Beruflich Dokumente
Kultur Dokumente
The required data for this research was gathered and evaluated by a
questionnaire consisted of nine statements for each country (which are mentioned by all
the participant teachers as stereotypes). For each statement, respondents made selfreport ratings as follow:
I disagree completely
I disagree
I am not sure
I agree
I agree completely
Questionaire
This questionnaire is part of an European project Erasmus+ about national
stereotypes. We would like your sincere contribution filling it to get a better knowlege
on the subject. For each statement choose only one option. Thank you for your
contribution.
I disagree
I agree
I agree completely
I disagree
I agree
I agree completely
I disagree
I agree
I agree completely
I disagree
I agree
I agree completely
I disagree
I agree
I agree completely
67
I disagree
I agree
I agree completely
I disagree
I agree
I agree completely
I agree
I agree completely
I agree
I agree completely
I agree
I agree completely
I agree
I agree completely
I disagree
I agree
I agree completely
I disagree
I agree
I agree completely
I disagree
I agree
I agree completely
I agree
I agree completely
I agree
I agree completely
I agree
I agree completely
I disagree
I agree
I agree completely
I disagree
I agree
I agree completely
I disagree
B-
I disagree
I disagree completely
I disagree
I disagree completely
I disagree
I disagree completely
4. The Portuguese are sad.
I disagree completely
5. The Portuguese are lazy.
I disagree completely
I disagree completely
I disagree
I disagree completely
I disagree
I disagree completely
I disagree
I disagree completely
I disagree completely
I disagree
I agree
I agree completely
I disagree
I agree
I agree completely
I disagree
I agree
I agree completely
I disagree
I agree
I agree completely
I disagree
I agree
I agree completely
I disagree
I agree
I agree completely
I agree
I agree completely
I agree
I agree completely
I agree
I agree completely
I disagree
I agree
I agree completely
I disagree
I agree
I agree completely
I agree
I agree completely
I agree
I agree completely
I disagree
I agree
I agree completely
I disagree
I agree
I agree completely
8.Turkish people have black hair and they are dark-skinned people.
I disagree completely
I disagree
I disagree
2.
3.
4.
5.
8.
I disagree
7.
I disagree
6.
I disagree
69
I disagree completely
9.
I disagree
I agree
I agree completely
I agree
I agree completely
I disagree
III.2.1. Lithuania
70
4
3.5
3
2.5
2
1.5
1
0.5
0
I disagree completely
I disagree
I'm not sure
I agree
I agree completely
71
And they completely disagree with the statements that Lithuania is a part of
Russia (4), that Lithuanian women wear traditional red and white dresses and also that
Lithuanians eat mainly potatoes.
The most of respondents are not sure about Lithuanian traditional clothes, cold
climate, general appearance and main Lithuanians food potatoes.
So, the answers given by respondents show that existing stereotypes about our
country are positive enough. Furthermore, we can state that staff members know about
the relationships between Russia and Lithuania, that Lithuania is an independent
country. In addition to that, the answers to the questionnaire show that Lithuania is
considered as a rural country where agriculture is the main source of living.
On the other hand, all Lithuanians are believed to drink a lot of vodka. This
fact creates rather negative image of Lithuania, despite the fact that it is a country of
sporty people.
Summarising the results of the questionnaire we can distinguish three main
stereotypes about Lithuania Lithuanians are people, obsessed with basketball,
Lithuania is a rural country and Lithuanians drink a lot of vodka
Then we tried to find out the staffs opinion about Romania and to distinguish
existing stereotypes about this country among them. (see Graph 2).
4.5
4
3.5
3
2.5
2
1.5
1
0.5
0
I disagree completely
I disagree
I'm not sure
I agree
I agree completely
According the given answers the biggest number of staff members thinks that
Romanians are Gypsies but also they are friendly and hospitable people. Such answers
72
show that not only stereotypical way of thinking about Romanians but also positive
attitude towards this nations character exist among staff members.
However, given answers let us find out negative attitude towards stereotypical
aspects of country economics. One of them is that Romania is considered to be a poor
country (3 respondents agree with this statement), and another is that Gypsy population
is a difficult social problem (two respondents agree with it).
Also a stereotypical way of thinking appears in the opinions about Romania as
a land of vampires. (2 answers). Due to this fact we can state that big influence on the
image of the country is being done by film industry. However, respondents do not tend
to think that Transilvania is a creepy region and they disagree with this statement.
The biggest number of staff thinks not only that Romanians speak Russian (4),
but also that Romania is a rural country (although not equal number of respondents
agrees with this statement).
Most of respondents are not sure about the fact that the products are cheap in
Romania as well as that the Gypsy population is a difficult social problem (2).
Consequently we can state that such answers show the lack of information about
economic and social situation in the country.
To sum up, we can state that in staffs opinion Romania is a country associated
with Gypsies, and as an agricultural country with unstable economics, on the other
hands, according their point of view, Romanians are friendly and hospitable people.
