Category: socio-sulture

american culture

American History, Language, and Culture

Posted on by Ms. Elle

American culture encompasses the customs and traditions of the United States. “Culture encompasses religion, food, what we wear, how we wear it, our language, marriage, music, what we believe is right or wrong, how we sit at the table, how we greet visitors, how we behave with loved ones, and a million other things.

The United States is the third largest country in the world with a population of more than 332 million, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. A child is born every 9 seconds, and a person dies every 11 seconds.

In addition to Indigenous Americans who were already living on the continent, the population of the United States was built on immigration from other countries. *Despite recent moves to close the U.S borders to new immigrants and refugees, a new immigrant moves to the United States every 666 seconds, according to the Census Bureau.

The United States is sometimes described as a “melting pot”, in which different cultures have contributed their own distinct “flavors” to American culture. Just as cultures from around the world have influenced American culture, today American culture influences the world. The term Western culture often refers broadly to the cultures of the United States and Europe.

Because of this, the United States is one of the most culturally diverse countries in the world. Nearly every region of the world has influenced American culture, most notably the English who colonized the country beginning in the early 1600s, according to the Library of Congress. U.S. culture has also been shaped by the cultures of Indigenous Americans, Latin Americans, Africans and Asians.

The way people “melt” in the United States differs. “Different groups of immigrants integrate in different ways. For example, in the United States, Catholic Spanish-speaking communities might keep their language and other cultural family traditions, but are integrated in the urban community and have embraced the American way of life in many other ways.

The Northeast, South, Midwest, Southeast and Western regions of the United States all have distinct traditions and customs.  

*As the American government changes from Trump to Biden administration, there have been changes and modifications regarding laws on immigration and refugees.

**Sources: https://www.livescience.com/author/kim-ann-zimmermann

Guide Questions

Answer the following questions. You may need additional information from other internet sources.

1. What is culture?

2. Who are considered indigenous Americans?

3. What is “melting-pot”? Give examples.

4. What countries have contributed to the diversified culture of American people?

5. Give examples of ways on how immigrants integrate their culture in American society?

6. What is being referred to by the term western culture?

Test Your Vocabulary: American Culture part 1

American Culture Part 2

Language

The United States has no official language according to the U.S. government. While almost every language in the world is spoken in the United States, the most frequently spoken non-English languages are Spanish, Chinese, French and Filipino. Ninety percent of the U.S. population speaks and understands at least some English, and most official businesses are conducted in English. Some states have official or preferred languages. For example, English and Hawaiian are the official languages of Hawaii.

The Census Bureau estimates that more than 300 languages are spoken in the United States. The bureau divides those languages into four categories: one, Spanish; two, other Indo-European languages, which includes German, Yiddish, Swedish, French, Italian, Russian, Polish, Hindi, Punjabi, Greek and several others; three, Asian and Pacific Island languages, including Chinese, Korean, Japanese, Thai, Tamil and more; and number four, “all other languages,” which is a category for languages that didn’t fit into the first three categories, such as Hungarian, Arabic, Hebrew, languages of Africa and languages of native people of North, Central and South America.

Religion

Nearly every known religion is practiced in the United States, which was founded on the basis of religious freedom. About 71% of Americans identify themselves as Christians, according to information gathered by the Pew Research Center, a nonpartisan research group, in 2017. The research also found that about 23% had no religious affiliation at all and around 6% of the population is made up non-Christian religions. The number of people who identify with no religion seems to be decreasing. According to the Pew Research Center, this category is expected to drop from 16% in 2015 to 13% in 2060.

Fashion

Clothing styles vary by social status, region, occupation and climate. Jeans, sneakers, baseball caps, cowboy hats and boots are some of the items of clothing that are closely associated with Americans.  Ralph Lauren, Calvin Klein, Michael Kors and Victoria Secret are some well-known American brands. American fashion is widely influenced by celebrities and the media. And fashion sales equal around 200 Billion per year according to a paper published by Harvard University in 2007. More and more Americans are buying fashion, electronics and more online. According to the Census Bureau, U.S. retail e-commerce sales for the first quarter of 2017 totaled around 98.1 Billion USD.

Food

American cuisine was influenced by Europeans and Native Americans in its early history. Today, there are a number of foods that are commonly identified as American, such as hamburgers, hot dogs, potato chips, macaroni and cheese, and meat loaf. “As American as apple pie”, has come to mean something that is authentically American. There are also styles of cooking and types of foods that are specific to a region. Southern-style cooking is often called “American comfort food” and includes dishes such as fried chicken, collard greens, black-eyed peas and cornbread, according. Tex-Mex, popular in Texas and the Southwest, is a blend of Spanish and Mexican cooking styles and includes items such as chili and burritos, and relies heavily on shredded cheese and beans. Jerky, dried meats that are served as snacks, is also a food that was created in the United States, according to NPR.

