Problem:
This response question is in reference to Chimamanda Ngozi Adichies' " Americanah" One of the things that you will probably notice early on in your reading of Americanah, is that Adichie loves talking about word choices and euphemisms. From her discussion of the American aversion to using the word "fat" in chapter 1 to her recognition that Kimberly uses the word "beautiful"as a euphemism for Bock people, Ifemelu is constantly reflecting on how Americans speak. For this response, I would like you to consider why Adichie spends so much time talking about characters' word choices. What does Americans' language reveal to Ifemelu about their culture? In other words, how are the specific features of American English- the words, it stresses, the words, it avoids, in the forms it adopts for discussing specific subjects-indicative of how Americans see themselves and their world? Please use an example from the novel to accompany the response.