Then similar questions were given to the staff about Portugal (see Graph 3)
5
4.5
4
3.5
3
2.5
2
1.5
1
0.5
0
I disagree completely
I disagree
I'm not sure
I agree
I agree completely
73
Analysing staffs answers about Portugal most of all them disagree with
statements that Portuguese women dress in black and that Portuguese are lazy.
Such answers show positive attitude towards Portugal (which can be explained by the
fact that our school has already participated in a project with Portuguese school before).
Also the answers prove that respondents do not think that Portuguese people are sad,
but believe that they are welcoming people. (5)
However, negative attitude to Portugal is also noticed due to the fact that
Portuguese are often late for the meetings. According to the staffs opinion this feature
is common for all Portuguese, on the other hand the biggest part of staff does not think
that Portuguese are short and have dark complexion and that they speak Spanish. Also
almost all respondents do not agree with the fact that in Portugal there is sun all over
the year.
The fact that the biggest number of respondents chooses the statements
Portuguese take a nap in the afternoon (3) and Portuguese are lazy (3) proves the
lack of information about Portugal among the staff members.
To sum up, we can state that the staffs opinion about Portugal is rather
positive. Staffs opinion about the statement that Portuguese are often late for the
meetings can be distinguished as a stereotype, which appeared due to the fact that not all
respondents know enough about Portugal and Portuguese people .
Then questions were given to the staff in order to find out their opinion about
Turkey (see Graph 4)
12
10
8
6
I disagree completely
4
2
I disagree
74
Having analysed the respondents answers about Turkey we can state that the
biggest number of staff do not know enough about this country, as the answer I am not
sure was chosen most of all.
All respondents agree with the statement that Turkish people are Muslims (5)
as well as with the statement that Turkish women wear scarves (4). Although,
respondents think that Turkish people are Muslims, they disagree with the statement that
Turkey has a religious government. Due to this fact we can make a conclusion that
according the staffs opinion religion does not play an important role in the government.
Also respondents disagree with the statement that Turkish people speak
Arabic. This fact lets us think that stereotypical interface between religion and language
does not exist among staff members.
Having analysed mans role in Turkish society we can make a conclusion that
respondents do not agree with the stereotype that Turkish men are Macho, and that
Turkish men have several wives. Also respondents disagree that Turkish men wear long
dresses. So we can state that stereotypes about Turkish men do not dominate among
staff, but stereotypes about the appearance of Turkish people (Turkish people have
black hair and they are dark-skinned people) and climate in Turkey (The weather in
Turkey is always hot) still exist.
As the most common answer about Turkey was I am not sure we can make a
conclusion that there is lack of information about Turkey among staff members.
Statements about womens appearance and about religion can be distinguished as
stereotypes. However, comparing the roles of men and women in Turkish society we
have found out that there is no stereotype about Turkish men among staff members.
.
Having summarised the results of the questionnaire about four countriespartners we can state, that according the staffs opinion Lithuania is associated with
basketball, agriculture and drinking vodka, Romanians are thought to be gypsies, with
positive character, but living in difficult economic situation. Portuguese people are
believed to be welcoming people, but they are often late for the meetings, and Turkish
people have black hair and dark complexion, they are Muslims and Turkish women
wear scarf.
75
In order to find out stereotypes existing among teachers about countriespartners 15 teachers were given the same questionnaire. (See Graph 5)
14
12
10
8
6
4
2
0
I disagree completely
I disagree
I'm not sure
I agree
I agree completely
As we can see from the chart there are stereotypes about agriculture,
basketball and drinking vodka. We can state that teachers tend to have the same opinion
about our country as staff. (see Graph 1)
What is more, the biggest number of teachers agrees with the statement that
Lithuanians speak Russian. This fact shows that teachers who have this opinion can
speak this language.
However, the least number of respondents agrees with the statement that
Lithuania is a cold country and that Lithuanians are tall and blond people. It means that
teachers do not have stereotypes about appearance of Lithuanians knowing how
different can they look like.
So, summarising the results of the questionnaire we can see that there is a
stereotype about the role of basketball in our country as Lithuania is thought to be a
country of basketball.
Also one of the most important images of Lithuania is the image of a rural
country. This stereotype could appear due to prevalence of Lithuanian countryside and
76
villages, for the same reason another stereotype could appear as well- a stereotype that
Lithuanians drink a lot of vodka.
Then, in order to find out the existing stereotypes, teachers were given
questions about Portugal. (see Graph 6).
16
14
12
10
8
6
4
2
0
I disagree completely
I disagree
I'm not sure
I agree
I agree completely
As we can see from the chart the biggest numbers of respondents do not have
enough information about Portuguese cultural context. The answer I am not sure was
given most of all to the statement Portuguese arrive late for the meetings (15), it
means that responders do not tend to assess cultural and etiquettes aspects without
knowing the facts about country. The same situation is with the statements: Portuguese
take a nap in the afternoon (13) and Portuguese are lazy (10).
