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Can we have a rule that prevents using the word "American/s" to refer to Usonians? (lemmy.ml)

submitted 3 years ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

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I understand some people may not even realize it's a word that puts yankees before all the rest of America, or that English didn't have a better word like Spanish (Estadounidense) and other languages do, but I feel that since this is a pretty big community and one where the word will be out there a lot could be an opportunity to help spread a better word that does not minimizes a lot of oppressed people.

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[–] Dhrun 1 points 1 year ago (3 children)

You might want to explain a bit more. UK here and I have no clue what your referring to.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago

I believe they are referring to the fact America is inclusive of the entire north and south continent, not just the United States.

[–] GalaxyGamer 1 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

They are saying that the people residing in the USA should not be called americans because americans are not the only people in north and south america

[–] [email protected] 0 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (1 children)

I make a concerted effort to use the full country's name (well, the initialism of its full name): USA. It's not "US", because there are many countries that use the words united states in their name (including the USA's southern neighbor, United Mexican States). It's also not "America", because every country in either of the NA or SA continents are "American".

It seems banal, and making a scene over it is not useful, but it does matter in principle. It's the same reason I try to use PRC instead of China (when the simple act of doing so would not invite antagonism), and DPRK instead of North Korea.

Edit to add: "Usonian" is a term to refer to people from the USA. (It's not the only term, there are several that get used)

[–] [email protected] 0 points 1 year ago

I don't think it's a scene, though, it is a bit annoying to not be able to be called what you are.

Also it leads to disgusting things such as Gambino's song saying "this is America" where in fact is not, I am not that. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GK87AKIPyZY This song talks about this, English auto generated subtitles are pretty accurate.