big treasure will once be mine….it just, ….I open and bake kolache with fruit, or I know how to make right dumplings..I think I couldn’t get a better memory for Czech cousin ever!” also Paul has a big passion in Czech food which is given from generation to generation and he likes to cook it for his family too. “Yeah, uhm, I really love Sundays, these are my cooking days. Especially when we are meeting all my family I love to cook Czech fried schnitzels or potato salad, also duck with Sauer kraut and dumplings is something, you know I think I’m very good at it.”
Tasted Czech food
Second part of this category is created by a majority experience about Czech food. Most of respondents have answered that they tasted Czech food already and some of them have really good memories, just they have not tried to cook it yet. For example Clayton knows Czech food from his trip to Czech: “Of course I know Czech
46 food, well, drinks mostly…just let’s say pivo with duck or your plumb, that sweet plumb dumplings, it’s uhhhh, just so tasty. I really wish I could cook it by my own…”, his family has at least once a year big meetings, where all older generations cook traditional Czech meals. Also Alice, who’s used to live in Czech for short time experienced Czech food very well: “Oh yeah, oh man…Czech food, Christmas markets…uhmm, that smell of ….bramboraky? I ehm, think so…uhm, or all that pies my friends baked, it was so good…”
Mixing Czech food with different world cousins
As most of Czech Texans tried Czech meal, they also mix this cousin with another from all different countries of the world. For example Conrad wasn’t sure about goulash the most. But it’s very important to say, that plenty of them had an idea, that Czech cousin is very similar to German, Slovakian or Polish. Only Kate thought that Pasta Carbonara is the best Czech meal and it was very upsetting to takeout her from this mystification.
Never tasted Czech meal
Only one person from all has never tasted Czech meal. Author tried to make suggestion of possibilities and different types of food the respondent could try, but unfortunately, she could not realize it.
4.3.5 Category IV. a) Family history Deep knowledge of family immigration history
Category IV. is divided only for two parts of subcategories. The question of respondents was mostly asked same, if they ever asked or learned how their family came from Czech land. It is very important to highlight that none of them have ever learned anything. Five or respondents have very deep knowledge and they are very interested in family history. They weren’t surprised about that question at all and some of answers are almost copying the written history from book founded and studied by author of this dissertation. Alice was telling the story of her family almost
47 like a fairy tale and it was very nice to see how deep knowledge she has: “….and they traveled soooo long time. My grand great great parents had to take a boat. But there weren’t boats like today. Luxury boats, ehm, I mean… They, uhm, I mean my old ancestors had to share one room with another ten people, but luckily they came to New Orleans, happy and safety landed …another trip took week longer..” ...and I think it is necessary share idea of Paul, whose family had almost same story. “I just think that no one of us would be strong enough to pass this entire journey. We would be thirsty, hungry and…let’s say angry after first couple of days…they were real heroes for me. “
Awareness of family history immigration
The rest, what means eight out of twelve respondents have idea in which century them family immigrated to USA and why did they do that. Some of them still think to try to find a family tree and contact relatives in Czech Republic. As Emily: “I think, uhm, I should really do that. I actually, I am sure I want to tell more to my kids about our history than I know, because it’s really important to know, you know…where you are from and what brought you to a different land long time ago.” There is nothing more to say than agree….
4.3.6 Category IV. b) Czech history Czech Republic is still Czechoslovakia
Second part of fourth category is about Czech history. As most of respondents had an idea about family history and immigration, author was also interested in knowledge about Czech history. 8 out of 12 respondents had high knowledge about Czech Republic. Even of a high knowledge of a history of Czech Republic 4 of them still called Czech Republic as Czechoslovakia as this country worked under this name for a long time and respondents got to use this name. It is necessary to point out that they also knew about separation of these two democratic countries. Clayton, which know that the right name is Czech Republic says: “….well I know, of course I know, it’s Czech Republic, but grew up in a family, where everybody called Czech Czechoslovakia and everybody knows, what country do we mean…but I think my grandparents were happy when Czech Republic and Slovakia separated.” Karen also
48 realized, that title Czechoslovakia appeared in her kid study book: “ When Wyatt came once home with his new social studies book I briefly looked it up and found, that even in a new book published in 2012 they called the country Czechoslovakia…it seems like it’s deeply in minds of everyone.”
That Czech history is an interesting subject to study knows Paul: “Well, I took a class of European history on our university. There was a really big part presented to Czech history. It’s unbelievable how long it is…right?” Most of respondents had the deepest information especially about Second World War when Czech was occupied by Germany.
Awareness of Czech history
Partly there were respondents which knew that Czech Republic, as a country exists. The knowledge about the country and history was not really deep, but positive fact is, that 11 out of 12 of participants knew, what and where the capital city of Czech Republic is and that Czech Republic is a democratic country in Europe. As Emily: “Well, I know where is Czech, of course, it‘s in Europe. Yeah, ehm, well, I think, that your capital is Prague…and, uhm, I know I should know more, because I really study that, but I don’t remember too much about it….but in the future I will try to find out more information.”
