Migration
and intercultural transitions are often depicted in films. The film, My Big Fat Greek Wedding
integrates intercultural transitions.
My Big Fat Greek Wedding was released in 2002 and portrays a love story
between a Greek woman, Toula Portokalos, and a non-Greek man, Ian. Toula’s father wishes that she marry a
Greek man, but Toula is looking for more than the typical Greek man. She begins working at a travel agency
where she meets Ian, and they begin to date and fall in love with hopes of
marrying. When this news gets out
to her family, her father is initially disappointed, as Ian is not Greek and
comes from a small family. Toula
comes from a huge family, and Ian has a hard time adjusting to this
difference. This film is
appropriate to portray intercultural transitions because struggles are
highlighted throughout the film between these varying cultures.
According
to Martin & Nakayama in 2013, “cultural adaptation is a process by which
individuals learn the rules and customs of new cultural contexts” (p.
330). The environment plays a huge
role on how one adapts to a culture.
Throughout the film, Ian had to adjust to Toula’s culture, as it was
very different from his own.
Cultural adaptation connects with intercultural communication in many
ways, as ideas are being transferred across different cultures.
Cultural
adaptation is prominent in My Big Fat Greek Wedding. The Portokalos tease Ian throughout the film about different
Greek words and phrases. They
encourage him to say things in Greek, but Ian does not know what they are
saying or that the phrases are inappropriate. Toula states “there are three things that every Greek woman
must do in life: marry Greek boys, make Greek babies, and feed everyone.” Ian is not Greek and contradicts this
statement. He must adapt to this
Greek culture that is very different from his own. Ian is also vegetarian, which is something that the
Portokalos have a hard time accepting.
Toula tells her Aunt Voula that Ian is a vegetarian and that he does not
eat meat. Aunt Voula is confused
by this and claimed that it was okay she would make lamb. There are a variety of cultural factors
that both Ian and the Portokalos have to adjust to, as intercultural
relationships require the balance of similarities and differences.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RfYF3TAST5E
Martin, J.N., & Nakayama, T.K. (2013). Intercultural communication in
contexts (6th ed.). New York, NY: McGraw Hill.
This is a fun movie and a great example of adjustment and adaptation when entering a new culture. Although they are a minority, it is apparent that Toula's whole family is closely tied to their traditional Greek culture, and in that culture family relationships are essential. I haven't seen this movie in many years, but I bet some of the specific instances of Ian trying to integrate are quite funny. Even some of the conflict in the trailer shows that Ian had a long way to go before being accepted by the family because he is not Greek. I really liked how you included the trailer and the example of the Greek words and phrases.
ReplyDeleteI think this movie is a great example to show cultural differences. They have to both be very accepting of their differences and decide how to overcome the problems. It is a funny to see the family try to adjust to a non-Greek and deal with their confusion when it comes to Ian has his cultural ways. You showed a lot of good examples from the movie that connect with our class.
ReplyDeleteGreat post!
This movie was a great example of cultural differences! I think you pointed those out very well within your blog. It is obvious that there is major difference between Toula's and Ian's families. It basically comes down to how you were raised and if you choose to assimilate with other cultures.
ReplyDelete