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

Xavio wrote:Thank you very much :muack:
I hope, I hope !, but i've learned english for 9 years !!!! This holidays, I spend 2 weeks in england ( my first time in an english country ), and it was dificult for me :(

Well everyone knows that you can't learn English from the English... :rolleyes: :hehe:

You have to come to America to learn English... :rolleyes: :sweat: :hehe:

Ehem. The topic is about using the word " Jap" right? ...
I never heard about this word... So what the hell is so offensive about it? As Xavio said these short forms are there to make speech shorter! not to attack someone...

(Dear Xavio. I learned english for 4 years. You think it`s just difficult for you?? :say_no: You`re not allone, mate!!! *buhu*)



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My first post: Tadaaa :jumpie: yipiii :bonk:

Yes, it could be offensive when you say (in my language) something like :
What are these f*|<!ng Jap doing in front of the cafe ?
But when you really offensive, it's more by using the color of people... yellow... lemon... black...grey ( no it's mickael jackson ) It's very bad seen.
For me , it's not a problem if you call me white, frog, or froggies, baguette or so, I don't mind.

And if your hear someone in France saying schnaw ( offensive word for asian ) or citron (lemon) , take a gun, and kill him.

@mighty ami : Welcome on Jdorama, but remember, for us german are golike to learn english for us, they learn twice faster... The theachers are better in your country and you don't have the accent.

Mighty Ami wrote:Ehem. The topic is about using the word " Jap" right? ...
I never heard about this word... So what the hell is so offensive about it? As Xavio said these short forms are there to make speech shorter! not to attack someone...

well i guess if you never heard of it, it must not be offensive...I guess if i never heard of the word chink, i can start refering to everybody that is chinese that word and that would be OK right? :shakehead:

You may want to go back to some history books and check out why that word can be offensive to the JPN people.

I'm actually pretty level headed guy (askaround here about niko) I'm really not trying to be mean here, but if one would go thru all 11 pgs of this thread, one would not even ask this question...BTW, welcome to the boards.

- niko out

niko2x wrote:well i guess if you never heard of it, it must not be offensive...I guess if i never heard of the word chink, i can start refering to everybody that is chinese that word and that would be OK right? :shakehead:

You may want to go back to some history books and check out why that word can be offensive to the JPN people.

I'm actually pretty level headed guy (askaround here about niko) I'm really not trying to be mean here, but if one would go thru all 11 pgs of this thread, one would not even ask this question...BTW, welcome to the boards.

- niko out

I've read all, it's ok now i know... but you can't prevent us to say this word if for us it's not really offensive...
But I think, if I had japanese friends, i won't call them jap, neither the other.

Mighty Ami wrote:Ehem. The topic is about using the word " Jap" right? ...
I never heard about this word... So what the hell is so offensive about it? As Xavio said these short forms are there to make speech shorter! not to attack someone...

(Dear Xavio. I learned english for 4 years. You think it`s just difficult for you?? :say_no: You`re not allone, mate!!! *buhu*)

Mighty Ami. Just because you haven't heard about the word "Jap", doesn't justify your use of it.
In essence, it's like you're trying to say that the world revolves around you, and if you don't know about something, then it doesn't and won't apply to you.

I see you are from Germany. So what if I haven't heard of the term "Nazi"?! May I refer to you as a Nazi?!

If you get offended, then think about the Japanese you refer to as "Japs"....

The term doesn't offend me in the least. But such ignorance (in which you've shown) does.

