Megumi@Ibaraki
"asiatic" & "asian" how are these different in usage? Is it uncommon to say "Asiatic people" instead of "Asian people"? I know the word "Asiatic" is used for faunas, floras etc, but is its usage limited for science or anthroplogy only? How would you used these words differently? I find the expression "We, asiatic people" in a book. Is it correct in modern English?
Jan 14, 2011 10:20 AM
Answers · 5
1
Asiatic is an outdated word. Asiatic is rarely used for people. It is perfectly fine to say the Asiatic elephant. http://www.thefreedictionary.com/asiatic
January 16, 2011
"Asiatic" is not normally used for people, except maybe in anthropology. To answer your question, it is difficult to know without more context what the author wanted to get across, but there is no doubt that the English is perfectly correct.
January 15, 2011
formal
January 14, 2011
I think 'asian' is used more than 'asiatic' in everyday language. I believe 'asiatic' is a formal version of 'asian' which could explain why it isn't more widely used.
January 14, 2011
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