Referring to people from USA as "American"

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Go to Europe, Asia, Africa, anywhere, and say you are American. Wait for them to ask you "from which country?"

Wait. wait. wait. Keep waiting.

Because, depending on the context, they can easily derive that you are using one of the two meanings of the word.

How? If I ask someone where they are from and they say, "European" or "French," I know. But if people actually thought we were all Americans, they would have to ask when I say "American." They don't ask. They know what I mean.

Because if they see you speaking in English and looking like a tourist, they correctly guess your meaning. If, on the other hand, you are Pablo Neruda and write a poem in Spanish about America, people immediately know you are referring to the other meaning. Or if a Peruvian talks with a Bolivian about "American fauna" they know they are referring to llamas and the like. It depends on the context.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Go to Europe, Asia, Africa, anywhere, and say you are American. Wait for them to ask you "from which country?"

Wait. wait. wait. Keep waiting.

Because, depending on the context, they can easily derive that you are using one of the two meanings of the word.

How? If I ask someone where they are from and they say, "European" or "French," I know. But if people actually thought we were all Americans, they would have to ask when I say "American." They don't ask. They know what I mean.

Because if they see you speaking in English and looking like a tourist, they correctly guess your meaning. If, on the other hand, you are Pablo Neruda and write a poem in Spanish about America, people immediately know you are referring to the other meaning. Or if a Peruvian talks with a Bolivian about "American fauna" they know they are referring to llamas and the like. It depends on the context.

If a person with a heavy Spanish accent and darker skin goes to France and says they are American, do you think they are asked? I don't.

[Anonymous]

Haha. I AM such a person, and I do go to France for business often, and people (educated people) know that there are two meanings of the words -- and obviously one of them (the one you are highlighting) is used more often, which is fine -- the same way that when a sport broadcaster with a British accent would be properly understood when using the word "football". But if I go to Latin America and I use the word "Americano" people will assume I am talking about the continent-- while, if you go, people will roll their eyes but will understand you and, for the most part, wont raise the issue.

By the way, Copa America -- the South American football (soccer) tournament -- is coming in June.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I find this really interesting. It honestly never occurred to me that people would find the use of "American" offensive.

Here was my thinking...
From my experience, people have far more of their identity invested in their country. Though I've traveled there extensively, I can not recall anyone referring to themselves as a "European" they identify with their country.

I also have had quite a bit of exposure to immigrants from Africa. In my experience, they find it extremely frustrating when we refer to "Africans" because in their mind there are huge differences between the various countries. Again, these people refer to themselves as "Ethiopian" or "Kenyan" not "African".

I realize that the word "America" appears in the names of both the continents, but we are the only COUNTRY with the word America in it. Again, I would have thought a Brazilian would identify far more as a Brazilian than as a "South American" or a person from Mexico would identify as a Mexican, rather than a "North American".

I don't see it as placing value judgments on one country's superiority over another, but just a use of precise language to indicate an individual's country.

So again, really interesting to me, and I'll keep it in mind, but I have to admit this seems to fly in the face of all of my previous encounters with people from other countries.

Do you have a passport? Do you speak any language other than English? Have you ever lived abroad longer than, say, 2 years?

If DCUM is your main source of world knowledge...perhaps you can agree it is time to listen and travel more and BS less?