Americana
Tuesday, May 19, 2015
There are surely many things associated with your country that reflect its culture. They can include certain foods, art, architecture, cultural icons, etc. Since I live in the USA the things that are closely identified with the culture and history of America, specifically the United States, are referred to as Americana.
In the 1970s there was a popular commercial for the Chevrolet automobile with the slogan “Baseball, Hot Dogs, Apple Pie, and Chevrolet.” This advertising campaign turned the Chevrolet into an iconic all-American brand by associating it with other established symbols of Americana: baseball, hot dogs, and apple pie.
Many things are considered to be typical of the American culture, like hamburgers or the art of Norman Rockwell, but some Americana elements evolved from the cultures of immigrants. Rock and Roll is a perfect example because it derived from various influences and numerous cultures: a merging of the African musical tradition with European instrumentation plus Western swing and country music. Despite all of those influences, rock and roll’s origin is a music genre that evolved in the USA.
What is associated with your country, culture, and history?
*Post image is Norman Rockwell's "The Runaway" (1958).
Intensifiers intensify!
Tuesday, May 12, 2015
When you’re speaking informally, telling a story, for example, using intensifiers in everyday speech gives force or emphasis to the details. An intensifier is a type of adverb that enhances adjectives and adverbs. In English, they come
I’m sorry.
I’m “really” sorry.
I’m “very” sorry.
I’m “so” sorry.
I’m “quite” sorry.
I’m “extremely” sorry.
I’m “awfully” sorry.
OR
Jean dances well.
Jean dances “very” well.
Jean dances “extremely” well.
Jean dances “pretty” well.
Jean dances “so” well.
Jean dances “quite” well.
Jean dances “fairly” well.
Jean dances “rather” well.
Jean dances “awfully” well.
Jean’s dancing is “absolutely” amazing.
Jean’s dancing is “pretty” amazing.
Jean’s dancing is “so” amazing.
Common intensifiers in everyday speech include so, really, very, quite, extremely, absolutely, strongly, pretty, fairly, rather, a little, just, too, and more.
It's “quite” humid today.
Blair is “too” sarcastic.
Marco is “really” busy on Mondays.
Kathy is my “very” best friend.
Andrea is a “little” tired today.
Kurt “just” got a brand new car.
I know her “fairly” well.
It's “extremely” windy outside.
You're “absolutely” right!
The traffic is “rather” noisy.
I was a “little” nervous before my wedding.
That was a “pretty” tasty burger.
Pretty may seem like an unusual intensifier but it’s very common. Pretty means attractive but it’s also an informal adverb meaning “to a moderately high degree; fairly.”
It’s “pretty” good ice cream but I’ve tasted better.
Danny is “pretty” smart. I think he’ll do well at the university.
I’m “pretty” sure I’ll accept the job but I need to think about it over the weekend.
I hope this post was extremely helpful :)
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