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

japinoy wrote:

I will do that. :) I will, even if i have to buy her several plates of omurice to get the message across. :P

I would have thought kicking her butt would be more effective than feeding her... :sweat:

thtl wrote:I would have thought kicking her butt would be more effective than feeding her... :sweat:

Whatever approach works.... More power to ya. :thumbsup:

Kicking her butt, feeding her...well, whatever works ;)

Which reminds me, we're supposed to have lunch this week. I'm taking her out for omurice :P Will first try the "feeding approach: :rofl:

wow.... i never knew that jap was an offensive word. :beatyou:
but yeahh i tottally understand why now.
lol *sigh thanks for the info.... im glad i came to this site, or otherwise i mighta insulted someone without knowing it :puppydog:

I remember when I was younger, I wrote "jap test" on my calendar and didn't give a second thought to it. I guess this was before the online thing.

After joining the online world, I visited this site when it was called "japdorama" (or something like that) and I was a little offended. However, over the course of time, my opinions changed back and forth. In the beginning, I felt upset that some people used it freely, not knowing that it was racist. Now, I'm just indifferent. I'm not fazed by it as much as before, but still there are instances when I'm a bit sensitive and it gets to me.

cori wrote:I remember when I was younger, I wrote "jap test" on my calendar and didn't give a second thought to it. I guess this was before the online thing.

After joining the online world, I visited this site when it was called "japdorama" (or something like that) and I was a little offended. However, over the course of time, my opinions changed back and forth. In the beginning, I felt upset that some people used it freely, not knowing that it was racist. Now, I'm just indifferent. I'm not fazed by it as much as before, but still there are instances when I'm a bit sensitive and it gets to me.

Instances?

I am Japanese.
I don't want to eat any food at same table with the persons who use "Jap".

If "Jap" means our nationality, when you wants to use "Jap", I guess it is fair that nationality of users of "Jap" must be appeared by themselves.

heh this thread makes sense. On the Internet i do get from time to time strange reactions if i use the term jap, even if it was out of content for Japanese.
I'm from Austria and "ja" means yes. "jap" would be "yep"

Since the German insult for japanese is "japse" i didnt even think about it. Now i think japse or jap(in the right content) is insultig (like someone said, it comes from the WW2 as an insult)

I dunno how i would feel if someone always answers with "ösi" (insult for Austrians) if it would mean yes in some language. I'm still using jap as yes, its the same word but it doesnt mean the same and no harm intended

vier wrote:I'm still using jap as yes, its the same word but it doesnt mean the same and no harm intended

That's all well and good, but please don't use it in this forum... It'll be misunderstood... Better off to not use it and avoid confusion.

"Jap" is like "Frenchy", I'm french and I don't like the word "Frenchy" so I guess it's the same with japanese about "Jap"

Sasagawaa wrote:"Jap" is like "Frenchy", I'm french and I don't like the word "Frenchy" so I guess it's the same with japanese about "Jap"

Not quite the same thing. "Jap" is not like the term "Frenchy" at all! :shakehead: It is not a cute or endearing nickname. It is an offensive and derogatory term.

I have noticed more and more young ppl who think that just because an expression is used by their friends or classmates then it is considered acceptable. Please read the historiacl references in this thread and then you will understand the difference. :)

/start rant

^^^Ummm I dont know how it is in America but I'm pretty sure that "frenchy" isn't a cute or endearing knickname and is EXACTLY the same as using the word Jap. The person who is french has just told you that he would feel the same about it. and you pretty much told him his feelings on a racial slur about his country was wrong and that he should be happy because its an endearing term. This is exactly why the topic was set up but if someone had of made the statement about the word jap there would be uproar.

To be honest I'm shocked at all the people (especailly background english speakers or at least that is my assumption based on the countries listed) Who will jump down anyones throats when they use it as an abreviation (I am not condoning the use of the word but its pretty freaking obvious when people especially from places that aren't the USA are using it innocently and when people are using it with malice.) I'm not saying they should not be told that its a racial slur people should always be educated. But at least evaluate who you're telling and for what infraction before you fly off the handle. As I read through this topic I was shocked at how you treated some of the people when they asked innocent questions.