No knowledge of Czech history
Only one of people participating interview didn’t have almost any idea about Czech Republic. His knowledge about the country was very rare and he did not have idea on what continent is Czech Republic. Interesting thing is that his knowledge about his Czech back round was much higher.
4.3.7 Category V. Problems of being Czech in Texas School problems
Category V. raised when first of two participants of this interview started to speak about them problems, which they had as Czechs here. Some of participants grew up
49 in a family where them parents cook Czech meals and prepared everything homemade for kids even to school. Eating habits of American kids were mostly totally different than Czech kids used to eat: “…and my mom made me bread with butter and cheese, we had some cows, so it was easy to make it. Also quark, kids didn’t even know it…, but they were eating fancy food…” told Matt. Some of kids weren’t mean only because of meals, but important role played also language, what Jane knows and explains: “…and kids were laughing at me, because my English wasn’t good at all and…uhm, even I tried to do my best, I couldn’t get rid of my Czech accent.”
Problems at work
Accent did not make problems to respondents only at school, but at work too. Denise, who’s heard Czech mostly from her grandma got partly Czech accent too. As a kid, she was joining school with many different nationalities, so accent was not main problem for them. Problems at work started, when she got a leading position: “…ehm, how to say it? First I wasn’t having problems with my colleagues before and actually everything went so well, but when I started to run for my job, we were two and I was the one who got the job...uhm, and suddenly all had problems with my accent, even I think it wasn’t strong at all…but I didn’t get fired, I think they really appreciate what I know, not how I speak…”
No problems at all
Most of younger respondents in this research but did not find any problems during them life about being Czech. As Conrad said, people were mostly wondering about the history of name. “ ..ehm, I think I have never had any problems with being Czech, definitely not. People were mostly asking where is my name coming from and it was a nice guessing game (laugh)…” Emily unawares agreed with Conrad with almost same answer: “Haha, problems? No, why? Well, I think that most of my friends and also people I met were wondering about my name and if I know the language…”
Being Czech highly appreciated
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That having Czech heritage can be in a different country than Czech also opportunity knows also Robert: “I got my job in the Czech society only because I was Czech, I studied Czech and I knew the history really well. If I didn’t have this knowledge, no one would accept me there…” Robert works in Czech heritage society and arranges trips to Czech Republic.
4.3.8 Category VI. Visiting Czech Republic Visiting often because of work
Category VI. is called Visiting Czech Republic, author talked during the interview with her participants about traveling to this country. Richard is travelling to Czech Republic quite often because of his job. Also Clayton, whose started to work with a company, which has one of outposts also in Czech Republic.” I have visited Czech Republic only twice till now and didn’t spend there really long time, I mean, hmmm, I worked there, so I couldn’t really travel, but it was nice and next month I will have to travel there again. And maybe, in the future, hmm, I will maybe travel there for holiday too.”
Never visited Czech Republic
Four out of twelve respondents have never visited Czech Republic till today. It is in them future plans. Most of them just did not have a time or chance to visit this country. Thomas already planned his trip for next year, it is going to be 3 weeks trip, mostly to Moravia: “ Oh yeah, I did not have a chance to visit Czech Republic yet, but …I planned it with my wife for next summer and hopefully we can make it. It should be for three weeks, so let’s see and hope for that…”
Visited Czech Republic once or twice
Three Czech Texans who’s participated this interview visited Czech Republic once or twice. Karen visited this country twice: “So we travelled also to Czech Republic, it was exactly after 1993, actually it was in 1994, and everything was….ehm, I didn’t really like it for the first time. It was also right before Christmas and…hm, honestly I didn’t like the smell of all stuff on the Christmas markets, and it was cold everywhere…but, when we came for the second time, it was right before Easter, in 2003, there were so
51 many changes and I was really impressed. So yes, now I would like to go again…” Also Denise traveled to Czech Republic in the aim to find her relatives: “Yes, my grandma was talking about Czech like a wonderful country, and when Czech Heritage Society offered me to travel with them, I couldn’t say no…I took my own trip and met my relatives, it was nice to see and meet a part of my family…”
Lived in Czech Republic
Three of respondents had a chance to live in Czech Republic. One man and one woman was born in Czech, during and after Second World War, both families moved to Texas after the end of the war when American borders were opened for victims of the war. For both of them were this change something what they remember only rarely, Matt remember them trip: “It was a long and really tiring trip, we traveled by train, after long time by ship and in the end we had to pay for a trip from Boston to Texas….Oh, it was the longest trip I’ve ever ever had, you wouldn’t believe….”
