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Seeds of Change Garden

[Learning About Each Other]

Sharing Our Differences;
Learning From Each Other

Cultural Borrowings

Colonizers, explorers, and immigrants brought (and still bring) food preferences and customs with them. On the other hand, colonists exported foods from their new land back to their home countries. Columbus, for example, took corn back to Spain after his first voyage; and on his return voyages to the Americas he took seeds and cuttings with him. Today, the transplanting of food customs has been accelerated by increased international travelers, rapid transportation systems, and the globalization of processed food products such as American soft drinks.

The "American" custom of throwing rice at weddings was probably learned from Asian immigrants. In Asia, rice is associated with happiness and abundance. In most cultures, the staple grain has a symbolic and ritual significance and is often part of blessings, offerings, or prayers of thanksgiving.

In many cases, the names of the foods are exchanged as well. For example the French use the English word sandwich (pronounced "san-weach,") while we use the French word omelette.

Activity:

  • You will be surprised at how many of the names of the foods you eat have been adopted from other languages. Use a dictionary to make a class list of words and their origins. Put the words on 4"x2" pieces of tag board (cut up recipe cards). Make a bulletin board by hanging up a world map. Use yarn and tacks to hang words. Lead yarn from the word to the country of origin.

  • Extra: Find how the word is pronounced in different languages. Are there different derivations of the words? For example, the English word potato was derived from the Spanish papata which was a variation of the South American Indian word batata.

    Food Origins List

    Word Language of Origin
    barbecue Haitian
    Macaroni Italian
    Pretzel German
    Omelette French
    OkraWest African
    Chocolate Aztec
    Pasta Italian
    Croissant French
    Restaurant French
    Menu French
    Mousse French
    Pita Greek
    Shish Kebab Arabic
    Hamburger German
    Paella Spanish
    Taco Mexican/Spanish
    Tortilla Mexican/Spanish
    Banana Spanish or Portuguese
    Caramel Spanish
    Celery French
    Chili Aztec
    Chow Mein Chinese
    Crepe French
    Dandelion French
    Delicatessen French
    Espresso Italian
    Gumbo African
    Salsa Spanish

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