The United States of America has had some astounding shifts and transformations throughout its years of evolution.
Fascinatingly, these changes are non-uniform. As our physical geography is gradually stabilizing, our country is becoming increasingly "functional", where our communities are created through connectedness (interactions) rather than relatedness (traits) (Lewis 1991, 608). By understanding these behavioral modifications, one can make an educational guess which parts of the US are characteristically "traditional", "voluntary", or even a transitioning region in today's distinctive, technological era (Zelinsky 1992). In addition, I georeferenced another map coming from a different perspective to further accentuate the outcomes of my investigation.
I surmised that finding my speech community first would create a foundation allowing for a starting point to reveal other aspects of the US that could separate or aggregate the states into groups (potential regions). With support through various discourses, I was able to form the General English (also known as Standard English) speech community most concentrated in the North East Coast. From here, I was able to choose religions and behavioral variables that complemented my region while also highlighting other potential groups.
I would like to note that this is indeed a very general examination of the US, but the concept at hand is highly significant because it gives others the opportunity to implement my ideas towards their own. The dissection of the US from multiple sources can push for mindful stimulation of thinking critically and creatively.
Table of Contents
Introduction
Speech Community
Religion Types
Behavioral Variables
Georeferencing for Comparison
Conclusion
Research Objectives and Themes
This study aims to analyze the cultural and social geography of the United States by investigating the relationship between linguistic patterns, religious affiliations, and behavioral variables. The research seeks to categorize US regions based on these factors to distinguish between "traditional" and "voluntary" regional identities.
- Analysis of General English (GE) versus Substandard English (SSE) usage.
- Examination of religious influence on regional and social identity.
- Evaluation of socioeconomic factors and educational attainment as behavioral markers.
- Comparative analysis of regional divisions using georeferencing and psychological data.
Excerpt from the Book
Speech Community
General English (GE) is the type of English that is taught and utilized in educational systems and are most likely implemented by “traditional regions”, which Zelinsky characterizes as “self-contained, endogamous, stable, and of long duration” (110). Even with some intermixture of people, it remains dominantly “synonymous with a particular tribe or group” (111). For my speech community, I expected the population to predominantly be of European descendants, consisting of Caucasians and some African Americans. Europeans strongly dictated the political and social formation of the US, and were responsible for much of the migration that occurred (i.e. slavery and trade) (18-20). As Zelinsky suggested, “They [Europeans] had at their disposal gang of slaves who had no choice but to learn a form of English [standard American English vocabulary (19)] and other facets of dominant culture” (18). Though their resilience did not stop them from forming their own culture, including their own dialect, many of them still choose to opt out of utilizing African American English (AAE) in professional public spaces. This only correlates with the idea that some African Americans employ GE more than AAE, while others do not. This can be re-examined when we discuss the relationships of religion types to GE and Substandard English (SSE; secondary type of English, like "improper" vocabulary or grammar). With this in mind, I chose lexical depictions (words or phrases making up a vocabulary) that were considered to be “proper English” used in education systems today to see where it is most predominant.
Summary of Chapters
Introduction: Provides an overview of the shifting social landscape in the United States and introduces the methodological approach of using linguistic and behavioral variables to identify distinct regions.
Speech Community: Explores the prevalence of General English (GE) in traditional regions, tracing its historical roots and its correlation with socioeconomic and educational status.
Religion Types: Examines how different religious affiliations, ranging from European-influenced traditions to immigrant-based faiths, shape the linguistic and cultural characteristics of specific US regions.
Behavioral Variables: Analyzes specific social data points—such as education levels, English-only speakers, and religious club participation—to support the classification of regions.
Georeferencing for Comparison: Validates the proposed regional model by contrasting it with external psychological data on the personality and social traits of US residents.
Conclusion: Synthesizes the findings, characterizing the East Coast as a "traditional" region and the West Coast as an emerging "voluntary" region, with the Central US in a state of transition.
Key Terms
General English, Standard English, Substandard English, Speech Community, Traditional Region, Voluntary Region, Socioeconomic Inequality, Religious Hegemony, Linguistic Geography, Cultural Evolution, Ethnic Diversity, Regional Mapping, Behavioral Variables, Education, Migration
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this research paper?
The paper explores how the United States can be divided into distinct regions by analyzing the interplay between language usage, religious affiliations, and specific behavioral markers.
What are the primary thematic fields covered?
The primary themes include linguistic geography, the impact of historical migration on modern dialects, the role of religion in social cohesion, and the influence of socioeconomic status on regional development.
What is the central research question?
The research asks how the combination of linguistic patterns and religious/social variables can reveal whether a US region is characteristically "traditional" or "voluntary."
Which scientific methods were utilized in this investigation?
The author utilized a cross-referencing method, combining data from linguistic surveys (Bert Vaux), religious statistics (ARDA), and behavioral/demographic variables, supported by a comparative georeferencing of psychological study data.
What content is explored in the main body of the work?
The main body investigates the distribution of General English, the demographic correlates of religious types, the statistical influence of education and ethnicity on speech patterns, and the comparison of these findings with external psychological frameworks.
What are the characterizing keywords of this study?
Key terms include General English, Substandard English, Traditional Region, Voluntary Region, and cultural geography.
Why is the East Coast described as a "traditional" region?
The East Coast is characterized as "traditional" due to its higher concentrations of residents by birth, European-influenced religious demographics, and a strong adherence to General English as a standard in formal and professional spaces.
How does the West Coast differ from the East Coast according to the author?
The West Coast is identified as a "voluntary region," shaped significantly by higher rates of foreign migration, ethnic diversity, and a more modern, progressive lifestyle that leads to a different linguistic and religious makeup.
What role does the Central US play in this regional model?
The Central US is defined as a "transitioning region," acting as a mixture between the stable, traditional East Coast and the evolving, diverse West Coast.
What did the comparison with "Divided We Stand" reveal?
The comparison revealed that the author's regional divisions were largely complemented by the psychological data, though the author notes that differences in age and educational focus in the surveyed groups may cause some variations in the results.
- Citar trabajo
- Charmaine Mislang (Autor), 2015, An Analytical Attempt at Dividing US Regions, Múnich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/323094
