Yes, even though I'm Canadian, I am indeed an American, along with Mexicans, Guatemalans, Brazilians, Chileans, et al!
;D
Oui.
Lies.
Discuss.
I'm a proud member of the United Provinces of America! 0:)
Quote from: ChamberNut on August 05, 2009, 10:22:10 AM
Yes, even though I'm Canadian, I am indeed an American, along with Mexicans, Guatemalans, Brazilians, Chileans, et al!
;D
Good point. I try to use USA if that is what I mean.
Mike
Quote from: ChamberNut on August 05, 2009, 10:24:15 AM
I'm a proud member of the United Provinces of America! 0:)
. . . in order to form a more northerly union . . . .
I always thought it was strange, the term "American".
An American, a Japanese and a Canadian were sitting naked in a sauna when suddenly there was a beeping sound. The American pressed his forearm, and the beep stopped. The others looked at him questioningly. "That was my pager he said. "I have a microchip under the skin of my arm."
A few minutes later a phone rang. The Japanese fellow lifted his palm to his ear. When he finished he explained "That was my mobile phone, I have a microchip in my hand."
The Canadian felt decidedly low-tech, but not to be outdone, he decided he had to do something just as impressive. He stepped out of the sauna and went to the toilet. He returned with a piece of toilet paper hanging from his butt. The others raised their eyebrows and stared at him. The Canadian finally said "Well, will you look at that! I'm getting a fax."
Ray, you must be proud to be an American, where at least you know you're free.
Quote from: MN Dave on August 05, 2009, 10:26:50 AM
An American, a Japanese and a Canadian were sitting naked in a sauna when suddenly there was a beeping sound. The American pressed his forearm, and the beep stopped. The others looked at him questioningly. "That was my pager he said. "I have a microchip under the skin of my arm."
A few minutes later a phone rang. The Japanese fellow lifted his palm to his ear. When he finished he explained "That was my mobile phone, I have a microchip in my hand."
The Canadian felt decidedly low-tech, but not to be outdone, he decided he had to do something just as impressive. He stepped out of the sauna and went to the toilet. He returned with a piece of toilet paper hanging from his butt. The others raised their eyebrows and stared at him. The Canadian finally said "Well, will you look at that! I'm getting a fax."
;D
That's a good one!
I love Canadians. Very pleasant folks, I find.
Quote from: ChamberNut on August 05, 2009, 10:32:21 AM
;D
That's a good one!
Beauty, eh! :D
We're proud to have you, and the Mexicans too.
¡Todos estamos norteamericanos! ;)
8)
¡Es verdad, amigo!
Quote from: MN Dave on August 05, 2009, 10:26:50 AM
An American, a Japanese and a Canadian were sitting naked in a sauna when suddenly there was a beeping sound. The American pressed his forearm, and the beep stopped. The others looked at him questioningly. "That was my pager he said. "I have a microchip under the skin of my arm."
A few minutes later a phone rang. The Japanese fellow lifted his palm to his ear. When he finished he explained "That was my mobile phone, I have a microchip in my hand."
The Canadian felt decidedly low-tech, but not to be outdone, he decided he had to do something just as impressive. He stepped out of the sauna and went to the toilet. He returned with a piece of toilet paper hanging from his butt. The others raised their eyebrows and stared at him. The Canadian finally said "Well, will you look at that! I'm getting a fax."
Its not a proper Canadian joke unless you manage to insert a reference to their arcane and incomprehensible accent.
Some would claim it isn't a proper Canadian joke without any reference to hockey.
In Canada, we usually go with the 'Polish' for the butt end of those jokes, Dave. ;D
Quote from: ChamberNut on August 05, 2009, 12:14:55 PM
In Canada, we usually go with the 'Polish' for the butt end of those jokes, Dave. ;D
You're in America now. $:)
Quote from: Gurn Blanston on August 05, 2009, 10:39:13 AM
Beauty, eh! :D
We're proud to have you, and the Mexicans too. ¡Todos estamos norteamericanos! ;)
8)
"Somos", my dear, somos, no "estamos". Ser= to be; estar= to stay, to stand.
