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Post by Otaku on May 28, 2008 11:38:23 GMT 8
This is my most recent gripe with the textbooks that I was desensitized to when I came to Japan up until recently. Do you say 'America' or 'the U.S.'?
Back home in the states I always said 'the US', rarely did I say USA unless I was talking about the person's orgin in a competitive arena. However, I NEVER said 'America' because there are two of them. I feel the same when people say 'Africa' or 'Korea'.
Anybody else care to ring in on this?
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Post by jed on May 28, 2008 12:58:25 GMT 8
Yes, technically speaking, America is (of course) wrong. But many people (including me from time to time) use it, so .... ?? Yes, I have been on other teaching boards debating this and people had strong opinions on both sides
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Post by dickflem on May 28, 2008 14:04:38 GMT 8
I've had trouble with this also. I teach both. It's easy for Japanese students to say America because it's straight over from katakana. However, I also say America a lot because in English we use the term 'American(s)' to refer to people or thigs from your country. I understand that technically speaking this is incorrect but I don't think many native English speakers get confused when you refer to your country as America. The other countries refer to themselves by their own name, and if people wish to refer to the continent in general they usually add North or South. Do people in your country say, "I love the US" or "God bless the US"? I have a ridiculous time explaining I am from Northern Ireland, which is a country in it's own right, but consenus dictates I have to choose either British or Irish as my signifier of national identity. I guess in your classrooms you are the sole ambassador for your country, so do what you feel is right and natural. I trying to implement –kƒAƒCƒ‹ƒ‰ƒ“ƒhl@into the Japanese language. If it catches on in the cultural epicenter that is fish swamp city, then it will pervade the nation's consciousness in no time. I'm sure@
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yopparaisaru
Englipedia Fana
I drink copious amounts of fire and piss excellence
Posts: 312
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Post by yopparaisaru on May 29, 2008 12:45:06 GMT 8
In the states, I never referred to the states as America, just the US, or the states. But here I say America for everything. mostly because when i say I'm from the states, people look at me like I'm an alien (the green kind not the white guy in japan kind). But once i say America, I'm understood. Usually after the correcting myself to japanglish everyone 'suddenly' remembers that the states also means america...
For referring to the country specifically, as jed said its not correct. America is the name of the continent, not the country. Although, on the other hand Canada and Mexico are just second-hand states anyway so I mean maybe the continent and the country do deserve the same name. lol
Also Otaku, Where's the second Africa?
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Post by prncsfungi on May 30, 2008 11:38:07 GMT 8
Monkey...Africa the continent versus South Africa the country...baka For my 2 cents whatever its worth.. technically the term America in reference to the US is considered politically incorrect (as most things now are) and has been changed in all official texts. The proper terms now I beileve are the US, the USA, the states..yet American still for nationality..go figure. That is why for most of our parents generations they could say "God Bless America" etc..and though if you notice now its "bless the USA". Apparently the term America in reference to the US is offensive to those living in south and latin america who may also refer to themselves rightfully as Americans. I could care less wtih trying to keep up with every new political incorrectness that comes up but in the states I never or rarely referred to it as America though here thats what I always call it for the sake of being understood.
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Post by junkdna on May 30, 2008 12:57:14 GMT 8
There are two Americas??? I think you better check your head, there is only ONE AMERICA buddy, and it is RED, WHITE and BLUE, baby.
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