UNIVERSIDAD NACIONAL DE CHIMBORAZO

NAME: Jessika Arellano

CLASS: 7th semester A
SUBJECT: language and Culture
THEME: Latin or Hispanic Culture
DEFINITION OF CULTURE
Word: Culture by (Spradley & McCurdy 1975 and Collingwood).
The 'culture' is the set of all forms and expressions of a given society. As such it
includes customs, practices, codes, standards and rules of how to be, dress,
religion, rituals, and norms of behavior and belief systems. From another point of
view we could say that culture is all the information and skills that humans
possess, the concept of culture is central to the disciplines that deal with the study
of society, especially anthropology and sociology
AMERICAN CULTURE: TRADITIONS AND CUSTOMS OF THE UNITED STATES
American culture encompasses the customs and traditions of the United States,
including language, religion, food and the arts. Nearly every region of the world has
influenced American culture, as it is a country of immigrants, most notably the
English who colonized the country beginning in the early 1600s. U.S .the culture
has also been shaped by the cultures of Native Americans, Latin Americans,
Africans and Asians.
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. The United States as the third largest
country in the world with a population of more is the most culturally diverse country
in the world.
The Northeast, South, Midwest, Southeast and Western regions of the United
States all have distinct traditions and customs. Here is a brief overview of the
culture of the United States.

LANGUAGE

There is no official language of the United States, although 31 of 50 states have

made English their official language or given it exceptional status. More than 90
percent of the U.S. population speaks and understands at least some English, and
most official business is conducted in English.
While almost every language in the world is spoken in the United States, Spanish,
Chinese, French and German are among the most frequently spoken non-English
languages. Each region of the United States, in particular the South, has its own
spin on the language with unique pronunciations and phrases.
RELIGION
Nearly every known religion is practiced in the United States, which was founded
on the basis of religious freedom. More than 75 percent of Americans identify
themselves as Christians. About half are Protestant, about one-quarter are
Catholic, and a small percentage are Mormon. After Christianity, Judaism is the
second most-identified religious affiliation, at about 1.4 percent of the population.
About 20 percent of the population has no religious affiliation.
AMERICAN STYLE
Clothing styles vary by region and climate, but the American style of dressing is
predominantly casual. Denim, sneakers and cowboy hats and boots are some
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.
AMERICAN FOOD
American cuisine has been 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 corn bread. 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.
ARTS.

The United States is widely known around the world as a leader in mass media
production, including television and movies. The television broadcasting industry
took hold in the United States in the early 1950s and American television programs
are shown around the world. The United States also has a vibrant movie industry,
centered in Hollywood, and American movies are popular worldwide. 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
The United States is a sports-minded country, with millions of fans who follow
football, baseball, basketball and hockey, among other sports. The game of
baseball, which was developed in colonial America and became an organized sport
in the mid-1800s, is known as Americas favorite pastime, although its popularity
has been eclipsed by football.
AMERICAN HOLIDAYS
Americans celebrate their independence from Britain on July 4. 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
countrys 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 Nov. 11.
The contributions of civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. are remembered on
the third Monday in January.
HISPANIC OR LATIN CULTURE IN THE UNITED STATES
Latin America, is a cultural identity of habits, practices, thoughts, values, religious
visions and common language, its own way of understanding the world - "live and
die" If language is the first index of a culture no is no doubt that the Hispanic
culture in its different versions, is aposentndose (stay, temporary accommodation)
, throughout the United States.
"With increased during the last decade of the Hispanic population in the United
States, knowledge of Spanish is becoming more of a necessity than an option in
many parts of the country"; and still added: "Since the overseers of cattle ranches