The biggest number of respondents agrees with the statement that Portuguese
are short and have dark complexion (13) and also they believe that Portuguese are
welcoming people (12).
explained by the fact that our school has already participated in a project with school
from Portugal and those teachers, who participated in project activities have already
opinion about Portuguese appearance and character.
Also a big part of respondents think that in Portugal there is sun all over the
year (9) and in Portugal people speak Spanish (6). Consequently, we can state that
stereotypes about Portuguese climate and language exist among teachers.
On the other hand, most teachers disagree with the statement that Portuguese
are lazy (9) and sad (7), which means that teachers have positive attitude towards
77
people of this country. One more statement which most teachers do not agree with, is
about Portuguese appearance. They do not think that Portuguese women dress in black.
Summarising teachers answers we can make a conclusion that teachers have
positive opinion about Portuguese people and believe that they have common
appearance: they are short and with dark complexion, live in a country with hot climate
and speak Spanish.
Another step was to find out existing stereotypes among teachers about
Romania. Having analysed their answers we can state that the most common teachers
answer is I am not sure (see graph 7).
14
12
10
8
6
I disagree completely
I disagree
I agree
I agree completely
The biggest number of respondents agrees with the statements that Romania is
a poor country (12) and that Romanian people are friendly and hospitable (12). It
means that teachers have a stereotype about economic situation in Romania.
Also a big part of respondents agree with the statement that Gypsy population
is a difficult social problem in Romania. (8), on the other hand most of teachers do not
think that Romanian people speak Russian, so we can state that teachers know about
political situation of Romania and such stereotype does not exist.
However, stereotypical way of thinking appeared about the statement that
Romania is a rural country as 6 respondents agree with it. But respondents do not agree
with the statement that Romania is the land of vampires.
78
Consequently we can state that among teachers Romania is associated not only
with positive aspects friendly and hospitable people, but also with negative- poor
economic situation and a problem with Gypsies.
Then we tried to find out the teachers opinion about Turkey and to distinguish
existing stereotypes about this country among them. (see graph 8).
14
12
10
8
6
4
2
0
I disagree completely
I disagree
I'm not sure
I agree
I agree completely
As we can see from the chart there are stereotypes about Turkey among teachers.
One of the stereotypes is about womens appearance, that Turkish women wear scarf, to
be precise. (14) Also stereotypes exist about religious government in Turkey (12) and
that Turkish people are Muslims (13).
There are also stereotypes about climate in Turkey and about the appearance
of Turkish people, the big number of teachers thinks that the weather in Turkey is
always hot (13) and Turkish people have black hair and they are dark-skinned people
(11).
Also the results of the analysis show that the part of respondents does not think
that Turkish people speak Arabic (7), and Turkish men wear long dresses (6).
However, we can see that there are no negative stereotypes about Turkish men:
respondents do not agree with the statement that Turkish men are Macho (5). Also not
many respondents think that Turkish men have several wives.
Summarising teachers opinions we can state that among teachers the
following stereotypes about Lithuania exist: it is a country of basketball, a country of
agriculture, and also a country where people drink a lot of vodka and people speak
79
Russian. Portugal in teachers opinion is a country of welcoming people, who are short
and dark-skinned, where the weather is always hot and sunny and where people speak
Spanish.
As for Romania, according the teachers opinion it is a poor country with
friendly and hospitable people, who speak Russian, however this country has a problem
with Gypsies. Turkey is associated not only with hot climate and religion, but also with
wearing scarves (for women) and long dresses (for men)
THE ANALYSIS OF STUDENTS OPINION
I disagree completely
10
I disagree
I'm not sure
I agree
I agree completely
according to the respondents opinion Lithuanians tend to drink strong alcohol - vodka,
to be precise (more than a half of respondents agree with this fact). Also the results of
the questionnaire show that students agree with the statement that Lithuanians eat
mainly potatoes (46). Such results prove that according the respondents opinion
Lithuania is a rural country.
On the other hand, students do not agree with the statement that Lithuanian
people are blonde and tall (44) and that country has a cold climate. (53).
To sum up, we can state that according the respondents opinion Lithuania is
considered as a country of people who can speak Russian, who drink a lot of vodka, are
obsessed with basketball and eat dishes mainly from potatoes.
Then stereotypical statements about Romania were given to students. (see
graph 10)
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
I disagree completely
I disagree
I'm not sure
I agree
I agree completely
The results of the questionnaire show that the biggest part of respondents do
not have enough information about Romania and as a result chose the answer I am not
sure
The biggest part of students agrees with the statement that Romania is a rural
country (26). This fact shows that this country is associated with the views of
countryside, and as a result a big part of respondents agrees with the statement that
Romania is a poor country. This statement was agreed by 37 respondents. Due to the
81
fact that Romania is believed to be a poor country, a lot of respondents think that the
products are cheap in Romania (25).
Also according to the students opinion, Romanian people are Gypsy people
(45). Although a lot of students think that Gypsy population is a difficult social problem
(32), even more students believe that Romanian people are friendly and hospitable (45).
