I am an American that lived on the border of southern/northern Sudan in 1984 and 1985. I lived on a research station 20 minutes from Kadugli. As a matter of fact I lived for ten years in Africa in three different countries. I know the majority of Americans do not live overseas but many do and know their geography. I imagine the same can be said of the people of the British Isles. Careful with your blanket statements and generalizations. They are too easy to make and not helpful. I love your blog and read you faithfully.
I thought what was more interesting in this was the Episcopal Church was being treated like a national government. Isn't it governments that recognize nations?
I am a US American who has traveled quite a bit, and know my geography. The idea that those of us raised in the USA do not know geography is widespread, and even advanced by our own countrymen (and women). But perhaps we have taken a turn for the better on the geography front. Check out this XKCD cartoon: http://xkcd.com/850/ Make sure to check out the alt_text, as that is where part of the punchline is located.
BTW, I don't mind the stereotype that US Americans do not know geography. It makes it extra fun to pull out some crazy piece of geographic or cultural knowledge and shock the hell out of colleagues and friends from other countries.
Likewise, being willing to eat anything that people put in front of you will get you major kudos while you are traveling. On a recent trip to Japan, my clients were extremely impressed that I could use chopsticks well, and that I did not hesitate to taste whatever Japanese food they suggested.
Not only can we not spell traveling, we cannot spell color, gray, woolen, aluminum, or behavior, either! We also cannot properly pronounce the words: herbs, musculoskeletal, process, quinine, or basil (amongst others). Heck, we cannot even manage to say the name of the last letter of the alphabet properly!
It is true nationals of the United States (to exclude the subset of Canadians, Mexicans, and all others that live in the Americas) are challenged in spelling, pronunciation, and diction. That is what makes it so amazing that the prime minister of a national that styles itself as "Great" in recent years is the lap dog of the US president. You would think that prime minister would have more self respect.
"They've come a long way since they got rid of George W." Actually, we've come a long way since we got rid of George III.
Having said this, yes, many Americans are geographically challenged, once they get past being able to find their mouth with their fork, at which they're pretty good. Episcopalians, not so much. In fact, we have many good strong relationships with the Episcopal Church of Sudan, including diocesan companion relationships. Yes, we know where South Sudan is.
As a speech-language pathologist (often known as a "speech therapist" or logopaedic) fascinated by dialects (commonly erroneously called "accents"), I believe no one needs to make an apology for their own. Noting the subtle regional variations gladdens the heart of this Dr. 'Iggins, and further proves my geekiness. (And, Hey! To double, or not, that 'l' when adding a suffix at the end of "travel" is not a random thing, but I must be sparing with my geeky information.).
LisaDiane is correct. As an exchange student in Japan in the 70s and taking two trips to Poland to teach English in the early 90s, I learned the pleasure of lowered expectations. I was brilliant!
The only reason we Brits know where anywhere is is because we used to own them!
ReplyDeleteLike Scotland?
ReplyDeleteNot particularly, do you?
ReplyDeleteNot particularly, do you?
ReplyDeleteNo offense, MP, but I think the headline of the day was
ReplyDelete"Mubarak Recognizes Jig Is Up"
I am an American that lived on the border of southern/northern Sudan in 1984 and 1985. I lived on a research station 20 minutes from Kadugli. As a matter of fact I lived for ten years in Africa in three different countries. I know the majority of Americans do not live overseas but many do and know their geography. I imagine the same can be said of the people of the British Isles. Careful with your blanket statements and generalizations. They are too easy to make and not helpful. I love your blog and read you faithfully.
ReplyDeleteMexico?
ReplyDeleteI thought what was more interesting in this was the Episcopal Church was being treated like a national government. Isn't it governments that recognize nations?
ReplyDeleteI am a US American who has traveled quite a bit, and know my geography. The idea that those of us raised in the USA do not know geography is widespread, and even advanced by our own countrymen (and women). But perhaps we have taken a turn for the better on the geography front. Check out this XKCD cartoon: http://xkcd.com/850/ Make sure to check out the alt_text, as that is where part of the punchline is located.
ReplyDeleteBTW, I don't mind the stereotype that US Americans do not know geography. It makes it extra fun to pull out some crazy piece of geographic or cultural knowledge and shock the hell out of colleagues and friends from other countries.
ReplyDeleteLikewise, being willing to eat anything that people put in front of you will get you major kudos while you are traveling. On a recent trip to Japan, my clients were extremely impressed that I could use chopsticks well, and that I did not hesitate to taste whatever Japanese food they suggested.
See, they can't even SPELL travelling!
ReplyDeleteThey've come a long way since
ReplyDeletethey got rid of George W.
Not all Americans are so ignorant.
ReplyDeleteNot only can we not spell traveling, we cannot spell color, gray, woolen, aluminum, or behavior, either! We also cannot properly pronounce the words: herbs, musculoskeletal, process, quinine, or basil (amongst others). Heck, we cannot even manage to say the name of the last letter of the alphabet properly!
ReplyDeleteIt is true nationals of the United States (to exclude the subset of Canadians, Mexicans, and all others that live in the Americas) are challenged in spelling, pronunciation, and diction. That is what makes it so amazing that the prime minister of a national that styles itself as "Great" in recent years is the lap dog of the US president. You would think that prime minister would have more self respect.
ReplyDelete"They've come a long way since
ReplyDeletethey got rid of George W." Actually, we've come a long way since we got rid of George III.
Having said this, yes, many Americans are geographically challenged, once they get past being able to find their mouth with their fork, at which they're pretty good. Episcopalians, not so much. In fact, we have many good strong relationships with the Episcopal Church of Sudan, including diocesan companion relationships. Yes, we know where South Sudan is.
MP, youse did not own Scotland - we took over the throne in 1603:-)
ReplyDeleteThat's true, Dougal. But you wouldn't think so by the fuss the Scots make about the English.
ReplyDeleteAs a speech-language pathologist (often known as a "speech therapist" or logopaedic) fascinated by dialects (commonly erroneously called "accents"), I believe no one needs to make an apology for their own. Noting the subtle regional variations gladdens the heart of this Dr. 'Iggins, and further proves my geekiness. (And, Hey! To double, or not, that 'l' when adding a suffix at the end of "travel" is not a random thing, but I must be sparing with my geeky information.).
ReplyDeleteLisaDiane is correct. As an exchange student in Japan in the 70s and taking two trips to Poland to teach English in the early 90s, I learned the pleasure of lowered expectations. I was brilliant!
Ach, MP any sane man moans about ASBO neighbours:-)
ReplyDeleteYou moan about our ASBOS whilst making films about your own NEDS.
ReplyDelete