But is it really necessary, in 1947, to teach children to use expressions like "native" and "Chinaman"?
The last-named word has been regarded as offensive by the Chinese for at least a dozen years. As for "native,” it was being officially discountenanced even in India as long as twenty years ago.
It is no use answering that it is childish for an Indian or an African to feel insulted when he is called a "native.” We all have these feelings in one form or another. If a Chinese wants to be called a Chinese and not a Chinaman, if a Scotsman objects to be called a Scotchman, or if a Negro demands his capital N, it is only the most ordinary politeness to do what is asked of one. (George Orwell)

But is it really necessary, in 1947, to teach children to use expressions like "native" and "Chinaman"? The last-named word has been regarded as offensive by the Chinese for at least a dozen years. As for "native,” it was being officially discountenanced even in India as long as twenty years ago. It is no use answering that it is childish for an Indian or an African to feel insulted when he is called a "native.” We all have these feelings in one form or another. If a Chinese wants to be called a Chinese and not a Chinaman, if a Scotsman objects to be called a Scotchman, or if a Negro demands his capital N, it is only the most ordinary politeness to do what is asked of one.

George Orwell

Related topics

african answering capital children chinaman chinese dozen form india indian least native necessary negro offensive ordinary politeness scotchman scotsman teach twenty use word years feelings

Related quotes