However, we can see from the results of the questionnaire, that there is no
stereotype about Romania as a country of vampires and that Transylvania is a creepy
region. So, we can state that students assess positively Romania from this point of view.
Also the results show that students do not think that Romanians speak Russian.
It can be explained by the fact, that students do not see any links between Russia and
Romania.
In conclusion we can state that there is a lack of information about Romania
among students, at the same time the results show that Romania is considered to be a
rural country, and that Romanians are Gypsies people but they are friendly and
hospitable.
Then the students were given statements about Portugal to find out the existing
stereotypes about this country. (see graph 11).
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
I disagree completely
I disagree
I'm not sure
I agree
I agree completely
The results of the questionnaire show that almost in all answers the option I
am not sure dominates. Also, we can see that students have their opinion about
Portuguese peoples appearance and character: they are believed to be short and with
dark complexion (36), welcoming people, who are not late for the meetings (14). Also
82
rather big part of students think that Portuguese people speak Spanish (35), and equal
parts of students agree with opinion that Portuguese take a nap in the afternoon. (12/12)
As we can see from the chart 11, bigger part of students do not think that
Portuguese women dress in black, however there are some students who agree with this
statement.
In addition to that, we can see from the results that according students opinion
in Portugal there is sun all over the year.
Summarising the results of the questionnaire we can make a conclusion that
that rather positive assessment of Portugal and Portuguese people, but the lack of
information does not let to create stereotypes about this country. .
Then the statements about Turkey to agree or disagree with were given to
students (see graph 12)
60
50
40
30
I disagree completely
20
I disagree
10
I agree
I agree completely
The results of the questionnaire show that most often the answer I am not
sure is chosen. This fact proves that students do not know enough about Turkey.
According the students answers, the biggest number of them think that
Turkish are Muslims, (41), Turkish people have black hair and they are dark-skinned
people (46), Turkish men wear long dresses (32), Turkish men have several wives (32),
on the other hand they do not think that Turkish men are Macho (21). So we can make a
conclusion that there is no such stereotype about Turkish men. On the other hand, there
is a stereotypical way of thinking towards women, as the biggest part of students
83
believes that Turkish women wear scarves. (50). Also students agree that the weather in
Turkey is always hot. (39).
Furthermore we found out that Turkish people are thought to be religious as
Turkey has a religious government (41). However, students believe that Turkish people
speak Arabic. (32).
So, we can state that according students opinion Turkey is a steady and
religious country, and also that students have stereotypical way of thinking about
Turkish men and women.
Summarising the results of stereotype questionnaire given to students, teachers
and staff we can make two conclusions. First, the stereotypes about countries-partners
exist, so such researches are really necessary to find out existing stereotypes and
prejudices in order to break them or to prove. On the other hand, there is lack of
knowledge among students teachers and staff about some countries, so we have to
provide as more as possible information about countries- partners to introduce ourselves
during our project activities.
III.2.2. Portugal
THE ANALYSIS OF STUDENTS OPINIONS
ABOUT ROMANIA
9th grade students
We applied 100 questionnaires to students of the 9th grade about their
representations of Romanian, Portuguese, Turkish and Lithuanian stereotypes. We also
applied them to secondary students, especially those who are working on the project.
The results are in the graphs below.
I disagree
I'm not
I agree
I agree
completely
13
19
47
14
18
15
39
22
14
60
23
15
50
27
23
49
20
84
11
84
15
55
21
80
15
51
28
hospitable.
I disagree completely
I disagree
I'm not sure
I agree
I agree completely
Portuguese students dont have stereotypes about Romanian people. They said
that its a country of Gipsy (33%) and these people are still considered as a difficult
social problem (30%).
ABOUT PORTUGAL
I disagree
completely
disagree sure
I'm not I
I agree
agree completely
25
47
18
16
49
11
20
16
32
21
29
32
40
17
11
21
27
15
28
black.
The Portuguese are short and have
dark complexion.
The Portuguese take a nap in the
afternoon.
85
16
43
29
48
26
11
14
12
31
16
33
56
31
people.
In Portugal people speak Spanish.
The Portuguese arrive late to
meetings.
In Portugal there is sun all over the
year.
60
40
I disagree completely
20
I disagree
0
Portuguese students of 9th grade think that Portuguese people are welcoming.
ABOUT TURKEY
I disagree
I'm not
I agree
I agree completely
25
47
18
16
49
11
20
16
32
21
29
32
40
17
11
21
27
15
28
63
19
48
26
11
14
12
31
16
33
86
56
31
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
I disagree completely
I disagree
I'm not sure
I agree
I agree completely
Portuguese students of the 9th grade dont have stereotypes about Turkish people.
ABOUT LITHUANIA
I disagree
I'm not
I agree
I agree
completely
27
50
13
43
39
64
26
66
21
69
23
63
19
64
23
13
59
22
10
63
20
87
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
I disagree completely
I disagree
I'm not sure
I agree
I agree completely
Portuguese students of the 9th grade dont have stereotypes about Lithuanian
people.
