American Culture 1

Culture of the US 1

Culture of the United States 1 Source: Wikipedia Annotations: Nguyễn Minh Tâm The culture1 of the United States is a Western culture, and has been developing since long before the United States became a country. Its chief early influence was British culture, due to colonial ties with the British that spread the English language, legal system and other cultural inheritances. Other important influences came from other parts of Europe, especially countries from which large numbers immigrated such as Ireland, Germany, Poland, and Italy; the Native American peoples; Africa, especially the western part, from which came the ancestors of most African Americans; and young groups of immigrants. American culture also has shared influence on the cultures of its neighbors in the New World. The United States has traditionally been known as a melting pot,2 but recent academic opinion is tending towards cultural diversity, pluralism3 and the image of a salad bowl rather than a melting pot.4 Due to the extent of American culture there are many integrated but unique subcultures within the United States. The strongest influences on American culture came from northern European cultures, most prominently from Germany, Ireland and England. ATTITUDES It is important to bear in mind that the United States of America is highly diverse.5 It is difficult to identify a single "American" attitude, or "American" style for the simple reason that the country is so complex.

The Declaration of Independence

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culture = [văn hoá] the sum total of ways of living built up by a group of human beings and transmitted from one generation to another; the behaviors and beliefs characteristic of a particular social, ethnic, or age group 2 melting pot = [nơi tụ cư] a country, locality, or situation in which a blending of races, peoples, or cultures takes place. 3 pluralism = [tính ña nguyên] a condition in which minority groups participate fully in the dominant society, yet maintain their cultural differences. 4 melting pot = [nồi ñúc; nồi nấu kim loại] a container in which metals or other substances are heated until they fuse. 5 diverse = [gồm nhiều loại khác nhau; ña dạng] of various kinds or forms; multiform. Nguyễn Minh Tâm * Page 1 of 10

Culture of the US 1 The formative years of the United States were the late 18th century when the country was founded, and a great deal of American culture is couched in the ideals of the Enlightenment.6 The Declaration of Independence's7 mission statement about securing life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness; the French Revolution's8 ideals of liberty, equality and fraternity; and the national motto,9 E pluribus unum ("From many, one"), reflect the country's values and social development. Another primary influence on American culture is the constant stream of new immigrants, many of whom have fled persecution or oppression in their home countries, and are seeking freedom (including religious freedom) and economic opportunity, leading them to reject totalitarian10 practices. By and large, Americans value the ideals of individual liberty,11 individualism,12 self-sufficiency,13 altruism,14 equality, Judeo-Christian15 morals, free markets,16 a republican17 form of government, democracy,18 populism,19 pluralism, feminism,20 and patriotism.21 6