Quote from: k a rl h e nn i ng on August 05, 2009, 12:13:52 PM
Some would claim it isn't a proper Canadian joke without any reference to curling.
Fixed. ;)
Quote from: DFO on August 05, 2009, 12:28:17 PM
"Somos", my dear, somos, no "estamos". Ser= to be; estar= to stay, to stand.
Gracias.
In Mexico (where I learned my meager Spanish), Ser y Estar both mean "to be". Ser is a permanent condition, estar is a temporary condition. You are totally correct that I should have used the "we" form of ser (somos). But I have never seen 'estar' used in the way you show here, Carlos. For example:
Estoy bien - I am well, a temporary condition.
Soy un Tejano - I am a Texan - An unchangeable condition, since no matter if I go elsewhere, I will still be a Texan.
I am not arguing that you aren't correct, I am just confused... :-\
8)
Quote from: Gurn Blanston on August 05, 2009, 12:57:02 PM
I am a Texan - An unchangeable condition,
Si claro, my sympathies. :'(
>:D
Quote from: Gurn Blanston on August 05, 2009, 12:57:02 PM
Soy un Tejano - I am a Texan - An unchangeable condition, since no matter if I go elsewhere, I will still be a Texan.
8)
Wave that flag, wave it wide and high.
Summertime done, come and gone, my, oh, my. 0:)
(http://www.elcivics.com/state-lessons/images/texas-usa-flags-flying.jpg)
Quote from: Gurn Blanston on August 05, 2009, 12:57:02 PM
Soy un Tejano - I am a Texan - An unchangeable condition, since no matter if I go elsewhere, I will still be a Texan.
8)
I'm not a Texan, but I got here as fast as I could!
Quote from: DavidW on August 05, 2009, 01:02:41 PM
Si claro, my sympathies. :'(
>:D
:P
Quote from: Brian on August 05, 2009, 01:25:39 PM
I'm not a Texan, but I got here as fast as I could!
A wise man. :)
Quote from: drogulus on August 05, 2009, 01:20:46 PM
Wave that flag, wave it wide and high.
Summertime done, come and gone, my, oh, my.
0:)
(http://www.elcivics.com/state-lessons/images/texas-usa-flags-flying.jpg)
Lovely picture!
8)
You just might consider thanking your lucky stars that you're in Texas! ;)
Quote from: k a rl h e nn i ng on August 06, 2009, 04:37:00 AM
You just might consider thanking your lucky stars that you're in Texas! ;)
Every day, my friend, every day. :)
8)
Oh sing with me-- she's the sweetest rose of color this soldier ever knew, her eyes are bright as diamond, they sparkle like the dew... 8)
Quote from: DavidW on August 06, 2009, 04:42:11 AM
Oh sing with me-- she's the sweetest rose of color this soldier ever knew, her eyes are bright as diamond, they sparkle like the dew... 8)
...you can talk about your Clementine
or sing of Rosalee
but the Yellow Rose of Texas is the only girl for me!
8)
I keep reading this as "I'm an American tool!"
Quote from: MN Dave on August 06, 2009, 05:11:58 AM
I keep reading this as "I'm an American tool!"
I need more. Nothing seems to satisfy. I don't want it. I just need it. To feel, to breathe, to know I'm alive. ;D
Ok, I will come stick pins in you. That will make you feel alive.
Mike
Somehow as soon as we come out of the womb we always associate life with pain... ;D
Life is suffering. Duh.
I'm an American tool; I'm comin' to your town. I'll help you party down.
(http://z.about.com/d/bestsellers/1/0/O/3/-/-/I_Am_America.jpg)
If his title is anything to go by; I cannot imagine wading through the ingorant contents. Is it a mickey-take?
Mike
Quote from: knight on August 06, 2009, 06:30:49 AM
If his title is anything to go by; I cannot imagine wading through the ingorant contents. Is it a mickey-take?
