Use of the word 'Jap' - is it offensive?

I was browsing though some Japanese books and found this in one of them

[image]

I was a bit reluctant to post it, knowing that many people might only focus on it as being negative. But my hope is that, for some, it might be viewed as further evidence that innocent contractions do (mistakenly) happen (even in Japan).

Thank you for leaving this thread open and spreading knowledge.

While my point was that the term is often times used unintentionally, I also have recently had the misfortune of encountering someone whom, even when shown the definition in a dictionary, absolutely insisted that the term is in no way racist. What also shocked me was that (he is Jewish and) he didnt even find the Jewish slur (that uses those same three letters) as being potentially racist. It wasn't until later that I found out why that argument could not be won. He is actually suffering from some sort of psychosis (seems he loses all touch with reality). And I now know that he is definitely seeing a psychiatrist... I always try to be understanding and accepting of everyone... But seeing as the dude is well enough to drive a car, and seems to be capable of functioning in society. It really irks me that hes not well enough to understand his inappropriate use of that term. He just insists it's the proper abbreviation and absolutely refuses to change or stop using it. But what can we do? So add that one to the list of excuses. Psychological disability.

Welcome back, lazerus.


Thank you for sharing and I found the story about that man to be interesting. :)

bmwracer wrote:
Hey now, one thing is to not like Korean dramas for one reason or another, but to say people who like them are shallow?

Sounds like the pot calling the kettle black. :shakehead:


And it's Japanese, not Jap.

yeah, the word jap, s/b Japanese instead, sounds offensive, i agree with you @bmw. :bonk:

I am getting tired of the term j?p being used so freely. Use that term where I live and I would not be surprised if you got your face punched in. So far that is 2 people (fybabe & aki_07) from singapore that is using that racial slur. So what racial slur would you like us to call you folks you are from Sinapore.

The more I read this thread the more I think the people who say they hate korean dramas. Have not even seen enough korean dramas to have a opinion. I think you seen a couple of them and that is them Not all of them end in someone dying of cancer or in love with a sibling. Plus I think they are a few of them who just "hate" koreans period.

So far that is 2 people (fybabe & aki_07) from singapore that is using that racial slur. So what racial slur would you like us to call you folks you are from Sinapore

I understand that the use of the term "jap" is offensive but I really don't think it is called for to insult the Singaporeans on this forum as a whole by your last line.

This topic is in itself controversial but I don't think we should all get below the belt and start dishing out personal insults, e.g. people watching Korean dramas are shallow etc.

olnil wrote:I am getting tired of the term j?p being used so freely. Use that term where I live and I would not be surprised if you got your face punched in. So far that is 2 people (fybabe & aki_07) from singapore that is using that racial slur. So what racial slur would you like us to call you folks you are from Sinapore.

I'm sure there's no malice intended, since they're unaware of the history in America regarding that term...

I just point it out to educate them, not to label them as racist, which I hope they're not....

The more I read this thread the more I think the people who say they hate korean dramas. Have not even seen enough korean dramas to have a opinion. I think you seen a couple of them and that is them Not all of them end in someone dying of cancer or in love with a sibling. Plus I think they are a few of them who just "hate" koreans period.

Your point might well be valid.

To be honest, I'm not too fond of this thread since its totally negative and is bound to lead to some ugliness down the line... Maybe instead of moving it, I should have locked it and nipped this in the bud... :sweat:

bmwracer wrote:
Hey now, one thing is to not like Korean dramas for one reason or another, but to say people who like them are shallow?

Sounds like the pot calling the kettle black. :shakehead:


And it's Japanese, not Jap.

PLs enlighten me, how come 'jap' is a racist slur? Here in Singapore people are hardly racist so we don't get offended by slangs like this. Alot of us who love J pop use that. Singapore is a multi-racial country by the way & most of use use this term "jap" without any condescending connotations. Ok, I think my opinion abt korean drama lovers is too extreme, I take it back. Apologies. However I still feel Japanese drama or pop culture is in many ways far more superior than Korean, more original, less copycat & unconventional. At least its language sounds alot more pleasing to the ears too.

if you wanna shorten your time by not typing Japanese, Korean, or Chinese...jus use J or K or C in front of what u wanted to type out. Ex Jdorama, Jpop, J-people<----this one is kinda odd though

::sigh:: This again. :hehe: I am fully aware that many people in Singapore (and probably some other countries too) freely use the word "J@p" without meaning harm. Using that word in front of other Singaporeans or whatever other nationality uses it in the same manner is one thing. This also goes for even friends among each other in private, or about themselves. The other thing is, in other countries like the United States, from which a LOT of members from this forum originate, "J@p" is an offensive and derogatory term. When someone mentions that to someone who uses it, they may be offended and/or be looking out for those who could be offended by it by bringing it to your attention. For those that don't realize what the term means to others, please use caution in the future when posting on public boards with many members of different nationalities and cultures. Whenever someone posts something like "looking for j@p drama" in Buy Sell Trade, I edit the post to not say "j@p". Why? Not to offend the poster, but to look out for others.

