Really enjoyed the interview on Luke’s English Podcast (in case anyone reading this gets confused, I am a different Luke!).
It’s interesting you mentioned how British accents are more accepted in American news than vice versa. I tend to think that rightly or wrongly, British accents have a certain authority and cachet that American accents don’t. Why this is, I don’t know - I imagine it’s, at least in part, a hangover from the days of colonialism. But this is just my half baked theory - nothing more!
Oddly enough, I was fascinated at how so many of the presenters at CNN International are Australian. Apparently there is a very good reason for this: the Australian accent is easiest to understand for non-native English speakers. Food for thought…
It always makes me laugh how in American movies British accents are always used for genius professors or evil crime masterminds! I never thought about the Australian accent being easier to understand, I suppose it's a bit of a mix between UK and USA. The australian journos i know are great broadcasters, very natural.
Thanks for this very important piece. I have also to say that we also need to define what Europe means. Often, we overlook the experience of Central-Eastern Europe where WWII was a brutal affair. Even more than in France or Belgium.
Hi Francesco, I totally agree with you. Also, if you watch the EU parliament video, many of the survivors are speaking about their own struggle against Communism and what led to its downfall. I suppose my main point was to highlight the difference, even between 'western' countries.
Barbara, your perspective is so unique to me. I always look forward to anything you have to say because of it. I’ll check out “Fascism in the Family” tonight. Thank you.
To me, the rise of authoritarianism in Europe is deeply troubling. But it’s even more troubling here in the US. It’s NEVER been like that here.
Thank you so much for your lovely comment. I'm putting my book to bed soon (published in January) and then i'll be more free to write here much more frequently.I do love substack, and the feedback and creating our little community.
The US election is fascinating, and I agree it has a slightly different dynamic to Europe. I guess Europe has living memory of dictatorships/war whereas the US doesn't. This election will be very telling. Funny how it's one of the last ones of 2024, the year of elections! like saving best for last.
I just saw “Fascism In the Family”. Congratulations on a BRILLIANT piece. Anyone who reads your Substack should see it and PAY ATTENTION. History repeats itself - if we allow it.
World history in America is totally US-centric. All anyone here knows about Italy begins and ends with Ancient Rome and the Vatican. The 1500 years between Rome and World War II just don’t get taught here. If we’re lucky, we find out who Machiavelli was. Outside that, it’s Galileo, Da Vinci, and food & wine. We’ve heard of Mussolini, but that’s about it. Very few in the States know that Italy was invaded by US troops before Normandy.
So I super-appreciate your story. I found it absolutely FASCINATING. Thank you for sharing that. Fascism or some form of populism is on the rise all over Europe, and after seeing this, I have no doubt that trump is a fascist, too.
This documentary is a WARNING, people. You need to see it.
Thank you Lou. The strange thing is it came out years ago (filmed it in the second half of 2019) and it's more topical than ever. I'm actually currently writing a book on it, in italian at first, linking my grandfather's story with current events. Must say, writing the book is much better. There is so much that I had to leave out in the documentary, and had to assume audience would know very little about fascism in Italy. It's probably the one piece of work I'm most proud of so thank you so much for your comment. You've actually inspired me to write a post soon about the film and how it's aging...or not! Thank you again 🙂
Oh, the film’s aging, all right. The new fascists are growing up! They used to just be skinhead neo-Nazis, written off as a lunatic fringe. Now they’re almost mainstream and getting stronger.
Thank you for this important remembrance, and the critical call out to the role of perspective. Storytelling, yours and those in the video, can foster empathy and compassion, helping us appreciate the human cost of conflict and the importance of unity and cooperation. Today, with the ongoing conflict in Gaza, the aggressive actions of Putin, and the divisive rhetoric of figures like Trump, the world faces complex challenges that require a deep understanding of diverse perspectives. Empathy can bridge divides, promoting dialogue and peaceful resolutions, while compassion can guide us towards policies that prioritize human dignity and welfare. As you remind us, in remembering the past, we can find the strength and wisdom to navigate present conflicts and work towards a more just and peaceful world. I remain positive even while I find so many in the US have such a shallow level of memory, a lack understanding of history, and thus they splash in the shallows of empathy with neigh a drop landing on their heart. Keep up the great writing and work.
Thank you so much Andy. I know I'm biased because I focus on it, but I think the fact that history is not seen as a core subject at school is a problem. Mind you, that's an issue in loads of countries. Anyway, as you say, let's remain positive! 🙂
I listened the interview at Luke's english podcast and enjoyed it. Very interesting points about accent and your amazing background. What impressed me it's also that for me was easier to understand Luke than you (I'm Italian and live in Sardinia). Your english is great of course, but maybe because of your job as news reporter, you speak very fast and fluently. Anyway the show was great and very interesting, I enjoyed it very much.
