Some say to stop using the word ‘American’. What’s next?

[Wozza]

Wozza:

babochka:

Wozza:

But that’s partly down to learning Spanish and place names in Spanish. There’s no such place as ‘America’. It’s los Estados Unidos. Oddly, the Spanish for US is EEUU (estados and unidos both being plural).

But that is an abbreviation of our name, the United States of America. It’s fine to use an abbreviation as long as the actual name is not erased.

I agree. But just be aware of the context. Speaking Spanish and saying ‘Yo soy de America’ will get puzzled looks from a Peruvian. They’ll ask which country because you didn’t specify. But said in English to an Australian and you’ll be fine. They will assume you mean the US and ask which state.

Yet in Russian, I would say “Я американка” and it would be easily understood that I am a woman from the United States of America.

You’re right - context matters.

And now I know the difference between a babochka and a babushka. I put you down as the latter. What we learn every day…

 

[blackforest]

Regardless of what anyone here or elsewhere says. So don’t bother baiting me. You are waisting your time.

Nobody is baiting you, regardless of whether you feel “baited.”

Call yourself whatever you want. This issue is less about political correctness and more about the genuine semantical confusion that it causes in other parts of the globe.

 

[Wozza]

US-ers maybe?

And UK-ers for those in UK.

British would do. Or to be specific: English, Welsh, Scottish or Irish. Actually Northern Irish, but let’s not go there. Altbough most people use English as a catch-all for anyone from the UK. Which drives the Welsh, Scottish and Irish up the wall.

American is more equivalent to European to be pedantic.

 

[babochka]

And now I know the difference between a babochka and a babushka. I put you down as the latter. What we learn every day…

I included my profile picture to eliminate such confusion. I don’t think it worked.

I am old enough to be a babushka, but my children are not old enough to make me one.

 

[Zach]

Did you read the article? It is all about political correctness and words to avoid.

 

[Wm777]

American, American, American…

 

[Wozza]

I’ve traveled enough to tell you that everyone sounds loud if you don’t speak their language.

Except the French. I could swear they were born with mufflers installed in their larynges. It’s a stereotype, yes, but I’ve never met a noisy French person.

Got to be the world’s best accent as well. I’m in France at the moment and even old ladies pushing past me in the supermarket queue and (presumably) swearing at me to get outa the way sounds sexy.

 

[Wozza]

Wozza:

And now I know the difference between a babochka and a babushka. I put you down as the latter. What we learn every day…

I included my profile picture to eliminate such confusion. I don’t think it worked.

I am old enough to be a babushka, but my children are not old enough to make me one.

Ah yes. I didn’t notice the profile piccie. Looks much better than if it was the alternative.

 

[Wozza]

Did you read the article? It is all about political correctness and words to avoid.

In context, Zach. In context. You can still call yourself an American and we’ll all know what you mean and won’t hold it against you.

Well, that depends on who you voted for.

 

[Rhubarb]

On a university, where there are going to be a high concentration of students from foreign countries. Who people on the university want to feel comfortable there, on the university. That’s the context. Not general use

This has nothing to do beyond that context. Nobody is saying Billy-Bob down the road can’t say he’s an American.

 

[babochka]

Ah yes. I didn’t notice the profile piccie. Looks much better than if it was the alternative.

(Please Note: This uploaded content is no longer available.)

 

[babochka]

On a university, where there are going to be a high concentration of students from foreign countries. Who people on the university want to feel comfortable there, on the university. That’s the context. Not general use

This has nothing to do beyond that context. Nobody is saying Billy-Bob down the road can’t say he’s an American.

Almost all politically correct speech started in Universities. It won’t stay there.

 

[Zach]

These University speech codes will just keep getting more restrictive. The point is to keep in pushing endlessly until nobody knows what is acceptable. They will never be satisfied. And lot of things that start on campuses end up in the wider culture.

 

[Rhubarb]

So you’re saying it’s a… Slippery slope?

 

[Rhubarb]

Those slippery slopes, eh?

 

[Zach]

Yes and the slippery slope is not always a fallacy.

 

[graciew]

It isn t about being satisfied but understood…
If you are speaking yourself and your accent and you say “ americano “ you will be understood…
Now if you write “ americano” in a broader context, maybe not.
We have songs in our culture referring to our “ Hermano americano” ( American brothers) , and it means the Americas…
In the corporate context “ American” is clear. Then it is Latinamerica and the Americas to differentiate .
As somebody said, context matters. As is the written.
If you read “ norteamericano” you may wonder if it refers to Canadians as well. It doesn t where I live. So truly, we should write estadounidenses y canadienses.
Not that you will suffer any identity issue yourself

 

[Annie]

Oops, I did not recognize that as part of the rest

 

[Genesis315]

This is why they use the term “Estados Unidense” instead of “Americano”.

But then there would be confusion with those from los Estados Unidos Mexicanos (the official name of what we commonly call Mexico).

 

[Zach]

I was responding to the political correctness context of the article. The use of American was just one of several words the article said is to be avoided.