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Depends on the area. I think in parts of Maine where there's a strong Quebecois influence there's definitely a meaningful distinction. There's other areas, espe
by gph 9y ago
Depends on the area. I think in parts of Maine where there's a strong Quebecois influence there's definitely a meaningful distinction. There's other areas, especially in rural communities, where a specific European country has a lingering overstated influence.
But within any major metro area you're right, there's typically little meaningful distinction anyone would pick up on between two Americans of different European ancestry.
- emodendroket 9y agoCertainly that's strongest in New England. But I don't know most people are French-Canadian unless they tell me (especially given that intermarriage is pretty common so surnames aren't a reliable guide).
- KGIII 9y agoI live in Maine. You are correct. They teach French in school, to everyone. Some areas have classes in French that are not specifically French learning classes. The majority of those living here without documentation are Canadians. If you get into cities like Lewiston, you'll find whole areas where French is commonly spoken. It's kinda neat, actually. I am also a citizen of Canada, but don't speak French. It's fun to learn and be exposed to the culture, but I digress.
- interfixus 9y ago> there's typically little meaningful distinction anyone would pick up on We don't know. At least I don't. But it would hugely surprise me if we are not constantly picking up on all sorts of subtle gene expressions. And this needs not in any way be a conscious process. Sophisticated ability to suss out degrees of relatedness would be a far too useful feature not to have been selected for again and again and again.
- emodendroket 9y agoI have two thoughts there: 1. Surely very high intermarriage rates between different European ethnicities complicate that. 2. In that case, wouldn't the opposite behavior be expected? If the goal were to have as little genetic variation as possible humans would be better off reproducing asexually.
- interfixus 9y ago> Surely very high intermarriage rates between different European ethnicities complicate that Very high intermarriage rates? Wherever did you pick up such an idea? > In that case, wouldn't the opposite behavior be expected? If the goal were to have as little genetic variation as possible humans would be better off reproducing asexually There is no 'goal'. And too little variation seems to be a universally bad idea. It is a simple, observablke fact that most of us stick to partners reminiscent of ourselves. We may argue about the reasons, but the thing itself is clear and obvious.
- emodendroket 9y agoMarriages between different ethnicities of white Americans are so commonplace they're not even considered interracial. To my second point, the whole benefit of sexual reproduction is genetic diversity, so it's odd to have some evolutionarily dictated behavior pulling the opposite way.
- interfixus 9y agoOh, Americans. I am European and took 'European ethnicities' to refer to actual Europeans. We don't mix all that much.
- emodendroket 9y agoWell, yeah, there are a whole different set of circumstances there.