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Oral history recording with Neda Renzi. Recorded as part of the Italian Memories in Wales project (2008-10), delivered by ACLI-ENAIP and funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund. Part 7 of 7 (AV 11462-11468)

00.00 Neda didn’t return to Italy very much when she was first in Wales as her children were young at the time. After her husband died and when they gave up the pub she went back to Italy every year. She always loves going back and has always felt Italian and has dual nationality. When she does go back people tell her she hasn’t changed, she still has a regional accent and uses the old language that people were using sixty years ago in Tuscany. It isn’t spoken anymore and surprises them now. She regrets that she didn’t speak Italian to her children all the time. However most of the time she was with her mother in law who couldn’t understand Italian. Once she had started to speak to them Italian it was difficult to stop. Now they have learnt to speak Italian. Her daughter has a degree in Italian and English and her son Carl carries out lectures in Italy, he is an oceanographer. They all understand Italian but some are more shy to speak it.

06.59 Neda taught Italian in schools in Wales. All her sisters are teachers though Neda has never studied teaching. Neda helped her father in his office and concentrated more on business school. She stays linked with her Italian roots through watching Italian programmes on television, reading books by Italian authors, follows the news in Italy and keeps up with the Italian language through crosswords. She cooks Italian food when she can but to cook it properly it takes a long time. Traditionally the Italian women would spend all day at home preparing food. When asked about the differences between Italy and Wales she talks about the Italian style and deeper interest in culture. Neda wouldn’t move back to Italy as it has changed and she hasn’t changed with it. She enjoys going back for holidays but she has children and grandchildren here. She thinks her son Carl would consider moving to Italy, he has a house and job prospects there and seems very Italian. All her children are linked to Italy to varying extents yet she still remains Italian through and through and always will.