Tuesday, February 21, 2012

City names followed by country names in American movies - why?

Why is it that Hollywood movies always have to follow a city name by the country in which it is located (i.e. 'Rome, Italy' or 'Prague, Czech Republic')? Do they honestly think people don't know that London is in England or Berlin is in Germany? I notice American city names are never followed by 'United States'. I do find it a little patronising.City names followed by country names in American movies - why?Well, there's a London, Tennessee and many 'other' towns named London in America. There's also many 'Romes' in the U.S., such as Rome, GA. Americans don't put 'United States' because WE ARE FROM THE UNITED STATES, so it' s implied that any city, unless otherwise stated, is a U.S. city. Get it? :-)



I'll also bet that if a news station in Rome, Italy was doing a story about something happening in Rome, Georgia, I bet the Italians would say Rome, Georgia, USA! Just depends on where you live.City names followed by country names in American movies - why?
You know, I never noticed that they do that.

I think it's because for some of those, we are stupid and don't know. Where on earth is Samarkand? I had to look that one up.City names followed by country names in American movies - why?In the US, many names are duplicated, so they need clarifiction.

Also, in the US (and Australia) many names are duplicated from European places, which often got their names from geographical or historical contexts.



It may have happened because settlers wanted to remind themselves of where they came from originally. Unfortunately it means that many place names do not have the same significance as they do in Europe.



Bear in mind that most US citizens haven't a clue about europe. I was asked "which part of Germany is England in?"City names followed by country names in American movies - why?
in movies, american cities are not followed by "United States" but are usually followed by the name of the state, i.e. Phoenix, ArizonaCity names followed by country names in American movies - why?There are cities in the United States that are the same as in other countries. For example, there is a Paris, Texas-- therefore they need to clarify for those who (unfortunately) could not figure out the difference on their own. The cities located within the US have their state listed after it (i.e. Chicago, IL)City names followed by country names in American movies - why?
In America, most of the places were named by people coming in. So over the years there appeared loads of places with the name name as lots of other places around the world. There are places called Paris, Cambridge, Plymouth and on and on. So if you say, for instance "Paris" to an American, it is quite possible that there will be a place of that name not far away. So he might say "oh yeah, I was there twice last week!" But then the retort would come back, "No, not the one in Texas (or wherever), Paris, France!" So they have to do that now and again.

Get a good map of America, and you will see. Good luck, and a happy new year!

No comments:

Post a Comment