One of the younger girls lived for a year during her studies as an exchange program: “I didn’t know where to go, but I had relatives which live in Czech Republic, so I pick it. Also, I’ve heard that Czech is kind a cheap and they were right. I was living in Brno and it was really an awesome year…” explains her decision and experiences about living in Czech.
4.3.9 Category VII. Future in Czech Republic Living in Czech Republic for retirement
In Category VII. author asked her respondents about future life in Czech Republic, they were discussing possibilities of moving there. No one wanted to move to Czech, find a job and move also the family there. Two of answers were positively saying about possibility to live in country for retirement. Denise likes Czech and hopes that she could move there with her husband in the future: “Hmmmm, you know, I really don’t want to move there right now, definitely not. I still have kids and I want to spend more time in my job, which I really like….but you know, what I’ve heard, Czechoslovakia can be nice place to live there in the future when I resign my job and
52 start to live…” , Michael read a lot about Czech Republic and thinks, it is going to be cheaper place: “ Well, I read a lot, at least I try to, and I think, in Czech I can live pretty cheap and have a nice retirement there. To buy a nice house, somewhere close to the forest. I just hope I can stay alive till I retire….”
Do not see any possibility of living in Czech Republic
Most of asked people do not see any possibility of living in Czech Republic in the future. The arguments why not are different: “I think we just have a better health system here, well, definitely here in Texas…” says Clayton and Emily thinks: “ I think it’s pretty cool to study there, but to live there for longer time? I think it’s not country for me. I grew up in USA where people don’t care what do I wear or…whatever…”. Thomas is sure, he could not find a same job as here: “I studied school for long time, and I think that I’m really, hmmmm, really satisfied with the job I do. And I don’t think so, that in there I would get more paid for what I do. I don’t mean Czech is bad, I just think that people here are better paid than in Czech…”
Returning to Czech Republic as a visitor
Even of the fact that respondents are not thinking about living in the future in Czech Republic, answers about returning as tourists are sure. Karen wants to spend more time in the future to find more relatives: “ Yes, well ehm, I was in Czech twice, but it’s soooo sad I’ve never met any relatives and didn’t spend time with them…you know, if I’d have more time, what I hope I will….you know, I will definitely come back, for some time. I mean, I won’t move there, but I want to ….discover.” Richard, who is already visiting Czech Republic often has plans for the future too: “ …since I’ve started to work for Czech society, it brought a lot of travelling, but…let’s say it honestly, even I have time….sometimes, I just don’t do there what I want to. So…maybe later I can come as a tourist, not for job…”
4.3.10 Category VIII. Planned changes in the future Start to learn Czech language 53
The last but one is Category VIII., which discuss subject about planned changes in the future of respondents. They all are thinking about future changes which could aggravate knowledge. Four of them started to think about future learning of Czech language, which is according them hard, but they think it is connected with the family history, some of them thinks it can also help at job. For example Clayton wants to start soon: “ …yeah, I think I should start soon, you know, at least the basic sentences for meetings in Czech and maybe later…hmmm, just I think it will be hard to find a teacher here…” also Conrad thinks it will give him new perfective and also it could be good for his communication with relatives: “ …I want to start to learn Czech in the future, well, when I have more time than now…hmmm, I think it could help me with communication, you know, we have some relatives whose can’t speak English so well…”
Celebrate more Czech traditions
Another subcategory is completed by answers about celebrating Czech traditions. Eleven of twelve respondents decided to start to find out and after celebrate more Czech traditions. Thomas and Raymond decided to find more information about traditional Easter in Czech Republic, they think, that traditions about beating girls for them beauty is nice tradition, Thomas wants to celebrate it with his family: “…and I would like to start to celebrate Easter like in Czech Republic, I bet it has to be such a fun…to wake up my girls in the morning and just beat them.” Kate, Denise and Karen want to conclude more traditions at all. Kate wants try to learn how to play some Christmas carols: “Definitely, it can be wonderful change to start with playing different Christmas carols than American. Also we can start some different traditions during Easter, I think it can make something new…and it still will come from our family history.”
