Disclaimer: This is not a rant about America or anything related to it.
A trend is appearing on internet forums. Undeniably, Americans are notable on forums that contains international communities, such as The Escapist. In a recent poll, Americans make up 31,7 % of this forum. [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/18.109602#1892120] Seeing as they basically are a minority, one would think that they would have to explain their country. Yet, there are many posts in which many American terms are taken for granted. And since the population of this forum also consists of many young people, high school and college stories are abundant. Being European, many of these institutions are not understood, yet Americans use the words as if everyone understands. Rarely, although never is a more appropriate word, do these words get explained. Educational systems vary a lot from country to country, but the American educational system goes without explanation. Why is this?
One hypothesis, which is entirely unscientific, is the fact that Americans are somewhat arrogant. They assume that everyone is well-aware of how America works both in regards to educational system, but also how things such as politics and life in America work. America is one of the most prominent nations in the world, if not the most prominent. Consequently, Americans assume that everyone has knowledge about America and is interested in America. If people don't know about workings in America, it's their own job to find out and read on the subject. Thus, they don't have to explain anything when they are talking on forums. If people don't understand what they're talking about, it's their own fault.
Another completely unscientific hypothesis is based on ignorance. While it's somewhat similar to arrogance, they just falsely assume people know about America and how things work in America because of the before mentioned prominent position it has. The difference, though, is that they don't regard people that don't understand America as badly-informed, but they just have false assumptions on outsiders' knowledge. If they're confronted on a forum by a person that doesn't understand a term or institution, they'll have no problems with explaining it.
The next-last group of people that will be struck down upon is the forgetful/lazy people. While there are a plethora of reasons to be lazy or forgetful, these people are well-aware of the fact that some of the terms they toss out on a forum, many of them won't be understood by outsiders. Yet, they forget or are too lazy to explain it, effectively leaving out many people of a discussion. Sometimes, they would have no problem explaining terms to wondering people, but there is always someone who is better articulated that can do the work.
Lastly, a group which is somewhat similar to the arrogant crown is the asocial crowd. They don't need to explain themselves. If somebody doesn't understand a post, it's not much of a loss to these people. The majority of people are American so they understand. The need to befriend a Frenchman isn't particularly huge, especially if he doesn't understand the workings of America. Sticking with your American mates is completely legitimate and there are more than enough Americans to keep a discussion running.
What are your thoughts?
In ending this, I'd just like to underline that this is no way meant as an anti-American post, at all. If it comes across like that, I'm sorry.
EDIT:
I don't mean linguistic terms in particular
I don't mean linguistic terms in particular
I don't mean linguistic terms in particular
I don't mean linguistic terms in particular
I don't mean linguistic terms in particular
A trend is appearing on internet forums. Undeniably, Americans are notable on forums that contains international communities, such as The Escapist. In a recent poll, Americans make up 31,7 % of this forum. [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/18.109602#1892120] Seeing as they basically are a minority, one would think that they would have to explain their country. Yet, there are many posts in which many American terms are taken for granted. And since the population of this forum also consists of many young people, high school and college stories are abundant. Being European, many of these institutions are not understood, yet Americans use the words as if everyone understands. Rarely, although never is a more appropriate word, do these words get explained. Educational systems vary a lot from country to country, but the American educational system goes without explanation. Why is this?
One hypothesis, which is entirely unscientific, is the fact that Americans are somewhat arrogant. They assume that everyone is well-aware of how America works both in regards to educational system, but also how things such as politics and life in America work. America is one of the most prominent nations in the world, if not the most prominent. Consequently, Americans assume that everyone has knowledge about America and is interested in America. If people don't know about workings in America, it's their own job to find out and read on the subject. Thus, they don't have to explain anything when they are talking on forums. If people don't understand what they're talking about, it's their own fault.
Another completely unscientific hypothesis is based on ignorance. While it's somewhat similar to arrogance, they just falsely assume people know about America and how things work in America because of the before mentioned prominent position it has. The difference, though, is that they don't regard people that don't understand America as badly-informed, but they just have false assumptions on outsiders' knowledge. If they're confronted on a forum by a person that doesn't understand a term or institution, they'll have no problems with explaining it.
The next-last group of people that will be struck down upon is the forgetful/lazy people. While there are a plethora of reasons to be lazy or forgetful, these people are well-aware of the fact that some of the terms they toss out on a forum, many of them won't be understood by outsiders. Yet, they forget or are too lazy to explain it, effectively leaving out many people of a discussion. Sometimes, they would have no problem explaining terms to wondering people, but there is always someone who is better articulated that can do the work.
Lastly, a group which is somewhat similar to the arrogant crown is the asocial crowd. They don't need to explain themselves. If somebody doesn't understand a post, it's not much of a loss to these people. The majority of people are American so they understand. The need to befriend a Frenchman isn't particularly huge, especially if he doesn't understand the workings of America. Sticking with your American mates is completely legitimate and there are more than enough Americans to keep a discussion running.
What are your thoughts?
In ending this, I'd just like to underline that this is no way meant as an anti-American post, at all. If it comes across like that, I'm sorry.
EDIT:
I don't mean linguistic terms in particular
I don't mean linguistic terms in particular
I don't mean linguistic terms in particular
I don't mean linguistic terms in particular
I don't mean linguistic terms in particular
