AMERICAN VS BRITISH (History, Education,

Relationship, Politic, etc)

Cross Cultural and Understanding

Lecturer

Mr. Edi Ardian, S.S.,M.A

Group 3

Alda Oktarisma S. (502191010001)

Dania Amira (502211010030)

ENGLISH STUDY PROGRAM ISLAMIC UNIVERSITY OF

INDRAGIRI 2023/2024
A. INTRODUCTION

At the start of the twenty-first century, cultural contacts between China

and other countries reached an unparalleled level. English education needs to be
revised in order to meet the needs and expectations of the modern world. English
teaching content is thought to contain a significant amount of cultural knowledge
that is transmitted through language.

The amount of time and money spent studying foreign languages is

considerable, yet this does not always translate into learning that actually has an
impact. However, the author thinks that in China, college English instruction has
been influenced by examinations. The cultural aspects of the target language are
disregarded. One of the major problems with teaching college English in the
classroom is the artificial separation of the relationship between language and
culture.

Successful foreign language teaching methods should be used to train

students' linguistic skills as well as their capacity for social culture. Cross-cultural
communication skills geared for Chinese pupils are referred to as English
communication skills. If pupils simply have exceptional language abilities without
the cultural foundation of the target language, it is challenging to develop them
into successful masters of cross-cultural communication. Only by being aware of
the variations across other cultures in cross-cultural communication can learners
effectively achieve their communication goals.

In order to get good results in college English teaching, it is necessary that

teachers pay attention to the culture information input during language teaching.
The teaching of languages should incorporate cultural input at every point.

After understanding culture, students may learn a language with ease. As a

result, when teaching English, teachers should focus on cultivating their students'

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cross-cultural communication skills in addition to training and enhancing their
language proficiency.

I. DISCUSSION
A. American (USA).

The London School claims that as a result, the United States is one of the
most culturally diverse nations in the world. According to the Library of
Congress, nearly every region of the world has had an impact on American
culture, most notably the English, who began colonizing the nation in the
early 1600s. The civilizations of Native Americans, Latin Americans,
Africans, and Asians have also influenced American culture.

1. History of American
Given that the Declaration of Independence was officially declared
in the year 1776, the United States of America has been referred to as
a young nation. In truth, these United States have been on a journey
since before 1776. The earliest people to live in this fertile country
were Native Americans. They are thought to have crossed from the
Eurasian continent via what is now known as Canada and Alaska.
The United States' historical timeline is simple to follow. Leif
Ericson, who is thought to have visited this region about the year
1000, is frequently cited as the beginning of its history. Christopher
Columbus arrived in 1492, followed by the Pilgrims in the 16th
century, and then other European countries like Spain, Portugal, and
Britain.
As the years fly by, the importance of this fledgling country is
becoming more and more clear. There is hardly a single region in the
world that has not been impacted by American influence.
The history of the United States began with the thirteen colonies,
which had 2.5 million residents by the late 18th century. The American
Revolution in 1776 was sparked by the country's fight for independence
as a result of the Declaration of Independence. The new

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nation saw a variety of political and social storms between the
American Revolution against Britain and the American Civil War in
1861, in addition to the enormous advancement it underwent. African
American enslavement was a problem even in those early days,
which may have contributed to the Confederate States of America's
creation and the subsequent Civil War. Lines were marked on the
beaches of these United States as the conflict began.
The period of reconstruction that followed the Civil War saw the
introduction of change that comes with development. Slavery was
abolished, states that had left the union were re-admitted, and the
federal government became more powerful. In addition to Alaska and
Hawaii being accepted in the middle of the 20th century, all 48 of the
contiguous states were admitted in 1912.
A new era was set between the 1890s and the 1920s by the
progressives. People had become weary of old-fashioned politics, waste,
and corruption. Women's suffrage was strengthened during this
campaign, and the constitution was amended to make alcohol illegal.
Under Woodrow Wilson, the United States had maintained its
neutrality when World War I started in 1914. Wilson fought to keep
the United States out of the conflict, but he finally gave in and
declared war on Germany in 1917.
After ten years of prosperity, the Wall Street Crash of 1929
heralded the beginning of a global Great Depression that lasted for
ten years. In what was known as the New Deal, Franklin Delano
Roosevelt (FDR) and other politicians offered some type of comfort
to the populace. This resulted in the introduction of numerous
initiatives, such as those for relief, recovery, and reform. Sadly, all
this achieved was reposition the political environment that gave rise
to the Democratic Party, powerful political organizations in big cities,
alleged intellectuals, and the white south.