The Arts

The United States is widely known around the world as a leader in mass media production, including television and movies. According to the U.S. Department of Commerce, the United States comprises one-third of the worldwide media and entertainment industry. The television broadcasting industry took hold in the United States in the early 1950s, and American television programs are now shown around the world. The United States also has a vibrant movie industry, centered in Hollywood, California, and American movies are popular worldwide. The U.S. film industry earned $31 billion in revenues in 2013, and is expected to reach $771 billion by 2019, according to the U.S. Department of Commerce.

The United States’ arts culture extends beyond movies and television shows, though. New York is home to Broadway, and Americans have a rich theatrical history. American folk art is an artistic style and is identified with quilts and other hand-crafted items. American music is very diverse with many, many styles, including rhythm and blues, jazz, gospel, country and western, bluegrass, rock ‘n’ roll and hip hop.

Sports

Baseball is called America’s favorite pastime. The United States is a sports-minded country, with millions of fans who follow football, baseball, basketball and hockey, among other sports. Baseball, which was developed in colonial America and became an organized sport in the mid-1800s, is known as America’s favorite pastime, although it has been eclipsed in popularity by football for the past three decades, according to the Harris Poll.

American holidays

Many holidays are celebrated only in the United States. Americans celebrate their independence from Britain on July 4th. Memorial Day, celebrated on the last Monday in May, honors those who have died in military service. Labor Day, observed on the first Monday in September, celebrates the country’s workforce. Thanksgiving, another distinctive American holiday, falls on the fourth Thursday in November and dates back to colonial times to celebrate the harvest. Presidents’ Day, marking the birthdays of George Washington and Abraham Lincoln, is a federal holiday that occurs on the third Monday in February. The contributions of veterans are honored on Veterans’ Day, observed on November 11. The contributions of civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. are remembered on the third Monday in January.

*2021: 350 languages

Guide Questions

Answer the following questions. You may need additional information from other internet sources.

  1. Why do you think the USA has no official language?

2. In the context of American society, what does “religious freedom” mean?

3. How has American celebrities influenced how people around the world view beauty?

4. Suggest ways on how American media have permeated into the world.

5. Which American sport is popular in Thailand? Why is it popular?

6. What American holiday(s) can be matched to any Thai holiday(s)?

Test Your Vocabulary: American Culture part 2

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united kingdom culture

United Kingdom: History, Language and Culture

Posted on by Ms. Elle

Woven into the fabric of the United Kingdom of Great Britain is a rich history defined by wars, rebellions, royals, social upheaval and the rise and fall of what was once the biggest empire in the world. The Romans occupied Britain from AD 43 to AD 410 and left behind straight roads, a sewage system and hot baths, amongst other things. After that the Romans, Jutes, Saxons and Angles all established kingdoms south of Hadrian’s Wall before the Normans arrived and gave rise to the myth that it was the last time England was invaded. It wasn’t. England was subsequently invaded several times by the French, a few times by the Scots, at various intervals by pretenders to the throne and once by the Dutch. The Spanish and the Germans also had a go but neither actually set foot on dry land.

King Henry VIII is not only famous for having six wives, but also for breaking away from the Church of Rome, setting up the Church of England so he could get divorced. After Henry, battles between monarchs, nations, nobles and sections of the population invariably became tussles about how to run the country, culminating in the English Civil War (1642-1651), which was won by the Parliamentarians.

The constitutional monarchy that exists in the United Kingdom today developed during the 18th and 19th centuries as power came to be increasingly exercised by an elected parliament. In 1801 Great Britain – that’s England, Wales and Scotland – were formally united with Ireland. The subsequent reign of Queen Victoria, whose role was now little more than symbolic, coincided with a period of great economic success and unfettered empire building before events of the 20th century, notably two world wars, resulted in the dismantling of the empire.

In 1920, Ireland gained independence from the United Kingdom, leaving behind Northern Ireland, whose troubled relationship with the UK led to an ethno-nationalist conflict better known as The Troubles (1968-1998). World wars and internal conflicts led to social upheaval, which resulted in universal suffrage, the Welfare State, the repeal of the death penalty and the legalization of homosexuality. In 2014 Scotland held a referendum to determine whether it would continue being part of the United Kingdom or not. It voted to stay, but calls for independence can still be heard across the land.

Did you know? Cricket, football, boxing, rowing, rugby (league and union), tennis and golf were formalized into sports in the UK. • The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) is the world’s oldest and largest broadcaster. • The Orkney Vole has inhabited the islands for 4,600 years and does not occur on mainland Britain.

United Kingdom Culture

Religion in United Kingdom. Predominantly Christian (Church of England, Roman Catholic, Presbyterian, Methodist), sizeable Muslim, Sikh, Jewish and Hindu minorities. Around 15% of the population have no religion. Social Conventions in United Kingdom Handshaking is customary when introduced to someone for the first time. One or two kisses on the cheek is gaining popularity for close friends. Normal social courtesies should be observed when visiting someone’s home and a small present such as flowers or chocolates is appreciated. It is polite to wait until everyone has been served before eating. Some nightclubs and restaurants do not allow jeans and trainers, otherwise casual wear is widely acceptable. For business, a suit and tie should be worn, although in some workplaces an open neck is acceptable.

