Initially we must have a clarification over terms equivalent to tradition, identity and cultural identity which leads us to the American cultural identity and its elements. Tradition is a really difficult time period to define. “It has more than a hundred definitions.” (1) To offer a simple definition and no to confused with the hundred of the definitions we are able to define culture as follows: culture refers to the customs, practices, languages, values and world views that define social teams resembling these based on nationality, ethnicity, region or frequent interests.
Identity is another time period we must know about before understanding cultural identity. “The condition or character as to who an individual or what a thing is.”(2) One of the best way to define the time period identity is a solution to the query who am I? We will say that identity is about our self-notion and notion of others. There are totally different types of identity in response to completely different ways of categorizing of aspects. Personal identity, social identity and collective identity are probably the most recognizable ones. “The idea of a collective identity refers to a set of people’ sense of belonging to the group or collective. For the person, 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, religion, gender, profession and decadent culture.
Cultural identity is the identity of a group, tradition or of an individual so 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 can be simply defined because the sets of values, norms and beliefs that make the American folks because the Americans. Collective identity is just not in battle with personal identity as every American has its own identity while the whole Individuals has a selected collective identity by which they are distinguished from the British people.
Talking in regards to the parts of the American cultural identity is difficult, because there are many elements that shape it. To rely among the most necessary components I go for the next ones.
• Language
English language is one of the elements that for my part have formed the American cultural identity. It offers the Americans a way of having a British origin and a sense 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 majority of the Individuals speak has had a fantastic affect on shaping their collective identity.
• Egalitarianism
The idea of egalitarianism or having equal opportunities makes the second aspect of the American cultural identity. This sense that all of us live 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 concept of exceptionalism has instilled in People mind through the history and because of this it has made them think that they are unique and particular people dwelling in a land of opportunities. They consider in American Dream they usually think that they have had this likelihood to live on this land not some other people. People imagine that they and only they are exceptional and this thought provides them a sense of nationalistic level of view. Being patriot is a very common symbol of being an American and it has a lot to do with exceptionalism and nationalism. For instance, US flag is considered a nationwide image and an emblem that integrates all Americans to a whole.
• Liberalism
Liberalism is undoubtedly probably the most influential component 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 individuals are free to work, worship, live, travel and so on so forth as long as they respect every others’ rights. Liberalism limits the affect the federal government has on the personal lives of the citizens as well. When people see that they are free to decide on whatever they need under the liberalism umbrella, then they feel they’re Americans and they recognize themselves as Americans.
• Individualism
Individualism has had an amazing impact on being an American. It has a Puritan background. Individualism has helped the creation of property ownership and what’s called privacy. Ownership in America is of nice significance and it provides the owner a sense by which he/she feels American because they consider it a results of dwelling in America and believing in American beliefs. Individualism will not be only about financial phrases like property ownership. In terms of tradition, cultural individualism is the concept the entire People 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 question “What do you do?” is a very common query in American culture. It means that hard-working is a vital factor among Americans. Americans work very hard they usually always think about the results undermining the tools by which they can achieve the ends. In accordance with the American multicultural context, pragmatist ideas which refuses any absolutes grew to become quite common because “somewhat than believing in absolutes it is believed that these concepts are changeable and depend on the context in which they’re being discussed.” (4)
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