Re: Heat
Originally posted by Mekugi
Wow this is really rolling out of control!
A little gas to the fire :
Hakujin and kokojin are all indeed under the classification "gaijin". Not only have they ascertained that these are "foreigners" but also these are people with different skin color. Myself, I am kind of pink actually. I have that Oregon tan that takes years of sunless condition to develop...schnarf.
On the opposite end you have Nihonjin, who do not designate themselves as a color (yellow-people?)nor do they call themselves gaijin whenever abroad. They simply see themselves as "people". I think that is where "we gaijin" are finding a drift- its not the language especially, but the logic that accompanies the language. However in this case if you become too sensative you will start finding hidden messages in Star Wars- exempli gratia: Darth Vader, a white guy trapped in a black suit. INSIDE WE ALL WANT TO BE WHITE!! (yeah...Mall Rats rules).
Not everyone in Japan is like this, and it seems that there is a big PC debate about what is and is not proper to say; and perhaps one is right in assuming that sticks and stones may break your bones but names should never hurt you *however* in order to initiate change on the social level, there must fist be an individual awareness of what is being said and why. A education that must start from within. I myself am guilty of being so "un-p.c." at times it would drive the tofu-eating-granola-munching-tree-hugging-vegetarian-pacifist to the point of grabbing a sack lunch, a rifle and heading to a clocktower to wait until I get off work(whew that's a mouthful). That does not mean, however, that I am racist in my heart of hearts, it just means I have to watch what I communicate to people in order to protect their feelings; which from what I understand is what speech in Japanese is supposed to be all about, right? An attempt to speak in a manner to protect the feelings of the individual while conveying a message as politely as possible. As ambiguous a thing that this may seem, it is important to remember that feelings are a big part of the psyche in every person, whether they admit it or not. In that sense, perhaps everyone needs to step back and remind themselves of the emotional stress they can cause another person by viewing them as anything other than another human being; intentionally or otherwise.
Ehh what the heck do I know anyway...
-R
Hey, it was "Chasing Amy" not "Mallrats" where a guy got shot saying all blacks want to be white. Man that was hilarious.
As far as I can see, gaijin is verbal form of gaikokujin. Certainly refering people of foreing origin as gaikokujin or gaijin all the time would be rude because that indicate one's failure to see person's quality beyond him/her not being Japanese. But that is the same with the word "black", "Chinese guy". What is derogetory is the usage, not the meaning of the word itself.
As of use of gaijin/gaikoku outside Japan, there is nothing illogical about refering country which is not Japan as gaikoku whereever you are if the word is defined in term of one's country of origin, which is the case both in Japanese and English as indicated by dictionary. Now, if the grammer of particular language strictly limit the meaning of the word "foreign" in term of actual physical location of the person who utter the word then it is different story. However, I again checked few of my non-English friend. The word foreing is more often than not used in term of the person's native country than physical location though both usage is possible.
If someone English guy in Thailand say
"Hey, I'm in foreign country."
This makes perfect sence.
If someone respond to the above statement with
"Hey, you are not. Thailand is not foreing country because you are physically there."
You get "Huh?????" response.
"Wow, I'm sorrounded by foreing people who doesn't speak English"
"Hey, you have to see that you are foreinger here not them"
In this case, the word "foreign" is used in both context. Both are correct usage as long as English grammer goes.
As of libetarianism, libetarian are both liberal in economic (which naturally lead to market (capitalist if you are more marxist oriented) economy and social aspect (which lead to liberal society). Hence one could claim that libetarianism is the most consistent political theory. However, I have seen quite few who claim to be libetarian who use the argument of libetarianis only when it support their conservative view.
Last edited by Vapour; 20th October 2003 at 07:24.
-Youji Hajime.
Engrish does not mine strong point