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<P>Funny, I'm an American as well and never have considered anything remotely derogatory about the word oriental. Usually it seems to be used in quite the opposite context--as in carpets, quite respected. Maybe this is all in the minds of a few intellectuals. I'd say keep your name, it helps distinguish you from all the Asian studies departments. <BR><BR></P></DIV></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>>From: "lawrence driscoll" <LAWDRI@HOTMAIL.COM>
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<DIV></DIV>>Reply-To: Koreanstudies@koreaweb.ws
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<DIV></DIV>>To: Koreanstudies@koreaweb.ws
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<DIV></DIV>>Subject: Re: [KS] Does "the Orient" still exist?
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<DIV></DIV>>Date: Thu, 08 May 2003 16:14:42 +0000
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<DIV></DIV>>In North America, the term "oriental" evolved in the minds of many,
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<DIV></DIV>>as a word used to describe a type of carpet. No one wants to be
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<DIV></DIV>>identified with an object made to be tread upon. Quite
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<DIV></DIV>>understandably. Thus the expression "Asian American" becomes the new
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<DIV></DIV>>and acceptable norm.
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<DIV></DIV>>Best regards,
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<DIV></DIV>>Lawrence Driscoll
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<DIV></DIV>>>From: Frank Hoffmann <HOFFMANN@FAS.HARVARD.EDU>
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<DIV></DIV>>>Reply-To: Koreanstudies@koreaweb.ws
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<DIV></DIV>>>To: Koreanstudies@koreaweb.ws
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<DIV></DIV>>>Subject: Re: [KS] Does "the Orient" still exist?
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<DIV></DIV>>>Date: Wed, 7 May 2003 19:26:34 -0700
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<DIV></DIV>>>>This question seems to be obviously related to "Language Change".
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<DIV></DIV>>>More than just language change, I would hope!
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<DIV></DIV>>>>I wonder if some of the negative meanings this word carries are
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<DIV></DIV>>>>also visible in the Old World. My colleage (A. Huwe) confirms that
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<DIV></DIV>>>>the German equivalent 'orientalisch' does not bear such meanings.
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<DIV></DIV>>>>The German word is also claimed to be associated with some motives
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<DIV></DIV>>>>like Arabian Nights.
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<DIV></DIV>>>Sure, and the negro is associated with Uncle Tom's Cabin, but
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<DIV></DIV>>>somehow we don't use it anymore.
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<DIV></DIV>>>In the state of Washington "oriental" and "orientalism" is
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<DIV></DIV>>>prohibited from all official state documents:
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<DIV></DIV>>>http://www.politicalcircus.com/archive/article_674.shtml
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<DIV></DIV>>>--->>
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<DIV></DIV>>>Gov. Locke Signs Bill Against Use of Term "Oriental"
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<DIV></DIV>>>Apr 3, 2002
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<DIV></DIV>>>By RPG Newswire
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<DIV></DIV>>>OLYMPIA, WASHINGTON (RPG Newswire) - Washington State Governor Gary
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<DIV></DIV>>>Locke recently signed into law a bill that prohibits the use of the
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<DIV></DIV>>>word "Oriental" on all state and local government statutes, codes,
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<DIV></DIV>>>rules, regulations, and other official documents. The law takes
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<DIV></DIV>>>effect on July 1, 2002.
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<DIV></DIV>>>(...)
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<DIV></DIV>>>--
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<DIV></DIV>>>______________________________________________________
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<DIV></DIV>>>Frank Hoffmann
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<DIV></DIV>>>http://KoreaWeb.ws * Fax: (415) 727-4792
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<DIV></DIV>>
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<DIV></DIV>>_________________________________________________________________
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