The second and last episode of a traveling story between places, stereotypes and legends. Stereotypes are passed down. But how were they formed? Fortunately, every now and then, beyond our conjectures and inferences, there is someone who studies them.
Portugal, european champion in fatalism (1)
“A lot of stereotypes from many European countries come to mind, but I have total emptiness on Portugal and the Portugueses,” an American guy comments on Reddit (social news site). To this a Spaniard replies as someone who knows a lot: “the Portugueses are rather sad, pessimistic and melancholy. These traits are represented in the typical musical style of Portugal, Fado, and in the word ‘saudade’ which has no translation in any other language”. Well, at least in Italian it can be translated into “nostalgia”. On the other hand, you know, another classic is the “clash of opposites”, between Portugal and Spain. (Like Italy with France). So much that the Portugueses says the Spaniards are fun, energetic and proud, with a tendency to raise the voice. While the Spaniards believe that Portuguese are reserved, indecisive and nostalgic, in fact, with a tendency to fatalism. “Fado” comes from the Latin fatum and means “destiny”…
Portogallo, campione d’Europa in fatalismo (1)
“Mi vengono in mente un sacco di stereotipi di molti paesi europei, ma ho il vuoto totale su Portogallo e i portoghesi”, commenta un americano su Reddit. Alché una spagnola risponde come una che la sa lunga: “i portoghesi sono piuttosto tristi, pessimisti e malinconici. Questi tratti sono rappresentati nello stile musicale tipico del Portogallo, il Fado e nella parola saudade che non ha traduzione in nessun’altra lingua”…