To be fair, they’re not entirely equivalent. I wouldn’t bristle at all at being called “an American,” but I would never call someone “a Chinese.” In the plural form with a definite article, it doesn’t feel as bad, but I’d probably prefer to say “Chinese people,” whereas “American people” feels a little clunky, though it’s probably the best option if you want to keep both terms the same.
I don’t think this is necessarily a racist thing though, because I’d probably be fine saying “the French/ Congolese /Japanese*” and “Guatemalans/ Nigerians/ Tibetans/ Swedes.” Demonyms are definitely a weird area of language that feels biased when you see a direct comparison though.
*interestingly, I couldn’t think of a “new world” country where I would say “the+singular demonym,” but it does sound right for some tribal nations, like “the Hopi/Navajo.” I don’t think it’s uniform though, because “Pequots/Algonquins” sound much better than “the Pequot/Algonquin” to me and I’m not sure why.
It’s still generally Hopis and Navajos. Usually you see the “the” definite article added when it’s referring to actual whole groups, example: “The Navajo (tribal govt or tribe as a whole) are fighting against X” as compared to “Navajos (people) are fighting against X”
Like I’d feel comfortable saying I’m an American, but like “I’m a Chinese” sounds so like… gramatically wrong.
Like, idk if its the -ese suffix. Or ifs its because the term “Chinese” can be 中国人 (Chinese National)，华人 (Chinese Person (as in ethnicity))，中文 (Chinese Language)，中国的 (China’s)，华裔 (Ethnic Chinese)，汉字 (Chinese Characters)… so it feels so like imprecise as a term, where as “I’m Chinese” is obviously refering to ethnicity (or nationality)
When someone say “the Chinese”, like when they refer to China’s success or failures, as in “the Chinese have managed to do XYZ”, idk why, but I half expect the speaker to be subconciously racist for some reason… like I feel like that phrase is categorizing me into the CCP’s decisions… like as if they’re assuming I’m part of a monolith that doesn’t have independent thoughts or something.
Maybe it’s just me and I’m overthinking this weird grammer rules.
I would say “the Chinese invented many things in the last two millennia.” And “China is constantly posturing against Taiwan” to separate the people from their government.
“The Chinese” doesn’t have to be racist it can just include all the people of the region across all times. It can be a bit ignorant but doesn’t flag maliciousness
I’m old and have a bit of a reputation for getting in the face of the ignorant, which isn’t always wise, but I’m a principled cunt
But there is a point where the little things don’t fucking matter when the person clearly doesn’t have any malicious intent, and only someone trying to be offended would have a problem
To whit, I was asking an indigenous friend whether they prefer “indigenous” or “aboriginal” when I’m speaking to them.
They said “the fact that you’re even asking means that you’re obviously not a part of the problem, so pull the stick out of your arse”
Na that’s a pretty common reaction to the SWJ language policing. Most oppressed minorities want their equal rights; not a mob or privileged kids virtue signaling and alienating them further 🌈
I’m insulted that you superimposed your SJW language policing on top of my linguistic pedantry then planted a battleflag. Fight the good fight, just do it somewhere its needed.
Think about this, we made major advancements politically and culturally during 2006-2016, especially in regards to LGBTQ rights and then the voters turn Trans people into a single issue ticket and vote for trump 12 years in a row. They turned you into a woke boogie man and campaign against you specifically and now we live in a fucking Nazi hell hole.
Yeah and pointing something out doesn’t mean you’re about to be served what your asking for due to your victim complex not being everyone else’s problem.
Gratuitous “the”.
yeah needs to match on both sides either “the americans and the chinese” or “americans and chinese” not this weird othering mix.
To be fair, they’re not entirely equivalent. I wouldn’t bristle at all at being called “an American,” but I would never call someone “a Chinese.” In the plural form with a definite article, it doesn’t feel as bad, but I’d probably prefer to say “Chinese people,” whereas “American people” feels a little clunky, though it’s probably the best option if you want to keep both terms the same.