the Enlightenment = [thời ñại khai sang/ánh sáng] a European philosophical movement of the l7th and 18th centuries, characterized by belief in the power of reason and by innovations in political, religious, and educational doctrine. 7 the Declaration of Independence = [Bản Tuyên ngôn ðộc lập] the public act by which the Second Continental Congress, on July 4, 1776, declared the Colonies to be free and independent of England. 8 the French Revolution = [Cách mạng Pháp] the revolution in France that began in 1789, overthrew the Bourbon monarchy, and ended with Napoleon's seizure of power in 1799. 9 motto = [khẩu hiệu; phương châm] a sentence, phrase, or word expressing the spirit or purpose of an organization or other group, often inscribed on a badge, banner, etc. 10 totalitarian = [cực quyền; chuyên chế] noting or pertaining to a centralized government that does not tolerate parties of differing opinion and that exercises dictatorial control over many aspects of life; exercising control over the freedom, will, or thought of others; authoritarian; autocratic. 11 liberty = [quyền tự do/tự chủ] freedom from arbitrary or despotic government or control; freedom from external or foreign rule; independence; freedom from control, interference, obligation, restriction, etc.; power or right of acting according to choice; freedom from captivity, confinement, or physical restraint. 12 individualism = [chủ nghĩa cá nhân; lý thuyết ủng hộ sự tự do hành ñộng của cá nhân] a social theory advocating the liberty, rights, or independent action of the individual. 13 self-sufficient = [tự túc] able to supply one's or its own needs without external assistance. 14 altruism = [chủ nghĩa/lòng vị tha] the principle or practice of unselfish concern for the welfare of others cf. egoism = [chủ nghĩa/long vị kỷ] the habit of valuing everything only in reference to one's personal interest 15 Judeo-Christian = [của ñạo Do thái và ñạo Cơ ñốc] of or pertaining to the religious writings, beliefs, values, or traditions held in common by Judaism and Christianity. Judaism = [ñạo Do thái] the monotheistic religion of the Jews, based on the precepts of the Old Testament and the teachings and commentaries of the rabbis as found chiefly in the Talmud. Christianity = [ñạo Cơ ñốc] the Christian religion, including the Catholic [ñạo Thiên chúa], Protestant [ñạo Tin lành], and Eastern Orthodox churches [giáo hội chính thống ở ðông Âu và Hy Lạp]. 16 free market = [thị trường tự do] an economic market regulated by the forces of supply and demand. 17 republic = [nước/nền cộng hoà] a state in which the supreme power rests in the body of citizens entitled to vote and is exercised by representatives chosen directly or indirectly by them; a state in which the head of government is not a monarch and is usu. an elected or nominated president; the form of government of such a state. 18 democracy = [nền/chế ñộ/quốc gia hay xã hội theo chế ñộ dân chủ] government by the people; a form of government in which the supreme power is vested in the people and exercised directly by them or by their elected agents under a free electoral system; a state having such a form of government; a state of society characterized by formal equality of rights and privileges. 19 Populism = [chủ nghĩa dân tuý] the political philosophy of the Populist or People's Party; (l.c.) an egalitarian political philosophy or movement that promotes the interests of the common people. Nguyễn Minh Tâm * Page 2 of 10

Culture of the US 1 SOCIETY AND ECONOMIC ATTITUDES There is a close relationship between America's political and economic traditions. It is widely believed that the individual pursuit of self-interest leads to the best result both for the individual and for society as a whole. It has been a successful formula for both economic success and optimal political function for many. The precise amount of individual economic freedom that Americans should have is often debated, with the (usually relatively slight) differences in opinion marking the major differences between political parties. The end result, however, is that the U.S. economy has become the largest on earth, with most of its citizens enjoying comparatively high living standards. The fact that the United States is the largest English-speaking marketplace allows firms to compete across the country and to enjoy economies of scale (cost reductions that arise from the huge scale of manufacturing) that reduce prices and benefit consumers. The relatively uniform commercial culture, with many large stores or "chains" operating nationwide, produces a commercial atmosphere that is relatively homogeneous throughout the country. The population of the United States tends to be centered in large cities, in marked contrast to the demographics22 of a century ago, when the country was quite agrarian.23 The United States is generally skeptical or hostile toward socialist24 and communist25 ideologies,26 but some of the related movements, such as the labor movement, became a defining part of America's heritage after the New Deal.27 The American process of Judicial Review28 caused the United States to be less affected by socialist ideas and policies in the 20th century than was Europe, because the Supreme Court29 overturned much labor legislation which in the European countries remained law. The McCarthy30 Era and the Cold War31 as a whole demonstrated a

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feminism = [thuyết/phong trào nữ quyền] a doctrine advocating social, political, and economic rights for women equal to those of men. 21 patriotism = [chủ nghĩa/lòng yêu nước] devoted love, support, and defense of one's country; national loyalty. 22 demographics = [nhân khẩu học] the statistical data of a population, esp. those showing average age, income, education, etc. 23 agrarian = [nông nghiệp] agricultural. 24 socialism = [chủ nghĩa xã hội; giai ñoạn xã hội chủ nghĩa] a theory or system of social organization in which the means of production and distribution of goods are owned and controlled collectively or by the government; (in Marxist theory) the stage following capitalism in the transition of a society to communism, characterized by the imperfect implementation of collectivist principles. 25 communism = [chủ nghĩa cộng sản] a theory or system of social organization based on the holding of all property in common, actual ownership being ascribed to the community as a whole or to the state; (often cap.) a political doctrine or movement based on Marxism and developed by Lenin and others, seeking a violent overthrow of capitalism and the creation of a classless society. cf. capitalism = [chủ nghĩa tư bản] an economic system in which investment in and ownership of the means of production, distribution, and exchange of wealth is made and maintained chiefly by private individuals or corporations. 26 ideology = [hệ tư tưởng; ý thức hệ] the body of doctrine or thought that guides an individual, social movement, institution, or group; such a body of doctrine or thought forming a political or social program, along with the devices for putting it into operation. 27 New Deal = [Chính sách Kinh tế Xã hội Mới] the economic and social policies and programs introduced by President Franklin D. Roosevelt and his administration; the Roosevelt administration, esp. the period from 1933 to 1941. 28 judicial review= [quyền huỷ bỏ bản án; sự xem lại bản án] the power of a court to adjudicate the constitutionality of legislative or executive acts; a judicial reexamination, as by a higher court, of the decision or proceedings in a case. 29 the Supreme Court = [Toá án Tối cao] the highest court of the U.S.; (l.c.) the highest court of a state or, in some states, a court of general jurisdiction subordinate to an appeals court. 30 Joseph Raymond McCarthy, 1909-57, U.S. politician. Nguyễn Minh Tâm * Page 3 of 10