Mike
If I understand your UK jargon, yes, yes it is.
I am very relieved for you Dave.
Mike
Dave, how the heck did you understand jive talking Mike? ;D
I have been providing behind-the-scenes lessons at a very rerasonable price.
Dave, remember, AND the house contents.
Mike
David,
You have to humor him.
Quote from: MN Dave on August 06, 2009, 06:44:13 AM
David,
You have to humor him.
I may add that to my strap line.
You better believe it.
Mike
Quote from: MN Dave on August 06, 2009, 06:50:37 AM
VICTORY FOR ME!
'The time for self glorification is coming to a close.'
On whom did I recently use that line?
Mike
Edit, to get it right
Quote from: knight on August 06, 2009, 06:54:53 AM
'Your time for self glorification will shortly come to an end.'
On whom did I recently use that line?
Mike
You have me down as New Mexico Dave. >:(
Quote from: ChamberNut on August 05, 2009, 10:25:19 AM
I always thought it was strange, the term "American".
Why?
Sarge
I can harly type anything correctly; flagging now, even with the two liners!
I will change it.
Mike
Quote from: knight on August 06, 2009, 06:59:37 AM
I can harly type anything correctly; flagging now, even with the two liners!
I will change it.
Mike
0:)
You're either an Ameri-can or an Ameri-can't. Which is it? ;D
Quote from: The Firesign Theatre♫ God bless Vespucci Land . . . .
Quote from: DavidW on August 06, 2009, 07:00:54 AM
You're either an Ameri-can or an Ameri-can't. Which is it? ;D
Neither thanks.
Mike
Quote from: Sergeant Rock on August 06, 2009, 06:58:26 AM
Why?
Sarge
Because, you have two continents, North and South America, that cover all countries including all the countries that are a part of Central America. So, we (everyone that lives in both continents) are by definition "Americans". Yet, the USA is the only country that calls themself "Americans", exclusively.
Quote from: ChamberNut on August 06, 2009, 09:42:02 AM
Because, you have two continents, North and South America, that cover all countries including all the countries that are a part of Central America. So, we (everyone that lives in both continents) are by definition "Americans". Yet, the USA is the only country that calls themself "Americans", exclusively.
We are the United States of AMERICA.
Quote from: MN Dave on August 06, 2009, 09:44:19 AM
We are the United States of AMERICA.
OK, fine. You have to admit that it is arrogant to just consider yourselves as American. We (Canada) could just as easily be called the United Provinces of America, and call ourselves exclusively as American.
Quote from: ChamberNut on August 06, 2009, 09:50:09 AM
We (Canada) could just as easily be called the United Provinces of America, and call ourselves exclusively as American.
Too late. ;D
Quote from: Gurn Blanston on August 05, 2009, 12:57:02 PM
Gracias.
In Mexico (where I learned my meager Spanish), Ser y Estar both mean "to be". Ser is a permanent condition, estar is a temporary condition. You are totally correct that I should have used the "we" form of ser (somos). But I have never seen 'estar' used in the way you show here, Carlos. For example:
Estoy bien - I am well, a temporary condition.
Soy un Tejano - I am a Texan - An unchangeable condition, since no matter if I go elsewhere, I will still be a Texan.
I am not arguing that you aren't correct, I am just confused... :-\
8)
In fact, both are correct. The etymological origin of "estar" is the one Carlos said, and thus, as it is to "stand", it couldn't be but transitory. But in every part where Spanish is spoken, the duality ser/estar exists. For foreign people it can be quite a trouble, but I find it very accurate and sometimes, very useful.
Quote from: ChamberNut on August 06, 2009, 09:42:02 AM
Because, you have two continents, North and South America, that cover all countries including all the countries that are a part of Central America. So, we (everyone that lives in both continents) are by definition "Americans". Yet, the USA is the only country that calls themself "Americans", exclusively.
Well, that's the problem for people from the USA, with such a long and descriptive official country name. Our Literature Nobel Prize 1945, the Chilean Gabriela Mistral, wrote that "en país sin nombre voy a morir" (I shall die in a country without name). And she died in New York in 1957.
