That’s like saying southern europeans are not european.
No it’s not like that at all, there’s no continent called “Southern Europe”.
Canada is in the american continent.
No it’s not. It’s in the North American continent. Canada uses the 7 continent model, which includes the North American and South American continents.
In Canada there is no continent just called “America”. So a Canadian calling themselves “American” makes no sense. They would either be Canadian referring to their country of origin, or North American referring to their continent of origin.
This is why the treaty that historically allowed free trade between Canada, the US, and Mexico was called NAFTA, or North American Free Trade Agreement, and not AFTA.
Having a “North America” implies there’s an “America”, it doesn’t come out of the blue. You didn’t start with a North America, you start with America and then divide it between north and south.
The singular America that you’re referring to that in fact did not come out of the blue was a man by the name of Amerigo Vespucci. He is credited with discovering what we now know as the two distinct continents of North America and South America, together referred to as “The Americas” (Plural) which were named after him.
If there’s no such thing as an “America”, then why have a northern america?
Because Amerigo “discovered” two continents. One is further north, the other south. Hence, North America, and South America. You’re also confusing terms. There’s a difference between “North America” and “Northern America”. Similar to how there is a big difference between “North Ireland” and “Northern Ireland”. These are not interchangeable terms.
Why is everyone reacting like I’m claiming Canada is part of the US?
They’re reacting like you’re claiming that the astronaut is “American”, which you are, and he isn’t. He’s North American, or Canadian. If you just say “American” then you’re referring to somebody from the United States, which he isn’t. You’re acting like the word “North” in “North American” can be dropped in this context without changing the meaning but you’re incorrect.
Because how can you not be a non-American if America doesn’t exist? Good day Sir!
Because “American” is the recognized demonym for the citizens of the country United States of America. It refers to the citizens of that country, not the continent it’s in.
I generally disagree with everything else you’re saying but something that hasn’t been called out is that The Indies was never used to refer to India, the country. In current day, there’s the West Indies, which are annoyingly next to North America. In the past, East Indies or ‘The Indies’ referred to the greater Indian peninsula, but not the country itself, and not West Indies. By using this example, you’ve highlighted a flaw in your argument that the term ‘America’ has to encapsulate North America and South America, as ‘The Indies’ doesn’t even encapsulate West Indies.
Looks like the most widely used Portuguese demonym is Americano/americana. Which would be “American” which is correct.
There’s also the term “Estadunidense”, which would be “United Statesian” in English, which obviously is not a term used in English at all, but it is accurate nonetheless. If you don’t like the term American and wanted to use this one instead, I don’t think anyone would mind.
North-American would be meaningless as a country’s demonym because there are 3 countries in North America and a number of other non-continental nations and territories. North-American refers to all of them, not a single country like the United States. Mexico, the USA, and Canada are all North American, but they’re not all citizens of the United States. It would be like using the demonym “European” to refer specifically to Portugal.
So as a non-non American, who have clearly never lived in North or South America, who obviously doesn’t understand how language works within the dozens of countries who exist within those two continents, think you have any authority to tell the people like me who actually live here how we are supposed to identify?
Your opinion is neither warranted nor necessary. It takes zero effort to keep your incorrect mouth shut.
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No it’s not like that at all, there’s no continent called “Southern Europe”.
No it’s not. It’s in the North American continent. Canada uses the 7 continent model, which includes the North American and South American continents.
In Canada there is no continent just called “America”. So a Canadian calling themselves “American” makes no sense. They would either be Canadian referring to their country of origin, or North American referring to their continent of origin.
This is why the treaty that historically allowed free trade between Canada, the US, and Mexico was called NAFTA, or North American Free Trade Agreement, and not AFTA.
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The singular America that you’re referring to that in fact did not come out of the blue was a man by the name of Amerigo Vespucci. He is credited with discovering what we now know as the two distinct continents of North America and South America, together referred to as “The Americas” (Plural) which were named after him.
Because Amerigo “discovered” two continents. One is further north, the other south. Hence, North America, and South America. You’re also confusing terms. There’s a difference between “North America” and “Northern America”. Similar to how there is a big difference between “North Ireland” and “Northern Ireland”. These are not interchangeable terms.
They’re reacting like you’re claiming that the astronaut is “American”, which you are, and he isn’t. He’s North American, or Canadian. If you just say “American” then you’re referring to somebody from the United States, which he isn’t. You’re acting like the word “North” in “North American” can be dropped in this context without changing the meaning but you’re incorrect.
Because “American” is the recognized demonym for the citizens of the country United States of America. It refers to the citizens of that country, not the continent it’s in.
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I generally disagree with everything else you’re saying but something that hasn’t been called out is that The Indies was never used to refer to India, the country. In current day, there’s the West Indies, which are annoyingly next to North America. In the past, East Indies or ‘The Indies’ referred to the greater Indian peninsula, but not the country itself, and not West Indies. By using this example, you’ve highlighted a flaw in your argument that the term ‘America’ has to encapsulate North America and South America, as ‘The Indies’ doesn’t even encapsulate West Indies.
This is a very funny demonstration of your lack understanding of the English language.
No, no it’s not lol. There are 23 countries and foreign territories in North America. North-American would refer to all of them.
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Looks like the most widely used Portuguese demonym is Americano/americana. Which would be “American” which is correct.
There’s also the term “Estadunidense”, which would be “United Statesian” in English, which obviously is not a term used in English at all, but it is accurate nonetheless. If you don’t like the term American and wanted to use this one instead, I don’t think anyone would mind.
North-American would be meaningless as a country’s demonym because there are 3 countries in North America and a number of other non-continental nations and territories. North-American refers to all of them, not a single country like the United States. Mexico, the USA, and Canada are all North American, but they’re not all citizens of the United States. It would be like using the demonym “European” to refer specifically to Portugal.
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So as a non-non American, who have clearly never lived in North or South America, who obviously doesn’t understand how language works within the dozens of countries who exist within those two continents, think you have any authority to tell the people like me who actually live here how we are supposed to identify?
Your opinion is neither warranted nor necessary. It takes zero effort to keep your incorrect mouth shut.