In American English, these are ethnicities, not races.Perhaps, but America is just one country out of many, and just about everywhere else, they're races, as defined by their DNA. America is also a country that uses the term African American, which is also totally inaccurate in the overwhelming number of cases.
Quote from: Chavster on October 10, 2011, 08:13:10 PMIn American English, these are ethnicities, not races.Perhaps, but America is just one country out of many, and just about everywhere else, they're races, as defined by their DNA. America is also a country that uses the term African American, which is also totally inaccurate in the overwhelming number of cases.There are around 40 American countries. Most speak Spanish and then English, Portuguese, Dutch, German, French. Most were originally slave colonies so therefore you'll find people of African decent in all American countries, not only the US.
Hiya, Jerzy Boy...just enlightening you about how thing are. I'm glad that you appreciate it.
So what's that got to do with the price of potatoes? I wondered too I think maybe what he's saying is that to a US citizen, the term 'American' tends to apply only to the US, whereas in reality, 'American' applies to the two pieces of land stretching from Alaska to Argentina But maybe he doesnt mean that at all
p.s. going back to the African American thing, I've come to the conclusion (rightly or wrongly) thats its political correctness, pure and simple.As for Italian American or Irish American (etc), whats wrong with just being American? Most Irish Americans, I'd like to bet, have never even been to Ireland, and the same goes for Italian/German/Icelandic/Somali-Americans.Its great to be proud of our heritage, but the whole Italian American thing (etc) blows my mind because having an Italian grandma and a liking for baked zito or whatever its called doesnt make someone Italian, or even vaguely Italian. And as far as I know, this is peculiar to the US. I've never heard of anyone describing themselves as (for example) Australian-Belgian, or Brazillian-Taiwanese, or Swedish-Egyptian.Get over yourselves and be proud of your heritage AND proud to be an American, but dont cloud them with each other *hugs to all, Im going back to bed*
I've never heard of anyone describing themselves as (for example) Australian-Belgian, or Brazillian-Taiwanese, or Swedish-Egyptian.
Yes but to some Americans (US citizens), there ARE no other people on the planet. To some Americans, going to Hawaii means going overseas, and not just because its a chain of islands. So we all have our dim and stoopid people When I lived in Nebraska, some people thought it was an 'exciting day out' to drive across the border into Iowa... the girl I shared an apartment with, she thought it was exotic and 'foreign', the way some people would think going to Tahiti is exotic Anyway, what would people call US citizens other than 'Americans'? United Statesers? USAers? Although most people around the world do have another name for y'all, and oddly enough, it also begins with the letter A, but its not very complimentary
Although most people around the world do have another name for y'all, and oddly enough, it also begins with the letter A, but its not very complimentary :P
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Topic: An Americanism (Read 8803 times)