Really enjoyed the interview on Luke’s English Podcast (in case anyone reading this gets confused, I am a different Luke!).
It’s interesting you mentioned how British accents are more accepted in American news than vice versa. I tend to think that rightly or wrongly, British accents have a certain authority and cachet that American accents don’t. Why this is, I don’t know - I imagine it’s, at least in part, a hangover from the days of colonialism. But this is just my half baked theory - nothing more!
Oddly enough, I was fascinated at how so many of the presenters at CNN International are Australian. Apparently there is a very good reason for this: the Australian accent is easiest to understand for non-native English speakers. Food for thought…
It always makes me laugh how in American movies British accents are always used for genius professors or evil crime masterminds! I never thought about the Australian accent being easier to understand, I suppose it's a bit of a mix between UK and USA. The australian journos i know are great broadcasters, very natural.
Thanks for this very important piece. I have also to say that we also need to define what Europe means. Often, we overlook the experience of Central-Eastern Europe where WWII was a brutal affair. Even more than in France or Belgium.
Hi Francesco, I totally agree with you. Also, if you watch the EU parliament video, many of the survivors are speaking about their own struggle against Communism and what led to its downfall. I suppose my main point was to highlight the difference, even between 'western' countries.
Barbara, your perspective is so unique to me. I always look forward to anything you have to say because of it. I’ll check out “Fascism in the Family” tonight. Thank you.
To me, the rise of authoritarianism in Europe is deeply troubling. But it’s even more troubling here in the US. It’s NEVER been like that here.
Thank you so much for your lovely comment. I'm putting my book to bed soon (published in January) and then i'll be more free to write here much more frequently.I do love substack, and the feedback and creating our little community.
The US election is fascinating, and I agree it has a slightly different dynamic to Europe. I guess Europe has living memory of dictatorships/war whereas the US doesn't. This election will be very telling. Funny how it's one of the last ones of 2024, the year of elections! like saving best for last.
I just saw “Fascism In the Family”. Congratulations on a BRILLIANT piece. Anyone who reads your Substack should see it and PAY ATTENTION. History repeats itself - if we allow it.
World history in America is totally US-centric. All anyone here knows about Italy begins and ends with Ancient Rome and the Vatican. The 1500 years between Rome and World War II just don’t get taught here. If we’re lucky, we find out who Machiavelli was. Outside that, it’s Galileo, Da Vinci, and food & wine. We’ve heard of Mussolini, but that’s about it. Very few in the States know that Italy was invaded by US troops before Normandy.
So I super-appreciate your story. I found it absolutely FASCINATING. Thank you for sharing that. Fascism or some form of populism is on the rise all over Europe, and after seeing this, I have no doubt that trump is a fascist, too.
This documentary is a WARNING, people. You need to see it.
Thank you Lou. The strange thing is it came out years ago (filmed it in the second half of 2019) and it's more topical than ever. I'm actually currently writing a book on it, in italian at first, linking my grandfather's story with current events. Must say, writing the book is much better. There is so much that I had to leave out in the documentary, and had to assume audience would know very little about fascism in Italy. It's probably the one piece of work I'm most proud of so thank you so much for your comment. You've actually inspired me to write a post soon about the film and how it's aging...or not! Thank you again 🙂
Oh, the film’s aging, all right. The new fascists are growing up! They used to just be skinhead neo-Nazis, written off as a lunatic fringe. Now they’re almost mainstream and getting stronger.
Thank you for all your work.
Thank you for this important remembrance, and the critical call out to the role of perspective. Storytelling, yours and those in the video, can foster empathy and compassion, helping us appreciate the human cost of conflict and the importance of unity and cooperation. Today, with the ongoing conflict in Gaza, the aggressive actions of Putin, and the divisive rhetoric of figures like Trump, the world faces complex challenges that require a deep understanding of diverse perspectives. Empathy can bridge divides, promoting dialogue and peaceful resolutions, while compassion can guide us towards policies that prioritize human dignity and welfare. As you remind us, in remembering the past, we can find the strength and wisdom to navigate present conflicts and work towards a more just and peaceful world. I remain positive even while I find so many in the US have such a shallow level of memory, a lack understanding of history, and thus they splash in the shallows of empathy with neigh a drop landing on their heart. Keep up the great writing and work.
Thank you so much Andy. I know I'm biased because I focus on it, but I think the fact that history is not seen as a core subject at school is a problem. Mind you, that's an issue in loads of countries. Anyway, as you say, let's remain positive! 🙂
I listened the interview at Luke's english podcast and enjoyed it. Very interesting points about accent and your amazing background. What impressed me it's also that for me was easier to understand Luke than you (I'm Italian and live in Sardinia). Your english is great of course, but maybe because of your job as news reporter, you speak very fast and fluently. Anyway the show was great and very interesting, I enjoyed it very much.