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What is it
Choosing a country should be a matter for the heart.
Ideally you will choose a country with which you have links. If for any reason you end up choosing a coutry for administrative reasons, you will need to develop an authentic fondness for that country and culture, so you can pass on that respectful affection to he adoptee, without tokenism.
When is it used
It is used in Session 3 – The impact of loss and separation, its relevance to adoption ; Identity, difference and belonging.
It should be used when in doubt about the Stage 6 – choosing a country of origin.
Resource
Countries Quiz
Try and answer the following questions for your country of choice. Think up some more.It is also recommended you ask yourself how many of these questions you can answer for Ireland.
| 1- | How many people who are prominent in the affairs (politics, athletics, religion, the arts, etc.) of your host country can you name? |
South-Africa | Famous South-Africans Nelson Mandela, 1st democratically elected President of South Africa and joint Nobel Peace Prize winner Desmond Tutu, cleric and Nobel Peace Prize winner Jacob Zuma, 4th President of South Africa Johnny Clegg, musician whose songs mix Zulu with English lyrics, and African with various Western European (such as Celtic) music styles Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, politician and 2nd wife of Nelson Mandela Frederik Willem de Klerk, 9th and last State President of South Africa and joint Nobel Peace Prize winner Thabo Mbeki, 2nd President of South Africa Shaka, founder of the Zulu nation Goodwill Zwelethini, 8th and current king of the Zulu nation |
| Other | --TBC-- |
| Ireland | --TBC-- |
| 2- | Who are the country's national heroes and heroines? |
| South-Africa | Nelson Mandela, 1st democratically elected President of South Africa and joint Nobel Peace Prize winner Shaka, founder of the Zulu nation |
| Other | --TBC-- |
| Ireland | --TBC-- |
| 3- | Can you recognize the national anthem? |
| South-Africa | National Anthem Since 1997, the South African national anthem has been a shortened version of the two previous national anthems: "Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrika" and "Die Stem van Suid-Afrika" (The Voice of South Africa). The fact that it shifts and ends in a different key makes it compositionally unique. The lyrics employ the five most widely spoken of South Africa's eleven official languages - Xhosa (first stanza, first two lines), Zulu (first stanza, last two lines), Sesotho (second stanza), Afrikaans (third stanza) and English (final stanza). Nkosi sikelel' iAfrika Maluphakanyisw' uphondo lwayo, Yizwa imithandazo yethu, Nkosi sikelela, thina lusapho lwayo. (Xhosa and Zulu) Morena boloka setjhaba sa heso, O fedise dintwa le matshwenyeho, O se boloke, O se boloke setjhaba sa heso, Setjhaba sa South Afrika - South Afrika. (Sesotho) Uit die blou van onse hemel, Uit die diepte van ons see, Oor ons ewige gebergtes, Waar die kranse antwoord gee, (Afrikaans) Sounds the call to come together, And united we shall stand, Let us live and strive for freedom, In South Africa our land. (English) English translation of Xhosa and Zulu version Lord bless Africa May her glory be lifted high Hear our petitions Lord bless us, your children English translation of Sesotho version Lord we ask You to protect our nation Intervene and end all conflicts Protect us, protect our nation Protect South Africa, South Africa English translation of Afrikaans version Out of the blue of our heavens Out of the depths of our seas Over our everlasting mountains Where the echoing crags resound |
| Other | --TBC-- |
Ireland | Amhrán na bhFiann, The soldier's song, renamed to promote Fianna Fáil. |
| 4- | What are the dominant languages? |
| South-Africa | language and cultures There are eleven official languages in South Africa: The 5 main ones, used int he national anthem, are: - English (Cities, commerce and banking, government and official documents) - Afrikaans (majority first/seond language, derived from Dutch) - Zulu (spoken by 24%, understood by 50%) - Xhosa (18%, marked by tongue clicking) - Southern Sotho (Over 5 million speak it, has 9 vowels with five letters each, 35 consonants, included two semi-vowels, four non-homogenous doubled eloquent and a tri-click) Xhosa and Zulu are the only two languages mutually understandable of the 11. The following are Bantu languages:Zulu, Xhosa, Sotho, Pedi, Tswana, Tsonga, Swazi, Venda |
