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Culture Forum

Culture Forum

Date: Oct 26 2013

Topic: Conversational English

Author: englishteacher24/7

Lesson

A. Forum goals:

  • Provide information on other cultures from the readers.
  • Identify the relationships between culture and language.
  • Provide information on English-speaking cultures to develop an understanding of the English language used in a particular country.

B. Introduction:

  • Cultural influence - Culture has a direct influence on the language(s) used in society. Learning the culture of a society can identify some general characteristics of its people.
  • Cultural factors - Factors such as religion, economics, traditions, customs, natural resources, and politics influences culture.
  • Benefits of learning other cultures - Information about other cultures can help us to understand why people of a society do the things they do, even within the same country. Therefore, let us use this opportunity to learn from each other and seek to improve ourselves.

Comments

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englishteacher24/7

United States

There is a direct relationship between language and the culture of the language. Studying them is beneficial to learning the language.

07:49 PM Apr 01 2014 |

englishteacher24/7

United States

Easypeasy, thanks for your topic idea of “Others influencing American Culture,” it was a learning experience for me as well!

07:42 PM Mar 26 2014 |

1 person likes this

easypeasy

easypeasy

Germany

Mr. Alston, 


Thank you very much for writing this post! It was very informative and interesting, I really appreciate this

05:51 PM Mar 26 2014 |

englishteacher24/7

United States

The Influence of Others on American Culture


Easypeasy requested an answer concerning what other factors (besides the Bible) has influenced American (US) culture. As you know, the US is a nation of immigrants; therefore to determine factors that influenced the culture requires acknowledging the people who came here and the input from their culture. This is the beginning of what influenced American culture today.


Introduction


American culture is multi-cultural. Let’s pull the curtain back and take a glimpse of American culture and how it’s been influenced by others.


Since the 1600’s when Europeans and Africans arrived, Native Americans (Indians) were on the welcoming committee. They taught the new arrivals agriculture, influenced government structure (central government) and were a fore-runner of women rights.


Furthermore, after learning the English language, over time they incorporated approximately 2,000 of their own words, such as the words “mahogany” and “hickory.” They also set the tone for art, crafts, hunting, and survival skills.


In areas where there are reservations, American culture has been influenced by Indian names, clothing. fashion and food. Many Americans have Indian blood through inter-racial marriages. Indians have made a major impact on American culture.


Other Groups


English Americans  England is the mother country of the US and the founders contributed the English language, English literature (Shakespeare), music (British rock invasion), education, and a host of other British contributions that have influenced American culture.


Black Americans - Despite the hardships, Blacks have also made a major impact on American culture through music (spiritual, gospel, jazz, soul, etc.), agriculture (first cultivation of rice in US), cattle raising, inventions eg. 400 uses of the peanut, traffic light, carbon filament for light bulbs, food, civil rights movement, sports, art, and pop culture. The list goes on with the influences of Black Americans to American culture. 


German Americans - Germans are the largest ancestry group in the US and influenced American culture through the introduction of the kindergarten, the Christmas tree, physical/vocational education and gymnasiums in public school buildings. Food is another contribution such as hamburgers, hot dogs, sauerkraut, beer, farming techniques, rocket engineering, methodology and a host of other items that has influenced American culture.


Italian Americans  Christopher Columbus (who was Italian) made 4 trips to the New World and is credited with “Discovering America.” Italians have influenced American culture through Italian food (Pasta, spaghetti, lasagna, pizza, etc.) art, music, entertainment, business (Bank of America), baseball contributions (Joseph Dimaggio, Yogi Berra, Roy Campanella, etc.) wine, exotic sports cars and many other influences.


Irish Americans - The Irish influenced American culture and an Irish Holiday (St. Patrick’s Day) is recognized. Irish symbolism such as: the color green, four leaf clovers, leprechauns, rainbow and pots of gold are integrated into American culture.


French Americans - The French are noted for fine wine, food, art, and romance. The State of Louisiana is heavily influenced by the French and is manifested by French names, customs, traditions and the well-known Mardi Gras celebrations. The State of Louisiana along with many other southern states was once owned by France.


Hispanic/Latino Americans - The influence on American culture by Hispanic/Latino Americans is very significant and is manifested in the use of Spanish which is the second most used language in the US, architecture, Mexican food (that influenced Tex-Mex food), music, politics, sports, and a host of other categories that influences American culture.