Just because someone doesn't mean harm or realize the harm it can cause doesn't mean someone won't take it that way. There are plenty of other examples like this of other words. Just keep this in mind. Nobody is trying to jump down your throat and say it's wrong to say all over the planet. But we have people from all over the planet in this forum. If you didn't know it was offensive to some people, you learned something today.

Well said, Kouseiya315

The lastest 8 posts (starting from qilver's post) have been merged over to this thread from this one : http://jdorama.com/viewtopic.7036.20.htm

The posts in which the debate started are...

aki_07 wrote: :doh: There are many things I can't stand abt Korean drama - no aesthetics value, how can people actually think bae yong jun is good-looking, he looks like an ordinary man or worse, an obasan himself! The men look square & rough & gals all look the same I can't differentiate one from the other. The script is not out of the box at all, it reminds me of those 80s tragic taiwan drama where the lovers are always torn aprat by families background, fatal illnesses or because they are siblings. The drama is desparately trying to make you cry like it's screaming in your face "CRY pls CRY!". :shakehead: Nothing very extraordianry abt Korean drama... I think people who like it are shallow (pardon me) & people who like jap drama have more depth. Hehehe...

bmwracer wrote:Hey now, one thing is to not like Korean dramas for one reason or another, but to say people who like them are shallow?

Sounds like the pot calling the kettle black. :shakehead:


And it's Japanese, not Jap.

I've since moved all related posts to this topic.

I think the word filter is starting to be a really good idea. It's cultural/social differences like this (many are offended, some are not) that really shows it is necessary.

dochira wrote:I think the word filter is starting to be a really good idea. It's cultural/social differences like this (many are offended, some are not) that really shows it is necessary.

I hear ya.

But the filter only solves half the problem: I think you gotta educate people about it or they'll always be in the dark.

bmwracer wrote:
I hear ya.

But the filter only solves half the problem: I think you gotta educate people about it or they'll always be in the dark.

Oh, I totally agree. But at least half would be solved....And sadly, I don't know if the other half will. :( I've seen some people open their eyes, but others will be completely blind, no matter how much explanation is given.

dochira wrote:Oh, I totally agree. But at least half would be solved....And sadly, I don't know if the other half will. :( I've seen some people open their eyes, but others will be completely blind, no matter how much explanation is given.

Yeah, some people don't like to be told what to do, regardless of how right or wrong it is.

bmwracer wrote:


To be honest, I'm not too fond of this thread since its totally negative and is bound to lead to some ugliness down the line... Maybe instead of moving it, I should have locked it and nipped this in the bud... :sweat:

Beemer, Ive been hesitant to post this as I truly believe in freedom of speech but thats exactly how I feel.
It is all so negative. :usuck:
Starting a thread with a negative tone about racial slur interprations, or hating something like Korean dramas, seems ripe for misunderstandings, and totally counterproductive to the forum which is a tremendous place to bypass all cultural differences and enjoy these unique stories.
Since being a member Ive gotten to know great drama fans from Singapore(she made me a website!) to Alabama. :mrgreen:
Why not a thread on how many friends youve made from other countries because of JDorama? :D

Eve wrote:
Why not a thread on how many friends youve made from other countries because of JDorama? :D

Sounds like a great idea to me :woot:

Eve wrote:

Beemer, Ive been hesitant to post this as I truly believe in freedom of speech but thats exactly how I feel.
It is all so negative. :usuck:
Starting a thread with a negative tone about racial slur interprations, or hating something like Korean dramas, seems ripe for misunderstandings, and totally counterproductive to the forum which is a tremendous place to bypass all cultural differences and enjoy these unique stories.
Since being a member Ive gotten to know great drama fans from Singapore(she made me a website!) to Alabama. :mrgreen:
Why not a thread on how many friends youve made from other countries because of JDorama? :D

it totally agree as well !! :usuck: i've met generous gentle and kind people around here i'll only mention one pers because it's the first one i've actually met and opened up for ..K.T. !! :woot:
Thank you ! :victory:

Eve wrote:Beemer, Ive been hesitant to post this as I truly believe in freedom of speech but thats exactly how I feel.
It is all so negative. :usuck:
Starting a thread with a negative tone about racial slur interprations, or hating something like Korean dramas, seems ripe for misunderstandings, and totally counterproductive to the forum which is a tremendous place to bypass all cultural differences and enjoy these unique stories.
Since being a member Ive gotten to know great drama fans from Singapore(she made me a website!) to Alabama. :mrgreen:
Why not a thread on how many friends youve made from other countries because of JDorama? :D

Evie, somehow I missed this post of yours... Thanks for the support though... As the saying goes, "great minds think alike..." :hehe:

bmwracer wrote:
Evie, somehow I missed this post of yours... Thanks for the support though... As the saying goes, "great minds think alike..." :hehe:

Well, Im certainly not going to argue with that!
:mrgreen: ;)