| Other | --TBC-- |
| Ireland | English, the second constitutional official language |
| 5- | Are other languages spoken besides the dominant language? What are the social and political implications of language usage? |
| South-Africa | Official minority languages are: - Ndebele (poken by under 1/2 million; not taught at schools but heard on radio Ikhwekhwezi, "star".) - Sepedi (or Northern Shoto, closely connected to Setswana and Sesotho; over 4 million speak it) - Venda (or Luvenda, or Tshivenda; over 1/2 million speak it, it is a foundation of their royal family) - Tswana (or Setswana, over 3 million speak it; Botswanas national language) - Swazi (Or Sewati, Swazi or siSwati, similar to Ndebele, Xhosa and Zulu) - Tsonga (Spoken by under 2 million) |
| Other | --TBC-- |
| Ireland | Ireland: Irish, the first constitutional official language |
| 6- | What is the predominant religion? Is it a state religion? Have you read any of its sacred writings? |
| South-Africa | --TBC-- |
| Other | --TBC-- |
| Ireland | --TBC-- |
| 7- | What are the most important religious observances and ceremonies? How regularly do people participate in them? |
| South-Africa | --TBC-- |
| Other | --TBC-- |
| Ireland | --TBC-- |
| 8- | How do members of the predominant religion feel about other religions? |
| South-Africa | --TBC-- |
| Other | --TBC-- |
| Ireland | --TBC-- |
| 9- | What are the most common forms of marriage ceremonies and celebrations? |
| South-Africa | --TBC-- |
| Other | --TBC-- |
| Ireland | --TBC-- |
| 10- | What is the attitude toward divorce? Extra-marital relations? Plural marriage? |
| South-Africa | --TBC-- |
| Other | --TBC-- |
| Ireland | --TBC-- |
| 11- | What is the attitude toward gambling? |
| South-Africa | --TBC-- |
| Other | --TBC-- |
| Ireland | --TBC-- |
| 12- | What is the attitude toward drinking? |
| South-Africa | --TBC-- |
| Other | --TBC-- |
| Ireland | --TBC-- |
| 13- | Is the price asked for merchandise fixed or are customers expected to bargain? How is bargaining conducted? |
| South-Africa | --TBC-- |
| Other | --TBC-- |
| Ireland | --TBC-- |
| 14- | If, as a customer, you touch or handle merchandise for sale, will the storekeeper think you are knowledgeable, inconsiderate, within your rights, completely outside your rights? Other? |
| South-Africa | --TBC-- |
| Other | --TBC-- |
| Ireland | --TBC-- |
| 15- | How do people organize their daily activities? What is the normal meal schedule? Is there a daytime rest period? What is the customary time for visiting friends? |
| South-Africa | --TBC-- |
| Other | --TBC-- |
| Ireland | --TBC-- |
| 16- | What foods are most popular and how are they prepared? |
| South-Africa | --TBC-- |
| Other | --TBC-- |
| Ireland | --TBC-- |
| 17- | What things are taboo in this society? |
| South-Africa | --TBC-- |
| Other | --TBC-- |
| Ireland | --TBC-- |
| 18- | What is the usual dress for women? for men? Are slacks or shorts worn? If so, on what occasions? Do teenagers wear jeans? |
| South-Africa | --TBC-- |
| Other | --TBC-- |
| Ireland | --TBC-- |
| 19- | Do hairdressers use techniques similar to those used by hairdressers in Ireland? How much time do you need to allow for an appointment at the hairdresser? |
| South-Africa | --TBC-- |
| Other | --TBC-- |
| Ireland | --TBC-- |
| 20- | What are the special privileges of age and/or sex? |
| South-Africa | --TBC-- |
| Other | --TBC-- |
| Ireland | --TBC-- |
| 21- | If you are invited to dinner, should you arrive early? on time? late? If late, how late? |
| South-Africa | --TBC-- |
| Other | --TBC-- |
| Ireland | --TBC-- |
| 22- | On what occasions would you present (or accept) gifts from people, in the country? What kind of gifts would you exchange? |
| South-Africa | --TBC-- |
| Other | --TBC-- |
| Ireland | --TBC-- |
| 23- | Do some flowers have a particular significance? |
| South-Africa | --TBC-- |
| Other | --TBC-- |
| Ireland | --TBC-- |
| 24- | How do people greet one another? Shake hands? Embrace or kiss? How do they leave one another? What does any variation from the usual greeting or leave-taking signify? |
| South-Africa | --TBC-- |
| Other | --TBC-- |
| Ireland | --TBC-- |
| 25- | If you are invited to a party, would you expect to find among the guests? foreign business people? men only? men and women? local business people? local politicians? national politicians? politicians spouses? teachers or professors? bankers? doctors? law |
| South-Africa | --TBC-- |
| Other | --TBC-- |
