The americans emphasized the different cultures in america: music,
languages, food, etc. So american culture was made of many cultures,
whereas, on the other side culture was one: France, although in France
there are also many different ethnicites.

I agree with Tufool that most of the French responses in the culture
category used the word "French" ("Française"). Are there many different
cultures in France, or is it mostly native French people?

To Tufool: the words we used definitely identify different aspects of a
culture, but I'm not sure if they specifically refer to different
cultures. Actually, I don't know what you mean by "culture." Here in my
post, my definition of "culture" closely resembles "ethnicity." Anyway,
you are right, here in the US there are many different cultures: there
are many Asians, Latinos (otherwise known as "Hispanic"), Europeans,
everything. The United States is a continuous "melting pot."

I too, believe that there are a few disparities in the definition of
"culture." Americans tend to view "culture" as the traditions and
history of a people, a different upbringing, or a way of life. We are
taught appreciation, tolerance, and acceptance of other cultures. In
America, culture is "sold" as something that sets a person apart.
However, it seems that the French students have a very different idea of
"culture." Culture, to them, is sophistication, refinement. This could
explain why they think of the French and France when they think of
culture. Under this definition, I also would think of France and the
French. "Culture" has several definitions, and I think even the
difference in our definitions reveals something about our differing
societies. I believe that we as Americans do associate culture with
ethnicity because we are a country of immigrants. However, a significant
portion of France's population is also made up of immigrants, so perhaps
we were always taught that "culture" is associated with ethnicity. To
the French students: what is the first word that comes to you when you
think of sophistication? Do you view France as a very sophisticated
country? How do you react to the statement: "America is a sophisticated
country?"

I wish there were some comments by French students on this word. What I
found most interesting was the emphasis by the American students on the
past: what a society has created, such as the arts, or food, or custom
and tradition. The French students seemed to emphasize the future and
the role of culture in the development of humanity: they describe it as
indispensable and necessary, they refer to education, learning, reading,
and humanism. Culture seems to represent the progress of man in becoming
more human, and not just the particularities of one society vs. another.

I agree with Angela. I noticed that on the American side, there was a
great emphasis on history and traditions. The French side seems to be
more focused on the present and the future. I thought it was interesting
that the word love appeared in the American column. I think that
Americans associate love with tradition and culture. Language was
mentioned often by Americans. I also think this is due to the fact that
people in America come from a variety of ethnic backgrounds. I have the
same question that others have - Is France diverse ethnically as well?

Pour les américains, la culture se réfère à l'art en général et à des
thèmes spécifiques comme la danse, la musique et la nourriture. Les
français ont une vision plus globale de la culture : ils l'évoquent à
travers les musées, les traditions, le respect de l'autre. Apparemment
les français y attachent davantage d'importance que les américains.

Tout dépend de ce que l'on entend par "culture"... Je pense qu'à l'heure
actuelle, la culture d'un pays passe plus par la fraternité et le
patriotisme des peuples à l'intérieur du pays. Leurs capacités à rentrer
dans une culture commune.

Pour répondre à vos questions, je pense que la France est devenue un
pays multi-culturel, composée de plusieurs communautés à forte identité.
Je m'en aperçois rien qu'en étudiant à Paris. En effet, j'ai passé mon
enfance dans la banlieue parisienne, et bien laissez moi vous dire que
la "culture" y est complètement différente qu'ici, et son sens aussi.

Ce que j'aime chez vous, c'est que même si vous aussi avez des origines
culturelles très diversifiées, vous témoignez au reste du monde une même
identité, dont vous êtes fier. Les français, eux, essaient toujours de
se démarquer de leurs concitoyens, et revendiquent leurs différences.
C'est à mon avis un fossé quant à la culture d'un pays.

I noticed that many of the french students used the word Française. I
would appreciate some sort of explanation of that word choice. Do french
students feel like their culture is superior, or just unique enough that
it comes to mind? It seems like the american students focused mainly on
the different ways that culture is expressed. While the french students
did this as well, many also used the word Française. I think this is
pretty interesting, and would like to know why.

je pense que le mot "française" a été utilisé car souvent on cite la
France comme pays de référence pour la culture, et comme pays de bon
gout (sans etre chauvins), donc ce n'est pas spécialement une culture
supérieure, mais simplement le fait que notre pays est considéré comme
"culturellement imposant" avec nos musées, châteaux, expositions, etc...
Il est bien évident que la France n'est pa sle seul pays cultivé...
(dans tous les sens du terme)