Date post: | 22-Dec-2015 |
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Introduction to American Society
In the next weeks we will BRIEFLY explore
some of these topics:• Multiculturalism:
– Race– Religion– Holidays– Language
• Economy, crime, discrimination
•Schools, Family, Women•Diet, Transportation
US Population by Race
1990 1995 2000 2008 2050Non-Hispanic whites
74% 73% 72% 68% 46%
Hispanic (of any race)
9% 10% 12% 15% 30%
Non-Hispanic blacks
12% 12% 12% 12% 15%
Asian American 3% 3% 4% 5% 9%Native American 1% 1% 1% http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Race_and_ethnicity_in_the_United_States
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VQjQszlNY84&feature=related
ReligionMost people in the United States are
Christian. “WASP” = White, Anglo-Saxon,
Protestant
Many Kinds of Christians
• Catholic 26.2% • Baptist 19.4% • Methodist 8.0%• Lutheran 5.2%• Presbyterian 2.8%• (Jewish 1.8%)• Pentecostal 1.8%• Episcopalian 1.7%• Latter-day Saints (Mormons) 1.4%• Churches of Christ 1.0%• Jehovah's Witnesses 0.8%
Public Holidays(Christian)
– Christmas – birth of Christ (Dec. 25)• Christmas Trees , Christmas Lights, Christmas
Stocking, Santa Claus• Nativity Scenes, Plays
– Easter – death and resurrection of Christ (Sunday April 24 in 2011)
• Easter Bunny, Easter Egg Hunt, Easter Baskets• Easter Service, Good Friday
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=214HItoTuNA&feature=relmfu
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0hHnPctlGoU&NR=1
Public Holidays (civic)
Other holidays are not connected with religion. They may be patriotic or civic. For example,
ThanksgivingIndependence dayMemorial dayMartin Luther King day
Other Ethnic and Religious Holidays– Hanukkah (Jewish)– Kwanzaa (Black American)– Three Kings Day (Latin)– Ramadan (Islamic)– http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0sjC13dFRS8&NR=1
• Finally, some holidays are just for fun; for example: – Halloween– Valentine’s Day– =chocolate!
Language(s)
There is NO national language in the US!
But…
176 languages are SPOKEN. 56 languages are DEAD.Most were native American languages.
Hawaii: English and HawaiianNew Mexico: Spanish
British vs. US English
– "The Americans are identical to the British in all respects except, of course, language."Oscar Wilde
– "We (the British and Americans) are two countries separated by a common language."G.B. Shaw
– http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PsBRsAlbzoI – http://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=yKuAKteVvcA&feature=related
Pronunciation differences
• barn US /barn/ GB /ba:n/ • tune US /tun/ GB /tyun/ • laugh US /laef/GB (closer to ア) • hot US (closer to ア) GB (closer to
オ)• often US /afen/ GB /often/ • privacy US pry-vacy GB priv-acy • schedule US skedule GB shedule
Spelling and writing differences
• July 8, 1960 08 July 1960
• color colour
• center, theater centre, theatre
• check cheque
• defense, license defence, licence
• all right alright
• tire tyre
• jail gaol
Grammar differences
1. (U.S.) Have you gotten your grade in history yet? (G.B.) Have you got your grade in history yet?
2. (U.S.) He was in a course. (G.B.) He went on a course. 3. (U.S.) He's in the hospital with a broken leg. (G.B.) He's in hospital with a broken leg.4. (U.S.) JAL has a flight to London today. (G.B.) JAL have a flight to London today.
American English Dialects
• Regional: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fGxlxOcS-tE
• NYC accents• Racial:
– AAVE or Black English– Spanglish
• Social:– Valspeak, etc. 21 accents
To do next:
Today’s feedback
Find a group for your final project!
THAT’S ALL FOR TODAY--- Thank you!