I had an English acquaintance who thought that the name "South America" had its origin in the fact that there was an original America (the USA) and all the countries to the south of it were called "South America". She clearly ignored the notion of continent applied to this Western Hemisphere. (And, what was even more remarkable, is that even though I told her that following her theory the only country that would be in "North America" would be Canada, she insisted in her theory!)
Anyway, we Chileans are "the southernmost America". ;)
USA, it's not too late to change your name....Burma did it! ;D
What could be an alternative name for your country? 8)
Quote from: Gurn Blanston on August 05, 2009, 12:57:02 PM
Soy un Tejano
¿Eres tejano? Tejas es una hermosa nación.
;D
Quote from: ChamberNut on August 06, 2009, 09:57:44 AM
USA, it's not too late to change your name....Burma did it! ;D
What could be an alternative name for your country? 8)
Fred
Quote from: ChamberNut on August 06, 2009, 09:57:44 AM
What could be an alternative name for your country? 8)
Graceland? ;D
I'm all shook up. :)
Quote from: k a rl h e nn i ng on August 06, 2009, 04:37:00 AM
You just might consider thanking your lucky stars that you're in Texas! ;)
The stars at night are big and bright!
Quote from: Harpo on August 09, 2009, 10:51:09 AM
The stars at night are big and bright!
Deep in the heart of Texas!! :)
Quote from: ChamberNut on August 06, 2009, 09:42:02 AM
Yet, the USA is the only country that calls themself "Americans", exclusively.
What?? What people call themselves and what other people call them is not subject to a rule of fairness, or any other rule I can think of other than custom. Another thing: Canadians call us American, too. Mexicans call us "North Americans" which isn't better, is it? It's best not to see custom as logical and orderly about names. Any way, names are only good for picking out what's named. If I call you
Lord Sir ChamberNut because that's what you call yourself the International Naming Commission will not arrest us. For diplomatic and commercial reasons names do take on a formal role (see "Democratic Kampuchia"). I prefer informal naming like "rotten Belgian bastards" or "Yanks".
Quote from: drogulus on August 10, 2009, 07:06:47 AM
Mexicans call us "North Americans" which isn't better, is it?
Isn't Mexico part of North America? Or am I missing something here? 8)
Quote from: ChamberNut on August 06, 2009, 09:42:02 AM
Because, you have two continents, North and South America, that cover all countries including all the countries that are a part of Central America. So, we (everyone that lives in both continents) are by definition "Americans". Yet, the USA is the only country that calls themself "Americans", exclusively.
No, you (Canadians or Bolivians) are not Americans. You (as a Canadian) are a North American (like a German calling himself a European because he lives on the continent of Europe, North America is the continent you belong to...
not America...there's no such continent called America).
We Americans are called Americans because that's the name of our country. I suppose we could call ourselves Statian or Unitian but we prefer American. It has nothing to do with arrogance or an attempt to marginalize the other countries that share the continent.
Sarge
Quote from: Sergeant Rock on August 10, 2009, 07:28:34 AM
We Americans are called Americans because that's the name of our country.
I had always thought you were a German, Sarge. :) You currently live in Germany, am I right?
Quote from: opus106 on August 10, 2009, 07:38:04 AM
I had always thought you were a German, Sarge. :) You currently live in Germany, am I right?
I am an American although my roots are thoroughly Kraut ;D My father's ancestors came to America in 1743 (from the Saarland); my mother's parents in 1930 (from Magdeburg/Hildesheim). My mother was born in America...just (DOB 1931)
I enlisted in the army in 1969 and had my first tour of Germany in 1973-77. I met and married Mrs. Rock then. I had two more tours of Gemany (1980-83 and 84-87). When I retired in 1991, we decided to settle permanently in Germany. I've retained my American citizenship and Mrs. Rock never gave up her German
Ausweis.
