If a Brazilian or Mexican who has never been to US says " I am American ". Is it right or wrong ?

Jim C

They're not technically wrong, just misleading. Although you are correct, it's commonly understood by people that "American" means from the United States. And the purpose of communication is to communicate.

badneighborvt

you are right. But they are not a United States Citizen...

Just like someone from spain can say they are European, but they are not French..

They are Brazilians and Mexicans! American is used as a term for the people of the United States of America. Canadians are Canadians, yet they reside on the American continent.

JackCar

A Brazilian would never say "I'm American" They are too proud of their own country - and people there know the that "American" refers to those from the USA. (speaking with experience)

" The All Seeing Eye "

If your at the border wanting in I'd say your wrong!Otherwise I'd say whatever floats your boat.

STIFLE YOURSELF LIBS 3

They are either Brazilian or Mexican.They can call themselves Martians if they want,as long as they don't come to the U.S.A illegally.

strike_eagle29

they can say anything they want. the question is can they prove it. they are south American. when you say you're American the world will automatically equivocate it with being from America ( USA ).

seein butts

they are right. but everywhere in the world americans are refered to citizens of the united states. if a mexican or brazilian go to europe or any other continent and they claim to be americans people would just respond them with no you are not american you are mexican or brazilian.

ajkoolkats mexico is not a central american country. mexico is in north america.

ajkoolkats

There are three divisions of America-North, Central and South.
Being a Mexican they are Central Americans. Being a Brazilian is a South American. They certainly may call themselves an
American.

tom

No, they should call themselves Mexicans or Brazillians!! They are not true Americans!! That term goes to citizens of the United States of America

king Ebanks of USA

look like someone fail geography class
people from Brazil are call "fill in the blanket here"
people from Mexico are call "fill in the blanket here"

They will never say it. They are proud to be Brazillian and Mexican.

PS: I did not mean it offensively! I am just saying that yes, while technically thay are from the Americas, they will prefer to be know as Brazillians and Mexicans.

DAR

The United States of Mexico is Mexico and the United States of America is 'America'.

There is no continent 'America', there is 'North America' And 'South America' and generically there is a region known as 'Latin America'.

However, they can call themselves Napolean for all I care. It doesn't buy them rights in this country, though.

CCC

Canadians call themselves north americans too. we all are because we all live in north america, central america and south america. sadly another young person who flunked geography or you would have never asked this. get out and get to know the rest of the world.

KENSINGTON

W-R-O-N-G!

mark j

Answer me this, what Brazilian or Mexican do you know that would say "I'm an American"? Probably not one. If a Brazilian or mexican was traveling abroad and said they were American on their passports, they are gonna run into a whole lot of problems. When someone says they are American, what country is the first to pop into your mind. USA!!! This is how it has always been. Every country on the planet refers to us as Americans, just like every country in the world refers to people from Mexico as Mexicans, people from Brazil as Brazilians, Canada as Canadians, etc. I'm not understanding your point. Don't tell me we should be referred to as United Statesians, because if so, then Mexicans should be referred to United Statesians form the United States of Mexico. Or United Statesians from the United States of Brazil. Get my drift, that's old news and will never fly over. Get over it already. We are Americans from the country of USA, you don't like it, then leave, nobody is stopping you, not even border patrol.

cool.panamania

Technically they are right. Geographically speaking,Mexico is located in North America and Brazil is located in South America.Therefore, they are Americans also.

MMM

Brazil and Mexico are both part of this hemisphere's continents which are collectively called the Americas (North and South). As a non-judgemental United States citizen, I have no problem with any citizens on our continents calling themselves "Americans." That includes Canadians, Panamanians, Uraguayans, Chilians, etc. Europe and Africa, for example, both contain a multitude of countries, yet the French, German, and Spanish are all "Europeans" and South Africans, Nigerians, and Ethiopians are all "Africans."

Good question.

Alan S

America spans from Canada to Chili. It's sub-divided into North America, Central America and South America. Even Hugo Chavez is an American (the guy that correctly ID'd GWB as the devil).

Carpanone Kid

For your information, people in the US consider North America and South America as two separate continents, we don't consider Oceana as a separate continent. However to your question, yes they would be accurate, as long as they were not using it in the context that is commonly used in the United States. It drives one nuts, but that is the way it is here in the US. There is no term for a citizen of the United States, other than American that I know of in the US. It is unfortunate and is a big one to tackle. Good question.

gaban24

It's totally right. It's not their fault that we US citizens have kidnapped the "american" adjective. The Americas comprise all territories from the tip of Tierra Del Fuego to the top of Alaska.

Dark

Technically they are correct. Go for it.

rare2findd

Brazilians are more American than we here in the United States. The same with Mexicans. You really answered your own question. (I(f Brazilian or Mexican who has never been to US says "I am an American")
Look at at map of the world! I've been teaching this for several months! Canada is a part of North America. The United States is a part of North America. Then we have Central America. Further south is South America. It cannot be made any more clear!. These other people are just as American as are those in the United States.....in fact, moreso.
I am completely correct. Perhaps citizens of the United States should call themsleves "United Staters"...there would be no doubt as to where we come from. We live on the continent of North America, not America. We are a small country. The United States could well fit into the land mass of Africa .....Africa...another continent..

Mrs. Batista

They're right.

Stop K

There is nothing wrong with it but because of the Republicans and George Bush you might want to take a self-defense course or something.

kaliamerica

Totally right, they are American citizen.

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