Well, everybody born in the american continent is technically “american” too, including Central and South America. Is there a specific term in english for these people?

Edit: Thanks for all your answers, especially the wholesome ones and those patient enough to explain it thoroughly. Since we (South Americans) and you (North Americans) use different models/conventions of continent boundaries, it makes sense for you to go by “Americans”, while it doesn’t for us.

  • valveman@lemmy.eco.brOP
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    1 year ago

    In the English-speaking world, there is no American continent.

    I didn’t know that, thanks.

    Nobody should tell a people what they are allowed to call themselves in their own language

    Look man, I’m not american and I didn’t ask the question to create some debate about the ethics or whatsoever. I just wanted to know if there was a specific word for that.

    • milicent_bystandr@lemm.ee
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      1 year ago

      In the English-speaking world, there is no American continent.

      I didn’t know that, thanks.

      Eh, I agree common and mostly unambiguous usage is that ‘America’ refers to USA, but even in English it feels incongruous sometimes.

      • Uncle_Bagel@midwest.social
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        1 year ago

        Plenty of cultures use the term “English” or some variation thereof to refer to the United Kingdom despite England only being 1/4th of the member states of the UK. I find the whole “Mexicans and Canadians are technically Americans” to reek of manifest destiny.

        • milicent_bystandr@lemm.ee
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          1 year ago

          use the term “English” or some variation thereof to refer to the United Kingdom

          I understand the Scots aren’t always best pleased at this, though I’m sure they’re too polite to say so.

    • kirklennon@kbin.social
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      1 year ago

      Just to be clear, I didn’t think that you were being offensive. It came across entirely as a good faith question from a foreigner, but it ties into (ironically arrogant) advocacy from some foreigners who call Americans arrogant for using the term American.