Estadounidense vs. Norteamericano

viajero123 (☼Travelguide writer) says on Aug 21, 2009, 09:26:

kat1 (Moderator) (Trustee board) (☼Travelguide writer) says on Aug 21, 2009, 09:34:

august says on Aug 21, 2009, 09:55:

viajero, I don't know about "americanos" - that would not be an ideal word to use either - I'm pushing for "estadounidense." Tis true though that English sadly lacks an "estadounidense" equivalent.

kat1, Centro America is usually considered everything South of Mexico and North of Colombia. See: http://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/América_Central

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NiceMangos says on Aug 21, 2009, 10:01:

Mexico is Los estados unidos de Mexico, so by the same token they are estadounidenses. I like americanos, because the name has stuck. Sure it is not accurate, but everybody knows what you are talking about. They have called people from the USA ameicanos for years, it is going to be hard to change that.

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davidyamiga says on Aug 21, 2009, 10:25:

Let's see...USA is Estadounidense or Gringo or Norteamericano. People from Canada are called Canadienses. People from Mexico are called Mexicanos. No one is called Centro Americanos, but Salvadorenos, Guatemaltecos, Panamenos, Costariccenses, etc. People from Colombia are Colombianos. Venezuela, Venezolanos, etc. ALL ARE AMERICANOS.

Otra vez en casa...Cali!

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Simon says on Aug 21, 2009, 10:44:

"I though Mexican were Centro americanos, since when they became Norteamericanos?"

Mexico has always been part of North America. I've also noticed that in Colombia most think that North America can only mean the US and Canada, and since Mexico is a latin country, then they can't be grouped with them......that's just ignorance!

I did notice that the website for the Colombian Presidency did refer to Mexico as a 'North American' country during President Calderon's visit to Colombia last week. They're finally learning.

"Just an honest, decent Colombian trying to do the right thing."--Simon

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Simon says on Aug 21, 2009, 10:56:

Nice avatar Azunoman, I actually have that lapel pin.

"Just an honest, decent Colombian trying to do the right thing."--Simon

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Kaye says on Aug 21, 2009, 11:18:

According to the spanish Wikipedia and my Colombian fiance "South Americans" have learned that North America and South America are actually one continent, and they are only divided into subcontinents. But the way that Americans or Gringos have learned it is that North America and South America are two seperate continents...also when Wikipedia is translated into english it supports this thought.......so who is right?

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kat1 (Moderator) (Trustee board) (☼Travelguide writer) says on Aug 21, 2009, 12:34:

Desideria (Moderator) (Trustee board) says on Aug 21, 2009, 13:07:

I was taught something even weirder in school...that the northern part of Mexico is part of the the North American subcontinent while the southern Mexico is geologically and georaphically part of Central American subcontinent.

A fronte praecipitium a tergo lupi

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Bill Turley (Moderator) (Trustee board) (☼Travelguide writer) says on Aug 21, 2009, 13:10:

seth.depenning says on Aug 21, 2009, 13:15:

I have long since thought it ironic and hypocritical that some latinos criticize people from the United States for calling themselves "Americans" because the entire continent is America, and then turn around and refer to us instead as "North Americans" as if that were somehow correct! If one term is wrong, so is the other. To correct someone's incorrect use of a geographical term by suggesting they use another, also incorrect, term is simply ridiculous!

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el norteño (☼Travelguide writer) says on Aug 21, 2009, 16:05:

robbie1 says on Aug 21, 2009, 17:16:

IMO, calling somebody from the US "Norteamericano" would be the same as calling somebody from Germany "European". I fail to see what is irritating about it.

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utopiacowboy says on Aug 21, 2009, 19:08:

There are two continents, North America and South America. Residents of the USA are Americans. That's what we think and you can think what you want because as far as we're concerned, we're right!

Disclaimer: any comment I make is inane and is not to be taken seriously, and is so patently ridiculous that no one should take it seriously, even as an insult.

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Miguel says on Aug 21, 2009, 19:14:

According to DAS, I am "estadounidense"; according to my wife, I am "americano". They both agree I am a gringo.

"There is nothing lower than the human race...except for the French." - Mark Twain 1878-79

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ranaquajo (☼Travelguide writer) says on Aug 21, 2009, 19:26:

love2travel says on Aug 21, 2009, 19:58:

I hate it when I am traveling abroad and estadounidenses tell people that they are from America. I always say I am from the United States.

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briarblue says on Aug 21, 2009, 19:59:

Had a conversation with a Colombiano on an airplane from FLL to CTG a few months back about why I am an American. After I explained the reasoning, he shook my hand and agreed with me and said, yes, you are an Americano. No more notreamericano or estadounidense or some other nonsense.

I asked him what was he, and he said Colombiano. I asked who decides that you are called Colombiano, and he said he and other Colombianos decide what to call themselves. I then said that it works the same for us, we are Americans, we call ourselves Americans and who better to tell someone else who/what they are. You say you are Colombiano....who am I to tell you differently.

He left with a new appreciation. He had more respect for me than the other American in our 3-seat isle who keep squirming and contorting his face like he had to apologize for me for a lack of sensitivity to people from other countries. Hogwash with all that spineless nonsense. Dude made himself look silly in front of the Colombiano with all that mamby pamby apologetic crap.

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Simon says on Aug 21, 2009, 20:56:

It's too bad that Colombiano forgot to tell you why he's also an American....because he's from South America!

"Just an honest, decent Colombian trying to do the right thing."--Simon

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Shortiao says on Aug 21, 2009, 21:14:

I though Mexican were Centro americanos, since when they became Norteamericanos?

=============================

Mexicans are terrified of being classed as central americans. I worked with a mexican dude that used to get huffy when I called Mexico 'central amaerica'

To me...and to a lot of people North American is the US and Canada.

"cuando una persona toma otro pasaporte....pierde su identidad!" - Shortiao

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El Expatriado says on Aug 22, 2009, 03:46:

Of course I do, and I tell Colombianas and Latinos in general to"Get it Right" every time I hear it.

Somebody should educate La Prensa.

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El Expatriado says on Aug 22, 2009, 03:46:

Mexicans are norteamericanos , tambien.

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El Expatriado says on Aug 22, 2009, 03:49:

All US residents are "Yanquis". Best name. Even if their from Dixie.

Thats what evryone else calls em.

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turnmeon (☼Travelguide writer) says on Aug 22, 2009, 12:41:

MitchAlvarez says on Aug 23, 2009, 13:16:

ninguno de los dos: gringo aguevado mejor jajaj

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