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Yes, yes I know everyone is American, united in diversity and all that. But really, would you say that white sothern Americans and white northern Americans are two different nations? The south and the north early became separated in to two different economical systems (or niches). The south and the north has a history of being politically separated, and even waging war on one another. There are even today differences in identity, language and values and so on. From an anthropological point of view that would probably be enough to categorize southerners and northerners as being different peoples/nations/groups (whatever).
Yeah exactly. Sorry for the misunderstanding, English is not my first language.
Quote:
Originally Posted by f1000
There are differences which pretty much everyone here's aware of.. but no matter what, nationality ties everything together.
Alright. So what about all this "the south's gonna rise again" stuff? Or the the idea of the backwards southern redneck? Are are these just cliches, not examples of real division?
Last edited by Caesar Johansen; 07-23-2013 at 12:42 PM..
I'm aware of that. But there is a clear difference in dialect. The difference between southern American English and northern American English, is not greater than that between Serbian and Croatian - but on account of conflict these dialects are today considered "languages". So there is no real need for any significant linguistic differences in order to turn dialects in to languages, just political will.
There is a slight difference in accent. But there is a difference in accent between other parts of the US as well. For example the appalachian southern accent is slightly different then the coastal southern accent. In the northeast there is a difference between PA and NY and both states border each other. In my own state of MD there is a difference where I am compared to around Baltimore and Washington.
We are the same country and with some issues it is clearly seen. Think of all the southerners who signed up for the military after 9/11. Most in this country felt is was an attack on OUR city, OUR country, etc... Likewise with the southern support during the Boston bombing or hurricane Sandy last year. As well as the northern support during Hurricane Katrina in 2005. We are all a lot more united then what an outsider would believe from reading CD.
As far as "the south will rise again", it is usually just general bs'ing and ribbing. So is most other good hearted ribbing comming from either side. True, there are a few who take it serious but generally it is a non-issue.
Most of the differences in this country are between rural and urban life. Generally the south is known as a more rural area and the north is known as more urban, though the opposite is just as true.
I think there is a fairly generic "American" culture (after all US citizenship allows free to interstate travel and emigration), but like any franchise, there are regional brands and flavors. If The USA becomes too big to stay together, it may split up into balkanized nation states. This little montage of maps may give one a clue as to how it will be split up.
For more information, see Woodard's American Nations, Fischer's Albion's Seed, or Garreau's Nine Nations of North America. Books on specific cultural groups like the Ulster Scots/Scots Irish, Jamestown colonists, "Golden Circle" planters and Charleston, New England Puritans/Unitatarians, or Mormons might also elucidate the cultural differences.
Last edited by Hamtonfordbury; 07-23-2013 at 01:20 PM..
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