| Ireland | --TBC-- |
| 26- | What are the important holidays? How is each observed? |
| South-Africa | --TBC-- |
| Other | --TBC-- |
| Ireland | --TBC-- |
| 27- | What are the favorite leisure and recreational activities of adults? Teenagers? |
| South-Africa | --TBC-- |
| Other | --TBC-- |
| Ireland | --TBC-- |
| 28- | What sports are popular? |
| South-Africa | --TBC-- |
| Other | --TBC-- |
| Ireland | --TBC-- |
| 29- | What kinds of television programs are shown? What social purposes do they serve? |
| South-Africa | --TBC-- |
| Other | --TBC-- |
| Ireland | --TBC-- |
| 30- | What is the normal work schedule? How does it accommodate environmental or other conditions? |
| South-Africa | --TBC-- |
| Other | --TBC-- |
| Ireland | --TBC-- |
| 31- | How will your financial position and living conditions compare with those of the majority of people living in this country? |
| South-Africa | --TBC-- |
| Other | --TBC-- |
| Ireland | --TBC-- |
| 32- | What games do children play? Where do children congregate? 28 |
| South-Africa | --TBC-- |
| Other | --TBC-- |
| Ireland | --TBC-- |
| 33- | How are children disciplined at home? |
| South-Africa | --TBC-- |
| Other | --TBC-- |
| Ireland | --TBC-- |
| 34- | Are children usually present at social occasions? At ceremonial occasions? If they are not present, how are they cared for in the absence of their parents? |
| South-Africa | --TBC-- |
| Other | --TBC-- |
| Ireland | --TBC-- |
| 35- | How does this society observe childrens coming of age? |
| South-Africa | --TBC-- |
| Other | --TBC-- |
| Ireland | --TBC-- |
| 36- | What kind of local public transportation is available? Do all classes of people use it? |
| South-Africa | --TBC-- |
| Other | --TBC-- |
| Ireland | --TBC-- |
| 37- | Who has the right of way in traffic; vehicles, animals, pedestrians? |
| South-Africa | --TBC-- |
| Other | --TBC-- |
| Ireland | --TBC-- |
| 38- | Is military training compulsory? |
| South-Africa | --TBC-- |
| Other | --TBC-- |
| Ireland | --TBC-- |
| 39- | Are the largest circulation newspapers generally friendly in their attitude toward the United States? |
| South-Africa | --TBC-- |
| Other | --TBC-- |
| Ireland | --TBC-- |
| 40- | What is the history of the relationships between this country and the United States? |
| South-Africa | --TBC-- |
| Other | --TBC-- |
| Ireland | --TBC-- |
| 41- | How many people have emigrated from this country to Ireland? Other countries? Are many doing so at present? |
| South-Africa | --TBC-- |
| Other | --TBC-- |
| Ireland | --TBC-- |
| 42- | Are there many Irish expatriates living in this country? British? European? |
| South-Africa | --TBC-- |
| Other | --TBC-- |
| Ireland | --TBC-- |
| 43- | What kinds of options do foreigners have in choosing a place to live? 43. What kind of health services are available? Where are they located? |
| South-Africa | --TBC-- |
| Other | --TBC-- |
| Ireland | --TBC-- |
| 44- | What kinds of options do foreigners have in choosing a place to live? 43. What kind of health services are available? Where are they located? |
| South-Africa | --TBC-- |
| Other | --TBC-- |
| Ireland | --TBC-- |
| 45- | What are the common home remedies for minor ailments? Where can medicines be purchased? |
| South-Africa | --TBC-- |
| Other | --TBC-- |
| Ireland | --TBC-- |
| 46- | Is education free? Compulsory? |
| South-Africa | --TBC-- |
| Other | --TBC-- |
| Ireland | --TBC-- |
| 47- | In schools, are children segregated by race? By caste? Or class? By sex? |
| South-Africa | --TBC-- |
| Other | --TBC-- |
| Ireland | --TBC-- |
| 48- | What kinds of schools are considered best: public, private, parochial? |
| South-Africa | --TBC-- |
| Other | --TBC-- |
| Ireland | --TBC-- |
| 49- | In schools, how important is learning by rote? |
| South-Africa | --TBC-- |
| Other | --TBC-- |
| Ireland | --TBC-- |
| 50- | How are children disciplined in school? |
| South-Africa | --TBC-- |
| Other | --TBC-- |
| Ireland | --TBC-- |
| 51- | Where are the important universities of the country? If university education is sought abroad, to what countries and universities do students go? |
| South-Africa | --TBC-- |
| Other | --TBC-- |
| Ireland | --TBC-- |
| 52- | What is the legal level of recognition for same-gender couples? |
| South-Africa | --TBC-- |
| Other | --TBC-- |
| Ireland | --TBC-- |
| 53- | What is the popular attitude towards pink families? |
| South-Africa | --TBC-- |
| Other | --TBC-- |
| Ireland | --TBC-- |
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