Culture of the US 1 deeply felt hostility to communism, which, especially at that time, was perceived as antiindividualist, undemocratic, and essentially anti-American. They are also evidenced in aspects of social policy (for example, the absence of a national health care system and the constant controversy about the size and role of the government, especially the federal government, in individuals' lives and in states' laws). The American tradition of free-market capitalism has led the populace (and their leaders) to generally accept the vicissitudes32 of the free market and the continuous alterations to society that a changing economy implies, although social and economic displacement are common. The result is a flexible, profit-oriented socioeconomic system. RELATIONSHIP TO OTHER COUNTRIES/CULTURES Perhaps as a result of being such a large single market / culture, some believe that Americans are relatively insulated and uninterested in the culture or political developments of other countries. America is one of few nations that has resisted changing to the metric system. Comparatively few books from non-English European countries or Asia are translated for sale in the United States. Imported films are generally less successful than domestic. Though there are exceptions, including Japanese anime33 and the British comedy phenomenon Monty Python,34 imported television shows are generally rarely successful outside of PBS35 and Discovery Channel. Remakes of foreign shows are increasingly common, as emphasized by the popularity of the American versions of The Office36 and Queer as Folk;37 in these cases, the show is often rewritten and localized with American actors cast in the place of their British counterparts. Relatively few foreign films and television programs produced abroad are broadcast on non-ethnic stations with dubbing or subtitling. The show Survivor was originally a Swedish show called "Robinson" (taking its name from Robinson Crusoe)38. Americans also tend to travel to other countries less than citizens of European countries, partly because intercontinental travel from the United States typically entails much further distances than for Europeans resulting in much higher costs. The average American worker has fewer vacation days than the average European (10-15 rather than the European average of around 31

cold war = [chiến tranh lạnh] intense political, military, and ideological rivalry between nations just short of armed conflict; (caps.) such rivalry after World War II between the Soviet Union and the U.S., and their respective allies. 32 vicissitudes = [thăng trầm] successive or changing phases or conditions, as of life or fortune; ups and downs. 33 Japanese anime = [phim hoạt hoạ] a style of animation developed in Japan, characterized by stylized colorful art and often adult themes. 34 Monty Python = Fusing the topical satire of David Frost with the surreal outlandishness of The Goon Show, the Monty Python's Flying Circus troupe formed in England in 1969. Comprised of British performers John Cleese, Michael Palin, Eric Idle, Terry Jones and Graham Chapman, along with American animator Terry Gilliam, the group emerged as an international cult phenomenon, honing their singular blend of broad slapstick [trò tếu], edgy black comedy [hài kịch châm biếm thói hư tật xấu] and social commentary in a string of successful television programs, films and albums. 35 PBS = Public Broadcasting System/Service. 36 The Office (US TV series) = The Office is an Emmy Award-winning American television comedy that debuted on NBC as a midseason replacement on March 24, 2005. The show is about the day-to-day lives of office employees in the Scranton, Pennsylvania branch of the fictitious Dunder-Mifflin Paper Company. Although fictional and scripted, the show takes the form of a documentary, with the presence of the camera often acknowledged. 37 Queer [ñồng tính] as Folk (US TV series)= The series follows the lives of five gay men living in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: Brian, Justin, Michael, Emmett, Ted; a lesbian couple, Lindsay and Melanie; and Michael's mother Debbie. Another main character, Ben, was added in the second season. Due to tax incentives, the series was filmed in Canada, with frequent location filming in Toronto's Church and Wellesley gay village. 38 Robinson Crusoe = the hero of Daniel Defoe's novel Robinson Crusoe (1719), a mariner who is shipwrecked and lives adventurously for years on a small island. Nguyễn Minh Tâm * Page 4 of 10

