I'm not Scottish

[mbhandy]

I think this would only be the case in the US, and possibly Canada. In Europe, at least, it would be unthinkable to say "I'm Scottish", unless you actually come from Scotland.

Oh those Europeans
nudg nudg wink wink- Know what I Mean?

MrBill

[pdcorlis]

People seeing me in a kilt may ask if I'm Scots - or if I play the bagpipes - to make some sense out of this guy in front of them wearing a kilt. Its funny how that usually sparks a conversation about their ancestry. The melting pot of America has created a society of mutts - myself included. Many of us have, I think, an interest in belonging - of knowing where we come from. And so we connect to our heritage as Scots or Celts or whatever. Then, we are likely to say "I'm Scots" as a form of verbal shorthand. Personally, I never offer a pedigree unless or until asked and when asked I might just say...

"I am the Walrus" Coo Coo Ca Choo...



Oh yeah - one more thing...

ANYONE can wear a kilt!

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

I think some of my "American Cousins" have missed a, possibly, subtle point here. Scots also tend to have lots of non-Scottish ancestors. English, French, Polish, all sorts of Scandinavians, the whole range of Europeans-- especially Italians-- have all intermarried for generations with Scots. And boatloads of Irish, as well. There is no such thing as a "pure" Scot.

The big difference, at least in my opinion, is that North Americans tend to be far more focused on genealogy, and trace down their ancestors who lived in tipis and yurts with as much enthusiasm as those who arrived on the Mayflower or lived in a castle in Germany. In Europe, and especially in Scotland and Ireland, there does not seem to be as much of an obvious need to establish "roots" beyond our own shores, or to seek some kind of tenuous identity nourishment in other countries or cultures.

Perhaps it is because the only thing we find more boring than our own genealogies is listening to someone else recite his.

[hospitaller]

By the way, this came to light because I had this question asked to me.

'Are you scottish'?

Back then I replied 'yes, on my mother's side', and then the follow up question was 'but you are Hector Rojas from Chile...so are you Chilean or are you Scottish?'

Now, you have to hear me talk, as my foreign accent, lack of rolled R's, and overall funny pronounciation of certain words make my accent more likely to be confused for a real Scottish, than your average 'american' person wearing a kilt.

Yet, that got me thinking. Sure, while in the US, or in any country other than Scotland, to say you are 'scottish' sort of implies your heritage is Scottish.

But, more often than not, people that do not read much will infer you REALLY are Scottish, not simply of Scottish heritage.

So, even with my pseudo spanish/scottish accent, I prefer to make clear that I am of scottish heritage. So there is no confussion.

aright

[Nighthawk]

Personally, when I'm asked that question, I have a simple answer- I'm an American of Celtic ancestry. I leave it at that.

[ChattanCat]

If I am asked if I am Scottish, I answer "I am of Scottish heritage"
If I am asked if I am Swedish, I answer "No, I'm Scottish" - really, this did happen.

[Phogfan86]

For me, knowing where my ancestors come from gives me a sense of belonging to something bigger than just the here-and-now. It makes life and the cosmos seem a lot random. It's about something in us all that's older than we are.

[O'Callaghan]

I never say I'm Irish, usually something like English with Irish on my mother's side. I agree that it's an American thing to say you are Irish/scottish when you aren't. OTOH, as for only being able to say that you are Scottish or Irish if you were born there, I don't agree with that either, because it's not in fact true. I tend to go by actual nationality, and that is not what the laws say.

For Scotland it's more complicated, as there's no Scottish nationality, but I'd try to apply the same rules as for British nationality. You are British if you or you father were born there, or if you were born since 1987 and your mother was born there, or if you were born before that and you grandfather (ETA that's only your paternal grandfather) was born there. I would say that if anyone can claim to be British by way of a Scot in their family then they are actually Scottish even if they have never seen Scotland. ETA, I think, for example, that makes McMurdo a Scot, not merely someone of Scots descent, although he is Canadian.