Big surprise for participants was thing, that a very popular dance polka has strong roots in Czech. For example Emily, who’s studied in Czech Republic, found it out right there. “Well, when my friend from Czech, ehm, so she took me once to some typical ball, it was during the winter and it was so called, she just said: “Dress nice” and we
54 came to a big house and I’ve heard polka! Polka!!! The one, which we dance in our country clubs…that was really surprising…”
Find and start to cook Czech recipes
Surprisingly not only women but also men decided to find more Czech recipes and start to cook the favorite one. Emily would like to use more family recipes: “…I want to get more recipes which people cook home, I think they are just more tastier and it will be amazing cook book, much better than bought from shop, don’t you think so?” also Matt, which came from Czech Republic with his parents wants to try different Czech recipes: “I want to try to prepare own sausages, the same as my parents did. I’ve never tried them…And also do a big family dinner with different Czech meals, and also dessert, strudel with apples…that I tried already.” Also Karen, which is keeping eye on the food she eats thinks, that Czech meals are really delicious: “Yeah, with Czech cuisine is really hard to be on a diet, the food is sooo heavy, but I wish to learn how to beak more traditional Christmas cookies and also dumplings…”
Find more information about family history
Last part of this category is completed by opinions about respondents who want to find more information about history of them families. Some of them are coming from half Czech and half Polish, some of them are half from Czech and half from German that is why the history is important point for them. Richard thinks: “It’s being such a huge paradox, don’t you think? I work for Czech society, sometimes, if I have time I help to people find out more information about the heritage, but I still didn’t have time to find a deep and truly history even in Czech. I think this is what I should do in the future…” and he also thinks that the history will be really interesting thing for all of his relatives living in Texas.
4.3.11 Category IX. a) Positives of having Czech heritage Relatives in another part of the world
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Last Category, which is again divided into a and b is discussing positives and negatives, which can Czech heritage bring or which already brought to participants on this research. Firstly start with positives. Most of respondents is in one, that having relatives in a different part of world can bring positives. Jane is sure, that if she would like to start to live in Czech Republic in the future, she would find relatives, who would help her in the start. Also Clayton thinks, that to have relatives in Czech can bring more positives: : “ …you never know, when you will need a help in a different country, especially now, when I will be more often in Czech Republic, it will be se great if I find some of them, or at least try to get in touch for the future trips.”
Possibilities of different lifestyle
Czech back round can give to respondents’ possibility to try a different lifestyle. As was mentioned in the theory, Czechs are having different celebrations, different language and also variants of food. Richard thinks, that “…with Czechs it’s just more open, I love to spend time in my family. Also sometimes I think, that Czechs are more into education, they push kids harder and I think kids also more share with parents….but there are more things than just this. It’s about feeling, uhm, I’m not saying I’m not proud American, but I’m proud Czech too.”
Raise interest
To have a Czech surname and know a little Czech can be also interesting object and positive to get a job. Also knowledge of history does make a difference. Matt knows, that his surname raised an interest in many people and he got an opportunities to get a job because his parents, who were Czech tough him hard. “ Ehm, ehm, my parents, yes, it was hard sometimes, they were really strict and sometimes we had hard time, especially when I was a teenager, but…ehm, I really appreciate what they did for me, I think with them education I’m a good person and it as easier to get a better job, because everyone could see that I can work hard.” Jane and Denise knows, that accent and good knowledge of English is very good start, Denise thinks that: “…many people found out a little touch of Czech accent very cute, hmmm, I think because it was something interesting for them. And I also think it helped me a
56 lot, when I said I have Czech ancestors. They immediately start to ask why I know so good English…it was good to blame them sometimes..(laugh) …”
4.3.12 Category IX. b) Negatives of having Czech heritage Czech accent
The second part of last category is trying to describe the negative side of having Czech heritage. As was mentioned in the first part, Czech accent can be definitely positive, but some of respondents think, that their Czech accent made problems at work. For example Jane said, that her English, with a little accent never made employers sure, she knows English well: “ …hmmm, yeah, I think that to have somehow Czech heritage, I mean, uhm, back round, it is great of course, but it can also bring a lot of problems. For example, when I applied for my first job at the office, they weren’t really sure about me. Even I had English exams, they want to me to take some more tests to make sure I can speak and write, uhm, and just use the grammar right…”..Also Matt found out, that kids can be really mean and he explained it easily: “I knew that my English was a little bit harder and my accent wasn’t the real American one, but kids at school were cruel sometimes. I just felt like a looser…but I got rid of my accent, I think it was the best I could do…”
Hard to meet relatives living in Czech Republic
Another negative is definitely the thing, that even people find them relatives in another part of the world, and they have possibility to visit them there, it is becoming really hard, just because traveling to Czech Republic from Texas takes a day and for meetings it is usually really hard to manage it. However, sometimes it is really nice. As a negative it seems for Conrad, which found his relatives: “Honestly, when I found and contacted my relatives in Czech Republic, I was soooooooo, so excited. The possibility, that you can see your relatives whose live over the ocean is perfect, ehm, don’t you think….uhm, unfortunately, it is over three years I found them, and I still could not meet them, what is actually really sad…but there is not time to do that. Thankfully we have modern technique as Skype or Facebook, what
57 helps a lot.” , Katy thinks that for her wedding, which is going to happen in 10 months will be really hard to invite her relatives from Czech: “ Yeah, ehm, me and my fiancée would really love to have most of our families…you know, to be all together. And we said we want to have big wedding and enjoy our day, but I think that for our relatives, because Greg’s family is from Germany, will be really hard to pay all the tickets, and even to find a time…just for a week. But hope at least someone, after that long time can come…”
Difficulties with writing last name down
The very last part, and for the author probably the funniest part is about difficulties with writing surname down. From her own experience it happens very often, even everyone knows spelling really well. Thomas was explaining his situations: “ I love my surname, ehm, I mean, I love my surname till the time I’m writing it down by myself, but when I have to spell it or when I pronounce it to someone else, I’ve already prepared words for ech letter of my surname…because most of the time people just messed it up. At least now I don’t worry that my name on the credit card won’t be destroyed …(laugh)”
4.4 Summary
In the final subsection of this chapter author would like to evaluate the overall result from the research. During the analysis has been studied a sample of 12 Czech Texans , this number has been divided into six women and six men for possible comparison of the differences in responses between two genders and also tried to reach possible distinctions between three different generations, whose were concluded into research. In these categories author wanted to show up and in the end answer of research questions mentioned in introduction. In the next chapter will be introduced results of analysis made from interviews.
