本文发表在 rolia.net 枫下论坛Perceptions and connotations
An important factor in the usage of 'Oriental', regardless of perceptions of pejorativeness, is that it collectively refers to cultural, ethnic and national groupings of people who do not necessarily identify themselves as associated, and hence can lead to inaccurate assumptions about similarity. (Compare 'the West.')
[edit] American English
While a small number of reference works used in the United States describe Oriental as pejorative, antiquated but not necessarily offensive, the American Heritage Book of English Usage notes that:
It is worth remembering, though, that Oriental is not an ethnic slur to be avoided in all situations. It is most objectionable in contemporary contexts and when used as a noun, as in the appointment of an Oriental to head the commission. But in certain historical contexts, or when its exotic connotations are integral to the topic, Oriental remains a useful term.[4]
Random House's Guide to Sensitive Language states "Other words (e.g., Oriental, colored) are outdated or inaccurate." This Guide to Sensitive Language suggests the use of "Asian or more specific designation such as Pacific Islander, Chinese American, [or] Korean".[5] Merriam-Webster describes the term as "sometimes offensive",[6] while Encarta states that when the term is used as a noun it is considered "a highly offensive term for somebody from East Asia". [7]
[edit] British English
In British English, the term Oriental is not typically considered pejorative, and is used to refer to people originating from East and Southeast Asia. Asian is generally used only to describe people originating from South Asia.[8] This usage reflects historic immigration into the UK, since more than 50% of the non-European population is British Asian, whereas East and Southeast Asians comprise only 5-6% of the non-European population. Of those, the majority are of Chinese descent.[9]
[edit] Australian English
In Australian English, the term "Asian" is generally used in reference to people of Chinese, Vietnamese, Korean and Japanese ethnicity. Australians generally refer to people of Korean, Vietnamese, Japanese or Chinese descent as Asian, and persons of Indian or Sri Lankan descent by their respective demonym. However, use of the term often varies according to personal preference.
The word Oriental, in place of Asian, is seldom used in colloquial conversation in Australia, although it is considered anachronistic rather than offensive.[citation needed]
[edit] Canadian English
In Canadian English, like Australian English, the term "Asian" is used most often to refer to people of eastern Asian descent and other similar southeastern groups. It can be expanded, however, such as in colonial times, to include the more southern Asian countries such as India and Sri Lanka, which is quite common, especially in use by South Asians themselves. In modern Canadian usage, according to the Canadian Oxford Dictionary, the term "Oriental" is considered offensive when applied to a person of East Asian ancestry.[10]
[edit] German
In German Orient is usually used synonymously with the Arab World and Persia. The term Asiaten is used to describe the people of East Asia and Southeast Asia.更多精彩文章及讨论，请光临枫下论坛 rolia.net
An important factor in the usage of 'Oriental', regardless of perceptions of pejorativeness, is that it collectively refers to cultural, ethnic and national groupings of people who do not necessarily identify themselves as associated, and hence can lead to inaccurate assumptions about similarity. (Compare 'the West.')
[edit] American English
While a small number of reference works used in the United States describe Oriental as pejorative, antiquated but not necessarily offensive, the American Heritage Book of English Usage notes that:
It is worth remembering, though, that Oriental is not an ethnic slur to be avoided in all situations. It is most objectionable in contemporary contexts and when used as a noun, as in the appointment of an Oriental to head the commission. But in certain historical contexts, or when its exotic connotations are integral to the topic, Oriental remains a useful term.[4]
Random House's Guide to Sensitive Language states "Other words (e.g., Oriental, colored) are outdated or inaccurate." This Guide to Sensitive Language suggests the use of "Asian or more specific designation such as Pacific Islander, Chinese American, [or] Korean".[5] Merriam-Webster describes the term as "sometimes offensive",[6] while Encarta states that when the term is used as a noun it is considered "a highly offensive term for somebody from East Asia". [7]
[edit] British English
In British English, the term Oriental is not typically considered pejorative, and is used to refer to people originating from East and Southeast Asia. Asian is generally used only to describe people originating from South Asia.[8] This usage reflects historic immigration into the UK, since more than 50% of the non-European population is British Asian, whereas East and Southeast Asians comprise only 5-6% of the non-European population. Of those, the majority are of Chinese descent.[9]
[edit] Australian English
In Australian English, the term "Asian" is generally used in reference to people of Chinese, Vietnamese, Korean and Japanese ethnicity. Australians generally refer to people of Korean, Vietnamese, Japanese or Chinese descent as Asian, and persons of Indian or Sri Lankan descent by their respective demonym. However, use of the term often varies according to personal preference.
The word Oriental, in place of Asian, is seldom used in colloquial conversation in Australia, although it is considered anachronistic rather than offensive.[citation needed]
[edit] Canadian English
In Canadian English, like Australian English, the term "Asian" is used most often to refer to people of eastern Asian descent and other similar southeastern groups. It can be expanded, however, such as in colonial times, to include the more southern Asian countries such as India and Sri Lanka, which is quite common, especially in use by South Asians themselves. In modern Canadian usage, according to the Canadian Oxford Dictionary, the term "Oriental" is considered offensive when applied to a person of East Asian ancestry.[10]
[edit] German
In German Orient is usually used synonymously with the Arab World and Persia. The term Asiaten is used to describe the people of East Asia and Southeast Asia.更多精彩文章及讨论，请光临枫下论坛 rolia.net