Culture of the US 1 20). America's vast size also enables its citizens to go great distances, and see a variety of places, without leaving the country. For example, one can travel within the continental United States from a near-tropical climate (e.g. Southern Florida) to a mid-continental climate (Minnesota). California offers a large coastline, snow-capped mountains, prairies, and deserts within a single state. Lifestyles, food, and culture also tend to differ within the different regions. BODY CONTACT AND EXPRESSION In most regions of the U.S., public display of affection, as well as significant expression of emotion, was historically disapproved of and discouraged, prior to the mid-20th century. Such attitudes have seen considerable change, however, with the cultural revolutions of the 1960s and 1970s. There is considerable variation with respect to attitudes, mostly generational in nature, and while Americans are not generally as demonstrative39 as, say, Latin Americans40 or Southern Europeans, they are considerably more so than, for instance, the Northern Europeans or the Japanese, have been historically. Noticeable regional differences in norms of social expression also exist. For example, it is generally acceptable in the socially liberal41 Northeast (especially among younger Americans) for a female to candidly discuss sexuality and certain aspects of sexual behavior in conversation among friends, while such expression is usually recognized as socially taboo42 in the more genteel43 South. Likewise, in the South it is acceptable to smoke and/or chew tobacco, but these activities are confined to private spaces such as the home. Smoking and chewing tobacco is considered unhealthy and distasteful in the more healthconscious Northeast and West Coast, where smoking is prohibited in virtually all public places, but smoking along sidewalks seems even more prevalent than in the South, where it is considered rude to do so. In terms of attitudes toward nudity and the body, Americans are considerably more reserved than Europeans or the Japanese. Certain topics related to bodily functions might be regarded as mildly inappropriate in Europe, however they will often be strongly taboo in the United States. Nudity in the context of bathing among strangers of the same sex, for example, is regarded with much more suspicion in the United States than it is in, for example, Japan or most parts of Europe. Americans put a high value on privacy of their bodies. Nudity among family members, even in daily contexts of dressing or bathing, is discouraged much more in the United States than most other cultures. NAMES The citizens and many other residents of the United States refer to themselves and each other as Americans, and to their country as the United States or as America. Non-Hispanic Americans44 understand, and may say, "the Americas"45 with the meaning of the two major continents of the Western hemisphere, but generally will resist using "America" in that sense, despite that designation's familiarity to Spanish speakers. While to many foreigners "Yankees"46 is

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demonstrative = [hay giải bày tâm sự; hay thổ lộ tâm tình] characterized by or given to open exhibition or expression of one's emotions, attitudes, etc., esp. of love or affection. 40 Latin America = [Châu Mỹ La tinh] the part of the American continents south of the United States in which Spanish, Portuguese, or French is officially spoken. 41 liberal = [rộng rãi hào phóng; tự do] having views or policies advocating individual freedom of action and expression. 42 taboo = [ñiều cấm kỵ/kiêng kỵ] a prohibition or interdiction of something; exclusion from use or practice. 43 genteel= [phong lưu; quý phái] well-bred or refined; polite; elegant. 44 Hispanic-American = [người Mỹ gốc Tây Ban Nha hay Châu Mỹ La tinh] a U.S. citizen or resident of Spanish or Latin-American descent. 45 the Americas = [Châu Bắc và Nam Mỹ] North and South America, considered together. 46 Yankee = [người Mỹ; binh sĩ lien bang thời nội chiến ở Mỹ] a native or inhabitant of the United States; a native or inhabitant of New England; a native or inhabitant of a Northern state; a Federal soldier in the Civil War; adj. of, pertaining to, or characteristic of a Yankee or Yankees: Yankee ingenuity. Nguyễn Minh Tâm * Page 5 of 10