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5 Discussion
The aim of this thesis was to evaluate whether the Czech- Americans living in Texas try to return to its original Czech heritage, eventually how or if this history of Czech heritage is already forgotten. In this work author researched the opinions, knowledge and experiences which participants had during them life. This dissertation worked on to answer researched question situated in the introduction. Of the above categories prove that there is no difference from answers in genders opinion between men and women. Sometimes, especially questions that relate to the history can be seen that those generations which were born in 1950s have deeper knowledge of Czech history and language.
What the Czech language is concerned, a deep knowledge not been demonstrated in any of the surveyed; however knowledge of the Czech language may still prove two interviewees, even though it is no longer fluent. Some of respondents want in the future to learn basic phrases and optionally improve their current knowledge. Most of them consider Czech language as the main reference of the history of ancestors in Texas. Czech language is also connected very important accent that some interviewees had. Thanks to it, some of respondents had trouble getting work, or had to demonstrate a deep knowledge of English. That Czech accent can be taken as a positive prove that fact, that some employees thought about it, that these workers are having a high ability to learn new things, because they were able to learn another fluent language.
An important part of Czech Heritage is Christmas and Easter traditions. Although, most of respondents are already enjoying predominantly American traditions. We can still find exceptions of families that follow with some of Czech traditions. They are connected mostly with baking or cooking typical Christmas cookies or meal. Especially generation in authors’ age and age of authors parents would like to start celebrate more traditions connected with these holidays and also learn more recipes according which they could start to prepare more of Czech meals. At a moment while is discussed preparing food is important to note, that not all of respondents
59 were able to describe typical Czech food and they were mixing up different European styles.
Easter traditions are almost same as Christmas, participants are celebrating mostly American one, which are big mix of British and German habits. In this part can be seen that male representation in this research found that the Easter customs are much more interesting especially for men, because they can beat women without excuses, but for health and beauty.
With traditions is connected also Czech cooking and baking, not only during the Christmas and Easter time. During the interview some of participants owned up about collecting recipes from generation to generation and enjoying cooking from the cook book full of family recipes and preparing big dinners for all the family. Also main part of them thinks that it is important to collect them and spread at least part of heritage like this into Texas people.
Next part deals with a discussion about Czech history and relatives in the Czech Republic. It is important to say, that for respondents, which represents opinions of Czech-Americans in Texas is deep history of Czech Republic is relatively unknown for them, however they know some parts of it. They still see possibility of deepen knowledge during them life.
Most of participants on this research agreed that they see very important fact to find relatives living in Czech Republic. The importance of meeting all together looks like a very important peek of them life, even meetings of this distance are mostly very limited and rare, however some of them plan already meetings for the wedding. Not all of respondents have already found out or contacted them relatives back in Czech Republic, but positive things about this fact is, that most of them have it in plans.
The last but one part of this discussion is completed from the opinions of respondents about the ideas of Czech Republic as a place to visit and live in. The great majority of participants have lived or already visited this country in the past. However, as research has shown, Czech Republic is not so attractive country in the
60 search for a job. Yet it should be noted, that two of the participants on the research weigh up moving into this country during the retirement.
In the end of this is important to say, that respondents are representing just a little part of Czech- Texans population living in Texas, however, their answers, even with a different expressions were partly same.
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6 Conclusion
Following chapter has been mentioned as the ending section of this dissertation. Author will repeat research questions, aim and summarized what has been founded during the research study.
The researcher has worked on her study during last months in USA, Texas where she had possibility to meet Czech Texans and experienced the Czech- Texans culture by in-depth interviews and observation methods.
In the next paragraphs is going to be explained and described the research questions.
What does the heritage means for respondents?