Whoa, I found several posts, especially from the first few pages, to be *highly offensive*. Showing sensitivity works both ways. Like it or not, ignorance *is* an excuse. We *ALL* need to try and understand each other. It can not be all one sided. We are not born with this knowledge intact, it needs to be acquired! Many people seem to think of ignorance as a bad thing. We are all ignorant (of something) &#8211; thatfs life! No one knows everything, nor should they be expected to. Ignorance isnft a bad thing -- stupidity is. Once someone is told about something, they are no longer ignorant of it, and it can no longer be used as an excuse. If at that point they donft follow it, then they are being stupid, which generally is a bad thing. Although it has been stated several times, some people just canft seem to understand that J** was (and sometimes is) innocently used as a contraction for the word Japanese, by someone who obviously had (and/or has) only positive intents. It can not be compared to other slurs, because those slurs arenft innocent contractions. What is relevant is that the term does offend many people and as that is definitely not the intent, it definitively should not be used. The underlying cause of racism is really superficial condemnations, and it is not something that is restricted to race. The problem is that people jump to conclusions and act on them before finding out the details. The solution is to find out these details (the persons character, the persons intent) before reacting. By condemning and/or assaulting someone who innocently shortens a word, just because some one *thought* they meant something else, or because someone *thought* they heard a different word, is just as bad, if not worse than what they are being accused of. Unjust, negative treatment, based on superficiality is really no different than being racist. Superficial condemnations are superficial condemnations. And I was highly offended, saddened, and angered at how insensitive and abusive some people were (or said they would be) towards someone who could potentially be innocent and nice.

Now, for the record, I never heard of J** as being a slur until reading this. And now that I know about it, I would never use that term. At some time in the past, I might have typed J**. (with a period to abbreviate), and then again I might not have. I donft know, because before learning about it from this site, I never really had a reason to pay attention to it.

I was surprised that no one mentioned being offended if the J in Japanese wasnft capitalized. (I am being serious. Donft take it the wrong way) I know people in England that get offended if the E in England isnft capitalized.

Please donft start another huge argument on this. I see your points. Letfs try and get along, with some patience and understanding.

I have a questions that is somewhat related. I hope it is ok that I ask it here.

Someone told me that if someone bumps into you in Japan, and you apologize, it is like admitting that you willfully intended on bumping into them, and they will sometimes yell at you, even if it was their fault for not watching where they were going. Is that true? If so, does it apply to this topic? If someone was to use the term J**, thinking only of it as an innocent contraction of Japanese, and used in a positive manor, is apologizing for it taken as an admission that you willfully intended to offend them? In Japan, if you unknowingly do something that offends someone, what is the best course of action?

One thing I've wondered about all this time... Why does one even HAVE TO abbreviate the word "Japanese"?????? I was talking to my mom about this a few days ago where it actually takes me LONGER to type J** than it is to type the full word. That's because, as I type 120+ wpm, I type words rather than letters... What I mean by that is when I think of a word, my fingers rattle it off on the keyboard automatically, without even thinking about the keystrokes. Typing either acronyms or abbreviations slow me down.

So come on everyone! Just take the extra second to type "anese". :crazy:

--- groink

lazerus wrote:Like it or not, ignorance *is* an excuse.

It can be used as an excuse, but after all, it gets old REAL fast. A cop out excuse if you ask me...........
Especially now, since one knows (from reading the earlier posts) the meaning of the word, but yet still chooses to argue the fact that they were right.

lazerus wrote:We *ALL* need to try and understand each other. It can not be all one sided.

We aren't trying to lecture. Sorry if it comes off that way. But merely only trying to "educate" others who haven't the idea of the offense the word carries to some. So of course, opinions of the latter are welcome.

lazerus wrote:We are not born with this knowledge intact, it needs to be acquired! Many people seem to think of ignorance as a bad thing. We are all ignorant (of something) &#8211; thatfs life! No one knows everything, nor should they be expected to. Ignorance isnft a bad thing -- stupidity is. Once someone is told about something, they are no longer ignorant of it, and it can no longer be used as an excuse. If at that point they donft follow it, then they are being stupid, which generally is a bad thing.

You're right. We're not born with this type of knowledge. It has to be acquired. Ignorance isn't a bad thing. But to use it as a justification, rather than to admit you're wrong is. Think about it.

lazerus wrote:Although it has been stated several times, some people just canft seem to understand that J** was (and sometimes is) innocently used as a contraction for the word Japanese, by someone who obviously had (and/or has) only positive intents.

