Job Discussion Forums

[johnslat]

Dear fat_chris,
I believe that's as opposed to "Americans", which Albulbul (and others) feel inappropriate as it would include Canadians, Mexicans and all the inhabitants of Central and South America. The spelling does seem a bit awkward; maybe USAers or USAites or USAians would be better?
Regards,
John

[sidjameson]

Surprized to see this post resurrected, hope mine's not.

TRUE STORY

I was a student in America. I went to a party.

"Where ya from?"

"England"

"Jeez, cool.......so what language do you speak there?"

[johnslat]

Dear sidjameson,
OK, I'll bite. What did you answer?
Regards,
John

[grahamb]

A LOT of English people think England = Britain. Poor things.

[johnslat]

Dear grahamb,
Don't feel too bad. A lot of USAers think:

America = USA

Ah, ignorance, geographical and otherwise, abounds.
Regards,
John

[grahamb]

When everyone else is losing their heads, Johnslat restores perspective!
Must admit, I frequently say "America" when referring to the US of A. Just like those fossilised errors we deal with in the classroom.

[JosephP]

USAers? Not a chance. I've yet to meet anyone from North America, Central America, or South America who has become confused or upset by someone from the US saying that he/she is "American." The only sorts who bring this up seem to get some twisted joy in winding people up.
Back to the original thread. I concur that most people are more interested in their own country, area, language group, or whatever federation they align themselves with. To illustrate, I used to teach in a provincial capital in the south of Thailand not more than a thirty minute scooter ride from the border with Malaysia. None of my secondary students knew the capital nor currency of Malaysia. It is off their radar screens. This despite the large amount of economic ties between the two countries. The same could be said when I used to live in San Diego, California. There were significant numbers who knew nothing of Mexico. I now live in the South Island in New Zealand and I've met a few folks in their 40s who have yet to even travel to the North Island. Point being...? I don't know.

[johnslat]

Dear JosephP,
And yet - you can go to this web site to read a most spirited discussion of this very topic:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Civil_War/Previous

Here's an excerpt:

"Using the adjective "America" to refer to the United States is a habit met with exasperated patience by the people in every country outside the United States but still within North, Central, or South America. While people may know what you are talking about, they are generally also being too polite to tell you you're coming across as the stereotypically arrogant person from the United States. And from your other writings, I know that is not the case, so let me put it to you that the habit presents you as something you are not. --KQ "

Regards,
John

[Lanza-Armonia]

I've gotta better idea. Well, you can decide that when you've heard it.

Instead of saying that one is a USAian USAite or whatever, why do you just say the state you're from. Everyone knows the states. Maybe not off and, but if one said it, the other will be able to understand it's an American state. Even partically educated people from China.

Wadda ya think?

LA

[Lanza-Armonia]

I've gotta better idea. Well, you can decide that when you've heard it.

Instead of saying that one is a USAian USAite or whatever, why do you just say the state you're from. Everyone knows the states. Maybe not off and, but if one said it, the other will be able to understand it's an American state. Even partically educated people from China.

Wadda ya think?

LA

[johnslat]

Dear LA,
Only problem with that, in my case, is - when I tell them I'm from New Mexico, they often ask:

" Oh, that's near the USA, isn't it?"

And "they" includes a lot of USAers/Americans

Regards,
John

[scot47]

Albulbul just wanted to wind up the gringos after his colleague scot47 wound up the limeys on "ASTONISHING" in the UK forum.

Why is it so easy to crank the handle on some humans ?

If they get so easily upset in cyberspace how will they react after a hard day in an alien land ?

[James_T_Kirk]

I think the whole American discussion is a non-issue. It amuses me that some of my North, Central, and South American neighbors get upset over this. Let's face it, people that live in the United States are known all over the world as Americans, and to start calling Americans something else would confused the hell out of everyone! I was recently traveling through Southeast Asia, and when locals would ask me where I was from, I would initially answer "The United States" or "U.S.A.". Half the time, they had no idea what I was talking about. But when I told them I was from "America" or that I was an "American", they knew exactly where I was from!

This discussion is probably irrelevant anyway, because if Bush remains in office and continues down the same foreign policy path, people are just going to start knowing us a "neocons" anyway

[sidjameson]

I agree with the captain. Language has a certain utility when it is easily understood. Even if the root comes from a questionable assumption.
Oh and John, when he asked me what I language I spoke I replied French.
"how about you?"
"Uh, I speak American" he said proudly.
Hard to believe that this is a man allowed to vote.
Calling them Americans is one thing but saying they speak American, well the line has to be drawn somewhere.

[bayabule]

grahamb wrote: