Aruarian Reflection
Chauffeur de la gdlk
sprsk said:A quick lesson on the English language.
The words:
Harakiri
Geisha
Samurai
Are Japanese words "bastardized" and used in regular English conversation. In fact, English as a language is almost nothing but these kind of words. There is nothing wrong with using native words as long as you use them correctly.
Now, on the topic of the word "Gaijin" if you've never been to Japan, it's probably kind of stupid to use it. If I'm back at home talking to a fellow American who has been to Japan discussing something about the way Japanese people react towards us, then I think the use of "Gaijin" is totally appropriate.
It's all about the usage. "Gaijin" doesn't really just mean foreigner anymore, it's a group of people. It's kind of an "us vs. them" sort of thing.
I wouldn't chastise people for inserting Japanese into their speech if only they are using it in a specialized manner -- perhaps when there is no English word to replace it (Such as with Harakiri Geisha and Samurai).
You know what the sad thing is? I'm convinced that some white people using the word "gaijin" identify themselves as part of the Japanese in-group. I consider myself fortunate that my Japanese classes in college had no weeaboos enrolled (or if there were any, at least they weren't blatant).