Which is why we have this thread and why some people from the board try to educate and correct others from the use of the term. Perhaps you haven't seen posts where our users have tried to correct others from the use of the term?
It's there.

lazerus wrote:it can not be compared to other slurs, because those slurs arenft innocent contractions.

Some people do get offended and take it the same way if you called them "black", just as they would with being called a "n****r". Weak example.

lazerus wrote:What is relevant is that the term does offend many people and as that is definitely not the intent, it definitively should not be used. The underlying cause of racism is really superficial condemnations, and it is not something that is restricted to race. The problem is that people jump to conclusions and act on them before finding out the details.

"Jap" WAS USED as a racial term once. Strictly restricted to race.
Who else would you call a JAP?! A Chinese? I think not..........

lazerus wrote:The solution is to find out these details (the persons character, the persons intent) before reacting. By condemning and/or assaulting someone who innocently shortens a word, just because some one *thought* they meant something else, or because someone *thought* they heard a different word, is just as bad, if not worse than what they are being accused of.

Which is why we are trying to "educate" rather than judge people about the (unknowingly) use of the term.

lazerus wrote:Unjust, negative treatment, based on superficiality is really no different than being racist. Superficial condemnations are superficial condemnations. And I was highly offended, saddened, and angered at how insensitive and abusive some people were (or said they would be) towards someone who could potentially be innocent and nice.

Again, I apologize if I or any other users came across as "harsh". Like I said, we are only trying to educate.
Please note that not all people were ignorant on the use of the term. Some just didn't give a flying f**k, whether it offened others or not anyway. Which, I guess may have "lit the fuse" for some.
So once again, I apologize for those who may have came across as "too harsh".

lazerus wrote:Now, for the record, I never heard of J** as being a slur until reading this. And now that I know about it, I would never use that term. At some time in the past, I might have typed J**. (with a period to abbreviate), and then again I might not have. I donft know, because before learning about it from this site, I never really had a reason to pay attention to it.

Good. Now you know. I'm not going to "attack" you on your "ignorance" of the term.
At least you aren't using it as an excuse to keep on using the term, or justifying your use of it.

lazerus wrote:I was surprised that no one mentioned being offended if the J in Japanese wasnft capitalized. (I am being serious. Donft take it the wrong way) I know people in England that get offended if the E in England isnft capitalized.

Haven't heard of such, but if I do, I'll be sure to make a sticky out of it. ;)

lazerus wrote:Please donft start another huge argument on this. I see your points. Letfs try and get along, with some patience and understanding.

No arguments here. As long as the person isn't using ignorance as a justification for their shortcomings.

lazerus wrote:Someone told me that if someone bumps into you in Japan, and you apologize, it is like admitting that you willfully intended on bumping into them, and they will sometimes yell at you, even if it was their fault for not watching where they were going. Is that true?

Japanese apologize that way because Japanese, as a whole are very humble people. They will admit they are wrong even when they are not (at most times, especially when they make the mistake but didn't intend to).

lazerus wrote:If so, does it apply to this topic?

No.

lazerus wrote:If someone was to use the term J**, thinking only of it as an innocent contraction of Japanese, and used in a positive manor, is apologizing for it taken as an admission that you willfully intended to offend them? In Japan, if you unknowingly do something that offends someone, what is the best course of action?

Apologize apologize apologize.
DO NOT try to justify or come up with excuses. Take it like a man! :)

Thanks ahochaude!

I just recently joined, and this was one of the first threads I read. I do appreciate the detailed explanations, especially in the later posts. They were very informative!

ahochaude wrote:Apologize apologize apologize.
DO NOT try to justify or come up with excuses. Take it like a man! :)

It is really good to know that apologies are good! Thanks!

ahochaude wrote:
"Jap" WAS USED as a racial term once. Strictly restricted to race.
Who else would you call a JAP?! A Chinese? I think not..........