After interviewing 12 respondents and meeting with them, author could see that heritage means for these respondents, but also for most of them relatives, whose are living in Texas a lot. The exact word “heritage” has actually not been mentioned really often, but from the interviews can be understood, that heritage means for them the culture of ancestors, something what they brought from the original country. Not all of respondents are having only Czech ancestors, but they see the main importance of heritage in especially language and culture part, what contains traditions during holidays or national recipes for cooking. During the observation part could be also seen, that as a heritage they also understand typical, mostly handmade artifacts made by relatives or bought in Czech Republic. The very common thing was especially Czech glass or hand crocheted blanket on the table.
Do respondents see any possibility of restoration Czech traditions in Texas?
To answer this question we need to have a look to the research analysis, which was discussed in Chapter 4. Most of respondents remember some traditions which were practiced by their relatives as parents or grandparents. Most of them confess, that they do not practice traditions anymore, but they know or at least they have an idea what Czech traditions are about. That is according participants on this survey very
62 important part for restoration. In close future, they would like to start by their own with learning Czech language, what is according them part of Czech heritage and I think in this example also a tradition, because it is becoming rare to hear Czech language in a different country. Also they would like to renovate some of Christmas or Easter traditions, especially connected with Czech Christmas carols or baking typical Czech cookies according old recipes. What is Easter pertains, men participants would like to start with preparing Easter willow sticks, which has a big tradition in Czech. Also they want to learn more typical traditions and things connected with those two important holidays in Czech Republic. They also see as an important part to spread these thought between their friends and family.
What traditions would they like to survive and why?
This research question was partly answered in the previous one, but let’s recapitulate them and also put some more. In the main question has been answered, that traditions should be restored and participants on this research project want to survive them and start to practice more of them.
In the very first line were a Christmas and Easter traditions connected with baking, but also typical traditions practiced of them great grand parents or even great great grand-parents. Another main idea is to restore language, what is already happening by some of Czech societies, which has been named before. By author observation could be waylaid that Czech traditions are again rising from the ashes. Respondents also think that they would like to keep traditions which are already practiced, as dancing polka which was brought by Czechs years ago or for example painting eggs during the Easter.
The most important part for respondents is to spread out these traditions to another people and for future generations.
Is there any Czech tradition respondents observe during the holidays?
During the two, most important holidays, which are celebrating in Czech Republic (Christmas and Easter) Czechs practice plenty of different traditions. Author interest was, if some of those tradition has been brought and kept up throw the centuries.
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Respondents and their families are still practicing some of traditions, but it is not global, but it is more rare, family from family. In some families of respondents they paint eggs during the Easter with vax, in another they bake typical Christmas cookies and gingerbread and fry carp for Christmas dinner. Unfortunately, as was mentioned before, it is rare nowadays and respondents would like to renovate these traditions again.
Is Czech culture and history in Czech- Texans minds?
History about Czech is between Czech- Texans slowly being forgotten. Texas school kids do not study deep history about other states and even between posterity of Czechs it is not really often that they would study deeply history. However, it is possible to study this subject on special schools or at university as a class.
On another side, Czech culture is between respondents, their families and friends well-known. Not only traditions, but things for what is Czech Republic so typical. For example glass which is inherited fro generation to generation, hand-embroidered blankets and tablecloths. These traditions seem for Czech- Texans very important.
Is Czech still kept as a live language and practiced?
It is really sad; however Czech, as a second language for Czech- Texans is no longer kept between them. Even of older generations are still able to speak partly Czech, between younger generations is this tradition no longer practiced. Czech, as a language is not that interesting language for them.
Even of this fact, some of respondents still want to start to learn this language and know at least some, of importance sentences.
The aim of this dissertation was mostly fulfilled. Author found out what does heritage mean for her respondents and not only for them, but also for the wider audience. During the research, which has been made in Texas the author had a chance to meet and see different people in their own environment and during the observation and meeting with new people is able to say, that spirit of Czech heritage
64 is still breathing from every single village or town where is big Catholic church with Czech letterings, there is possibility to make a stop by a Czech bakery and as a Czech be over welcomed there and with pleased get free “kolaches” as a special guest. Every month in a different part of Texas is possibility to visit a different festival and what a more, Czech- Texans are still, at least of a part of their heart being proud Czechs. What can be seen just by statements or pronunciation of Czech surname, which they proudly keep and use.
Author study department is sociology- andragogy, where the main idea of adults education, her future plans is are to return back to Texas and study Czech Texans little bit more, especially try to help to organizations with preparing materials for learning Czech all generations and also restoration of some traditions, as for example was mentioned before: beating girls with willow sticks on Easter Monday or start to celebrate some days like Memories of the deceased called "Dusicky” or Saint Nicolas day 5th of January with Saint Nicolas, angel and evil coming and asking kids, if they were nice during the year. In this case she would have chance to connect both of her study departments.
Czech spirit is in whole Texas and we can just hope, that the societies, which were settled up for the spreading Czech heritage, culture and history will keep up with this job and find out the way, how to awaken in people enthusiasm and interest in the spread of the culture.
