[UA] American attitudes and things

[Robin Pfeifer]

 >Well, and look at the Soviet Union. Its citizens from the Ukraine would
 >identify themselves as Ukrainian over Soviet (for example).

Actually, a friend of mine who is from Ukraine refers to herself as 
Russian rather than Ukrainian, and that's because there is a Russian 
speaking minority in Ukraine. Ukrainian is a language in its own right, 
although it is not so terribly different I'm told.

I suppose for the French Canadians it is much the same: distancing 
themselves from the English-speaking majority. After all we all know 
what speaking French as a native does to one's power of observation 
regarding the value of other languages... ;)

I think the need of historical and cultural identification, as 
mentioned, is a major point. I mean, back in 1776 I know I had a French 
ancestor on my mother's side (all German since), when US-Americans were 
still busy getting a nation. I live within walking distance of buildings 
older than that nation. I could imagine that this might cause a problem 
of identity, as man is such a culture hog. I bet if we left this planet 
for greener pastures we'd still call ourselves Earthlings for 
generations to come.

Robin