Sarge
Quote from: Sergeant Rock on August 10, 2009, 07:52:14 AM
I am an American although my roots are thoroughly Kraut ;D My father's ancestors came to America in 1743 (from the Saarland); my mother's parents in 1930 (from Magdeburg/Hildesheim). My mother was born in America...just (DOB 1931)
I enlisted in the army in 1969 and had my first tour of Germany in 1973-77. I met and married Mrs. Rock then. I had two more tours of Gemany (1980-83 and 84-87). When I retired in 1991, we decided to settle permanently in Germany. I've retained my American citizenship and Mrs. Rock never gave up her German Ausweis.
Sarge
Ah. Thanks for sharing. :)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SW-KDP2OeU0
Quote from: MN Dave on August 10, 2009, 08:45:15 AM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SW-KDP2OeU0
(http://photos.imageevent.com/sgtrock/ngmg/bUTTHEAD.gif)
Sarge
Quote from: k a rl h e nn i ng on August 10, 2009, 07:18:08 AM
Isn't Mexico part of North America? Or am I missing something here? 8)
You're missing the part where the Mexicans call
us "North Americans". See, it isn't better. If I adopted
ChamberNut's idea I'd have to say "why are they calling us North Americans when they are North Americans, too?" These things don't have to make sense and it doesn't bother me that they don't. It never really bothered me that Ernie was my middle name, either. Ernie still worked, and I refuse to get upset that
"American" has the pragmatic meaning
"USian".
Quote from: Sergeant Rock on August 10, 2009, 07:28:34 AM
No, you (Canadians or Bolivians) are not Americans. You (as a Canadian) are a North American (like a German calling himself a European because he lives on the continent of Europe, North America is the continent you belong to...not America...there's no such continent called America).
I won't mess with you guys' language, but I just wanted to clarify that practically any Spanish speaker will tell you that
América is a continent.
Norteamérica, Centroamérica and
Sudamérica (or some variation thereof) being subcontinents, regions, whatever. The thing is, I am an
americano,
sudamericano,
boliviano and many other things.
Oh, and no one calls the USA
América, but
Estados Unidos. And its people are
gringos. 0:)
Quote from: ChamberNut on August 05, 2009, 10:22:10 AM
Yes, even though I'm Canadian, I am indeed an American, along with Mexicans, Guatemalans, Brazilians, Chileans, et al!
Hawaiians are not Americans.
Therefore they are
un-American.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Nuke 'em!
Quote from: eyeresist on August 10, 2009, 11:04:32 PM
Hawaiians are not Americans.
Therefore they are un-American.
.
.
.
.
.Nuke 'em!
Very funny,
gringo(Maybe it's just me, but I keep thinking it says "I'm an American tool"
Quote from: eyeresist on August 10, 2009, 11:04:32 PM
Hawaiians are not Americans.
Therefore they are un-American.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Nuke 'em!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PGO42gvCSPI
;D
Quote from: tanuki on August 10, 2009, 06:58:32 PM
I won't mess with you guys' language, but I just wanted to clarify that practically any Spanish speaker will tell you that América is a continent. Norteamérica, Centroamérica and Sudamérica (or some variation thereof) being subcontinents, regions, whatever. The thing is, I am an americano, sudamericano, boliviano and many other things.
So the Spanish world only recognizes
six continents, not seven? :o That's interesting if true.
Quote from: tanuki on August 10, 2009, 06:58:32 PM
Oh, and no one calls the USA América, but Estados Unidos. And its people are gringos. 0:)
;D :D ;D
But seriously, what do the Spanish call a person who is a citizen of the USA? What do they call a Canadian? Germans calls us
Amerikaner, and we are from America (
aus Amerika). Canadians or Bolivians are never called
Amerikaner by Germans.
Sarge
Quote from: Sergeant Rock on August 11, 2009, 06:48:21 AM
So the Spanish world only recognizes six continents, not seven? :o That's interesting if true.
Five; similarly, there is no distinction between Asia and Europe, the latter is simply the westernmost peninsula of the former ;)
We are all Pangaeans.
