Alternating between an English lesson, in which a French-speaking man and woman translate English phrases, and short "samples" of what Acconci calls "the voice of America" — movie soundtracks, Creole singers, honky-tonk piano — The American Gift investigates the problematics of translation and nationality.

The American Gift is part of a series of early conceptual audio works by Vito Acconci, newly restored by EAI. These works are now available from EAI on audio CD.