Kum se fåče...?
We use language to express our individuality, our culture and our knowledge. As part of the language documentation project, we make ethnographic videos that feature native speakers explaining how something is done--something that they are good at and something they enjoy doing, from cooking a traditional meal to making a model ox cart. In this manner, we record a particular type of language use and the knowledge that language helps to both safeguard and transmit.
Here you can see excerpts from the longer video recordings, edited for your enjoyment. We'll add more as we go along, so come back to check this page again.
Ȃn kovačije la Pepo – In Josip's blacksmith office
Lu kovåču-j maj lâhko čåsta – puhni pråhu. / The easiest thing for a blacksmith to do is this – to blow away the dust.
In Matulji, Josip Doričić from Žejane, a one-time blacksmith, presents his tools (video clip 1), shows us how to create a horseshoe (video clip 2) and clamp irons (video clip 3). (taped in 2010)
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Kum se fåče vozić? – How do you make a model ox cart?
...mušåt, kaj šinjorina di Monte Carlo! ...as beautiful as a young lady from Monte Carlo!
In Šušnjevica, Miro Belulović lu Fåbro, former blacksmith, enjoys making ox cart models (video clips 1-5). Uncle Miro explains what he likes about his hobby (video clip 1). During lunch break, he relaxes by playing his accordeon (video clips 6-8).
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Kum se fåče vęrze ši palenta? – How do you make cabbage and polenta?
..atunče rem pokusi toc kumo je./...and then we'll all taste it to see how it is.
It's the beginning of December and the time of the traditional pig slaughter in Žejane/Žejân. The men are busy preparing sausages. Meanwhile, in the Doričić lu Ovčarić family kitchen, a meal is being prepared for all the workers and family members. The lady of the house is Ana Doričić. With the help of Sandra Strčić, she is making the traditional meal in Žejane/Žejân: sauerkraut with pork (video clip 1). Such a meal is unthinkable without potato polenta as a side dish (video clip 2). With the polenta cooling on the table, Ana Doričić has time to tell a funny story about it (video clip 3). (Filmed in 2008.)
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Kum se fåku kobasice? - How do you make sausages?
...e kât va veri, tot se va na kråju pojdi./...whatever you end up making, it will all get eaten in the end.
The first half of the month of December is the traditional time for pig slaughter in Žejane/Žejân. As is the custom on such occasions, the Doričić lu Ovčarić family called on their relatives and friends for help. Watch as they prepare sausages (video clip 1); put aside different pork cuts to work on them later (video clip 2); celebrate the good mood with song (video clip 3). (Filmed in 2008.)
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Kum se fåku šugo ku kårne, štruklji ši fritule? - How do you make a meat sauce, štruklji and fritule?
Čâsta n-âj lukru, ši životu, de vavik. This is not work; it's life, the way it always was.
Franka Jelovčić lu Roto, a 92-year-old Istrian living in New York City, explains how to make a simple, but delicious Istrian meal: šugo ku kårne, štruklji ši fritule. First, she demonstrates a quick way to make šugo ku kårne, the meat sauce (video clip 1); then, she makes štruklji, simple Istrian noodles (video clip 2); at the end, she prepares fritule, a popular traditional dessert (video clip 3); finally, she tells a funny story about štruklji. (Filmed in 2009.)
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