We also wanted to know if secondary students have got stereotypes, so we
applied the same questionnaire to 48 secondary school students.
Secondary school students
ABOUT ROMANIA
I disagree
I'm not
I agree
I agree completely
12
16
11
10
17
11
17
18
18
10
14
12
19
16
35
11
Transylvania is a creepyregion.
12
21
11
31
13
17
15
88
40
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
I disagree completely
I disagree
I'm not sure
I agree
I agree completely
ABOUT PORTUGAL
I disagree
I'm not
I agree
I agree completely
15
19
13
10
27
17
23
20
22
18
18
19
26
31
11
19
21
22
24
89
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
I disagree completely
I disagree
I'm not sure
I agree
I agree completely
Secondary school Portuguese students have the stereotype that Portuguese are
welcoming people.
ABOUT TURKEY
I disagree
I'm not
I agree
I agree
completely
23
14
21
20
21
19
23
13
26
16
13
23
10
25
10
16
21
20
19
90
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
I disagree completely
I disagree
I'm not sure
I agree
I agree completely
Secondary school Portuguese students have the stereotype that Turkish people
have black hair and they are dark-skinned people.
ABOUT LITHUANIA
I disagree
I'm not I
I agree
agree completely
18
22
12
25
12
22
12
37
20
17
12
34
10
18
20
26
11
38
91
40
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
I disagree
I'm not sure
I agree
I agree completely
Secondary school Portuguese students have the stereotype that Lithuania is a very cold
country.
THE ANALYSIS OF TEACHERS OPINIONS
ABOUT ROMANIA
I'm not I
I agree
agree completely
12
10
12
12
11
92
14
12
10
8
6
4
2
0
I disagree completely
I disagree
I'm not sure
I agree
I agree completely
ABOUT PORTUGAL
I disagree
completely
disagree sure
I'm not
I agree
I agree
completely
11
10
11
13
14
10
10
93
14
12
10
8
6
4
2
0
I disagree completely
I disagree
I'm not sure
I agree
I agree completely
Portuguese teachers see the Portuguese as welcoming people; they arrive late to
meetings and they see their country with sunshine all over the year.
ABOUT TURKEY
I disagree
I'm not I
I agree
agree completely
10
10
94
10
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
0
I disagree completely
I disagree
I'm not sure
I agree
I agree completely
Portuguese teachers see the Turkish as dark-skinned people with black hair; they
are Muslims, the women wear scarves and men are Macho.
ABOUT LITHUANIA
I disagree
I'm not
I agree
I agree
completely
10
10
Lithuanians
are
obsessed
with
basketball.
Lithuanians speak Russian.
Lithuanian women wear traditional red
and white dresses.
95
10
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
0
I disagree completely
I disagree
I'm not sure
I agree
I agree completely
Portuguese teachers see Lithuanian people as blond and tall who drink a lot of
vodka, and are obsessed with basketball.
THE ANALYSIS OF STAFFS OPINIONS
ABOUT ROMANIA
I disagree
I'm not
I agree
I agree completely
96
4.5
4
3.5
3
2.5
2
1.5
1
0.5
0
I disagree completely
I disagree
I'm not sure
I agree
I agree completely
The staff think that Romania is a rural and poor country with Gypsy people.
ABOUT PORTUGAL
I disagree
I'm not
I agree
I agree
completely
97
4
3
2
I disagree completely
I disagree
As teachers and students, staff also see the Portuguese as welcoming people.
ABOUT TURKEY
I disagree
I'm not
I agree
I agreecompletely
98
4
3.5
3
2.5
2
1.5
1
0.5
0
I disagree completely
I disagree
I'm not sure
I agree
I agree completely
The staff see the Turkish as dark-skinned people with black hair; the women
wear scarves and the men are Macho.
ABOUT LITHUANIA
I disagree
I'm not I
I agree
agree completely
99
5
4.5
4
3.5
3
2.5
2
1.5
1
0.5
0
I disagree completely
I disagree
I'm not sure
I agree
I agree completely
The staff see Lithuanians as blond and tall people; they think the country is very
cold and rural country.
9th grade
ROMANIA
PORTUGAL
TURKEY
LITHUANIA
welcoming
welcoming
Very cold
people
country
people
students
Secondary
students
skinned people
Teachers
a rural and
welcoming
poor country
people
dark-skinned
tall
drink a lot of
to meetings
vodka
the women
Staff
obsessed with
basketball
a rural and
welcoming
poor country
people
dark-skinned
tall
the women
very cold
wear scarf
country
a rural country
Gypsy people
100
III.2.3. Romania
not
I agree
I agree
completely
11
32
55
41
43
25
60
13
32
45
21
25
39
31
22
59
25
29
21
15
10
30
62
15
36
39
black.
The Portuguese are short and have
dark complexion.
The Portuguese take a nap in the
afternoon.