Quote from: k a rl h e nn i ng on August 11, 2009, 07:21:46 AM
Five; similarly, there is no distinction between Asia and Europe, the latter is simply the westernmost peninsula of the former ;)
Really? So, the continent of Europe includes Beijing and Hanoi! How interesting. The Tibetans are Europeans too! What is the continent called in Spanish?
Sarge
Quote from: Sergeant Rock on August 11, 2009, 07:38:34 AM
The Tibetans are Europeans too!
No, actually the Finnish are Asians.
Are the Britsies Europeans? And what about Bavaria? ;)
Quote from: Wurstwasser on August 11, 2009, 07:46:38 AM
Are the Britsies Europeans?
They are but they refuse to participate ;D
Quote from: Wurstwasser on August 11, 2009, 07:46:38 AM
And what about Bavaria? ;)
Well, Mrs. Rock won't recognize them but I'm not sure that's the official position on the matter.
Sarge
Can you call a Scot a Brit as well as the English or Welsh?
Quote from: k a rl h e nn i ng on August 11, 2009, 07:21:46 AM
Five; similarly, there is no distinction between Asia and Europe, the latter is simply the westernmost peninsula of the former ;)
Why stop there? Africa is its southwestern peninsula.
Well, at least we can agree that 99% of us are Earthlings, right? ;D
Quote from: ChamberNut on August 11, 2009, 08:12:52 AM
Well, at least we can agree that 99% of us are Earthlings, right? ;D
I think the percentage is closer to 90%...but I won't argue with you on this point.
Sarge
Quote from: ChamberNut on August 11, 2009, 08:06:41 AM
Can you call a Scot a Brit as well as the English or Welsh?
Yes. Some of them even won't mind it.
Now call a Scot English (as happens to me on a regular basis still) and it's a different matter.
Interesting Scottish habit: if we meet someone with a North American accent (trust me, we can't distinguish between a Canuck and a Texan) and we like them, we ask "Are you Canadian?"
Quote from: edward on August 11, 2009, 08:57:52 AM
Interesting Scottish habit: if we meet someone with a North American accent (trust me, we can't distinguish between a Canuck and a Texan) and we like them, we ask "Are you Canadian?"
What if you don't like them? :D
Quote from: ChamberNut on August 11, 2009, 08:59:10 AM
What if you don't like them? :D
Then we wander off and get drunk.
Quote from: edward on August 11, 2009, 08:57:52 AM
Interesting Scottish habit: if we meet someone with a North American accent (trust me, we can't distinguish between a Canuck and a Texan) and we like them, we ask "Are you Canadian?"
Which reminds me of the fact that in some parts of the world saying you are Canadian will bring a smile; admitting you're an American will get your head bashed in. I recall a time, even in Europe, where many young American tourists thought it wise to display a maple leaf on their backpacks.
So, Mr. Nut, why would you ever want to call yourself an American? ;D
Sarge
Quote from: Sergeant Rock on August 11, 2009, 09:12:04 AM
Which reminds me of the fact that in some parts of the world saying you are Canadian will bring a smile; admitting you're an American will get your head bashed in. I recall a time, even in Europe, where many young American tourists thought it wise to display a maple leaf on their backpacks.
So, Mr. Nut, why would you ever want to call yourself an American? ;D
Sarge
I've heard of this too, Sarge.
I just want to have the
option of calling myself an American, but would always want to be Canadian. ;D
Quote from: Sergeant Rock on August 11, 2009, 09:12:04 AM
Which reminds me of the fact that in some parts of the world saying you are Canadian will bring a smile; admitting you're an American will get your head bashed in. I recall a time, even in Europe, where many young American tourists thought it wise to display a maple leaf on their backpacks.
Yes, this is one of the things that really bugs me about Europe. It often seems to me that the problem between Europeans and Americans is that they think they understand each other, but in fact have no clue.
As it happens, I think (and my wife, who's American, agrees) Scots and Americans actually have a lot more in common than Scots and Canadians. They just don't realize it unless they've lived in each other's countries for a bit.