Asian Americans - The influence of Asians can be found mostly in food with Chinese and Japanese restaurants across America. Many Americans have developed a taste for sushi and Chinese buffets are very popular. The influx of products from Asian countries have transformed American culture and lowered prices on many items. Other Asian Americans have influenced American culture in regional areas. Another area of Asian influence is found in the martial arts which is a well-respected skill. 


Eastern medical practice has influenced Western medical practices and American patients have other forms of medical treatment. There are many doctors and dentists of Asian descent and their influence on American culture is significant.


Middle Eastern Americans - There are many Americans that come from       Middle Eastern countries. Their influence on American culture is more regional than national, although Eastern Religion is one area that has been growing in recent years. Medical doctors and dentists of Middle Eastern descent are abounding and not difficult to find. Many of the medical doctors/dentists Americans attend (around large cities) are not native American but Middle Eastern or Asian.


Many other non-native Americans have influenced American culture on a regional or local basis.


Entrepreneurial Americans - This “other” group of people has influenced not only American culture but world culture. Here is a small list:


Bill Gates-  Microsoft software -  Henry Ford- Automobiles -  Ray Kroc - Founder of McDonalds   Sam Walton  Founder of Walmart Steve Jobs - Co-founder of Apple Computers   Walt Disney  Founder of Walt Disney Studios - Hobert J. Whitley who created the Hollywood District now known as “Hollywood” was a Canadian who became a naturalized American citizen.


Now I want to write on some basic things about American culture.


The United States is divided into many regional parts depending on the source, but for this article let’s call these areas:


West, South-west, Mid-west, South-east, North-east and New England.


In Laymen terms it would be: West coast, East coast, Up North and Down South.


American culture is not necessarily the same in all regions of the country. Even within the same state there can be major cultural differences. For example, the culture in Southern California is vastly different from the culture in Northern California. 


The West coast culture is very different than the East coast. The culture “Down South” is vastly different than the culture “Up North,” “Out West” is vastly different that “Back East.” Even the climates are different, some have 4 seasons, others are rainy, and some are spring/summer like year round.


There is a 4-hour  or more difference between the East coast and the West coast, (more in Hawaii and Alaska). These are significant factors that influence overall American culture. By the way, the State of Alaska was purchased from Russia and located right next door.


The biggest differences between the various micro-cultures can be found in language (dialects), food (cooking style), and economics.


Conclusion


With the advent of computers, the internet, and access to fast transportation, the country (and the world) has become a smaller place. Therefore, the influences in American culture are now the influences of the world.


As related to American culture, the ideal is to take the best qualities of all cultures, races, and ethnicities and produce an “ideal culture model.”


There are many divisions of people, such as nationality, race, ethnicity, religion, economics, politics, educational level and so on. However, there is one division of people that transcends all of these, and it is:


The division between Decent people and Non-decent people.


This holds true for all countries, the acts of non-decent people do not define decent people regardless of which nationality, race or ethnicity they are.


Thank you for your patience for those who wanted to read this type of information and thank Easypeasy for requesting it.


11:05 AM Mar 26 2014 |

englishteacher24/7

United States

Mal, thanks for your insight concerning tongue placement, especially pronouncing  “s” and “th” sounds.


For those looking for the next post on “The Influence of Immigrants on American Culture” it is coming.

06:36 PM Mar 06 2014 |

magoomal

magoomal

Australia

Interesting the subject has come about talking of culture effecting Language and one that is highlighted to me is the Russian politeness of not showing the tongue which English speaking to pronounce words correctly does require the slight showing of the tongue.


I think all that have seen the movie “My Fair Lady ” can relate to the main actor being able to tell what part of UK thy come from listening to the way the conversation took place which although not cultural shows the differnce that can take place with the common usage of the English language .


For those learning English its a good light hearted movie to watch and take in some of the learnings of it 


Cheers Mal R. 

08:51 AM Mar 03 2014 |

ola33

ola33

Japan

I’ve been to New York, and I found Americans very open, friendly. We were lost in the mid of the night and we were helped out to find the right direction. The tour guide was cracking jokes, very talkative. Lots of Spanish speaking people. I think Spanish is the second language after English in popularity.


But in Florida, Americans are super friendly. You ask them a quesiton and they’ll answer it so detailed, smiling almost giving you a hug and asking you questions. We were kind of stiff in the beginning (North is north) but then relaxed :)

10:58 PM Jan 20 2014 |

WobblyJoe

WobblyJoe

United States

Well yeah, more conservative than Europeans, isn’t every one? I think all three of us (Mexico, the US, and Canada) are more conservative then Europe. Away from the coastal areas especially.


