Americanism: Definitions, and Merits
By: Lecturer Sameerah Atshan AlFayyadh
Americanism is the quality or state of being American. It is a characteristic feature of American English especially contrasted with British English. It is an attachment or allegiance to the traditions, interests or ideas of the USA. (Merriam Webster 2018).
It is something said or written in American English, in contrast to British English. For example, the word ” gas” in contrast with ” petrol ” or ” candy ” in contrast with “sweets”. Aside from vocabulary, there are certain syntax, spelling and pronunciation differences. For example, in American English, Collective nouns are believed to be singular (The team has won the match). Another examples are; needn’t and shall are very rare in British English. In addition, there are many differences in pronunciation between the two languages. Say, for example, /r/ is pronounced as it is in American English while there are some restrictions in English Finally, spelling differences are clearly obvious at colour and color, center and centre.
Although there are points of variations, diversity, variance and whatever we may call them, the key takeaway is that the two have more similarities. Using one instead of the other will not lead to misconception or misunderstanding. American and British citizens can usually communicate without too much difficulty.
Americanism is a set of the United States of America patriotic values aimed at creating a collective American identity, and can be defined as “an articulation of the nation’s rightful place in the world, a set of traditions, a political language, and a cultural style imbued with political meaning”. According to the American Legion, a U.S. veterans’ organization, they state that: Americanism is an ideology. It is a belief in devotion, loyalty, or allegiance to the United States of America, or to its flag, traditions, customs, culture, symbols, institutions, or form of government. In the words of Theodore Roosevelt, “Americanism is a question of spirit, conviction, and purpose, not of creed or birthplace.”(Web source2).
“Americanism” has two various meanings. It can refer to the defining characteristics of the United States and can also signify loyalty to the United States and a defense of American political ideals. These ideals include, but are not limited to self-government, equal opportunity, freedom of speech, and a belief in progress. This collection of ideals that forms the modern ideology of Americanism holds an enduring appeal to people from lands throughout the globe”
Americanism in Politics: Purpose and Meaning
Politics is a very deep ocean. It needs that its diver should be very professional. In other words, he or she must be very brilliant in wording, diving deeply in the sea of words getting the most valuable pearls. It is a struggle for power in order to put certain political, economic and social ideas into practice. In fact, language has functions and vital roles for every political action. Every action is prepared, accompanied, influenced and played by speech.
In order to achieve these functions (and many others), the politicians might borrow words and expressions from other languages. He / she might also use, sometimes, switch- code with a certain event as it is easier in one code rather than the other (Holmes,2013, p.38). According to Hudson (2001: 51), code –switching is defined as: anyone who speaks more than one language chooses between them according to circumstances. When we shift from speech to language system we are now use the process of borrowing. It is another way in which languages may be mixed up with each other (ibid: 55). Americanism is one of the means that are used by politicians to fulfill certain purposes and functions.
Ricento (2003, p.235) states that Americanism is described through three representations. The first and second presupposes consensus on particular views of American identity. The third finds the mentioned views to be narrow-minded and incompatible with the goals of democracy. One the other hand, Richard Hofstadter, (1989) says that ” It has been our fate as a notion not to have ideologies, but to be one “.
Talbot (1917) states that: Americanism is the voluntary choosing of American ideals, the adoption of principles for which America stands. It worth mentioning some of them. They are freedom to worship God, life, liberty, happiness, democracy for people and by people, and finally, rights of individuals.
From:
Al Mamoory, S. & AlFayyadh, S. Americanism in Arabic and Persian Political Presidential Speeches: A Critical Discourse Analysis
A Critical Discourse Analysis