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 8 December 1941 "A day that will go down in history..." FDR's
statements signaled the United States' entry into the Second World War
after less than 25 years. The first atomic bomb was detonated on that day
as a result of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. This served as a
milestone in the Allied Forces' victory over Nazi Germany.
Immediately following World War II, the Cold War began.
Although the United States enjoyed a brief period of peace in the
years immediately following World War II, by 1950 the country was
fully involved in the Korean War, and by 1959 the Vietnam War.
Both conflicts have been referred to as "proxy wars," in which a third
party is utilized to wage conflict.
After the conclusion of the Cold War in 1991, the War on Terror—
a different kind of War—began in the years that followed. The rest of
the world continues to watch eagerly while the United States' tale is
still being written.

2. American Education
Around age six, U.S. children begin primary school, which is most
commonly called “elementary school.” They attend five or six years
and then go onto secondary school. Secondary school consists of two
programs: the first is “middle school” or “junior high school” and the
second program is “high school.” A diploma or certificate is awarded
upon graduation from high school. After graduating high school (12th
grade), U.S. students may go on to college or university. College or
university study is known as “higher education.”

3. American Political Culture

According to Duncan Watts, et al (2003: 18) that Political culture in
the USA derives from some of the ideas which inspired thepioneers who
made the country and the Founding Fathers who wrote itsconstitution. It
includes faith in democracy and representative

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 government,the ideas of popular sovereignty, limited government, the
rule of law, equality,liberty, opportunity, support for the free-market
system, freedom of speechand individual rights. But of course, at
different stages in history, the existing political culture and the
process of political socialisation serve someindividuals and groups
better than others. Until the 1960s, the prevailingpolitical culture
suggested that women and ethnic minorities were not fullmembers of
the political community. Not surprisingly, these two groups soughtto
change the political culture. They wanted to see ideas of equality
andopportunity applied to them as much as to other groups. Since
then, there hasbeen a ‘rights culture’, as activists sought to demand
the rights they regardedas their due.

B. Elements of American political culture

a. Liberalism
Classical liberals believed in government by consent,
limited government, and protection of private property and
opportunity. They stressed the importance of individual rights,
some considered 'inalienable'. Americans have a strong
attachment to liberty, as symbolized by the statue in its name
and the War of Independence. The Constitution proclaims this
commitment, and the late Clinton Rossiter saw liberty as the
pre-eminent value in US political culture. Collectivist policies
and solutions have never been embraced.
b. Equality
The Declaration of Independence asserts that all men are
created equal, and the USA, a relatively young nation, values
social equality. Americans believe in equal consideration,
protection under the law, and rights for all citizens, regardless of
their social background, ethnicity, gender, or religion. They
believe in the American Dream and the opportunity for everyone

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 to rise to greatness, even those of humble origins, to achieve
success and share in the American Dream.
c. Democracy
Liberalism and democracy have roots in ancient Roman
republican tradition, with the Founding Fathers using republican
imagery and symbols. Liberalism emphasizes personal freedom
and rights, while democracy is characterized by rule by majorities
and mobs. The Founding Fathers preferred a republic, which
derives its powers directly or indirectly from the people, over a
democracy with demagogy, mass rule, and the mob.

