Definition of "From"

Originally from South Texas - that's where I lived until age 10 and all my extended family for generations has lived there. I've lived in Michigan since then.......
It's just a two part answer that's all.
Born in WA raised in OK.

I think where ever you grew up is where you are from. One of my cousins was born in Scotland, then they moved to Gibraltar where my other cousin was born. They moved to Canada when the oldest was 4 and the youngest was 2 and have lived there up to now (35-40yrs) They would say they are Canadian with scottish heritage (their parents are both scottish) because technically, Yes they are both scottish but they grew up in Canada.

I agree with you about saying where you were raised. I was born in KS and moved to NE when I was 2. I don't even feel like I'm from Kansas. I guess technically I am, but NE is home to me. I always say I'm from NE b/c my memories are here. :-)

The place you were raised/grew up if that place was stable and long term. Otherwise, where you were born or the place that you most identify with or where you currently live. Basically, it's your choice. :-)

I always say I was born in _________ but I grew up in ___________.

I was an 'army brat'...

I was born in germany...lived ALL over the US growing up...and then was an army spouse...an eldest son was born in germany...

I just tell people I am a gypsy...lol

I truly feel northern virginia is my home though...I went to HS there...and landed back there for a number of years after marriage...

Now southwest va in blue ridge is home...

Home is where the 'heart' is??? And for me...for now...it is rocky mount!

best luck!
michele/cat

Generally, if someone asks me where I'm "from," I usually say "everywhere" because I've lived a lot of places..But it also depends on the person who is asking me. If they're a stranger, I simply say Virginia (where I currently live, and have lived for 5 years). But, if it's someone I'm getting to know, I explain more. I'm with you, though. I think it's more about where you grew up than where you were born. According to your husband, I'm "from" Chicago, but I only lived there until I was 4. I don't remember much of it. So am I really "from" there? I think not. :)

I was born in Oregon but moved to Washington when I was a preschooler. Then when I was 17 we moved back to Oregon. When asked, I said I was from Washington because that is all that I remembered. I've now lived in Oregon for 50 years and I say I'm from Oregon and Washington when talking with strangers and wanting to have a conversation.

I'm not thinking of my birth place when I respond. I'm thinking of where I remember living.

I'm from nowhere! :) ((Military brat, I was raised all over))

You're right. "From" in it's most basic concept (and I've had to deal with this question TONS) is where you were raised OR where you lived last/what accent are they hearing. You can get into DETAILS (where you were born, early childhood, teen years, precollege, post college, etc., mom's side of the family, dad's side of the family, etc.)...

But what people are asking, when they want to know MOSTLY (I've found) where your accent is from or where you were JUST before you moved to where they are OR (if you're travelling) where you live no.

No one means where you were born, unless you've lived your whole life there. If they wanna know where you were born, they ask that SPECIFICALLY. (AKA where were you born?)

Its that place you have lived the longest. Nothing to do with your birth place.

my DH always says "born in Jeff City, grew up in St Louis".

I think you can answer this anyway you choose. In your case, I would say Oklahoma, because you don't have any memories of where you were born.

This is an interesting question. My daughter was born in NJ, that’s where my OB/GYN was, we lived in PA. So my daughter never lived in NJ, she was just born there. I tell people she is from PA since that is where we used to live. I figure you are from where you lived. You were born in Washington, not from there.

I'm into people first language. I think both your descriptions of the word "from" are accurate - to each of you individually.

In other words, "from" is a subjective to the person being described. I say I'm from Washington because I've lived here for over a decade, it's where my mama is, where my babe was born, and feels like home. I'm from where I feel rooted - which is here. If someone feels they are from their place of birth, well, that's just as real. It's just not MY reality for me.

Where you grew up.

If they wanted to know where you were born.. they would ask, where were you born..

My mother was born in San Antonio Texas, but she moved here to Austin when she was 2 months old and still lives here.

She says she is from Austin.

I am from Illinois, I moved only after I was married.

My oldest daughter says NC, she has lived in IL, NC, CA, and VA, but NC the longest and we just moved from there to VA for the second time.
My oldest son says IL. He spent his first 9 years there. He too has lived in VA twice, NC twice, CA twice, and Japan.
My younger two are comfortable saying VA.

So to answer your question, the place I grew up.

I think some people agree with you & some with your husband. For that reason alone, whenever I'm asked I tell people that I was born in upstate NY, but grew up in southern NJ from the age of 4 & my DH was born in Long Island, NY, but grew up in Alabama from about the age of 9.

We're both technically FROM NY, but neither of us spent a majority of our formative years there so that comes into play in my mind.

I think it depends on the context of the conversation. When I'm traveling and meet people (usually acquaintances or superficial relationships), I say I am from Florida, which is where I've lived for 30-some years. In deeper conversations where the intent of the question is where you spent your childhood... your "heart" years, I say I grew up in Ohio.

I have lived a few places and the way I answer that question is "Most recently, from _______ "

Just like home is where the heart is, I think that you are from where ever you feel you are from.

I think it's up to you. If someone asks where I'm from I usually say "originally or where I live now?" That usually sets the record straight.

As an adult you're generally from wherever you grew up the longest, so in your case -Oklahoma. Just because you're born somewhere doesn't mean you're from there. What if you had been born in Indonesia? Would he expect you to tell people you were from Indonesia? And no -your friend's daughters born during a military deployment in Germany are not German. I'm 41, so when someone asks me where I'm from I usually say, "I grew up in _______ but I've lived in Atlanta for over 20 years." or I'll just say, "Atlanta" depending on where we are and who's asking.

Where are you from question..... I always say where I was born. Then again I didn't move to a different state until I was 13. You might say I am originally from "Washington" but grew up in "Oklahoma". I think most answer with where they were born as its where you were first brought into this world. And yes I think your friends kids are considered German*. Just think of all of the parents of different origins here in the US and if there kids are born here they are considered US citizens.
*I had a friend who was born in Germany (military) and remembered her saying she was actually German because of where she was born, had to get US papers, etc...but I just looked it up and laws have changed regarding Germany primarily due to miliary:
Children born on or after 1 January 2000 to non-German parents acquire German citizenship at birth if at least one parent:

has a permanent residence permit (and has had this status for at least three years); and
has been residing in Germany for at least eight years.

I have trouble answering that question myself! If someone asks me “where are you from?” I always say: “I’m not too sure - I was born in Scotland, but lived in England until I was 5, then moved to Toronto for 10 years, then Ottawa for 10 years and been living in Tampa for the past 11”. They’re always fascinated and starts great conversations.

I think if they wanted to know where you were born, they would ask "Where were you born" If they want to know where you are from and they ask "Where are you from" I deem that as the last place I spent any large amount of time.
Men are so funny. Everything is oversimplified for them... as if they can't understand anything more complicated than a one word answer :)
Have fun!
Jen

we go by where you were born. My husband was born in Romania and his family moved here to the US when he was 3 years old. He is 31 so he has lived 28 years here in Missouri. so, even though he has lived here most of his life, he is from Romania. I was born in Indiana, but lived over half my life in other states. I say I am from Indiana.