It may be an easy concept for us as we have grown up not only seeing it used as a slur but also being fluent in english making your understanding of why it is bad much easier. but please show the same understanding to others that you are asking them to show you.

Not everyone is the same and its quite obvious that not everyone on here has the same english level especailly on the internet. take this into account when you evaluate someone.

One glaring example was when some poor german girl was pretty much labeled a nazi when she asked for clarification on this topic.

Sorry if this is a little aggro but i am really shocked by how many "down to earth" people here think that they're not being racist if they're not being racist to Japanese people.

/end rant
/start flaming.

Dellie wrote:/start rant

^^^Ummm I dont know how it is in America but I'm pretty sure that "frenchy" isn't a cute or endearing knickname and is EXACTLY the same as using the word Jap. The person who is french has just told you that he would feel the same about it. and you pretty much told him his feelings on a racial slur about his country was wrong and that he should be happy because its an endearing term. This is exactly why the topic was set up but if someone had of made the statement about the word jap there would be uproar.

/end rant
/start flaming.

Hi Dellie,

The reason I thought the term "Frenchy " was probably used in an endearing manner was because unlike the word "Jap" in the past, it wasn't used to refer to an enemy in WWII. So no I don't see those two words as the same thing. Yes I do understand fully that the word "Frenchy" was an insult to Sasagawaa, that is why I said it wasn't quite the same thing. Please don't put words in my mouth, I never told Sasagawaa that he or she should be happy about the term "Frenchy." I was merely stating that I saw a difference between the two, thats' all. As an African-American with one white parent and one black parent, I am very careful in using the term 'racial slur' and or 'racist.' I think those accusations are thrown around much too easily these days.

Sorry Dellie if I came off to you to as insulting to anyone here, but hey you are entitled to your opinion as I am to mine. :)

No rants/No Flames just honest dialogue with respect. :victory:

Whenever I see the word posted on forums/message boards, it takes me aback momentarily. I don't flip out but I don't just think, hey no biggie either.

I am Japanese-American and I grew up as the only Japanese kid in my school. I had friends that were also Japanese that lived about 20 miles away, but I rarely saw them growing up. I didn't have anyone to endure this with.

As I was growing up, I was called a slew of names like "slanty-eyed Jap", many, many times. I tried to keep a strong face and dismiss it, but the truth is, it hurt to be called names by my classmates. It made me angry. I wanted to beat the snot out of every one of them.

Some of the kids even knew of the historical significance to call me that. It didn't stop them.

They were kids. They didn't know any better. They just knew that it bugged me and they kept saying those things.

Moreover, no one made them stop. Even if a parent or adult had told them to stop, they probably wouldn't have.

Of course, eventually, the name calling and slurs did stop. Everyone grows up and moves on.

I 'm sure if you were to ask those kids if they even remembered the hurtful things they said, they would be pressed to do so.

Even I have forgotten about it for the most part. I haven't been called those names since I was probably 11 years old.

But like I said, every once in a while I see JAPmusic or JAPtv or whatever on message boards.

For a second, I 'm taken aback. Wow, people still say these things, I wonder.

Then, I shrug my shoulders and think about it. That's just not right.

I don't get angry about it anymore. Hopefully, just like those kids I knew, we can all grow out it.

Dellie wrote:/start rant

^^^Ummm I dont know how it is in America but I'm pretty sure that "frenchy" isn't a cute or endearing knickname and is EXACTLY the same as using the word Jap. The person who is french has just told you that he would feel the same about it. and you pretty much told him his feelings on a racial slur about his country was wrong and that he should be happy because its an endearing term. This is exactly why the topic was set up but if someone had of made the statement about the word jap there would be uproar.

To be honest I'm shocked at all the people (especailly background english speakers or at least that is my assumption based on the countries listed) Who will jump down anyones throats when they use it as an abreviation (I am not condoning the use of the word but its pretty freaking obvious when people especially from places that aren't the USA are using it innocently and when people are using it with malice.) I'm not saying they should not be told that its a racial slur people should always be educated. But at least evaluate who you're telling and for what infraction before you fly off the handle. As I read through this topic I was shocked at how you treated some of the people when they asked innocent questions.

