I would like to print a retraction to comments previously made. I (Amy) did not post the most recent rant about country names. While I agree wholeheartedly that each country should be allowed to decide what the rest of the world calls it, it was Tom who made this statement on the Blog. He was logged in under my name at the time of writing.
I will, however, also now begin referring to Georgia as Sakartvelo. Here is the etymology of this word for language dorks: There were once three tribes living in the area now called Sakartvelo. One of which was called the Kartveli tribe. In Kartuli (Georgian) the way that you say "the place of" is to add "sa" to the beginning of the word and either "e" or "o" to the end of the word. Hence, Sa - Kartvel - O = the place where the Kartvels are.
Here are some other interesting Kartuli words following this pattern:
Sakhatchapure - where the khatchapuri is (cafe which sells cheese bread)
Sastumro - where the guest is (hotel)
Sakvertskho - where the eggs are (ovaries)
Samatzavlebelo - where the teachers are (teacher's lounge)
Saavadamkopo - where the sick people are (hospital)
Sadzinebele - where the sleep is ( bed )
Salamazo - where the beauty is ( beauty salon)
Samagrelo - where the Magralians are ( a region in Western Sakartvelo)
Well, now, both your mothers had a great laugh over reading the blog and hearing the "Amy we know and love" ranting and raving! WHAT!!?? Come to find out it's the "Tom we know and love" ranting and raving! I would agree with your sentiments, however. What do they call our country? Love, Mom
*** From Tom ****
Here they call us America and Amy and I, Americans. It seems disrespectful to those fantastic countries that share our continent to have co opted this name for our own use. However, a response of 'The United States' to those whom inquire just creates confusion.
In Colombia, they call us Gringos, but they don't mean it pejoratively as some do in Mexico or else where in Latin America, they just use it because it takes to long to say 'Norte Americanos' or 'Americanos'. That's their story, we have to trust them. I wouldn't get that wound up about it even if they were trying to be mean.
Tom, it's interesting that the Georgians/Sakartveloans can call themselves what they want, but if we want to call ourselves Americans, that is wrong?
I'd be interested if you know *why* it's called "Georgia" in English. I'm sure we don't mean any disrespect to the Sakartveloans. I don't know if I'll be able to find Sakartvelo on an English-language map, but now that you've removed my ignorance I'll feel compelled to make a best effort (d***!) but what about all of those other countries out there that we have mislabeled. Good thing your tour is short, you still have time to tour the rest of the world.
Miss you!
Rob(tm)
I guess the next thing you'll tell me is that it's incorrect to call the capital Atlanta!