101
70
60
50
40
30
20
I disagree completely
10
I disagree
I'm not sure
I agree
I agree completely
ABOUT TURKEY
The Romanians are convinced that the Turkish women wear a scarf, they are
almost convinced that the Turkish people have black hair and that are dark-skinned and
that the weather in Turkey is always hot. But they are not sure if there is a religious
government in Turkey.
I disagree
I'm not
completely disagree
sure
I agree
I agree
completely
26
41
27
17
54
21
14
49
32
16
26
28
25
24
42
22
17
16
32
29
14
40
32
17
25
46
10
24
46
11
102
60
50
40
30
I disagree completely
20
I disagree
10
I agree
I agree completely
ABOUT LITHUANIA
The Romanians disagree with the fact that Lithuania is a part of Russia but they
are not sure if the Lithuanians are obsessed with basketball, if the women in Lithuania
wear traditional red and white dresses of if they eat mainly potatoes.
I disagree
I'm not
I agree
agree completely
46
25
20
12
23
55
21
26
35
16
11
66
21
37
34
20
17
33
35
24
42
25
10
45
40
10
51
32
103
70
60
50
40
30
20
I disagree completely
10
I disagree
I'm not
I agree
agree
completely
12
12
14
15
10
104
12
11
16
14
12
10
8
6
4
2
0
I disagree completely
I disagree
I'm not sure
I agree
I agree completely
ABOUT TURKEY
The Romanians are convinced that the Turkish women wear a scarf and that the
Turkish people are Muslims.
I disagree
I'm not
I agree
I agree
completely
11
12
10
10
105
12
10
8
6
4
I disagree completely
I disagree
ABOUT LITHUANIA
The Romanians disagree with the fact that Lithuania is a part of Russia but they
are not sure if the women in Lithuania wear traditional red and white dresses of if they
eat mainly potatoes or if they drink a lot of vodka.
I disagree
I'm not
I agree
I agree
completely
12
15
11
13
106
16
14
12
10
8
6
4
I disagree completely
I disagree
I disagree
I'm not
completely
disagree sure
I agree
agree completely
107
4
3.5
3
2.5
2
1.5
I disagree completely
I disagree
0.5
I agree
I agree completely
ABOUT TURKEY
The Romanians are convinced that the Turkish women wear a scarf and that the
Turkish people are Muslims.
I disagree
I'm not
I agree
agree
completely
108
3
2.5
2
1.5
1
I disagree completely
I disagree
0.5
I agree
I agree completely
ABOUT LITHUANIA
About Lithuania, there is not a clear stereotype only the fact that the Romanians
are not sure if the Lithuanians are obsessed with basketball or if it is a rural country.
I disagree
I'm not
I agree
agree
completely
109
3
2.5
2
1.5
1
I disagree completely
0.5
I disagree
110
III.2.4 Turkey
ARAMBA 75.YIL VOCATIONAL AND TECHNICAL ANATOLIAN HIGH
SCHOOL
THE ANALYSIS OF TEACHERS OPINION
In order to find out stereotypes that teachers have about the project partners, the
questionnaire was applied to 20 teachers. First of all, the statements about Romania
were given to the teachers to answer the questionnaire. (see graph 1)
16
14
12
10
8
6
I disagree completely
I disagree
I agree
I agree completely
As can be seen from the chart, most of the respondents disagree about the
statement: Romania is the land of vampires, so such a stereotype doesnt exist among
Turkish teachers.
Also, the respondents do not have much information about the language spoken
in Romania, the Gypsy population, the characteristics of the Romanian people and
Transylvania region. However, Turkish teachers have some stereotypes about Romania.
111
Most of the respondents think that Romania is a rural and poor country. So, we can say
that teachers have some stereotypes about Romanias economical situation.
The other target group was Portugal. (see Graph 2)
14
12
10
8
6
4
2
I disagree
completely
I disagree
I'm not sure
I agree
I agree
completely
As we can see from the chart, most of the teachers do not know much
about the statements (1) Portuguese women dress in black, (3) Portuguese take a nap
in the afternoon, (4) Portuguese are sad. (8) The Portuguese arrive late to the
meetings So we can say that as Turkish teachers do not have such specific knowledge
about Portuguese people they do not have any stereotypes about these items. On the
other hand, most of the respondents think that people speak Spanish in Portugal; it may
be because of the thought that Spain and Portugal are neighbours. One more statement
that most of the respondents agree with is that In Portugal there is sun all over the
year. It may be thought that thats because of the Portugals geographical situation.
Summarising teachers answers we can make a conclusion that teachers do not
have much knowledge about Portuguese peoples cultural issues (their dresses, their
personality.) but most of the teachers believe that they have common appearance: they
112
are short and with dark complexion, live in a country with hot beaches (so because of
this they are welcoming people) and speak Spanish.
The research was carried out with another participant, Lithuania. (see Graph 3)
16
14
12
10
8
6
4
I disagree completely
I disagree
Analysing the results according to the chart we can see that most of the
respondents agree with the statements (2) Lithuanians are obsessed with basketball.
This may be because of some famous Lithuanian basketball players that play in Turkey.
