Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/384358
maltatoday, SUNDAY, 21 SEPTEMBER 2014 14 News Language, culture, food, religion mark Maltese identity 14 News mt survey LANGUAGE is what makes us Mal- tese, food is what makes us Mediterra- nean and the use of the euro currency is what makes us European. This emerges from a survey asking 400 respondents who were asked to mention up to three characteristics constituting their Maltese, European and Mediterranean identities. The survey reveals that more than 1 in 4 could not give an answer when asked to mention at least one characteristic which makes them European. Only slightly more than 1 in 10 could not mention a characteristic of Medi- terranean identity even if 40% replied by associating Mediterranean identity with simply being surrounded by the sea. Only 1% could not define their Maltese identity. We are what we speak The survey shows no changes in the way the Maltese conceive their identity over a similar survey conducted a year ago, which also showed language, cul- ture, food and religion as the top mark- ers of Maltese identity. Moreover despite the Individual In- vestor Programme, which has effec- tively turned citizenship into a com- modity, citizenship remains the fifth most popular marker of identity. The survey shows that while respond- ents see language as the main definer of Maltese identity, university-educated respondents tend to emphasise culture, citizenship, history and Malta's small size as definers of identity. On the other hand, secondary-edu- cated respondents tend to emphasise food, religion, family values, generosity and national pride. Significantly, while 15% of secondary educated respondents consider nation- al pride as a characteristic of identity, fewer than 2% of university-educated respondents gave the same answer. Respondents with a lower level of ed- ucation are also more likely to associ- ate Maltese identity with the food they eat. In fact among those with a second- ary education food comes only next to language as a marker of identity (23%) while among those with a university education the percentage falls to 7%. Significantly 8% specifically refer to feasts as a definer of Maltese identity. Moreover, the percentage rises to 12% among under 35 year olds in a clear indication that feasts are far from be- ing on the way out. 9% of respondents with a post secondary education also consider feasts as a marker of Maltese identity. But while feasts seem to co-exist hap- pily with modernity and rising levels of education, religion is less of a marker of identity among the young and the more educated. While 1 in 5 of respondents older than 55 years considers religion as a marker of Maltese identity only 1 in 8 of under 35 year olds does the same. Moreover while 21% of those with a primary level of education consider religion as a marker of identity only 10% of the university-educated do the same. Malta's small size features exclusively as a marker of identity among 13% of university-educated respondents. Significantly those who consider gen- erosity as a marker are mostly over-55 year olds. Only 2% of under 35 year olds consider generosity as a marker of identity in contrast to 10% of over-55 year olds. Europe: is it all about money? Despite its restricted use in the 18 countries forming the Eurozone, the euro emerges as the most popular marker of European identity among the Maltese. Probably this can be attrib- uted to the daily and mundane use of the currency, which has come to sym- bolise our daily interaction with the continent. It might also be related to the way Europe has been sold to the Maltese as a monetary arrangement rather than a community of values. Travel to other European countries, freedom of movement and knowledge of other European languages are seen as the other markers of Malta's Euro- pean identity. Among the university-educated a substantial 26% consider their knowl- edge of other European languages as the marker of their European iden- tity. Only 5% of secondary educated respondents cite this characteristic. Moreover while 16% of university- educated respondents refer to culture as a marker of European identity this characteristic was barely mentioned by other educational groups. Interestingly the post secondary-ed- ucated are the most likely to associate European identity with democracy, hu- man rights, peace and stability. But the most interesting aspect of the survey is the fact that while 10% of re- spondents with a university education could not find a marker of European identity the percentage rises to over 20% among those with a post secondary or secondary education and to a stag- gering 56% among those with a primary level of education. Food is what makes us Mediterranean If we are what we eat and not what we buy, the Maltese are definitely more Mediterranean than European. In fact 45% of all respondents think that food is the marker of their identity. While European identity is either ab- stract or connected to economic mat- ters, the markers of Mediterranean identity are more physical and sensual. Curiously after more obvious char- acteristics like climate and the sea sur- rounding us, it is our temper which makes us Mediterranean, according to 14% of respondents. Skin complexion, lifestyle and loudness are the other most mentioned markers of the Medi- terranean identity. Indiscipline is also mentioned by nearly 3% of respond- ents. Language makes us Maltese, food makes us Mediterranean and the euro makes us European but 27% can't say what makes us European, and only 11% don't know what makes us Mediterranean BY JAMES DEBONO 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 30 20 10 0 30 20 10 0 Language Culture Food Religion Citizenship Birth place Feasts Family Values Generosity History National Pride The Sea Climate Tradition Temper Small size Flag/Anthem Landscape Identity Brought up in Malta Skin complexion Other character traits Living in Malta Don't know Nothing Euro Travel EU membership Freedom of movement Languages Culture Geography Peace/stability European laws Democracy and rights European citizenship Multiculturalism Electing MEPs Free market economy Being civilised/disciplined Lifestyle Religion Schengen EU Flag EU domination Physical appearance Nothing Don't know Food The Sea Climate Temper Geography Skin complexion Lifestyle Noise Melting pot Culture Indiscipline Other Character traits Warmth Landscape/nature Immigration Language Don't know What characteristics make you Maltese? What characteristics make you European? What characteristics make you Mediterranean?