Emilia Saldana
ENGL 210

Ecuadorian Culture

My video presents the idea that Ecuadorian culture is built on unity, joy and connection especially through family, friends, music and traditions. More importantly, my project explores how Ecuadorian culture continues to persist even after migration and how Ecuadorians preserve their identity while adapting to a different country.

Firstly, my video shows people dancing because I wanted to immediately communicate energy, happiness and community. In that scene my Ecuadorian friends and I are enjoying the moment while students from other countries observe us and slowly become part of the celebration. This choice shows how expressive and welcoming Ecuadorian culture is and how naturally we connect with others. I also chose to begin with fast pacing and lively music because I wanted the audience to immediately feel emotionally involved in the video instead of simply watching it passively. The quick transitions between clips create movement and excitement which reflects the atmosphere of Ecuadorian celebrations. This creates a strong emotional appeal or pathos because the audience can feel the joy and energy that we feel during those moments.

Another important rhetorical choice was the use of music throughout the video. During most of the project I used the song “Mi lindo Ecuador” because it represents pride, nostalgia and emotional connection to the country. For many Ecuadorians this song creates memories of home and family. The music helps create a sentimental mood while also reinforcing the message that Ecuadorian identity continues even after migration. At the end of the video I changed the music to “Juyayay” while showing another dancing scene. This transition in sound changes the mood from nostalgic to celebratory. The final scene includes the text “Distance changes location not identity. We leave home but home stays in us. Ecuador lives wherever Ecuadorians are.” I included these words because they summarize the main argument of my project which is that culture survives through people and community rather than geography alone.

I also included clips of food because food is an important part of Ecuadorian culture and cultural memory. The colorful and varied dishes represent not only our traditions but also the importance of gathering together. In my video I included scenes of traditional meals and desserts because food becomes a way to preserve identity and pass traditions between generations. I added text explaining that food preserves memory, tradition and connection because I wanted viewers unfamiliar with Ecuadorian culture to understand why food matters beyond simply eating. The warm colors in these clips help create a comforting and familiar atmosphere. These scenes also slow the pacing slightly compared to the dancing clips which creates balance in the video and allows the audience to reflect more deeply on the emotional meaning behind the images.

Another scene I included, shows my parents sharing time with a couple we met while living in a shared apartment in the United States. Even though they were from a different city in Ecuador we connected easily and treated each other like family. I chose this clip because it reflects one of the most important aspects of Ecuadorian culture which is the ability to create closeness and familiarity very quickly. This scene also builds ethos because I am using real experiences from my personal life rather than staged or artificial representations of culture. Using personal videos instead of random internet images makes the project feel more authentic and allows the audience to trust the message more easily.

Language and slang also play an important role in my project. Ecuadorian slang reflects the warmth and closeness present in everyday interactions. Certain words and expressions help Ecuadorians recognize each other and feel comfortable even when living abroad. I specifically wanted to include slang because it represents a deeper part of culture that is often invisible to outsiders. Expressions such as calling someone “veci” may seem small but they communicate affection, familiarity and friendliness. At the same time this section also connects to the idea of preservation versus change. Many young Ecuadorians who move to the United States begin replacing Ecuadorian slang with English expressions. Over time this can weaken certain cultural habits and ways of communicating. By including slang in my project I participate in preserving that aspect of my culture and showing its importance to others.

In addition, I included landscapes and natural views from Ecuador because I wanted the audience to visually understand the beauty and atmosphere of the country. These scenes create a calm and peaceful mood which contrasts with the energetic dancing scenes earlier in the video. This juxtaposition between movement and stillness helps show different sides of Ecuadorian culture. The landscapes represent belonging, memory and emotional attachment to home while the dancing scenes represent celebration and community. Together they create a fuller representation of Ecuadorian identity.

My project also reflects my personal experience as an immigrant. Moving to the United States was difficult especially because I was used to spending holidays and important moments surrounded by extended family. Adapting to a new environment created feelings of distance and cultural change. However, finding other Ecuadorians helped me feel safe, understood and connected to home again. This experience helped me realize that culture persists through shared practices such as music, food, traditions and language. According to cultural theorist Stuart Hall cultural identity is not fixed but constantly shaped through history, experience and memory. This idea connects strongly to my project because my identity continues evolving while still remaining connected to Ecuadorian culture.

Nonetheless, my video cannot fully represent all Ecuadorian experiences. Ecuadorian culture is diverse and different for every individual depending on region, generation and personal background. My project mainly reflects my own perspective as someone who left Ecuador and experienced migration at a young age. Some traditions, experiences and perspectives are left out because of how short the video is and because culture is different for every person. Still I believe my project successfully shows that Ecuadorian culture continues through unity, joy and emotional connection. More than only showing traditions, my video shows that culture stays alive because people continue practicing it, sharing it and carrying it with them no matter where they are. 

AI Statement

For this assignment AI was used to check ideas sound clear and have connection between one another. AI was used for revision.