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Why are there some countries that share names and demonyms? And how do you differentiate?
For example, there's Dominica and the Dominican Republic. They're separate countries, but both peoples are referred to as "Dominicans." So, if I hear someone is Dominican, I don't know whether or not they're a citizen of Dominica or the Dominican Republic. Why is this?
Also, there's the Republic of the Congo and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. They're separate countries, but both countries are known colloquially as "the Congo," and both peoples are referred to as Congolese. So, if I hear someone is Congolese, I don't know whether or not they're a citizen of the Republic of the Congo or the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
How does one clear up the confusion?
3 Answers
- Anonymous2 years ago
In using English for 70 years in Britain and Australia I have never come across "demonym" and neither my dictionary nor spell checker recognises that word. Please tell us what that word means to you. People from "the Congo" (whichever one of them) come from that part of Africa which was divided artificially into various parts by Europeans less than 140 years ago. They come from various tribes which have, at times, been at war with each other.
- Anonymous2 years ago
The demonym for someone from either North or South Korea would be "Korean." Is that confusing? I don't think so. If someone were to say "My knee hurts", would you snap back with "Right or left? I NEED to know!"?
If someone says they're "Domincan", clear up the confusion by asking "Where are you from?"
Sorry that the geographical terms, collective adjectives and demonyms we've chosen are not acceptable to you.
- StarryskyLv 72 years ago
PRC (mainland) and ROC (Taiwan) are both "China" and people are called "Chinese" but some are "Taiwanese" and a lot of tribes and cultures in the mainland country, as well as many languages and customs.
The separation came about because of the civil war between the Communists and the others who opposed them. The nationalists fled to Taiwan in 1949.
Northern Ireland and Ireland is easy to understand. One is mostly non-Catholic, one is almost all Catholic. Religion difference. And right next door. Same island.
Timor and East Timor, ditto and ditto and ditto.
