I’m an American. It’s right in the name of the country and there’s no other way to construct a country name in English that doesn’t sound awkward to the anglo ear (and thanks for clearing up that Anglo thing, Nava, I always thought it was funny that my black neighbors and my very Irish self could be called “Anglos!”
In a more “formal” setting, such as being quizzed by customs or filling out a form, I’d say I’m from the United States. I just sold an old Starlog on Ebay to a guy in Australia and my return address was The Bronx, New York, United States. But when I was staying at youth hostels in Europe and they’d ask where I was from, I’d say “America”.
And yes, we’re taught in American schools that there’s a North and South America (and a vaguely defined Central America that’s not a continent but culturally different) and that all together we make up the Americas. Heck, we even have an Avenue of the Americas in New York that for thirty years has had medallions commemorating all of our neighbors to the south (I don’t think Canada’s got one, I’ll check).
Interesting. Do Canadians think of themselves as being “North Americans”? I know technically they are, but I guess I just don’t think in terms of continents. I am from the US, but it would never occur to think of myself in terms of being a North American. “What part of North America do you come from?” would never occur to me as a question.
When I am away from here, I refer this country as “the states.” I might say “America” occasionally, but much less often.
Ordinarily the question doesn’t much arise. I suppose technically we think of ourselves as being North American, though we’re unlikely to describe ourselves as such. But Cunctator is just explaining his technique for avoiding ruffling the feathers of Canadians, some of whom are quick to take offense at being mistaken for Americans.
As a Brit, I would use “America” in conversation and “The States” or “The US” in writing, where more precision is needed. The people are always Merkins.
It occurs to me that a Canadian wouldn’t use “America” because, strictly speaking, they come from there too.
Canadians don’t use that term because we want to differentiate ourselves from our neighbours to the South. Not a nasty thing, just a “we have a culture too” thing. When you say “America” you think “US”.
When I hear a report discussing North America, of course I realize it may relate to Canada as well as the US, but I have never heard a Canadian call themselves a North American either.
Note to self: Do not carry on a conversation and post at the same time while suffering from pregnancy brain…
My theory on why Canadians call America “The States” is simply that “America” is flowery and poetic and grand and I don’t think people tend to refer to their neighbours that way here.
What I actually posted I was referring to North America / North Americans.
