Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't it common knowledge, except for the Archie Bunker types and members of a certain older generation who didn't get the PC memo, that we don't use the word Oriental to describe our Asian friends?
Be that as it may, I've been listening to the BBC lately in my car and have heard the term Oriental used to describe people of the Middle East, today it was the people and culture of Iran.
Of course I did a little digging and found that in the United States we adhere to these guidelines:
"Merriam-Webster describes the term as "sometimes offensive,"[6] Encarta states when the term is used as a noun it is considered "a highly offensive term for somebody from East Asia."
But ... "In British English, the term "Oriental" is now used to describe one of East Asian extraction, especially the ethnic groups of China, Japan, Korea, Vietnam and any other pertinent and surrounding countries, and has no pejorative connotations. The alternative is usually to use "Far Eastern," or refer to the specific country from which an individual or family may have originated, if this is known."
Isn't that interesting? In England the term Oriental isn't insulting when speaking of Asian people? But still, does that explain why BBC news reporters are using the term Oriental to describe people of the Middle East? I mean Chinese people and Iranian people are a little bit different, right?
So I'm looking for answers here. First and foremost, why is Oriental considered offensive here in the United States but not in the United Kingdom? And who decides if it's offensive or not? Did all of the Asian people in Great Britain get to vote and say they didn't mind the term? My guess is that some British Asians might like to get rid of the term. But I could be wrong.
And second, is the word offensive only when talking about people or does it also apply to objects like, "Oriental rugs or Oriental Art?" There seems to be more debate on that issue. I for one always feel uncomfortable when I hear folks use the word because I just thought it was a no-no. But always the journalist, I'd like to know why.
I'm listening.
Peace!
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
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7 comments:
From what I understand in the States saying Oriental Rug/Art is fine but people are not "Oriental".
However it's different in Europe and the Caribbean. In general folks are less PC outside of America. I can't tell you how many times I had to tell Caribbean relatives, "no, we don't say that in America".
hmm, interesting, i had a similar conversation the other day with a british man married to a chinese woman. he says the term "oriental" when referring to people from far east asia is simply geographically wrong (as it is) and that it is also considered racist to use that term in england as well. hmm? but if you heard it on the bbc. . .well. . .why don't you write in to the bbc and ask?
Ragazza,
You know the PC thing is very American, and I always get into "discussions" about it with my Spanish relatives. They say we're too sensitive, and maybe we are, but I'd take sensitive over insulting any day.
Rose-Anne,
I know, it is just plain wrong from a geographic standpoint. Maybe I will write to the BBC...
Oriental is used most of the time in the UK when referring to East Asians. It's not at all seen as offensive and helps to differentiate from (British) Asians who are of South Asian descent.
Hmm, as a Brit (all be it, a Black British Woman) I've never heard a fellow Brit refer to an East Asian person as an 'Oriental', and assumed that it was considered offensive here as well (currentbtwshores' British acquaintence summed it up perfectly). I think some people in America will be pleasantly (or unpleasantly?) surprised to find that England has a PC culture too, although some who wish they could use pretty offensive terms willy nilly are up in arms about our move towards this. Read: The Daily Mail & it's readers...
I was told oriental describes objects while Asian refers to individuals. Do I have it wrong?
Oli,
Thanks again for the in country perspective!
Josie,
Am def. "pleasantly surprised."
Color Online,
That's kind of a rule of thumb here I think, but it's still just geographically incorrect. but it is hard to keep track, which is why i brought this idea up for discussion.
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