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!