Hmm, that's possible, but "Asian" isn't really much more precise. Asia's really big. I guess it's easier to say "southeast Asian" than "southeast Oriental" though.
Although, I might be wrong on the not-derogatory part, according to the notoriously reliable Urban Dictionary. "Oriental is associated with European colonialism in China. Especially a British image of China as once great race, but declined and vulnerable to colonization and subjugation. Negro, Coon, and Mic share similar connotations."
And Wikipedia has more, which says the only place people seem to worry about not using the word Oriental is here in the US. "Some people think the term "Oriental" is derogatory, largely because of its connection to imperial 19th century Europeans and Americans who are thought to have held a patronising attitude towards the region."
Yes, I could have done these quick searches before posting the question.
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timeasmymeasure
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Date: 2006-03-20 10:23 pm (UTC)Although, I might be wrong on the not-derogatory part, according to the notoriously reliable Urban Dictionary. "Oriental is associated with European colonialism in China. Especially a British image of China as once great race, but declined and vulnerable to colonization and subjugation. Negro, Coon, and Mic share similar connotations."
And Wikipedia has more, which says the only place people seem to worry about not using the word Oriental is here in the US. "Some people think the term "Oriental" is derogatory, largely because of its connection to imperial 19th century Europeans and Americans who are thought to have held a patronising attitude towards the region."
Yes, I could have done these quick searches before posting the question.