The word "Oriental" is being banned from the English language ?

[Dundee Slaytern]

I find it amusing that so far, all the Asians( or Orientals if you prefer ) have not found the word offensive. I guess it is because of the way it has been used. I have not heard of people using the word, "Orient" as an offensive word, like let say, "■■■■■■" or "White Trash". It is instead, usually used as a description, if not as a flattering word.

That said and done, anybody who wants to restrict the word, is making a mountain out of an anthill, because it is not even a molehill yet.

[Jorath Calar]

What are they going to do next, Ban the word HUMAN?

[K T Ong]

Okay, here's how I like to picture the average (male) Caucasian.



Big.
Strong.
Hairy.
Smells like sheep.
Likes to bully those who are weaker.
And so on.

Hey, if you fellas can come up with all sorts of interesting stereotypes about us Asians, we're surely allowed to reciprocate, aren't we?

[Lady Blue03]

I just wanted to reflect on Yoricks statement on the 1st page about how Tanzanians, Zulus, and Nigerians arent offended when being called African. Isnt that the same as Calafornians and New Yorkians not being offended when being called American?

[Dundee Slaytern]

Originally posted by Lady Blue03: I just wanted to reflect on Yoricks statement on the 1st page about how Tanzanians, Zulus, and Nigerians arent offended when being called African. Isnt that the same as Calafornians and New Yorkians not being offended when being called American?

Not exactly the same, but similiar. You are comparing countries to states. Different things.

Now, if you call a Canadian a North American and he/she is not offended, then you can compare that to an Egyptian being called an African and he/she is not offended.

[ 07-05-2002, 02:37 AM: Message edited by: Dundee Slaytern ]

[Yorick]

Originally posted by Dundee Slaytern: quote: Originally posted by Lady Blue03: I just wanted to reflect on Yoricks statement on the 1st page about how Tanzanians, Zulus, and Nigerians arent offended when being called African. Isnt that the same as Calafornians and New Yorkians not being offended when being called American?

Not exactly the same, but similiar. You are comparing countries to states. Different things.

Now, if you call a Canadian a North American and he/she is not offended, then you can compare that to an Egyptian being called an African and he/she is not offended.[/QUOTE]Except we call Egyptians North African, or Middle Eastern or Arabic. But similar concept. A generalised term covering many smaller specifics.

I'd call a Canadian a North American.

[WillowIX]

Posted by Dundee Slaytern: Now, if you call a Canadian a North American and he/she is not offended, then you can compare that to an Egyptian being called an African and he/she is not offended.

Damn right I´ll be offended! North American indeed!! Eeeehhhmm, hmmm wait... Naaah I guess you´re right, lol

[Epona]

Originally posted by Silver Cheetah: quote: Originally posted by Yorick: Oh yes, and did you not read? The English did not invent the word. To the Roman Empire, 'the Orient', was Asia Minor (now Turkey) and what we call the Middle East.

What, the Romans actually called it 'the Orient'? How very strange and interesting!

What was the actual Latin word they used?[/QUOTE]The actual Latin word they used was Oriens - meaning East. Sorry [img]tongue.gif[/img]

EDIT: Just adding some Latin text and translation to demonstrate use of word Oriens to describe a person 'of the East' - this is from Book 4 of Ovid's Metamorphoses. The translation is a rather poetic one using dated language, but the context in which the word Oriens is used should be clear:

i enim inconsumpta iuventa est,
tu puer aeternus, tu formosissimus alto
conspiceris caelo; tibi, cum sine cornibus adstas,
virgineum caput est; Oriens tibi victus, adusque
decolor extremo qua tinguitur India Gange.

Translation:
In Heav'n thou shin'st with a superior grace;
Conceal thy horns, and 'tis a virgin's face.
Thou taught'st the tawny Indian to obey,
And Ganges, smoothly flowing, own'd thy sway.

[ 07-05-2002, 06:52 AM: Message edited by: Epona ]

[Silver Cheetah]

Originally posted by Epona: quote: Originally posted by Silver Cheetah: quote: Originally posted by Yorick: Oh yes, and did you not read? The English did not invent the word. To the Roman Empire, 'the Orient', was Asia Minor (now Turkey) and what we call the Middle East.

What, the Romans actually called it 'the Orient'? How very strange and interesting!

What was the actual Latin word they used?[/QUOTE]The actual Latin word they used was Oriens - meaning East. Sorry [img]tongue.gif[/img]

EDIT: Just adding some Latin text and translation to demonstrate use of word Oriens to describe a person 'of the East' - this is from Book 4 of Ovid's Metamorphoses. The translation is a rather poetic one using dated language, but the context in which the word Oriens is used should be clear:

i enim inconsumpta iuventa est,
tu puer aeternus, tu formosissimus alto
conspiceris caelo; tibi, cum sine cornibus adstas,
virgineum caput est; Oriens tibi victus, adusque
decolor extremo qua tinguitur India Gange.

Translation:
In Heav'n thou shin'st with a superior grace;
Conceal thy horns, and 'tis a virgin's face.
Thou taught'st the tawny Indian to obey,
And Ganges, smoothly flowing, own'd thy sway.[/QUOTE]Erudite Epona! Blimey. Can you read Latin then?

[Donut]

Larry, perhaps it was just an occident!