Another
Lithuania is a very cold country. These stereotypes could appear due to the fact that
Lithuania is a neighbour of Russia, and it may be thought that people drink vodka to
warm themselves in a cold country.
One more statement that most of the respondents agree with is that
(8)
Lithuanian people are blonde and tall. As Lithuania is one of the Baltic countries in
the north of Europe, it may be thought so.
When we look at the other statements (4) and (9) we see that most of the
teachers are not sure about Lithuanians traditional clothes and whether their main food
is potatoes or not. This may be some specific knowledge, so such stereotypes do not
exist among Turkish teachers.
113
Summarising the results of the questionnaire we can bring out four stereotypes
about Lithuania Lithuanians are people, obsessed with basketball, Lithuanian
people are blonde and tall, Lithuania is a rural country and Lithuanians drink a lot
of vodka
Then, in order to find out the existing stereotypes, teachers were given
questions about Turkey. (see graph 4)
15
10
I disagree completely
I disagree
0
Having analysed the respondents answers about Turkey we can state that most
of the teachers agree with the statements that Turkish people are Muslims Turkish
women wear scarf and Turkish people have black hair and they are dark-skinned
people. As the respondents are Turkish teachers their answers may not be completely
stereotypes but these statements may include some facts. For instance as Turkish
peoples religion is Islam; it is possible to see lots of Turkish women wearing scarves.
This stereotype may be due to the fact that Turkey is a Mediterranean country and it is
possible to see sun light long periods especially in the south parts Turkey, as a result
people may be dark skinned. (but not all of them of course)
Also the results of the analysis show that most of the respondents do not agree
with the statements: Turkey has a religious government, Turkish men are Macho
and The weather in Turkey is always hot. It is interesting that for the statement about
the government, while some people think the government is religious, some others think
114
the opposite. It may be the result of democracy. So, these stereotypes do not exist
among Turkish teachers.
What is more, the respondents disagree completely that Turkish people speak
Arabic, Turkish men wear long dresses and Turkish men have several wives. It
means that teachers do not have stereotypes knowing that the language spoken is
Turkish, they dont wear long dresses like Arabic and they dont have more than one
wife.
THE ANALYSIS OF STUDENTS OPINION
To find out the students opinions about the countries, 100 students were asked
to fulfil the questionnaire about stereotypes. Below is the result of the respondents about
Romania. (Graph 5)
60
50
40
30
I disagree completely
20
I disagree
10
I agree
I agree completely
When we look at the chart we can say that the students do not have more than
one stereotype about Romania. Most of them think that Romanian people are friendly
and hospitable. They dont think that Romania is the land of vampires or Transylvania
is a creepy region.
Also the results show that the students disagree completely that Romanian
people speak Russian and Romanian people are Gypsy people. Moreover most of the
students think that Romania is not a poor and rural country.
In conclusion the students have positive thoughts about Romania. They think
that Romanian people are friendly and hospitable. Furthermore, we can see from the
results of the questionnaire, that there is no stereotype about Romania as a country of
115
vampires and that Transylvania is a creepy region or Romanian people are Gypsy
people. So, we can state that Romania doesnt have a negative image in the students
minds.
Then the students were given statements about Portugal to find out the existing
stereotypes about this country. (see Graph 6)
70
60
50
40
30
20
I disagree completely
10
I disagree
I'm not sure
I agree
I agree completely
The results of the questionnaire show that most of the students do not know
enough about Portugal so they choose the choice I am not sure On the other hand we
can see that the students think that Portugese people are welcoming people and there is
sun all over the year in Portugal. The students may have made a relation with sunny
weather and being welcoming people.
As we can see from the chart, more than half of the students do not have
knowledge about the statements The Portuguese women dress in black The
portuguese take a nap in the afternoon The Portuguese are sad The Portuguese are
lazy, The Portuguese arrive late to the meetings. This shows that the students tend to
know general information but not specific ones.
116
To make a summary, it can be said that the students do not have any negative
thoughts towards the Portuguese people but their lack of knowledge about the country
makes it difficult to find out if there are stereotypes or not.
Then to go on with the study, the students were given the statements about
Turkey. (see Graph 7)
60
50
40
30
20
I disagree completely
10
I disagree
I'm not sure
I agree
I agree completely
When we look at the chart it is possible to say that the results of teachers and
studentsare highly similar. Like teachers, most of the students agree that Turkish
people are Muslims and Turkish women wear scarf. More than half of them think that
Turkey has a religious government. Furthermore, the respondents confirm that Turkish
people have black hair and dark skin.As a result we can say that they think like teachers
about this statement.
If we look at the disagreements, they dont think Turkish people speak Arabics
and Turkish men wear long dresses. They may have had such a thought as a result of the
fact that speking Arabics and wearing long dresses are related with Arabic countries.
Moreover they disagree that Turkish men have several wives knowing the fact that their
fathers have only one wife. Lastly, they dont think that the weather in Turkey is always
hot knowing the fact that in some regions of Turkey the temperatures may be below 0
degrees and snow stays there 4-5 months without melting.
