Pantho Tsali

UWRT 1102

Dr. Aaron Kashtan

24 January 2016

American Identity and Communicative Practices.

When asked to think of the most patriotic country in the world, most would say The

United States. Its how I would have answered the question. A majority of Americans have a

strong sense of pride and American identity and will express their feelings in one way or another.

Although my parents were immigrants, I still identify as an American. I was born here and I

currently reside and attend school here. Every day I communicate in some form or way my

identity as an American through the way I speak, socialize, or think. There is no one American

identity This country is too diverse and free for that kind of thinking.

As far as communicating my Americanness I believe my accent and grammar

effectively convey that without having to directly tell people I am from America. When I speak I

have the typical American accent. Typically, we (Americans) really pronounce our Rs

compared to other English speaking countries. For example, when Americans say the word

here it sounds like Hear however for instance someone in Australia would pronounce it like

Heeya. I would also say that Americans articulate their words much more than other English

speaking countries. While I believe that our accent is smooth and concise many other countries

believe that is sounds like we have marbles or potatoes in our mouths while we speak.
 I rarely speak about my American identity to others unless asked or someone wants to

make ignorant comments saying that Im not an American because of my ethnicity. If Im asked

a question like Where are you from? I will often answer them by saying, Im form America

but my parents are from Bangladesh.. I say this because I was born in Athens, Georgia and am a

born citizen of The United States of America. I believe some people have difficulty grasping the

fact that I am still an American because of my skin tone and ethnicity. I always respond

respectfully and tell them that I am indeed American because I was born here and it is my

culture. I believe despite those obvious facts you are still considered an American as long as you

have your citizenship or are on the path towards your citizenship.

My beliefs of American Identity most likely differ from others. This should be true in

most cases because I feel thats what makes America, America. The abundance of different

views and opinions able to be freely shared amongst each other. I exercise my first amendment

right to speak freely about what I want to without being controlled or subdued by a political

power. I speak freely on the greatness of our country as well as the negatives, and potential

America has. America is a massive melting pot for, cultures and ideas. In my opinion, as stated

before, being an American is someone who is already a citizen or is working towards becoming a

US citizen. As long as you come here to live here and seek opportunity and a chance at a fresh

start, you are an American in my book.

I believe a lot of someones American identity has to do with where they are located and

how they are politically. In my case I would be considered a southerner because I have lived in

Georgia, Alabama, and North Carolina. The south is generally a conservative area; however, I

would say Im a very liberal person which is not a popular set of opinions in this general region.

That being said I will classify myself as a Liberal southerner. Its an odd mix between a
southerner and northerner in terms of political and cultural influences. Since I grew up in the

south I tend to be politer and respectful towards strangers and smile at people for no good reason.

Its a southern thing. Although I dont nor do my peers from the south think I have a southern

accent, my friends from other parts of the US can tell from the south because of my accent.

Occasionally Ill use phrases thats southerners will say like yall, Well (pronounced like

weeeeeell) Bless your heart, Got the short end of the stick, and Pitcher. Typically,

Southerners draw out their vowels which makes it seem like they speak slower and are more

relaxed. As a result, I am a much easier going and relaxed person compared to others who are not

originally from the south.

The American identity is a complicated thing that most of us as individuals dont think

about on a day to day basis. Once brought up everyone has a different opinion on what they

believe what being considered an American is. I believe that you must be born a citizen or are

working towards citizenship and are seeking opportunity and a fresh start in this country of ours.

I have also realized that each American depending on where you live and where you stand

politically. This affects your opinions, beliefs, and speech patterns making different places and

people unique adding to the huge melting pot that the united states is.