Initially we will need to have a clarification over terms similar to tradition, identity and cultural identity which leads us to the American cultural identity and its elements. Culture is a very complicated term to define. “It has more than a hundred definitions.” (1) To present a simple definition and no to confused with the hundred of the definitions we are able to define tradition as follows: tradition refers back to the customs, practices, languages, values and world views that define social teams similar to these based mostly on nationality, ethnicity, region or common interests.
Identity is another term we should know about earlier than understanding cultural identity. “The condition or character as to who a person or what a thing is.”(2) The very best way to define the time period identity is a solution to the query who am I? We can say that identity is about our self-notion and perception of others. There are totally different types of identity in response to totally different ways of categorizing of aspects. Personal identity, social identity and collective identity are probably the most recognizable ones. “The concept of a collective identity refers to a set of individuals’ sense of belonging to the group or collective. For the individual, the identity derived from the collective shapes a part of his or her personal identity.” (three) The master forces of collective identity are nationwideity, ethnicity, faith, gender, profession and decadent culture.
Cultural identity is the identity of a bunch, culture or of an individual as far as one is influenced by one’s belonging to a bunch or culture. Then cultural identity is a collective identity.
The American cultural identity will be merely defined as the sets of values, norms and beliefs that make the American individuals because the Americans. Collective identity isn’t in battle with personal identity as every American has its own identity while the entire Americans has a particular collective identity by which they are distinguished from the British people.
Talking in regards to the parts of the American cultural identity is tough, because there are lots of components that shape it. To depend some of the most vital components I am going for the next ones.
• Language
English language is one of the elements that in my view have shaped the American cultural identity. It offers the Individuals a sense of getting a British origin and a feeling that the language their ancestors spoke was English like them and I think it makes them think of their Anglo-Saxon background. English language as the keyity of the Individuals speak has had an excellent affect on shaping their collective identity.
• Egalitarianism
The concept of egalitarianism or having equal opportunities makes the second aspect of the American cultural identity. This sense that we all reside in a land of opportunities, while others do not and all of us are equal to have opportunities to live has integrated Individuals as a whole.
• Exceptionalism and Nationalism
The idea of exceptionalism has instilled in People mind via the history and consequently it has made them think that they are distinctive and special folks living in a land of opportunities. They consider in American Dream they usually think that they’ve had this likelihood to live on this land not some other people. People consider that they and only they’re exceptional and this thought gives them a sense of nationalistic level of view. Being patriot is a very common symbol of being an American and it has much to do with exceptionalism and nationalism. For instance, US flag is considered a nationwide image and a symbol that integrates all Americans to a whole.
• Liberalism
Liberalism is undoubtedly probably the most influential aspect of American cultural identity. The thought of liberalism in America is as old as the United States the place in accordance the US Constitution the persons are free to work, worship, live, travel and so forth so forth as long as they respect each others’ rights. Liberalism limits the influence the government has on the personal lives of the citizens as well. When individuals see that they’re free to choose whatever they need under the liberalism umbrella, then they feel they are Americans and so they acknowledge themselves as Americans.
• Individualism
Individualism has had an important impact on being an American. It has a Puritan background. Individualism has helped the creation of property ownership and what is called privacy. Ownership in America is of nice significance and it provides the owner a way by which he/she feels American because they consider it a results of residing in America and believing in American beliefs. Individualism will not be only about economic phrases like property ownership. When it comes to culture, cultural individualism is the concept the entire Individuals see themselves as a person from which the idea of Americanism comes from.
• Pragmatism
Pragmatism, like individualism, has a Puritan origin. Americans work very hard to achieve their goals. The query “What do you do?” is a quite common query in American culture. It signifies that hard-working is a very important factor among Americans. Americans work very hard and so they always think about the outcomes undermining the tools by which they’ll achieve the ends. In accordance with the American multicultural context, pragmatist ideas which refuses any absolutes turned very common because “slightly than believing in absolutes it is believed that these ideas are changeable and rely on the context in which they are being discussed.” (four)
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