Can The Media Learn How To Pronounce...
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Why do most Americans refer to the whole of the island of Britain as "England" when there are two other countries (Wales and Scotland) that make up the whole island?
Even in films this happens, Johnny English (with Rowan Atkinson) is a prime example.
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For more on marking an answer as the "Best Answer", please visit our FAQ.They are, but they have the problem the other way around. They are from the Americas but they are not know as American, they are Canadian, Brazilian, Mexican, etc.
In the UK, we are all refered to as english despite the fact that england only takes up about half the land mass of the british isles. This would be like calling everyone from the west side of the atlantic ocean Canadian.....everyone being refered to one small part as opposed to the whole country.
I think the media are the biggest culprits, and they perpetuate the notion of Britain just being England, hence the perception. It's not just the USA that's guilty of this either; I think it's a worldwide thing, and have even heard it in Europe. It may be exacerbated by the fact we all speak English (although I'm sure those who speak Welsh and Gaelic would have something to say about that!).
Agree with you, Greenbhoy, on the point about Americans. Canadians, Mexicans, Brazilians, Argentinians, etc. would never describe themselves as American. Canadians hate being lumped in with the USA.
Being from the US and having spent several months in a couple of South American countries last year, I can tell you that many South Americans resent those of us from the US being referred to as the 'only' Americans. They feel they are Americans too, as well they are. I even would ask, "so what should we be called, United Statesians?" Their answer was, "North Americans".
Newt