we all know people ,from england english , from wales welsh , from scotland scottish , from ireland irish , from china chinese . Is it not misusing the english language when you called someone from england englandman , from wales walesman , from scotlandman , from ireland irelandman , so why called people from china chinaman ........does it imply with a racist tone ?
2007-01-16 12:05:59 · 27 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Cultures & Groups ➔ Other - Cultures & Groups
I'm pretty sure it counts as racist. I know it's a term used at the beginning of the twentieth century (and possibly earlier) before political correctness was invented and it sounds suspiciously like a derogatory word to me, therefore I wouldn't recommend using it. 'A Chinese person' should be a safe, inoffensive alternative.
2007-01-16 12:33:48 · answer #1 · answered by Kate 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
It doesn't imply a racist tone at all, just a deep tone of ignorance. You probably wouldn't say englandman as you are aware the word is English. If we don't know the word chinese, then yes we are innocently ignorant in sayin' Chinaman. No big deal....
2007-01-16 21:06:23 · answer #2 · answered by Martin B 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Speaking as a Chinese girl, I am offended whenever I hear chinaman as it does imply a racist tone.
2007-01-16 20:35:09 · answer #3 · answered by ladypeonie 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Actually, I did this once to an Asian friend - from Hong Kong. He was highly offended. So I have been very conscious of this ever since.
This particular friend wanted to be referred to as Cantonese, too, rather than Chinese.
I think the bad vibes from the term "Chinaman" go back to the 1930s when Chinese men wearing silken coats were depicted in films/books as evil - so the word has connotations now.
Lucky I hadn't said Chinky Chinky Chinaman - but that is what I would have said when I was a kid - the local Chinese takeaway was always called "The Chinky".
2007-01-16 20:12:37 · answer #4 · answered by iiitttsssaaadoozy 4 · 4⤊ 3⤋
Yes it is wrong. "Chinaman" is a derogatory term used in the past as an insult. Tone has nothing to do with it anymore, as the word itself is insulting and degrading to the Chinese. BTW "Oriental" is no longer politically correct when used to describe a person, but you can say oriental goods or oriental food, oriental rug, etc.
2007-01-16 20:21:30 · answer #5 · answered by Smokin' Dragon 4 · 3⤊ 1⤋
"Chinaman" was meant as a derogatory term and is seen as offensive.
I suspect people like to be called by their given names, and perhaps referred to as Chinese.
2007-01-17 10:36:04 · answer #6 · answered by Ebony Goddess 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Yes.I'm Chinese and I don't want to be called Chinaman
2007-01-16 22:21:23 · answer #7 · answered by ♡Ling♫ 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋
I think it is just best to call them Chinese. You can hardly call a female a "Chinaman"... that's just silly.
2007-01-16 20:16:29 · answer #8 · answered by Lily 5 · 3⤊ 2⤋
It is a person from china, political correctness is essential to success and is knowing customs. do the research, please. Man as a suffix doesn't carry over from one culture to another. It hasn't for you, girl, ma'm, ms, mrs, etc......... find out before you speak. You will make ALOT more money.
be correct...it is so...worth it. Take it from these other answers!
say Chinese person, Person from the US, person that is deaf, Person that is male..........
2007-01-16 20:13:19 · answer #9 · answered by krissi poppy 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
No, if you're only speaking of a singular man. But people from China would be called Chinamen. And by the way, there's no racist tone in that.
2007-01-16 20:13:53 · answer #10 · answered by Lettie D 7 · 1⤊ 4⤋