The English...Do we really have an identity crisis?

[staffsMike]

First language of the vast majority of people living in the USA? A bit like..English

Corrected that for you

Good nite y'all

[Blitzen]

First language of the vast majority of people living in Wales? English
First language of the vast majority of people living in Scotland? English
First language of the vast majority of people living in Northern Ireland? English
First language of the vast majority of people living in Republic of Ireland? English
First language of the vast majority of people living in the USA? English
First language of the vast majority of people living in Canada? English
First language of the vast majority of people living in Australia? English
First language of the vast majority of people living in New Zealand? English

Are these people all English? Your argument holds no water.

It holds water very well as you didnt quite grasp and understand my statement.
I didnt say first lanuguage....i said NATIVE language.
None of those countries have a native language that is English.

[schmunk]

It holds water very well as you didnt quite grasp and understand my statement.
I didnt say first lanuguage....i said NATIVE language.
None of those countries have a native language that is English.

What do you mean by native language, then?

I am assuming you'll say something along the lines of the fact that English developed in England, etc. etc. Great, but of what relevance is that today? What's Canada's native language, or the USA?

[JK Ferret]

Canadian and Native American (Indians, but not those from India)?

I'm thinking that English is the FIRST language of a great many people and countries because we're just so damn popular

[yamangman]

I'd rather not have anything to do with 'English' if, as by this thread, a prerequisite is to support the national team (or indeed actually like football at all).

[JK Ferret]

Not a prerequisite, just a good example of why English =/= British. I don't like football either, yet I have no problem being English/British, I just like to help the winning argument

[Stewart]

I'm thinking that English is the FIRST language of a great many people and countries because we're just so damn popular

Its because of the British Empire, which was the largest empire in human history, and the rise of the USA post World War II.

But also because we is so popular, yes.

[Stewart]

First language of the vast majority of people living in Wales? English
First language of the vast majority of people living in Scotland? English
First language of the vast majority of people living in Northern Ireland? English
First language of the vast majority of people living in Republic of Ireland? English
First language of the vast majority of people living in the USA? English
First language of the vast majority of people living in Canada? English
First language of the vast majority of people living in Australia? English
First language of the vast majority of people living in New Zealand? English

Are these people all English? Your argument holds no water.

Rather than going back and forward with this, lets go down this route - are England and Scotland different countries?

Yes.

End of story.

[TooNice]

Is England (Scotland, Wales) part for the Great Britain?

Yes.

Definition of British.

Therefore Englishmen (Scots etc.) can be described as British (though it doesn't mean that every British is English, Scots and Welsh). Case of a square is a rectangle but not vice-versa.*

Just because a = (b+c+...) doesn't mean that b and c are the same.

Perhaps 'English' is the only answer you would give to people asking you where you are from. It's a well-rounded enough as an answer. But certainly not the only 'correct' answer. Schmunk's answer doesn't tell me whether he is English, Scottish or Welsh, but at least I know he is from the UK and that may be enough in many circumstances. Your answer provide more information, but depending on the purpose and who are speaking with, you may want to state that which city you are from.

* Now I wouldn't call someone British just to annoy said person when s/he rather be known as English, Scottish or Welsh. But if I find myself in a situation where I've forgotten which country said person is from, but know that the it is one of the countries within the UK, the term 'British' comes in handy, even if it's a bit broad. And I presume that it's less likely to irk than referring an Englishman as a Scot or Welsh and vice-versa.

[Stewart]

But if I find myself in a situation where I've forgotten which country said person is from, but know that the it is one of the countries within the UK, the term 'British' comes in handy, even if it's a bit broad.

And boy, that happens all the time.

Hello Steve, I've forgotten if you are English or Scottish, but I know you are from Great Britain, so I shall call you British. It sure is lucky we have this system, otherwise I'd be in the tricky situation of not being able to remember what country you were from, and not having a word I can use instead.

*turns to camera and smiles*

Thanks Great Britain. You're the best.

[Stewart]

Is England (Scotland, Wales) part for the Great Britain?

Yes.

Are the USA and Canada both part of North America?

Still different countries, as are Scotland and England.