It is too bad that your first American was a clod. One of our stereotypes is poor behavior while on vacation in other countries. It is very embarassing that it happens so often. 

10:06 PM Jan 20 2014 |

ola33

ola33

Japan

He wasn’t by himself. With a family, with a baby. I don’t know how the baby was breathing at night. With friends and he was talkative in a restaurant. And since the Jamaica’s hotels are all private, the premises of the resorts are not that big including the restaurant. So when you sit there, you kind of see every one who is having a vacation at the same time with you. In Cuba, the resort are owend by the government, exept for Iberostar, so you can get lost and be invisible and only meet your acquaintances (it’s a small world) on the night show. Anyway, that was my first encounter with American. And he was very tall and probably a former athelet, but from too much smoking and drinking wasn’t in that former shape.


In Mexico, there were lots tourists from Europe. Men were slim and were always into some activities, like scuba diving. And some of  their women :) regardless age, where topless.


So Canadians, are more conservative, I’d say.

09:34 PM Jan 20 2014 |

WobblyJoe

WobblyJoe

United States

Canadians are stereotyped here as being polite. New Yorkers are stereotyped here as being rude. Both groups are sufficiently stereotyped that way, that it is very common to see humor in movies or tv based on them.


In the movie, I’d just move seats. It’s much less a problem than killing him and much less unpleasant then being killed. And if you kill him or he kills you, you won’t know how the movie ended. I’d just move. It isn’t always guns here either. You could easily face the same nut and wind up stabbed, beaten or set on fire. A grown man who kicks seats is probably looking for someone equally stupid to fight with.


They don’t have that same problem with rude smokers in Canada? Probably not. How did you know he was a truck driver?

09:06 PM Jan 20 2014 |

ola33

ola33

Japan

Being in Manhattan, I understood, that Americans have a very packed lifestyle. They didn’t obey the roads rules, went on red light. When we were approaching to Hudson tunnel, we had to stand there pretty for a while since every one was jumping in line. Not like in Canada, in one car alternatively. I understood, Americans, if they want something, they’ll get it, disregarding ‘sorry’ or ‘thank you’. May be I’m stereotyping, but i felt the difference from Canada and stopped saying sorry, and thank you and started behaving the same or I’d be still standing in that line.:)

07:56 PM Jan 20 2014 |

ola33

ola33

Japan

We look at it from our point of view. We don’t have  guns. In America, the guns have been just right from the beginning. So you have the history, tradition and kind of got used to it. In Chicago, where guns’re not allowed, the crime rate is the worst, paradoxically. In this case,  the shooter might get away if he proves he stood his ground. But still, you need to be an American and live there all your life to percieve that mentally.


Another question, if in America, i go to the movies and someone will be hitting my seat by his foot, can I tell something a guy. In Canada, sometimes, you need to tell 3 times, but no guns’re involved.


We were in Jamaica, in resort. And we got an American neigbour at out last stay. It wasn’t allowed to smoke in a room since all the fumes were spreading to the other rooms through the ventilation system. We said to a guy, a tatooed truck driver, not to smoke. He just chuckled but continued. His behaviour in a restaurant was very loud as though he’s a director of the resort. Anyway, he didn’t stop smoking and I had a bad sleep full smoke.


 

07:44 PM Jan 20 2014 |

WobblyJoe

WobblyJoe

United States

Um, no way.  I walk around at 3am regularly. Where do your friends live that they are in such danger? 


The answer to not getting shot for showing someone the finger is don’t show them the finger. 


Crime is crime. It has nothing to do with freedom, but you blame the innocent for the actions of the guilty.  You would limit the freedoms of the many for the criminal actions of the few. Yes, it does happen perhaps 100 times a year or so and yes, perhaps 100 people a year are killed that way.  Of 330 million of us. It’s probably more likely you’d get struck by lightning or eaten by a shark. 500 million guns, about 100 of the misused in random mass killings. For that you would take them all?


We lose far more than that to Labatts and Moosehead. Shall we blame Canada and return prohibition? Control everyone due to the actions of the few who beat their wives when they were drunk? 


