"John Cisarik" wrote in message
news:dTlad.685809$Gx4.1741@bgtnsc04-news.ops.worldnet.att.net...
>
> "Tim923" wrote in message
> news:vkaim0tind9lhab33ckhcoti559091hsbh@4ax.com...
>> On Sun, 10 Oct 2004 03:15:08 GMT, "John Cisarik"
>> wrote:
>>
>>>You could say "soy norteamericano," to distinguish yourself from other
>>>"americanos" such as Mexicans, Hondurans, Colombians, Peruvians,
>>>Chileans,
>>>Argentines, and several other nationalities are also "americanos."
>>
>> Hmm. I think technically both Mexico and Central America are part of
>> the North American continent.
>>
>> But perhaps "norteamericano" refers to just the US and Canada in
>> common usage?
>>
>> -
>> http://mysite.verizon.net/vze8adrh/news.html (profile) --Tim923 My email
>> is valid.
>
> Yes, I was aware when I wrote my reply that Mexico, at least, is part of
> North America (where "Central America" begins depends on the source of the
> map), but I'm 90% certain that anytime I heard someone refer to
> "norteamericanos" in South America he or she was referring only to someone
> from the United States. I think that they would say canadiense for a
> Canadian.
>
> This is only my own experience, of course, based on some time in
> Argentina, with just a few days each in Chile and Brazil. That leaves out
> whole portions of the continent where the practice may be different.
Generally, a poor option is "americano" as it presumes the person will know
which of the two dozen or so American countries you are from. Best is
"norteamericano" which is well understood to be synonymous with persons of
the USA. "Estadounidense" is not as commonly used, and can be confused with
the United Mexican States or those of Brazil.
Worst possible is "soy gringo" as many use the term as a pejoritive, and it
may be considered as a rude attempt at humor or, even, an insult to Latinos.
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