Culture of the US 1 synonymous with the American people, Americans almost always use the term for the sports team, for New Englanders,47 New Yorkers, or with reference to those living in the northeastern U.S. in contrast to Southerners. The major exception to that is Americans' occasional ironic usage of "Yankee" (or especially "Yank", construed by Americans as a British usage), in attempting to convey either striving to transcend American parochialism,48 or resignation to the failure of any such striving. "The States" is a term generally used when referring to the country from an overseas or Canadian vantage49 point. In the same context, something or someone that is "back in the States" may be referred to as being "Stateside." "The US" or "The U.S." is a casual, shorthand term. When discussing the American Civil War,50 Americans use the phrase "the Union"51 to refer to the states that remained under the control of the federal government in Washington and did not secede52 to join the Confederate States of America.53 The phrase is also occasionally used in contemporary discussions of American federalism54 and states' rights. Immediately after the American Civil War and for a generation afterward, the entire country was then referred to as "the Republic". This nineteenth century usage has since declined, except when invoking issues of civics55 and governance,56 such as in the Pledge of Allegiance57 uttered by school children and in town meetings. [1750-60, Amer.; perh. back formation from D Jan Kees John Cheese (taken as pl.), nickname applied by the Dutch of colonial New York to English settlers in Connecticut] 47 New England = an area in the NE United States, including the states of Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont. 48 parochialism = [chủ nghĩa ñịa phương; tính chất ñịa phương hẹp hòi] a parochial attitude or outlook; narrowness or provincialism. parochial = [thiển cận] very limited or narrow in scope or outlook; provincial. provincialism = [chủ nghĩa ñịa phươg; tác phong tỉnh lẻ] narrowness of views or interests; lack of sophistication; devotion to one's own province before the nation as a whole. 49 vantage = [ưu thế; thuận lợi] a position affording some strategic advantage or a commanding view; an advantage or superiority. 50 civil war = [nội chiến] a war between political factions or regions within the same country; (caps.) the war in the U.S. between the North and the South, 1861-65. 51 the Union = [Liên bang] the United States, esp. during the Civil War. 52 secede = [ly khai] to withdraw formally from an alliance, federation, or association. 53 the Confederate States of America = [các bang ly khai với Hoa kỳ ñể gây ra cuộc nội chiến] the group of 11 Southern states that seceded from the U.S. in 1860-61. 54 federalism = [chế ñộ liên bang] the federal principle of government; (cap) the principles of the Federalist Party. the Federalist Party = a political party in early U.S. history advocating a strong central government. 55 civics = [khoa nghiên cứu quyền lợi và bổn phận công dân] the study or science of the privileges and obligations of citizens. 56 governance = [sự cai trị/cai quản] government; exercise of authority; control; a method or system of government or management. 57 allegiance = [lòng trung thành] the loyalty of citizens to their government or of subjects to their sovereign. The Pledge of Allegiance = [Lời thề Tận trung Báo quốc] The Pledge of Allegiance developed as part of a promotional campaign in the 1890s by the editors of The Youth's Companion, a popular weekly magazine published in Boston. Its purpose was to encourage patriotic education by placing the flag in the public schools and standardizing a flag salute. The original version, called "The Youth's Companion Flag Pledge," was published on 8 September 1892 and read "I pledge allegiance to my Flag and ["to" added here the following month] the Republic for which it stands: one Nation, indivisible, with Liberty and Justice for all." … The widespread popularity of the Pledge began with its central place in the nationwide school ceremonies associated with the first Columbus Day celebration, held in conjunction with the dedication on 19 October 1892 of the Chicago World's Columbian Exposition, marking the four-hundredth anniversary of Columbus's landing. National Flag Conferences in 1923 and 1924 agreed that the words "my flag" should be specified as "the flag of the United States" (and soon after "of America"). Congress eventually adopted the Pledge as part of an official flag code in 1942. … The Pledge has long Nguyễn Minh Tâm * Page 6 of 10