II. British (UK)

British culture is a beautiful and unique mix of four countries: England,
Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland. The mix of all these countries’
traditions is what makes the British culture very rich and diverse and what
they like to call “cultural capital.”
1. History of British
The Anglo-Saxon king Athelstan, who won the allegiance of nearby
Celtic kingdoms at the beginning of the 10th century CE, is credited
with founding the United Kingdom. According to a contemporary
chronicle, Athelstan was "the first to rule what previously many kings
shared between them." Kingdoms further away came under English rule
through further conquest during the ensuing centuries. The Acts of
Union of 1536 and 1542 formally merged England and Wales, a
collection of Celtic kingdoms in the southwest of Great Britain.
The United Kingdom of Great Britain was officially formed in 1707
after Scotland, which had been governed from London since 1603,
joined forces with England and Wales. (At this period, the term "British"
was used to describe all of the inhabitants of the country.) Ireland was
formally joined with Great Britain by the Act of Union of 1800 after
coming under English rule in the 1600s. Six of Ulster's nine

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 counties remained in the UK as Northern Ireland when the republic
of Ireland attained independence in 1922. There has been conflict, at
times open revolt, and sometimes open battle, between these
constituent states and England.
The introduction of devolved assemblies in Northern Ireland,
Scotland, and Wales in the latter half of the 20th century helped to
ease these tensions a little. Relations between Northern Ireland's
unionists, who favor maintaining British sovereignty over Northern
Ireland, and nationalists, who favor unification with the republic of
Ireland, remained tense into the 21st century despite the
establishment of a power-sharing assembly as a result of referenda in
both Northern Ireland and the Irish republic.

2. British Education
Students typically begin their first year of school in the UK at age
5. The primary school year lasts six years. After that, students
continue on to secondary school, which they complete with GCSE
(General Certificate of Secondary Education) exams. Through a
sequence of exams leading to GCSEs or international GCSEs, each
topic is evaluated independently.
The next option for students is to continue on to college, where
they can select three (or often four) disciplines that are also evaluated
separately and serve as the foundation for admission to universities
and other programs.
Colleges frequently provide additional credentials that help
students land jobs and apprenticeships.

3. British political culture

According to Duncan Watts, et al (2003: 14) that Britain has a long
history of independence and a strong commitment to democracy, with
representative institutions of government and liberal values. As the

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 first parliamentary democracy in Europe, the Westminster model was
adopted by many other countries. British people generally accept the
idea of parliamentary channels and social deference, with social
deference often cited as a source of British conformity. British
political life is characterized by continuity, with the hereditary
monarchy and House of Lords having a large hereditary element. The
country has enjoyed a stable political system, favoring evolution over
revolutionary change. British attitudes are influenced by its island
position, which has protected the country from invasion and
strengthened its national identity. The country has stronger bonds
with the United States and has a strong connection to trade and
colonial expanson.
The British government has traditionally prioritized strong, stable
government by a single party over fairness to small parties. This has
led to little demand for change in the way MPs are elected. Leaders
like Margaret Thatcher and Tony Blair have been seen as strong
leaders, willing to ignore dissident voices and carry out unpopular
policies. The British government is powerful and centralised,
allowing for the majority to push through fundamental changes in
British life. However, there is also a tolerance towards the expression
of alternative and minority opinions, with the Opposition having the
right to oppose. Issues such as alleged tapping of telephones, police
surveillance, speed cameras, and ID cards cause resentment and
resistance among British people.

III. The UK Constitution

Firstly, it is uncodified. This means that there is no single written
document which outlines the UK's constitution.
Secondly, it is not entrenched. This means that the constitutional laws
are as flexible as ordinary law, so they can be altered and removed if
deemed necessary.

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 Thirdly, it is unitary. This means that the power is concentrated in one
single institution, which is Parliament. This means that the legal and
political processes that occur are more transparent and easily understood
by the population.

IV. Relationship Between American And British

The US and UK share a strong relationship based on democratic ideals
and cooperation on political, security, and economic issues. They work
together to combat terrorism, stop weapons proliferation, and ensure
regional security. In September 2021, they signed the AUKUS security
partnership agreement, strengthening their cooperation.
The US supports Northern Ireland's peace process and Good Friday
Agreement, while fostering educational, cultural, and professional
exchange between the US and the UK. The UK is a top study abroad
destination for US students, with the UK's oldest and largest Fulbright
Program benefiting over 27,000 scholars and students since 1948.