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12) HEALEY, Joseph F. Diversity and society: race, ethnicity, and gender. 3 [ed.]. Thousand Oaks, Calif.: Pine Forge, c2010, xx, 467 p. ISBN 14-129-7647-2.
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Anotace
Příjmení a jméno autora: Bc. Lucie Krajčovičová
Název katedry a fakulty: Katedra sociologie a andragogiky FF UP
Název práce: České dědictví v Texasu
Počet znaků: 117 198
Počet příloh: 2
Počet titulů použité literatury: 30
Klíčová slova: dědictví, emigrace, USA, Texas, Češi v zahraničí, zachovávání tradic, český jazyk
Práce se zabývá českým dědictvím v Texasu. Speciálně pak uchovávání, obnovování a přenášení tradic z generace na generaci. Práce si dává si dává za cíl zjistit, zda potomci Čechů, kteří emigrovali v průběhu několika staletí stale ví, co obnaší kultura a tradice jejich předků, popř. jak a jaké tradice dodržují. Dále se poté snaží zjistit, zda je český jazyk stále, alespoň částečně přechováván. Práce se snaží identifikovat zda je případně možnost na obnovu a pozdější uchování tohoto Českého dědictví v Texasu.
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Annotation
Surname and name of the author: Bc. Krajčovičová Lucie
Name of Department and Faculty: Department of Society and Andragogy
FF UP
Thesis title: Czech Heritage in Texas
Number of characters: 117 198
Number of attachments: 2
The number of titles used literature: 30
Key words: Heritage, immigration, USA, Texas, Czechs abroad, preservation of traditions, Czech language
The thesis is focused on the Czech Heritage in Texas. This work deals especially with the preservation, restoration and transferring traditions from generation to generation. This work gives is aimed to determine whether descendants of Czechs who emigrated over several centuries still knows what it takes to culture and traditions of their ancestors, respectively. How and what traditions people use to practice. Furthermore, this work is trying to determine whether the Czech language remains, at least partially held. The work seeks to identify whether there is an option to restore and preserve this later Bohemian heritage in Texas.
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Appendices
1. Photos of some Czech towns and places in Texas
2. Interview
71
Dubina church
I
Praha
Czech festival in West
II
III
Interview Age: 46
City: Houston
Q: Hello, thank you so much for meeting me. I really appreciate your help.
A: Oh, no problem, you are very welcome…..
Q: So, uhm, I’d like to ask you about, about your childhood….
A: Yeah, uhm let me think…(smile), uhm, I mean, it’s not that long, but…you know…
Q: Yes, I know, sometimes it can be hard….
A: Yes, hm, you are right…so, yes, I lived with my parents Raymond and Marketa David in East Barnard. I was actually born in La Grange, where my family lived before, but, hmmmm, probably couple of months after I born, because I don’t really remember that time, hm, I think they moved to East Barnard, where my parents actually live till today. So yes, my sister, she was born five years after me, and she born in East Barnard.
Q: Aha, and, hm, so your both parents are from Czech families?
A: Yes, they both are from Czech families, actually….my mother was born two years after her family came to United States, hm, but my father, his family came in 19th century, soooo…that is probably much longer history. Yes, so they both are from Czech families….
Q: And, did your parents spoke with you Czech? Did they actually use Czech in your home?
A: My mother sometimes did. And, hm, when I think about it, my parents spoke sometimes together in Czech, I think, mostly, you know when they didn’t want us to know what are they talking about. They were fighting in Czech, I mean, usually arguments and this stuff around…And also around Christmas and some surprises, makes me think, that it was probably very easy for them.
IV
Q: So, hm that makes me think…they probably didn’t teach you Czech at all, well, actually, it sounds like this…
A: Yes, well, you are right. Hm, I think they could teach us, because, hm, especially when we were kids, it could be more easier for them. Just because we were growing up in the area, where were so many Czechs, but I actually really don’t know why they didn’t, I think it is a shame, because we could know the language of our ancestors…unfortunately, we didn’t. Well, my sister, she, hmmm, now I think she started to take lessons of Czech. She is little younger than I and it’s a nice. She said, she likes it… I wish to have more time, hm, but right now, right now is everything just so busy. But maybe, when I’m old, I maybe find a time to learn Czech.
Q: Ah, I see. So you don’t know even a word in Czech?
A: Oh yes, I do. I know kolaches (laugh), my kids like it. And I also know dekuji, prosim, also na zdravi a ahoj. No more….definitely wouldn’t be able to say sentence….
Q: Ah, ok. And did your family join any festivals, where you could experience any Czech culture?