Culture of the US 1 Fairly formal terms, still short-hand, evoking patriotic observances (possibly with irony) are "U.S.A." or "U.S." (with or without the periods, and usually with "the"); a more marked version is "the U. S. of A." The official name of the nation, the "United States of America," is very formal and is most often used in formal government documents, pledges, or ceremonies, but not in colloquial conversations. It is more common to hear the shortened phrase "United States" or simply "America." INTRA-NATIONAL ALLEGIANCES

San Francisco's Chinatown Because of the size and large population of the country, America is often described as a nation of joiners who tend to self-associate58 with non-familial59 groups. Individuals tend to perceive themselves as "free agents" rather than bound by family or clan60 ties. Group allegiances are sometimes regional, but can also be related to a professional or fraternal organization. For example, residents of North Carolina are proud to be "Tar Heels,"61 Indiana residents are "Hoosiers"62 and Texans are notorious for an especially prominent state pride often compared to nationalism. There also still exists some enmity between states on different sides of the civil war, with each region having a stereotype63 associated with it. Many cities have a strong sense of civic64 identity,65 often reinforced by an innocuous but deeply felt rivalry with another local city. An example of such a rivalry exists between the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota, another one with two similar sized Texas cities of Dallas, Texas and Houston, Texas. In the Northeastern United States, many cities, particularly Philadelphia and Boston, have strong rivalries with New York, based on the latter's size and influence. been widely memorized by school children and plays a prominent role in naturalization ceremonies. Its thirty-one words read: "I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands—one nation, under God, indivisible—with liberty and justice for all." 58 associate = [gia nhập; kết giao; liên ñới] to join together as partners or colleagues; to enter into union; unite. 59 familial = [thuộc gia ñình] of, pertaining to, or characteristic of a family: familial ties. 60 clan = [thị tộc; bè ñảng] a clique, party, or other group united by some common interest. 61 Tar Heel = a native or inhabitant of North Carolina (used as a nickname). 62 Hoosier = a native or inhabitant of Indiana (used as a nickname). 63 stereotype = [mẫu rập khuôn] a simplified and standardized conception or image of a person, group, etc., held in common by members of a group. He doesn’t conform to the usual

stereotype of the city businessman with a dark suit and rolled umbrella. civic = [thuộc công dân; thuộc ñô thị/thành phố] of or pertaining to a city; municipal; of or

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pertaining to citizenship; civil; of citizens: civic pride. identity = [tính ñồng nhất] the sense of self, providing sameness and continuity in personality over time. Nguyễn Minh Tâm * Page 7 of 10

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Culture of the US 1 Recent immigrants tend to congregate with other immigrants from their country of origin, often establishing neighborhoods (sometimes called ethnic enclaves)66 in cities with popular names like "Chinatown", "Poletown", or "Little Italy." [and recently, Little Saigon] Second- and thirdgeneration descendants of immigrants tend to have looser affiliations with their ethnic groups. America has tens of thousands of clubs and organizations, and if a group has a charitable or service orientation, Americans may volunteer their time through those groups. Examples of these groups include the Rotary Club,67 the Boy Scouts68 of America, Little League,69 etc. FOOD

A hamburger is a famous food in the United States. The types of food served at home vary greatly and depend upon the region of the country and the family's own cultural heritage.70 Recent immigrants tend to eat food similar to that of their country of origin, and Americanized versions of these cultural foods, such as American Chinese cuisine71 or Italian-American cuisine often eventually appear. German cuisine also had a profound impact on American cuisine, especially the mid-western cuisine, with potatoes and meat being the most iconic72 ingredients in both cuisines. Dishes such as the hamburger,73 pot roast,74 baked ham75 and hot dogs76 are examples of American dishes derived from German cuisine. Families that have lived for a few generations in the U.S. tend to eat some combination of that and the food common to the region they live in or grew up in, such as New England cuisine, Midwestern cuisine, Southern cuisine, Tex-Mex cuisine, and Californian cuisine. Around the world the United States is perhaps best known for its numerous and successful fast food77 franchises.78 Such chains,79 including McDonald's, Burger King, and Kentucky Fried Chicken 66