V. Comparing American and British in several Aspects

1. Vocabulary
Despite the fact that both nations speak English, there are some
substantial vocabularies variations between them. One frequently cited
contrast is that whereas Brits in the UK take "holidays," Americans are
more inclined to take "vacations." Additionally, the following season
after summer is referred to as "autumn" in the UK and "fall" in the USA,
respectively.
In addition, many terms have distinct connotations depending on the
nation you are in. For example, in Britain, the phrase "put on your pants"
refers to your underwear, whereas in the USA, it refers to what the British

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 call "your trousers." Be cautious when using these terms because there
are plenty of them that could disgrace you.

2. Pronunciation and Accent

Another distinction between British and American English is how

some words are pronounced, which is frequently attributable to regional
dialects within each nation. The difference between how Americans
often pronounce the word "tomato"—you know the song—and how
Brits say it is a great illustration of this.

Additionally, there are major differences in both countries' accents,

ranging from New England, where Bostonians have their own accents
with their own native lexicon, to the sweet Southern drawls heard in
much of America's South East.

There are distinctions between US and UK English when writing.

There are several words that have the same meaning but are written
differently in different countries. For instance, the word "colour" is
spelled "color" in the US whereas it is spelled "colour" in the UK. Other
terms also lose the "u" in US spelling. As for how dates are written,
Americans write month/day/year (02/01/2023), and the British write
day/month/year (01/02/2023).

3. Adapting to Social Etiquette Differences between the USA and the UK.

When meeting someone for the first time in the UK, individuals
are frequently formal and extend a handshake, however in the USA,
people tend to be more casual. Even if they have only recently met
someone, Americans frequently use their first name to address them.
When meeting someone in the UK, it is considered rude to discuss
personal concerns like money. As a result, you are more likely to engage
in talk about the weather than your income.

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 4. Table Manners and Dining Costums

Compared to those in the US, table manners in the UK are

typically more formal. For instance, it is considered impolite in Britain
to begin eating before everyone at the table has been served. American
dining customs, in comparison, are typically less formal; most
individuals begin eating as soon as their food is served without waiting
for others to sit down, and meals are frequently consumed standing up
rather than seated at a dinner table.

Depending on your location, public behavior can change in both

nations, however there are some universal cultural distinctions between
British and American that should be taken into account while relocating.
For instance, Americans may come across as more laid-back and amiable
when speaking with someone they don't know very well yet, in contrast to
British people, who frequently maintain a certain amount of formality while
speaking with strangers in public settings like restaurants or shops.

Social etiquette in the US and the UK is very similar, however

there are also some little variances. When moving to a new nation, it's
critical to be aware of these variations.

VI. CLOSING
Conclusion
The United States is one of the most culturally diverse nations in
the world. According to the Library of Congress, nearly every region of
the world has had an impact on American culture, most notably the
English, who began colonizing the nation in the early 1600s. The
civilizations of Native Americans, Latin Americans, Africans, and Asians
have also influenced American culture.
British culture is a beautiful and unique mix of four countries:
England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland. The mix of all these

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 countries’ traditions is what makes the British culture very rich and
diverse and what they like to call “cultural capital.”
The strong relationship between the United States and the United
Kingdom reflects our common democratic ideals and values, which are
reinforced through cooperation on political, security, and economic issues.
Along with other European allies, the United States and the United
Kingdom work closely together to combat terrorism, stop the proliferation
of weapons of mass destruction, and ensure regional security. The United
States and the United Kingdom coordinate closely to respond to dangerous
and destabilizing actions by Moscow that threaten our security and erode
democratic freedoms and institutions including the Kremlin’s war against
Ukraine, election interference, cyberattacks, use of chemical weapons, the
use of corrupt proxies, and human rights violations. In September 2021 the
United States, Australia, and the United Kingdom signed the Australia,
United Kingdom, and United States (AUKUS) security partnership
agreement, further solidifying security cooperation between allies.

Suggestion
For readers, it is hoped that they can provide constructive criticism and
suggestions for the perfection of this paper and the writing of papers on
subsequent occasions and hopefully this paper can provide some
information that will be useful for all friends.

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