It only hurts you if you let it!

[outcrazyophelia]

Oriental isn't offensive, I know because of my learnings.

Comments

[morpheus0013]

I used the word "Oriental" as a freshman in college, in front of my friend Na. She very gently corrected me and explained that "Oriental" was offensive, and that "Asian" was a better term. (She also made it a point to state that she was SOUTH Korean, although at that time, I didn't really understand why she would do so.)

What a word's literal, original definition is does not necessarily equal what it's come to mean. Ergo, if a word was not originally offensive, that does not mean it is not offensive now.

You'd think someone with such a stunning grasp of Latin would understand more about language in general.

[morgenstern180]

Yeah, I had a South Korean roommate last year who was always insisting on being called South Korean, which I eventually started doing.

You'd think someone with such a stunning grasp of Latin would understand more about language in general.
I'm majoring in foreign languages, and I am constantly amazed by how many people don't. Even those who are supposed to be studying languages and are supposed to give a damn about this sort of thing, I mean.

[zenhansei]

I always state South Korean, because an overwhelming amount of people ask me North or South if I just say Korean. It just saves the hassle.

[maya]

asian people, let ME tell YOU what you should find offensive. you have no right to be offended unless you check with ME first. i am the keeper of the offensive stuff library and oriental is not in there.

[outcrazyophelia]

They've all just got chips on their shoulders is the problem.

[maya]

don't blame the latin!! will someone PLEASE think of the latin?

[outcrazyophelia]

They're all reverse linguists! *My head hurts from saying that*

[queenpeladon]

Your tagline is sheer brilliance. :)

I have to admit, I've been wondering about the term "Oriental." Is there an acceptable alternative? "Asian" seems too broad, it could describe a huge variety of nationalities.

[morpheus0013]

"Asian" was what I was told was the preferred term (this was 12 years ago, mind you.) Using the specific country would be fine if you knew it as well, I imagine.

[outcrazyophelia]

I think Asian is acceptable if you don't know the particular nationality of the person you're referring to I guess.

[kimbean]

Ha... no joke, I was called "ambiguously foreign" once. I was even asked what country I was born in... um... The United States?

[chiss]

People being offensive jack-offs and the effect it has on you isn't their fault, it's your fault for reacting to them being a jack-off! Of course.

[pettythief]

Words mean different things in different places. I reckon the OP must come from near where I live (somewhere in the UK), as we use the same terms. Asian = Indian/Pakistani/Bangladeshi. Oriental = Chinese, Korean, Japanese, Vietnamese etc

[queenpeladon]

I think this is what I was getting at when I wondered if there was a more PC term for "Oriental." In other words, I understand what you're saying. :)

[pettythief]

Yay! thank you!!!

Because people only say "Oriental" cos they're not sure what else to say. I think people tend to say "Chinese" just because most of the... ahem... people of Pacific rim origin where I live are Chinese (or BBC, which I think is meant to be slyly ironic). So you run less risk of being OMG OFFENSIVE!

I'm a nice white person. Hai, so desu ne.

I have heard this argument before.

[i_dreamed_i_was]

Try Asian generally, South Asian for, you know-- South Asia (India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, etc.)