asking nationality

[winchester]

what is the right question ...
what are their nationality or what is their nationality?
because my doubt was the verb ''is'' is linked with the person or the nationality?

 

[Barb_D]

Hi and welcome.

Here's how I'd say them:

Many people, from different countries: What are their nationalities?
Many people, all from the same country: What is their nationality?
One person, whose sex you don't know: What is their nationality?

(Ignore people who tell you that "their" is used only for multiple people.)

 

[Eden Darien]

Hi and welcome.

Here's how I'd say them:

Many people, from different countries: What are their nationalities?
Many people, all from the same country: What is their nationality?
One person, whose sex you don't know: What is their nationality?

(Ignore people who tell you that "their" is used only for multiple people.)

precisely!

their
used when talking about someone who may be male or female, to avoid saying 'his or her'
　Everyone is free to express their own opinion.
　Each student will have their own course-work folder.

 

[TheParser]

what is the right question ...
what are their nationality or what is their nationality?
because my doubt was the verb ''is'' is linked with the person or the nationality?

********** NOT A TEACHER **********



Winchester,


I thought that you would like this cultural note:


If you come to the United States, be careful before

you ask someone his/her "nationality."

Some people who ask that question do NOT want to know

what country you are a citizen of. Instead, they want to

know your racial group. The matter of race is a SUPER

sensitive issue in our country. Most people understand that

it is very rude to ask "What is your race?" So some people

try to "soften" the question by asking "Excuse me. What is

your nationality?"


********** NOT A TEACHER **********

 

[SoothingDave]

It's not just a way to soften questions about racial differences. Even plain old white people will ask each other about their ethnic backgrounds.

 

[Raymott]

Nationality and race are entirely different things.
Your nationality is the country of which you are a citizen.

 

[Eden Darien]

********** NOT A TEACHER **********



Winchester,


I thought that you would like this cultural note:


If you come to the United States, be careful before

you ask someone his/her "nationality."

Some people who ask that question do NOT want to know

what country you are a citizen of. Instead, they want to

know your racial group. The matter of race is a SUPER

sensitive issue in our country. Most people understand that

it is very rude to ask "What is your race?" So some people

try to "soften" the question by asking "Excuse me. What is

your nationality?"


********** NOT A TEACHER **********

I would go for 'where are you come from?' instead...
Still in this millennium, xenophobe does exist and quite rampant, I would say...

 

[TheParser]

I would go for 'where are you come from?' instead...
Still in this millennium, xenophobe does exist and quite rampant, I would say...

********** NOT A TEACHER **********


Eden Darien,

Thank you for your kind note.

***

I do not think that many of our friends in other countries

understand that the issue of race, nationality, religion, etc.

is a very touchy (sensitive) matter. We call it a "hot

potato" (nobody wants to touch it).

If you come to the United States, it might be a good idea

not to ask a stranger "Where are you from?" or "Where do

you come from?" Some very sensitive people might become

angry and ask, "Where do you come from!!!" Every country

has certain subjects that are dangerous to discuss. In our

country, it is better not to discuss this particular matter unless

you know someone very well.


********** NOT A TEACHER **********

 

[Eden Darien]

TheParser..

I do have lots of friends from the States and I do aware of such situation...
Anyway, thank you for sharing this issue, I believe we call it as 'taboo'...

Fyi, I am a foreigner now have been studying in South Korea for 2 years. I have been trying to survive with xenophobia since the first day I came here. Not all, majority of Koreans are very friendly but some of them just get all over head sometimes. But I do not blame them, since I do love Korea: its language and its culture.

However, sometimes I can't help myself feeling a bit 'insecure' and 'odd'. Well, nothing ventured nothing gained! Having said that, I still would let my self to keep an open mind... ;-)

 

[Barb_D]

There are many reasons why knowing the citizenship of a group of people may be necessary. The question is not taboo if there is a good reason for knowing the information.

 

[winchester]

Hi and welcome.

Here's how I'd say them:

Many people, from different countries: What are their nationalities?
Many people, all from the same country: What is their nationality?
One person, whose sex you don't know: What is their nationality?

(Ignore people who tell you that "their" is used only for multiple people.)

ow thanks very much,it helped me a lot

 

[winchester]

********** NOT A TEACHER **********



Winchester,


I thought that you would like this cultural note:


If you come to the United States, be careful before

you ask someone his/her "nationality."

Some people who ask that question do NOT want to know

what country you are a citizen of. Instead, they want to

know your racial group. The matter of race is a SUPER

sensitive issue in our country. Most people understand that

it is very rude to ask "What is your race?" So some people

try to "soften" the question by asking "Excuse me. What is

your nationality?"


********** NOT A TEACHER **********

wow i didn't know that thanks for advice ahahahha

 

[birdeen's call]

Nationality and race are entirely different things.
Your nationality is the country of which you are a citizen.

Is that true? I think it isn't. Nationality and race may be different things but the same is true about nationality and citizenship. There used to be many Polish citizens of Jewish nationality before World War II. Poland was a multinational state back then. There are now many people of Polish nationality who aren't Polish citizens all over the world.

Some people use this word the way you do, but it's certainly not a generally accepted definition. (for an e.g.)

 

[Raymott]

Is that true? I think it isn't. Nationality and race may be different things but the same is true about nationality and citizenship. There used to be many Polish citizens of Jewish nationality before World War II. Poland was a multinational state back then. There are now many people of Polish nationality who aren't Polish citizens all over the world.

Some people use this word the way you do, but it's certainly not a generally accepted definition. (for an e.g.)

I'd say it is a generally accepted factoid, but not universally. Your own source begins thus: "Nationality is membership of a nation or sovereign state." The article then goes on to prove exceptions to the rule.
I'm not fervently attached to that concept of nationality equating to citizenship, but it seems to work in English-speaking countries.

My main point was that race and nationality are different things.
(Some people would also disagree with that.) There's too much political baggage tied up in these definitions for them to have a universal meaning.
I consider myself racially Caucasian: 1/2 Italian, 1/4 English, 1/4 Scottish. But my nationality is Australian. And the vast majority of Aboriginal Australians accept their nationality as Australian, even though some call their nation Pitjantjatjara or Yolngu, or some other tribal identity.

 

[Eden Darien]

I'd say it is a generally accepted factoid, but not universally. Your own source begins thus: "Nationality is membership of a nation or sovereign state." The article then goes on to prove exceptions to the rule.
I'm not fervently attached to that concept of nationality equating to citizenship, but it seems to work in English-speaking countries.

My main point was that race and nationality are different things.
(Some people would also disagree with that.) There's too much political baggage tied up in these definitions for them to have a universal meaning.
I consider myself racially Caucasian: 1/2 Italian, 1/4 English, 1/4 Scottish. But my nationality is Australian. And the vast majority of Aboriginal Australians accept their nationality as Australian, even though some call their nation Pitjantjatjara or Yolngu, or some other tribal identity.

Well, a rose by any other name would smell as sweet. Whether you call the Earth as Gaia, world, etc. it still remain the same planet that we all love... nothing's change

 

[Tdol]

Is that true? I think it isn't. Nationality and race may be different things but the same is true about nationality and citizenship. There used to be many Polish citizens of Jewish nationality before World War II. Poland was a multinational state back then. There are now many people of Polish nationality who aren't Polish citizens all over the world.

Some people use this word the way you do, but it's certainly not a generally accepted definition. (for an e.g.)

It can become very complex as people move around, change nationality, etc. Any definition is going to struggle to accommodate the realities of the increasingly mixed and fluid state of affairs we have today.