I don’t think this is necessarily a racist thing though, because I’d probably be fine saying “the French/ Congolese /Japanese*” and “Guatemalans/ Nigerians/ Tibetans/ Swedes.” Demonyms are definitely a weird area of language that feels biased when you see a direct comparison though.
*interestingly, I couldn’t think of a “new world” country where I would say “the+singular demonym,” but it does sound right for some tribal nations, like “the Hopi/Navajo.” I don’t think it’s uniform though, because “Pequots/Algonquins” sound much better than “the Pequot/Algonquin” to me and I’m not sure why.
It’s still generally Hopis and Navajos. Usually you see the “the” definite article added when it’s referring to actual whole groups, example: “The Navajo (tribal govt or tribe as a whole) are fighting against X” as compared to “Navajos (people) are fighting against X”
Language is so weird tbh.
Like I’d feel comfortable saying I’m an American, but like “I’m a Chinese” sounds so like… gramatically wrong.
Like, idk if its the -ese suffix. Or ifs its because the term “Chinese” can be 中国人 (Chinese National)，华人 (Chinese Person (as in ethnicity))，中文 (Chinese Language)，中国的 (China’s)，华裔 (Ethnic Chinese)，汉字 (Chinese Characters)… so it feels so like imprecise as a term, where as “I’m Chinese” is obviously refering to ethnicity (or nationality)
When someone say “the Chinese”, like when they refer to China’s success or failures, as in “the Chinese have managed to do XYZ”, idk why, but I half expect the speaker to be subconciously racist for some reason… like I feel like that phrase is categorizing me into the CCP’s decisions… like as if they’re assuming I’m part of a monolith that doesn’t have independent thoughts or something.
Maybe it’s just me and I’m overthinking this weird grammer rules.
I would say “the Chinese invented many things in the last two millennia.” And “China is constantly posturing against Taiwan” to separate the people from their government.
“The Chinese” doesn’t have to be racist it can just include all the people of the region across all times. It can be a bit ignorant but doesn’t flag maliciousness
OK, so I’m one of the original SJWs
I’m old and have a bit of a reputation for getting in the face of the ignorant, which isn’t always wise, but I’m a principled cunt
But there is a point where the little things don’t fucking matter when the person clearly doesn’t have any malicious intent, and only someone trying to be offended would have a problem
To whit, I was asking an indigenous friend whether they prefer “indigenous” or “aboriginal” when I’m speaking to them.
They said “the fact that you’re even asking means that you’re obviously not a part of the problem, so pull the stick out of your arse”
I suggest you do the same.
Perhaps your indigenous friend’s non-sequitor opinion isn’t as valuable as you think?
Na that’s a pretty common reaction to the SWJ language policing. Most oppressed minorities want their equal rights; not a mob or privileged kids virtue signaling and alienating them further 🌈
I’m insulted that you superimposed your SJW language policing on top of my linguistic pedantry then planted a battleflag. Fight the good fight, just do it somewhere its needed.
Think about this, we made major advancements politically and culturally during 2006-2016, especially in regards to LGBTQ rights and then the voters turn Trans people into a single issue ticket and vote for trump 12 years in a row. They turned you into a woke boogie man and campaign against you specifically and now we live in a fucking Nazi hell hole.
I have no idea what you are talking about.
If you’re hungry, feel free to eat my arsehole with a spoon
( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)
no, he’s correct.
I’m going to start using “the ameri*an”
We aren’t bringing back “Chinamen” if that’s what you’re asking.
…I did type it, tho just to see how it looked.
The Chinaman is not the issue dude.
And please Asian American is the preferred nomenclature
Chinese would suffice.
Tell Xi I’m sorry. He’ll have to wait for the .ml version.
Are you smoking crack? I’m sympathetic to your plight, but perhaps discussion and debate are less your forte than inhaling and seeing stars.
Yeah and pointing something out doesn’t mean you’re about to be served what your asking for due to your victim complex not being everyone else’s problem.
I do believe you’ve lost the narrative.
Dude, chinaman is not the preferred nomenclature.
What do you mean by the second sentence 🤨