enclave = [vùng ñất riêng; vùng ñất bị bao quanh bởi nhiều vùng khác] a country or a portion of a country surrounded by foreign territory; any small, distinct area or group enclosed or isolated within a larger one. 67 the Rotary Club = [Phù Luân Hội] a local club of business and professional people belonging to a worldwide organization of similar clubs (Rotary International) devoted to serving the community and promoting world peace. 68 boy scout = [hướng ñạo sinh] (sometimes caps.) a member of an organization of boys (Boy' Scouts ), having as its goals the development of self-reliance and usefulness to others. 69 Little League = [Liên ñoàn Bóng chày Thiếu niên] a baseball league for players ages 8 to 12, usu. sponsored by a business or other organization. 70 heritage = [di sản; truyền thống] tradition; inheritance. 71 cuisine = [cách nấu nướng] a style or manner of cooking. 72 icon = [hình tượng] a picture, image, or other representation; symbol. iconic = [tiêu biểu] representative 73 hamburger = [thịt băm; bánh thịt băm] a patty of ground beef; a sandwich consisting of such a patty fried or broiled and served on a bun or roll; ground beef. [1885-90; short for Hamburger steak] 74 pot roast = [thịt bò om] a cut of beef stewed in one piece in a covered pot and served in its own gravy. 75 ham = [giăm bông] a cut of meat from a hog's hind quarter, between hip and hock; thigh. 76 hot dog = [xúc xích nóng kẹp bánh mì] a frankfurter; a sandwich of a frankfurter in a split roll. 77 fast food = [thức ăn nhanh] standardized foods, as hamburgers or pizza, prepared and served rapidly. Nguyễn Minh Tâm * Page 8 of 10

Culture of the US 1 are known for selling simple, pre-prepared meals of foods such as hamburgers, French fries,80 soft drinks,81 fried chicken, and ice cream. Though undeniably popular, such food, with its emphasis on deep-frying,82 has been criticized by dietitians83 in recent decades for being unhealthy and a cause of obesity.84 It has thus become somewhat of a stereotype to associate American cuisine with obesity and junk food,85 for in reality, fast food represents only a tiny fraction of available American cuisine. POPULAR CULTURE

The American state of California (especially the Hollywood86 region) is home to a thriving motion picture industry, with prominent film studios such as Warner Brothers,87 Paramount,88 and MGM89 creating dozens of multi-million dollar films every year that are enjoyed around the world. American actors are often among the world's most popular and easily identified celebrities. It's 78

franchise = [nhượng quyền] the right or license granted by a company to an individual or group to market its products or services in a specific territory. 79 chain = [chuỗi] a number of establishments under one ownership or management. 80 French fries = [khoai tây chiên] strips of potato that have been deep-fried. Also called French-fried potatoes. 81 soft drink = [thức uống không có cồn] a beverage that is not alcoholic or intoxicating and is usu. carbonated, as root beer or ginger ale. 82 deep-fry = [chiên nhúng] to fry in a quantity of hot oil or fat sufficient to cover the food being cooked. 83 dietitian / dietician = [chuyên gia dinh dưỡng] a person who is an expert in nutrition or dietetics (the science concerned with nutrition and food preparation). 84 obese (adj.) = [béo phì] very fat or overweight; corpulent. 85 junk food = [thức ăn vặt] food, as potato chips or candy, that is high in calories but of little nutritional value. 86 Hollywood = the NW part of Los Angeles, Calif.: center of the American motion-picture industry. 87 Warner Bros = The corporate name honors the four founding Warner brothers, Jewish brothers who emigrated from Poland to London, Ontario, Canada, Harry Warner (1881–1958), Albert Warner (1883–1967), Sam Warner (1887–1927) and Jack L. Warner (1892–1978). 88 Paramount = Paramount Pictures Corporation is an American motion picture production and distribution company, based in Hollywood, California. It has become the longest-lived American movie studio ever, in existence for 95 years. Paramount is owned by media conglomerate Viacom. 89 MGM = U.S. corporation and film studio. It was formed when the film distributor Marcus Loew, who bought Metro Pictures in 1920, merged it with the Goldwyn production company in 1924 and with Louis B. Mayer Pictures in 1925. Louis B. Mayer was executive head of the studio for 25 years, assisted by production manager Irving Thalberg. It reached its peak in the 1930s and '40s, when it had most of Hollywood's famous stars under contract. It produced such hits as Grand Hotel (1932), The Philadelphia Story (1940), Gaslight (1944), Ben-Hur (1959), Doctor Zhivago (1965), and 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968). It was especially celebrated for its lavish musicals, including The Wizard of Oz (1939), On the Town (1949), An American in Paris (1951), Singin' in the Rain (1952), and Gigi (1958). MGM began to decline in the 1950s and sold off many of its assets in the 1970s. It diversified into hotels and casinos and later merged with United Artists Corp. as MGM/UA Entertainment. In 1986 it was bought by Ted Turner, who resold the production and distribution units. Various transfers of ownership led to its purchase in 1992 by Crédit Lyonnais, which restored the name MGM Inc. It was subsequently bought by Tracinda Corp. Nguyễn Minh Tâm * Page 9 of 10