in Nebraska brokers in New York, Americans are quick to learn a language now
spoken by most of the 40 million Hispanics in the country".
CULTURE AS THE IMAGE OF LATIN AMERICA
Latin America currently has a rich cultural heritage as a result of the mixing of the
races that have been intertwined throughout history, being the Spanish conquest,
the beginning of the interaction and interpenetration of blood and cultures. As the
conqueror was mixed with the indigenous, aboriginal culture was permeable
substrate from the depths of the people, their crafts, their work, their psychology,
their behavior in order to his nature, and permeated all Latin American culture;
reference should be made to Carpentier cited by Olivera White (2009), which
states that since the beginning of the process of conquest and interbreeding occurs
in our continent a great development of culture Latin America has undergone a
drastic change in culture.
Where every immigrant bring his mix with other multicultural. Culture is the set of
all forms, models or patterns, explicit or implicit, through which a society is
manifested. As such it includes language, customs, practices, codes, standards
and rules of the way of being, religion, and rituals, norms of behavior and belief
systems. From another point of view we can say that culture is all the information
and skills that humans possess.
A NEW MULTICULTURALISM
Such an attitude of cultural syncretism, generalized among many Latinos who are
making the Americas is much more powerful than the old racism, which also had
enough classism connotations of being born historically in the South against blacks
and poor Hispanics. The cultural version of racism responds mainly to the growing
presence of Spanish in America.
The "Ingles only" is not just a matter of language, as no Hispanic notified want to
let you know English well, but the intention of returning to the melting pot, that
hegemonic attempt Anglos who wanted to transform into American migrants,
assimilating the Anglo-Saxon culture and trying to forget their own. But more than a
melting pot, America is now a salad bowl, one culture to the letter monopoly defies
interpretation.
It is true that the Spanish media are in the hands of American capital, but today
Hispanic provides new nuances, new colors into American society. It seems as if
the Anglo-Saxon, Puritan and disciplinarian, mood occasionally need a transfusion
of vitality.

At the beginning of the twentieth century were blacks, descendants of slaves, who
transformed the music of their owners and imposed the beauty and elasticity of
blackness. Now is the turn of Hispanics, whose support has been crucial for that
multiculturalism is now proclaimed as substantially to the new America.
HISPANIC HOLIDAYS
Latino culture is rich in holidays and traditions. Some are more traditional than
others, but they all help keep our culture alive. Hispanic holidays also give us the
opportunity to deepen our connection with family, friends and community. And,
many would say, they give us the perfect excuse to party. There is a wide range of
Hispanic celebrations: From the religious to the patriotic, and from the popular to
the unique. Some important Hispanic holidays are:
RELIGIOUS CELEBRATIONS
The different "Hispanic cultures" share many things in common, including these
religious observances.
Navidad (Christmas)
Like in many other cultures Christmas is one of the most important religious
celebrations among Hispanics.
A unique characteristic of a "Latino" Christmas is the prominent role of the
"nacimiento" (the nativity scene).
La Semana Santa (Holy Week)
This is another important and deeply religious Hispanic holiday. The Holy Week is
the last week of Lent and the week before Easter. Not surprisingly, some of the
most notable celebrations of the Holy Week occur in Latin American countries,
including: Colombia, Guatemala, Mexico, and Peru.
SPECIAL OBSERVANCES
Here are some popular dates celebrated by Hispanics. Some celebrations are
observed only in the United States, like the Hispanic Heritage Month.
May 1 - Da del Trabajo
May 5 - Cinco de Mayo
May - Da de las Madres
Sep 15 - Oct 15 - Hispanic Heritage Month
HISPANIC TRADITIONS

Some of the best childhood memories I have are those of my culture's traditions. I
clearly remember attending lush Quinceaera parties. I loved the pageantry of
these events.
Another favorite was the Carnaval, which was celebrated in honor of Our Lady of
Peace (the patron virgin of my native city of San Miguel, El Salvador). That was a
huge party for sure!
These are some important and popular Latino traditions:
The Three Kings (Los Reyes Magos)
El Da de los Difuntos
Quince Aos celebration
Las Maanitas (Happy Birthday song)
Webgrafhy

http://pnglanguages.org/training/capacitar/antro/cultura.pdf
http://www.promonegocios.net/mercadotecnia/cultura-definicion.html
http://www.livescience.com/21478-what-is-culture-definition-of-culture.html
http://www.livescience.com/28945-american-culture.html
http://www.ranker.com/list/countries-where-spanish-is-the-officiallanguage/best-world-journeys?utm_expid=1641882174.kx5mwUF0QMSLa0beNzIqg
http://www.snipview.com/q/List_of_countries_where_English_is_an_official_langu
age
http://www.explore-hispanic-culture.com/hispanic-culture.html