A: Oh yeah, we did and I still do. Every year my family was joining Kolaches festival in our city. My mother was donating kolaches which she baked in our house. I was the one who was only stealing, but during the festival I really enjoyed dance polka, that’s a dance my parents danced with me since I was a kid and was dancing there too. Nowadays I don’t really join so many festivals, but we have every year Family and friends reunion and it’s almost like a festival, because it goes for two days. We are eating traditional Czech food and having family auctions with Czech stuff.
Q: And what Czech food do you cook for example?
A: Hmmmm, I’m actually not really good at cooking, but I love to do potato salad with eggs, mayo and pickles. And m husband cooks a wonderful fried carp. I think that is like for Christmas as I’ve heard. And my mom every time bakes pie with plumbs, I think we have family recipe. But all of my family makes something
V different, and because we have really huge family and the reunion goes for two days, everyone brings almost something different.
Q: Sounds perfect…so what do you do on that reunion?
A: We usually sit, talk, and, some of older relatives still speak Czech, we usually have good time with plumb vodka and bringing old pictures. Last year my cousin also brought, she brought that traditional Czech costume, she looked wonderful. But I think he only borrowed it from somewhere.
Q: And do your kids join that reunion too?
A: Yes, both. Even they don’t really like it. Hm, both are in the age when they mostly spend time with friends. But some of my cousins bring kids too…so it can be fun for them.
Q: While we are talking about fried carp and potato salad, how do you celebrate Christmas?
A: Like Americans, with my family we usually open first present the night before 25th, kids have allowed two, but me, my husband and mom open only one. And we have big dinner together. We eat whatever we want. Sometimes it’s turkey, sometimes, hmmm, sometimes it’s also fish, but there is not too much tradition as it was when I was a kid. With my parents, we mostly celebrated Christmas 24th and family meetings were 25th. And also we had mixed idead about Santa Claus and ….hmmmm, I think it was small Jesus. So I never knew who brings me presents, but in the end my parents changed it and it was only from Santa. So yes, we are….sadly more Americans.
Q: And how about Easter?
A: Yeah, we,uhm, we definitely celebrate Christmas, just because we are Catholics and for us it’s important. So we went to the Church with my parents and I do that with my kids too. I think with my parents, we actually did eggs painting and after Bunny hunting. My kids are just doing the Bunny hunting and crashing eggs. We buy eggs which are filled with flitters and you crash them on someone head. This is fun
VI for my kids…..but, hm, when I think about connection with Czech culture, it probably doesn’t have too much in common, right? Because, hmm, I remember, once, we were in Czech during the Easter and boys used some sticks and also throw water to girls…
Q: Ahhh, so you are answering what I wanted to know, if you ever have been in Czech.
A: Yes, we were with my husband twice. Once when we had our honeymoon, well, hmmm, actually it wasn’t honeymoon, but we had after honeymoon something like another honeymoon and it was trip to Europe. So we travelled also to Czech republic, it was exactly after 1993, actually it was in 1994, and everything was….ehm, I didn’t really like it for the first time. It was also right before Christmas and…hm, honestly I didn’t like the smell of all stuff on the Christmas markets, and it was cold everywhere…but, when we came for the second time, it was right before Easter, in 2003, there were so many changes and I was really impressed. So yes, now I would like to go again, but till this time I have not found time to spend there longer time. And I really would like to, hmmm, enjoy it.
Q: And how about your kids, do they somehow notice that they are Czech?
A: Well, they are half Czech….
Q: Yes, well, half Czech…
A: Yes, we tried to teach them at least little bit more Czech than I did, actually our aupairs, which were all from Czech did. I think with younger son we are more successful, it is much easier to educate him in languages. He is not able to, ehm, he is not able to speak fluently, but somehow communicate yes. So well, he knows about history and he is more proud Czech, I think he is more proud than I am. When I think about it, it’s crazy…and my father, he worked for Czech heritage society, so he tried also to worked a little bit more with my kids. He is very proud Czech..
Q: So while we work about societies, have you ever visited museum or did you somehow join any Czech society?
VII
A: Uhm, when I was a kid I had to go with my ather for many times to archive in La Grange, it was mostly boring for me, because they were also meeting, hmmm, with members and me as a kid had to stay there, and I, hmm, I didn’t understand, if it wasn’t in English. But I joined the Czech church in Bystrice. There is a church same like in Czech republic and sometimes they have also Czech worships. I have never joined as a member any society, but my sister did…and I visited Czech museum, it have not opened long time ago. They had very nice dolls there. And also Czech glass…but we have so many Czech glasses home. I really like to use them. They look so fancy…
Q: Uhm, ok, so would you say you have any Czech heritage?
A: Yes, of course, I would say that….ehm, I mean, I will never forget that I came from Czech family…but, ehm, to be honest, I am more proud American than Czech….
Q: Well, I really would like to thank you for this interview, it was very interesting view from you and I’m happy we could somehow manage it…
A: Well, you are very welcome. I hope I could somehow help you.
VIII