Culture of the US 1 worth noting that Hollywood also tends to attract many immigrant actors and directors from around the world, many of whom, such as actor Russell Crowe or director Ang Lee90 become just as famous and successful as American-born stars. The United States was a leading pioneer of television as an entertainment medium, and the tradition remains strong to this day. Many American television sitcoms,91 dramas, game shows and reality shows92 remain very popular both in the US and abroad. Animation93 is a popular US entertainment medium as well, both on the large and small screen. The characters created by Walt Disney94 and Warner Brothers animation studios remain very popular. In music, the United States has pioneered many distinct genres,95 such as country96 and western,97 jazz,98 rock music,99 hip hop,100 and gospel.101 African-American cultural influences play a particularly prominent role in many of these traditions.


90

Ang Lee (born October 23, 1954) is an Academy Award-winning film director from Taiwan. Lee won the 2006 Best Director Oscar for Brokeback Mountain (2005). 91 sitcom = Informal. situation comedy = [hài kịch tình thế] a television or radio series made up of independent episodes depicting the comic adventures of a fixed group of characters. 92 [chương trình người thật việc thật] 93 animation = animated cartoon = [phim hoạt hình] a motion picture consisting of a sequence of drawings, each slightly different so that when filmed and run through a projector the figures seem to move; a motion picture similar to an animated cartoon but using photographs of dolls, robots, etc., instead of drawings. 94 Walt Disney, Animator / Business Personality Born: 5 December 1901 Birthplace: Chicago, Illinois Died: 15 December 1966 (lung cancer) Best Known As: The creator of Mickey Mouse and Disneyland; Walt Disney founded the animation and entertainment empire which still bears his name. He began as a cartoonist in the 1920s, creating Mickey Mouse and eventually moving from short films into much-acclaimed animated features like Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937) and Bambi (1942). Later Disney expanded into live-action features like Treasure Island (1951) and then into television -- the family-friendly variety program The Wonderful World of Disney was a prime-time staple from 1954-83. During Disney's life his studios won 48 Academy Awards. In 1955 Disney opened a theme park, Disneyland, in Anaheim, California; it was an immediate hit and became the public flagship of the Disney empire. Other Disney theme parks have since opened in Florida, Tokyo, France and Hong Kong. The Disney empire also grew to include Disney Radio and TV's The Disney Channel. 95 genre = [thể loại] a class or category of artistic endeavor having a particular form, content, technique, or the like. 96 country music = [nhạc ñồng quê] music with roots in the folk music of the Southeast and the cowboy music of the West. 97 western = [phim, truyện, kịch về miền Viễn Tây] a story, movie, or radio or television play about the U.S. West of the 19th century. 98 jazz = [nhạc jazz] music originating in New Orleans around the beginning of the 20th century and subsequently developing through various increasingly complex styles, generally marked by intricate, propulsive rhythms, polyphonic ensemble playing, improvisatory, virtuosic solos, melodic freedom, and a harmonic idiom ranging from simple diatonicism through chromaticism to atonality. 99 rock = [thể loại nhạc rock] a musical style derived in part from blues and folk music and marked by an accented beat and repetitive phrase structure. 100 hip hop = rap music = [nhạc hip hop/rap] a popular music idiom marked by the rhythmical intoning of rhymed couplets to an insistent beat. 101 gospel (music) = [nhạc ñạo] impassioned rhythmic spiritual music influential in the development of soul music and rhythm and blues. Nguyễn Minh Tâm * Page 10 of 10