Topless sunbathing is allowed on certain beaches and tolerated in some parks. Smoking is banned in all enclosed public places, including stations, pubs and restaurants, throughout the UK. The monarchy, though now only symbolic politically, is a powerful and often subconscious unifying force. Members of the Royal Family are the subject of unceasing fascination, with their every move avidly followed and reported by the popular press, both in the UK and abroad.

Language in United Kingdom. The main language is English, but Welsh is spoken in parts of Wales, and Gaelic in parts of Scotland. The many ethnic minorities within the UK also speak their own languages like Cantonese, Greek, Hindi, Mandarin, Turkish, Urdu, so on and so forth.

*Source: https://www.worldtravelguide.net/guides/europe/united-kingdom/history-language-culture/

Guide Questions

  1. How has Great Britain’s invaders enriched the countries culture?

2. What was the initial purpose for setting up the Church of England?

3. What comprises Great Britain? United Kingdom?

4. Look for additional information regarding the ethno-nationalist conflict known as “The Troubles”.

5. How does UK’s social courtesies differ from Thai social customary?

6. Why do you think the UK Royal Family fascinates people around the world.

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australian culture

Australia: History, Language, and Culture

Posted on by Ms. Elle

History of Australia

There were numerous early European explorers to Australia, among them Willem Janszoon, the Dutchman generally credited with being the first outsider to land on Australian soil doing so in 1606, and his compatriot Abel Tasman, who in 1642 discovered the large island off Australia’s southern coast – hence its modern name, Tasmania. It was Captain James Cook, however, who landed at Botany Bay in 1770 and changed the fate of the land forever. When he and his men stepped onto Australian shores, they encountered an Aboriginal way of life that went back some 40,000 years. The first governor, Arthur Phillip, was ordered to encourage a positive relationship with the indigenous locals, although a mixture of disease, malice and mutual suspicion meant this was over-optimistic. The first settlers treated the Aboriginal population with appalling brutality, which gave way to racist policies from subsequent administrations. Tensions still exist between mainstream Australia and the guardians of the Aboriginal way of life. While the native way of life was being strained, the island’s new settlers were putting down firm roots. A British colony had been established not long after Cook’s arrival, and by 1868 (recognising the powerful crime deterrent afforded by penal transportation) London had sent more than 160,000 convicts to Australia. By this time there had also been the mass arrival of free settlers and speculators, many of them pouring into the country in the gold rush of the 1850s. It led to significant economic expansion. By the 1880s the majority of people in the colony had been born and raised in Australia, which in turn was creating a deeper sense of nationalism. The Commonwealth of Australia came into being in 1901.

The nation was deeply involved and affected by both world wars and the Great Depression, but it continued to develop into a modern, versatile nation and grew as both a domestic and international power. Racial reconciliation was given a boost in 2008 when government issued a formal apology to the indigenous population for the past.

Australia remains a constitutional monarchy, with Queen Elizabeth Il as its present monarch. The country saw its first ever female prime minister in 2010, when Labor’s Julia Gillard won a narrow election victory. Her rule lasted three years, before a political merry-go-round then saw Labor’s Kevin Rudd, the Liberal Party’s Tony Abbott and prime minister Malcolm Turnbull all have stints in power before 2015 was up. Turnbull, of the Liberal Party, is currently serving as Prime Minister, having been reelected in 2016 and served until 2018. He was replaced by Scott Morrison who is currently serving as of the recording of this video in 2021.

Did you know? • Melbourne is said to be home to the most sizable Greek population in the world outside Greece.• The country’s largest cattle station, Anna Creek in South Australia, is more than three quarters the size of Belgium. • Former PM Bob Hawke once held the word record for downing the equivalent of a yard of ale. Australia Culture Religion in Australia 35% Protestant, 25% Roman Catholic, and the rest are smaller minorities of all other major religions.

Social Conventions in Australia. A largely informal atmosphere prevails; shaking hands is the customary greeting. Casual wear is worn everywhere except in the most exclusive restaurants, social gatherings and important business meetings. Most restaurants forbid smoking.

Language in Australia. The official language is English. Many other languages are retained by minorities, including Italian, German, Greek, Vietnamese, Chinese dialects and Aboriginal languages.

Source: https://www.worldtravelguide.net/guides/oceania/australia/history-language-culture/

Guide Questions

Who are considered indigenous to the country now known as Australia?

Where does most of the mainstream Australians came from?

Why are there tensions between the mainstream Australians and the indigenous people?

What is “Common Wealth of Australia”?

In what manner did the Australian government reach out to the indigenous locals to mend their broken relationship?

What is a constitutional monarchy?

Who was the prime minister when the great Australian wild fire happened? Where was he at the time of its occurrence?

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