Culture / Culture
Tufool - Nuaimi
The americans emphasized the different cultures in america: music, languages, food, etc. So american culture was made of many cultures, whereas, on the other side culture was one: France, although in France there are also many different ethnicites.
Edgar - 03:07am Oct 17, 2004
I agree with Tufool that most of the French responses in the culture category used the word "French" ("Française"). Are there many different cultures in France, or is it mostly native French people?
To Tufool: the words we used definitely identify different aspects of a culture, but I'm not sure if they specifically refer to different cultures. Actually, I don't know what you mean by "culture." Here in my post, my definition of "culture" closely resembles "ethnicity." Anyway, you are right, here in the US there are many different cultures: there are many Asians, Latinos (otherwise known as "Hispanic"), Europeans, everything. The United States is a continuous "melting pot."
Marie - 07:34pm Oct 17, 2004
I too, believe that there are a few disparities in the definition of "culture." Americans tend to view "culture" as the traditions and history of a people, a different upbringing, or a way of life. We are taught appreciation, tolerance, and acceptance of other cultures. In America, culture is "sold" as something that sets a person apart. However, it seems that the French students have a very different idea of "culture." Culture, to them, is sophistication, refinement. This could explain why they think of the French and France when they think of culture. Under this definition, I also would think of France and the French. "Culture" has several definitions, and I think even the difference in our definitions reveals something about our differing societies. I believe that we as Americans do associate culture with ethnicity because we are a country of immigrants. However, a significant portion of France's population is also made up of immigrants, so perhaps we were always taught that "culture" is associated with ethnicity. To the French students: what is the first word that comes to you when you think of sophistication? Do you view France as a very sophisticated country? How do you react to the statement: "America is a sophisticated country?"
Angela - 04:21am Oct 18, 2004
I wish there were some comments by French students on this word. What I found most interesting was the emphasis by the American students on the past: what a society has created, such as the arts, or food, or custom and tradition. The French students seemed to emphasize the future and the role of culture in the development of humanity: they describe it as indispensable and necessary, they refer to education, learning, reading, and humanism. Culture seems to represent the progress of man in becoming more human, and not just the particularities of one society vs. another.
Aparna - 04:45am Oct 18, 2004
I agree with Angela. I noticed that on the American side, there was a great emphasis on history and traditions. The French side seems to be more focused on the present and the future. I thought it was interesting that the word love appeared in the American column. I think that Americans associate love with tradition and culture. Language was mentioned often by Americans. I also think this is due to the fact that people in America come from a variety of ethnic backgrounds. I have the same question that others have - Is France diverse ethnically as well?
Delphnie - 09:27am Oct 19, 2004
Pour les américains, la culture se réfère à l'art en général et à des thèmes spécifiques comme la danse, la musique et la nourriture. Les français ont une vision plus globale de la culture : ils l'évoquent à travers les musées, les traditions, le respect de l'autre. Apparemment les français y attachent davantage d'importance que les américains.
gregory - 09:52am Oct 19, 2004
Tout dépend de ce que l'on entend par "culture"... Je pense qu'à l'heure actuelle, la culture d'un pays passe plus par la fraternité et le patriotisme des peuples à l'intérieur du pays. Leurs capacités à rentrer dans une culture commune.
Pour répondre à vos questions, je pense que la France est devenue un pays multi-culturel, composée de plusieurs communautés à forte identité. Je m'en aperçois rien qu'en étudiant à Paris. En effet, j'ai passé mon enfance dans la banlieue parisienne, et bien laissez moi vous dire que la "culture" y est complètement différente qu'ici, et son sens aussi.
Ce que j'aime chez vous, c'est que même si vous aussi avez des origines culturelles très diversifiées, vous témoignez au reste du monde une même identité, dont vous êtes fier. Les français, eux, essaient toujours de se démarquer de leurs concitoyens, et revendiquent leurs différences. C'est à mon avis un fossé quant à la culture d'un pays.
Robert - 04:14am Oct 25, 2004
I noticed that many of the french students used the word Française. I would appreciate some sort of explanation of that word choice. Do french students feel like their culture is superior, or just unique enough that it comes to mind? It seems like the american students focused mainly on the different ways that culture is expressed. While the french students did this as well, many also used the word Française. I think this is pretty interesting, and would like to know why.
Marie - Sophie Kurschat
je pense que le mot "française" a été utilisé car souvent on cite la France comme pays de référence pour la culture, et comme pays de bon gout (sans etre chauvins), donc ce n'est pas spécialement une culture supérieure, mais simplement le fait que notre pays est considéré comme "culturellement imposant" avec nos musées, châteaux, expositions, etc... Il est bien évident que la France n'est pa sle seul pays cultivé... (dans tous les sens du terme)