It may be an easy concept for us as we have grown up not only seeing it used as a slur but also being fluent in english making your understanding of why it is bad much easier. but please show the same understanding to others that you are asking them to show you.

Not everyone is the same and its quite obvious that not everyone on here has the same english level especailly on the internet. take this into account when you evaluate someone.

One glaring example was when some poor german girl was pretty much labeled a nazi when she asked for clarification on this topic.

Sorry if this is a little aggro but i am really shocked by how many "down to earth" people here think that they're not being racist if they're not being racist to Japanese people.

/end rant
/start flaming.

Actually, it's not EXACTLY the same as calling a Japanese (or even Asian person) a "Jap". I think you have a very limited understanding of racism and the historical context in which words like "jap" and "frenchy" exist.

Frenchy wasn't a term used to define French people. Jap was and still is used to define Japanese people. A French person can shrug off the term "frenchy". A Japanese person cannot and could not shrug off the word "Jap" because it was used to demonize an entire group of people.

If you feel bad because someone calls you "Frenchy" in the negative, shrug it off and call the person an idiot. If someone called me "Yank" or "Amerloque", I would shrug it off. I've done it before. Those terms are not as hurtful as "Jap" where your intelligence, (usually) racial background, history and culture is set for speculation and ridicule, or n*****, which is basically the same deal, but for black people.

I agree that it's much better to inform people, rather than yell at them, but this is a sensitive issue. Yes, Jap can be used as an abbreviation, but is it really that hard to write out the whole word? It's not.

=0 I never knew Jap was such an offensive word and I have a number of japanese acquaintances . I thought Jap was like calling the british brits, just a short form instead of spelling the whole 8letter 3 syllable word when everyone knew what it was, something like writing Chi for chinese, well i see y saying chink is different cos it already sounds like a foreign perversion of the word... and I think Hongkie is rather rude but i have friends who are Hongkongers who don't seem to mind (not that i called them that . i think the intonation makes it sound very rude) Frenchie also sounds like a dimunitive trivalisation of the nation. But I think there would be people who aren't into American culture

It's all in the intention/contexts of the usage of Jap.

I'm married to a nihonjin (Japanese person) and I don't think she is bothered by the word Jap as racism towards her in UK (where we reside at the moment) usually comes in the form of gook, fucking Chinese etc (most UK people can't tell the difference).

So even with the racist abuse we get, as a Dutch/Japanese couple living in the UK I would say people are taking the whole political correct thing to far and a online website that is obvious for the glorification of Japanese Drama had no bad intentions when shortening it to japdrama... Having said that, jdorama is an AWESOME improvement on the name and really sticks out.

It's not about political correctness: it's just plain wrong and derogatory.

Like the N-word, it has no place in a conversation.

puckman wrote:It's all in the intention/contexts of the usage of Jap.

I'm married to a nihonjin (Japanese person) and I don't think she is bothered by the word Jap as racism towards her in UK (where we reside at the moment) usually comes in the form of gook, fucking Chinese etc (most UK people can't tell the difference).

So even with the racist abuse we get, as a Dutch/Japanese couple living in the UK I would say people are taking the whole political correct thing to far and a online website that is obvious for the glorification of Japanese Drama had no bad intentions when shortening it to japdrama... Having said that, jdorama is an AWESOME improvement on the name and really sticks out.

I agree with you on the fact that in this kind of circumstances, the politically correct aspect is often being pushed too far.

I think the abbreviation "jap" is not insulting in itself. Few people made it dirty using it the wrong way in the past and somehow I feel that censuring the use of this term is like proving them right.

That being said, it is easy to speak one's mind without using the term "jap", I avoid using it not to create useless controversies, but somehow I think it is not right.

Garp_is_dead wrote:

I agree with you on the fact that in this kind of circumstances, the politically correct aspect is often being pushed too far.

I think the abbreviation "jap" is not insulting in itself. Few people made it dirty using it the wrong way in the past and somehow I feel that censuring the use of this term is like proving them right.

That being said, it is easy to speak one's mind without using the term "jap", I avoid using it not to create useless controversies, but somehow I think it is not right.

Glad to hear I'm not the only who is not happy with the overdone pc tones of today's world.