Unfortunatelyc

kndy-nt2099 wrote:
My family is one of those who were targeted. We are not Japanese, we are Filipino. At the time, there were not many Asian families in the town we lived in but it was diverse with a lot of cultures but due to this scare...someone or group felt they had the need to take something out on us. Our home was vandalized, vehicles destroyed (tires nailed, sugar in the gas tank), phone lines cut, water cut, electric lines down, and all over our home outside were spraypainted were the words "Go home Japs!". My family are not of Japanese descent but I guess some idiots out there tend to use the "they all look the same" approach and wanted us to live our lives in fear.
kndy

It is all very saddeningc

Hi lazerus! Welcome to the boards. Sorry you had to get started on such a depressing topic. Now that it's done, let's move on to better things. Like Japanese dramas, and Japanese WOMEN! :D :woot: :hehe: :hehe:

Yeah! WOMEN! :woot: :hehe: :hehe: :hehe:





.......... You're a guy, I'm assuming (and hoping since I said that) :beaten: :sweat:

Thanks for all the positive words ahochaude.

Youfre right, I am a guy.
Youfre really good.

And I apologize if I offended anyone.

This thread was quite moving.

lazerus wrote:Thanks for all the positive words ahochaude.

Youfre right, I am a guy.
Youfre really good.

You can call me aho. :)


Thank goodness you're a guy.... Or I would've looked real stupid. :sweat:


Well, not like I don't anyway. :beaten:

sandra_625 wrote:i know the last post has been posted quite some time ago but im still wondering if calling a japanese j** is considered rude?

In America it is. And probably will be for a good long time...

bmwracer wrote:
In America it is. And probably will be for a good long time...

weird how americans are racist... more than us maybe -_-

Xavio wrote:weird how americans are racist... more than us maybe -_-

get ready to do some battle, xavio.

niko2x wrote:get ready to do some battle, xavio.

:mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen:

AHAH, i' try to tease all the americans there :hehe: :hehe: :hehe:

I love battle :)

Xavio wrote:weird how americans are racist... more than us maybe -_-

What difference does it make if it's more or less? It's still racism, plain and simple.

bmwracer wrote:
What difference does it make if it's more or less? It's still racism, plain and simple.

If it's more, it's............ :sweat: :sweat: :sweat: :sweat:
Too much racism here :(

I'll try to simplify the logic here... As I read through the 12+ pages of posts, I think the word "racist" should be replaced with "inappropriate". That's because people related to either the Americans or to the Japanese who were involved with the WWII conflict are really the only ones that consider the J-word racist.

Whether or not a word is considered inappropriate is purely based on the community where the word is used. People must remember that even though Genma is from Singapore, at one time the majority of the JDorama.com community was Singaporeans (look at the membership list of earlier members) and that JDorama.com is managed by Genma out of that country, the community itself is still International.

With that information in our heads... Whether or not the majority of the population consider the J-word appropriate, the community must still consider all minorities. Minorities in this context are groups of people who's philosophies, beliefs, physical abilities, etc. are outnumbered by the majority. For a community with one or more minority groups to live together in harmony, the majority must be considerate to the minority groups.

In the U.S., we must be considerate of minority groups such as the physically challenged, the various racial groups, and even groups of various religious faiths. The reason we must consider minority groups in a community is because they're also the most vocal. When one or more of these groups speak out against something, the majority listens because they also have great lobbying power. That's why you see one parking stall out of 100 with a handicap logo, college scholorships for Latinos, and private clubs for Mormons.

Going back to the J-word... As of this post, there are 7716 registered members of JDorama.com. From the posts in this topic, there are enough members of JDorama.com that consider the word inappropriate. Even if there are only ten members that subscribe to that belief, the other 7706 members should be considerate of those ten members. I emphasize the word "should" because the ban of its use is not a JDorama.com policy. Not posting for-sale stuff in the Dramas section is a policy.

So in conclusion, the J-word in some people's minds is a racial word. However, if we think more in terms of its use being appropriate, rather than being racial, then that creates a much better argument not to use the word on JDorama.com, or on any International board for that matter.