Irish nationality is different. Those of Irish descent can claim Irish cititzenship 'by association' for an infinite number of generations, with one major catch. If one ancestor breaks the chain by not claiming Irish nationality, then you're done, and future generations can't claim it. I think of my grandfather as Irish, but AFAIK he never claimed Irish citizenship, and it's too late now, as he can't sign anything where he's gone. So, I could have been Irish if the claim had been made in the past, but sadly I'm not. FWIW, though, if you can show that you had an Irish grandparent you can still get your Irish passport. This is not atall the same as naturalisation.

The point is, it's governments that decide who qualifies to be Irish/Scottish/You name it, so if you do have the passport or are eligible and someone says you aren't Scottish/Irish/etc. because you weren't born here, they are talking complete b*ll*cks!

One final word. For most nationalities, and certainly for British and Irish nationality, becoming a US citizen DOES NOT take away your other nationality. The renunciation that you have to swear has no effect whatsoever UNLESS the laws of the other country say it does (and there are very few such countries). The USA has no say whatever in whether you are or aren't a citizen of another country, and no law that Congress ever passes can ever give them that power, because their writ ends at the US border, notwithstanding any delusions of grandeur some US politicians may have to the contrary.

[Downix]

I never say I'm Irish, usually something like English with Irish on my mother's side. I agree that it's an American thing to say you are Irish/scottish when you aren't. OTOH, as for only being able to say that you are Scottish or Irish if you were born there, I don't agree with that either, because it's not in fact true. I tend to go by actual nationality, and that is not what the laws say.

For Scotland it's more complicated, as there's no Scottish nationality, but I'd try to apply the same rules as for British nationality. You are British if you or you father were born there, or if you were born since 1987 and your mother was born there, or if you were born before that and you grandfather was born there. I would say that if anyone can claim to be British by way of a Scot in their family then they are actually Scottish even if they have never seen Scotland. ETA, I think, for example, that makes McMurdo a Scot, not merely someone of Scots descent, although he is Canadian.

Irish nationality is different. Those of Irish descent can claim Irish cititzenship 'by association' for an infinite number of generations, with one major catch. If one ancestor breaks the chain by not claiming Irish nationality, then you're done, and future generations can't claim it. I think of my grandfather as Irish, but AFAIK he never claimed Irish citizenship, and it's too late now, as he can't sign anything where he's gone. So, I could have been Irish if the claim had been made in the past, but sadly I'm not. FWIW, though, if you can show that you had an Irish grandparent you can still get your Irish passport. This is not atall the same as naturalisation.

The point is, it's governments that decide who qualifies to be Irish/Scottish/You name it, so if you do have the passport or are eligible and someone says you aren't Scottish/Irish/etc. because you weren't born here, they are talking complete b*ll*cks!

One final word. For most nationalities, and certainly for British and Irish nationality, becoming a US citizen DOES NOT take away your other nationality. The renunciation that you have to swear has no effect whatsoever UNLESS the laws of the other country say it does (and there are very few such countries). The USA has no say whatever in whether you are or aren't a citizen of another country, and no law that Congress ever passes can ever give them that power, because their writ ends at the US border, notwithstanding any delusions of grandeur some US politicians may have to the contrary.

Really? Facinating, as my great-grandfather did sign that he was, (a Callahan no less) and my grandmother is still alive...

[staticsan]

hmmm . . has a familiar "American" ring to it .

Also kinda sounds Australian (except for the "Am. Indian" bit, obviously).

I agree with both points from Hector and Greg. Piper, I also liked your analogy of "hyphenated Americans". My co-workers and friends usually say something like "oh, he's Scottish". I usually correct them saying "no, I'm American but, I have Scottish, Irish, German, Welsh, Polish, Cherokee, Creek and Mohawk ancestors".

I usually short-circuit the discussion a bit by saying "my mother is a MacGregor" which, whilst strictly true, is really only a surname as Her father grew up in New Zealand (but his father OTOH was a thoroughly scottish scotsman). Somewhat ironic that she doesn't like me kilted... yet she is proud of her tartan...

Wade.