If it wasn’t guns, the criminals would brandish knives, like they do in England. Free men have the right to defend themselves against those who would harm them. And as you pointed out, the police are only regular people with some training and a job, they aren’t different or better, a retired cop over 70 did the one you refer to.


Having the police be the only armed people here makes us sheep at the mercy of a government that can’t be trusted not to abuse it’s power. They have already established in our laws that they have no responsibility to protect us from crime or prevent crime, only to enforce law. They’ve established in the recent scandals they can’t be trusted not to break our laws against us. You would leave the old and weak to the mercy of the young and strong.  There is no one here whose job it is to protect them from criminals. The police here protect us incidentally to enforcing the law. If your crazy ex-husband is coming to stab you, the police won’t show up until you’re dead and they have a crime to investigate. (Navarro, et al,- true story)


Some here are hours or even days away from police help, they have rights too.


Canada, you guys are so cute.

06:55 PM Jan 20 2014 |

ola33

ola33

Japan

Now we need to pray for another brave one to ban the weapons in America, so innocent people will go to the movies safe without fear for being shot just for texting to thier kids. My friend in America tells you’re afraid even to show a finger to somebody since everyone has got a gun, who knows what’s in his head to pull out the gun and you’re dead. Is it freedom? it’s intimidation to do anything wrong, not, God Forbid, to get on somebody’s nerves and get killed. The shooter was a former police guy. Nuts!

06:16 PM Jan 20 2014 |

WobblyJoe

WobblyJoe

United States

Hello Everyone,


Today in the USA it is a holiday. Today we honor the late Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.


Most of you know who he was already but you may not know what he really did.


By using principles of non-violent resistence, his skillful public speaking, and the plain truth, he made us ashamed of our legal segregation and brought people of all races together to fight the evil in our lands.


A newspaper columnist years ago summed up his greatest contribution to our people, Dr. King made it ok for people of different races to be friends in public. Dr. King put us on the path of becoming one. On the path of being educated together, of living in the same neighborhoods, of mixing socially.


Dr. King’s famous dream is shared by many of us now.


It may take generations, but we’re working on it. We honor Dr. King for his great role in the changes.

04:29 PM Jan 20 2014 |

englishteacher24/7

United States

Jullieta, I understand your sentiment concerning the focus on the religious aspect of influence on culture. The question that was posed focused on this aspect. Nevertheless, the question has been posed as to other factors that has influenced American culture and now the focus will move away from the religious aspect to other influences, namely, the people themselves.


As you may know, the United States is a nation of immigrants, thus, the various ethnicities that make up the country has influenced the culture.


My next post and those who desire to contribute will be focused on the people that have brought the attributes of their culture to the US and we can see how their influences have shaped the culture in the US.


Thanks to Easypeasy who submitted the request as well as BillieJean2, Staisy, WobblyJoe, HappyLinda and yourself who have contributed to this forum discussion.


Stay tuned!

06:47 PM Jan 17 2014 |

1 person likes this

Jullieta

Jullieta

Russian Federation

To my opinion the cooments below paid attention too much on the religion, and less on culture itself! Religion is a one factor of a culture. 


I would be against of religion classes in schools, cause religion its a “selfinspired” way and shouldn`t be imposed.

11:56 AM Jan 14 2014 |

easypeasy

easypeasy

Germany

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Mr. Alston, first of all thanks again for writing the text about the influence of the bible on the American culture. You mentioned that there are other influences besides the bible; which are they and how can that be seen?


Referring to the question if religion is important; I think as long as religion is not misused for bad purposes (like, for example, the crusades in the middle ages, what was the opposite of what the bible teaches us) it is a good thing. It can give you the motivation to forgive or to help other people (what improves the harmony in a society) and it can give you hope that there will be still another kind of life after death, what might take away the fear of death and thus makes you a calmer person.

07:46 AM Jan 14 2014 |

englishteacher24/7

United States

Thanks Staisy for your information about this activity in Russia, I learned something from you. Concerning teaching the Bible in US public schools, it is not permitted except possibly in Comparative Religion classes.

06:05 AM Jan 11 2014 |

1 person likes this

Staisy

Staisy

Russian Federation

Mr Alston, thanks for your interesting post , it was nice to learn new about the culture of your country.


There was a time in Russia, when learning of the Bible and getting marks for it was obligatory as a part of school programm untill the year 1917. And now there are lots of disputes about the restoring of this tradition again. And how about the  USA in this respect?

09:10 PM Jan 10 2014 |

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