I just want to know that about oriental/ asia word using. I think it's definitely easy to people who using english as a mother language. but for us, I mean, like an asian, sometimes it's quite difficult to chose the word. we just know nuance but it's not that detail. and even dictionary has confused about it.
for example, 'oriental painting'. you know what it is? It's like a traditional painting in asia. I think most of you guys have ever seen this kind of painting.
actually, my major is 'oriental painting'. so I introduced my major to my foreign friends, using 'oriental words'. and my friends told me that I shouldn't use this oriental word! she said that word(oriental) feels like to put my self down(maybe like a racism).
so now I'm confused. can you explain about this?
thank you for read my question. bless you!
I don't think there's anything wrong with using the term "oriental painting" or "an oriental rug." Oriental is a socially acceptable term when it is reserved for objects, such as rugs.
Nowadays, we do not call a Chinese person an "oriental person" because it is an outdated term. The term is associated with a time period when Asians were treated as inferior to other ethnic groups.
I hope I have answered your question. If you'd like to practice speaking English, I'd be happy to help you. Feel free to look at my teaching profile and class offerings and send me a message if you think I can help you.
Casey
As a white American, I rarely hear this word used except in the context of something like the title of your major. However, for some reason, it feels like a bad word to me. Not as bad as some words that have been used to describe Asians, but still a little derogatory. I can't explain why (maybe because it focuses on a person's appearance?). This is only if it is in reference to a person, though.
However, upon doing research, it seems Asian Americans are divided on the subject. One medical doctor says that it doesn't offend her in the least, because, like you, she practices in a field where the word 'oriental' is used in the title ('Oriental Medicine') and she feels it describes what it's about and relates to its traditions. She thinks that this particular descriptor doesn't carry the baggage of other words, mostly because it just tells where a person is from. On the other hand, many other people feel it conjures up images of stereotypes, mostly outdated ones, and that using this word brings those images to the forefront of the conversation instead of having the person be treated like, well, a person. I can't speak for an Asian person, especially one who doesn't live in America, so I think it's up to you to decide what you think about this word.