117
I disagree completely
10
I disagree
I'm not sure
I agree
I agree completely
The results of the questionnaire show that almost in all answers the option I
am not sure is remarkable. Also we can see that the students disagree about the
statement: Lithuania is part of Russia This may show that they have an idea about
Lithuanias geographical location.
When we look at their agreements we see that they think Lithuania is a cold
country and Lithuanian people are blonde and tall. They may again have an opinion like
this, as Lithuania is located in the Northern Europe and they may have a relation in their
minds with Northern parts of Europe and cold weather.
To sum up, we can say that the Turkish students do not have much stereotypical
ideas about Lithuania as they dont have enough knowledge about the country.
They have some geographical knowledge about Lithuania so they have an idea
that Lithuania is a cold country and Lithuanians are blonde and tall people. On the other
hand, they dont have knowledge about their traditional clothes or main food as these
are specific information.
Summarising the results of the questionnaires of both teachers and students we
come up with a conclusion that some stereotypes occur because of incomplete
118
119
120
How the Portuguese see How Portuguese see How the Portuguese How
the
themselves?
see
the Turkish?
see
Portuguese
Romania/Romanian
Lithuania/Lithuani
ans?
Welcoming
Black
hair
people
country
(students)
dark-skinned
(high
people (high
school
school
students)
Very cold
students)
Welcoming
Black hair
A rural and
Are blond
people /
and dark-
poor country
and tall
skinned /
(teachers)
/drink a lot
to meetings / a
muslims /the
of vodka
country
women wear
/obsessed
scarf /men
with
over
are macho
basketball
(teachers)
(teachers)
(teachers)
Welcoming
Black hair
A rural and
Are blond
people (staff)
and dark-
poor country
and tall /
skinned /
/ gypsy
very cold
the women
people
country / a
wear scarf /
(staff)
rural
where
the
year
men are
country(sta
macho
ff)
(staff)
121
How the Turkish see How the Turkish see How the Turkish How the Turkish
themselves?
the Portuguese?
the
Lithuanians?
Turkish women
The
Romanian
wear scarf.
Portuguese
people are
Turkish people
are
friendly and
are
welcoming
hospitable.
Muslims.(stude
people.
(students)
nts)
(students)
Turkish people
The
Romania is
Lithuanian
are Muslims.
Portuguese
a rural
s are
Turkish people
are
country
obsessed
welcoming
Romania is
with
people.
a poor
basketball.
dark-skinned
In Portugal
country
Lithuanian
people.
people speak
(teachers)
s drink a
(teachers)
Spanish.
lot of
In Portugal
vodka.
there is sun
Lithuania
is a very
year.
cold
(teachers)
country.
Lithuanian
people are
blonde
and tall
(teachers)
122
How the Romanian see How the Romanian How the Romanian How
the
themselves?
see
Romanian
the Lithuanians
?
Romanian
The
Turkish
people are
Portuguese
people are
friendly and
are
Muslims.
hospitable
welcoming
Turkish
people.
women wear
(students)
scarf.
The Gypsy
population is a
difficult social
Turkish
problem.
people have
(students)
black hair
and they are
dark-skinned
people.
The weather
in Turkey is
always hot.
(Students)
Romanian people
The Portuguese
Turkish people
are welcoming
are Muslims.
hospitable
people.
(Teachers)
Turkish women
The Gypsy
wear scarf.
population is a
difficult social
Turkish people
problem.
(Teachers)
The Gypsy
population is a
afternoon
(staff)
Traditional red
Muslims.
and
white
dresses
difficult social
problem.
Turkish women
The Portuguese
wear scarf.
are
Drink a lot of
vodka
Religious
government
Cold country
dresses.
Eat
Turkish man have
several wives
Turkish people
have black hair and
they are darkskinned people.
The weather in
Turkey is always
hot.
124
potatoes
mainly
the How
Turkish?
Lithuanians are
The
Romanian
Turkish
obsessed with
Portuguese
people are
people are
basketball.
are
Gypsy people
Muslims.
welcoming
the
(students)
Turkish
Lithuanians drink a
people.(stude
women wear
lot of vodka.
nts)
scarf.
Turkey has a
Lithuania is a rural
religious
country.
government.
Turkish
Lithuanians eat
people have
mainly potatoes.
(students)
Lithuanians are
The Portuguese
Romania is a
Turkish
obsessed with
poor country
people are
basketball.
have dark
Romanian
Muslims.
complexion.
people are
Turkish
Lithuanians speak
The Portuguese
friendly and
women wear
Russian.
are welcoming
hospitable.
scarf.
people.
(Teachers)
Turkey has a
Lithuanians drink a
(Teachers)
religious
lot of vodka.
government.
Turkish
Lithuania is a rural
people have
125
country.
(Teachers)
skinned
people.
The weather
in Turkey is
always hot.
(Teachers)
The Portuguese
Turkish people
are welcoming
are Muslims.
people.
Turkish people
(Staff)
126