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The common English word "foreign" has that meaning and is perfectly well available in American English. But it seems like Americans think it's rude or insensit
by al452 10y ago
The common English word "foreign" has that meaning and is perfectly well available in American English. But it seems like Americans think it's rude or insensitive to say "foreign" and say "international" (whose primary meaning is different) instead. I am interested, what's going on?
- guard-of-terra 10y agoI've just noticed that the list in question has multiple cities within the USA. So it is an international list, really.
- ethbro 10y agoAs a citizen of the US and native English speaker, I would say the connotations differ. "International" - similarity to US / Western political systems and values, but not in the geographic boundaries of the US "Foreign" - different from / opposed to (depending on how xenophobic whoever you're talking to is) US / Western political systems and values So, in many ways mirroring the definitions. International is a thing in and of itself. Foreign is a relationship to something else.