An Analytical Attempt at Dividing US Regions

Research Paper (postgraduate) from the year 2015 in the subject Sociology - Culture, Technology, Peoples / Nations, grade: A, University of Redlands, course: Mapping People, Mapping Places, language: English, abstract: The United States of America has had some astounding shifts and transformations throughout its years of evolution. Fascinatingly, these changes are non-uniform. As our physical geography is gradually stabilizing, our country is becoming increasingly 'functional', where our communities are created through connectedness (interactions) rather than relatedness (traits) (Lewis 1991, 608). By understanding these behavioral modifications, one can make an educational guess which parts of the US are characteristically 'traditional', 'voluntary', or even a transitioning region in today's distinctive, technological era (Zelinsky 1992). In addition, I georeferenced another map coming from a different perspective to further accentuate the outcomes of my investigation. I surmised that finding my speech community first would create a foundation allowing for a starting point to reveal other aspects of the US that could separate or aggregate the states into groups (potential regions). With support through various discourses, I was able to form the General English (also known as Standard English) speech community most concentrated in the North East Coast. From here, I was able to choose religions and behavioral variables that complemented my region while also highlighting other potential groups. I would like to note that this is indeed a very general examination of the US, but the concept at hand is highly significant because it gives others the opportunity to implement my ideas towards their own. The dissection of the US from multiple sources can push for mindful stimulation of thinking critically and creatively.