Quote from: edward on August 11, 2009, 09:26:47 AM
As it happens, I think (and my wife, who's American, agrees) Scots and Americans actually have a lot more in common than Scots and Canadians.
This I am surprised to hear. Considering that Eastern Canada has a considerable amount of Scottish descendants and heritage.
Quote from: ChamberNut on August 11, 2009, 09:29:39 AM
This I am surprised to hear. Considering that Eastern Canada has a considerable amount of Scottish descendants and heritage.
Yes, and most Scottish families have at least one relative in Canada (and the relative in Canada is one of the most common
dei ex machina in Scottish fiction).
I think Scots and Americans just share something of the same attitude to life; we're "pushy" in the same way and we sometimes find it hard to deal with the more relaxed Canadian manner. Work hard, play hard, or something. :)
Quote from: O Mensch on August 11, 2009, 08:08:16 AMWhy stop there? Africa is its southwestern peninsula.
Absolutely. We shouldn't discriminate against our thousands of Tanzanian GMG readers.
Quote from: Sergeant Rock on August 11, 2009, 08:26:29 AM
I think the percentage is closer to 90%...but I won't argue with you on this point.
'Fess up,
Sarge: you got that figure from Newman ;D
Quote from: O Mensch on August 11, 2009, 08:08:16 AM
Why stop there? Africa is its southwestern peninsula.
Less detached from Eurasia than the two American continents are, one from another.
Quote from: k a rl h e nn i ng on August 12, 2009, 04:47:49 AM
'Fess up, Sarge: you got that figure from Newman ;D
He was damned persuasive.
Sarge
Quote from: Sergeant Rock on August 11, 2009, 06:48:21 AM
So the Spanish world only recognizes six continents, not seven?
Well, there are actually six
geographical continents: Eurasia, Africa, North America, South America, Antarctica, and Australia.
However, I quote Wikipedia on this Europe/Asia issue:
QuoteThe division of the landmass of Eurasia into the continents of Asia and Europe is an anomaly, as no sea separates them. An alternative view, that Eurasia is a single continent, results in a six-continent view of the world. This view is held by some geographers and is preferred in Russia (which spans Asia and Europe), East European countries and Japan. The separation of Eurasia into Europe and Asia is viewed by some as a residue of Eurocentrism: "In physical, cultural and historical diversity, China and India are comparable to the entire European landmass, not to a single European country. A better (if still imperfect) analogy would compare France, not to India as a whole, but to a single Indian state, such as Uttar Pradesh." However, for historical and cultural reasons, the view of Europe as a separate continent continues in several categorizations.
So, as you see, the reasons are less tangible than just geography. ::)
Quote from: Sergeant Rock on August 11, 2009, 06:48:21 AM
But seriously, what do the Spanish call a person who is a citizen of the USA? What do they call a Canadian? Germans calls us Amerikaner, and we are from America (aus Amerika). Canadians or Bolivians are never called Amerikaner by Germans.
In Russia, as well as in Germany, America and Americans always refer to the USA and its citizens respectively. And citizens of Mexico, Canada, Bolivia are called with respect to their home countries: Canadians, Bolivians, Mexicans.
But again, the West messed things up :P quoting Wiki again:
QuoteWhether usage of America or the Americas is preferred, American is a self-referential term for many people living in the Americas. However, much of the English-speaking world uses the word to refer solely to a citizen, resident, or national of the United States of America. Instead, the word pan-American is sometimes used as an unambiguous adjective to refer to the Americas.
can we call the inhabitants of New Guinea and the Solomon Islands Australians?
Quote from: bwv 1080 on August 14, 2009, 06:09:30 AM
can we call the inhabitants of New Guinea and the Solomon Islands Australians?
Don't forget the Kiwis.
Quote from: O Mensch on August 14, 2009, 10:28:42 AM
Don't forget the Kiwis.
well they ain't part of continental Australia
they are their own continent
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zealandia_(continent) (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zealandia_(continent))