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Which is correct????

PUBLIC_FLAG_#{@journal.pf_int} RSS feed of Mizuho's latest journal entries Jan 10th 2009 19:03 foreign should people not alien foreigner proper
Hello!
I've just got an advice that about one word.
That is "foreigner"!
Recently I used "alien" for foreign people because my dictionary says "you should not use the word foreigner for foreiners.".
But one of my friends told that I should use foreigner.
And another one said I should use foreign people.
Which is best? Or is there a more proper word?
I've got confused...

and
I should not ~ is OK?
I have no idea!!

こんにちわ~
今、一つの言葉について、アドバイスをもらったところです。
それは、foreignerという言葉について。
最近、私はforeignerという言葉の代わりに、alienを使っていました。私の使っている辞書に、外国人に対して、foreignerという言葉を使うのはよくない、と書かれていたからです。(疎外感を与える、といった理由で。)
でも、私の友人は、foreignerを使ったほうがいいよ、と。(alienじゃ、まんまエイリアンかと混乱しちゃう、と。)
また、別の友人は、foreigne peopleを使ったほうがいいよ、と。
一体、どれが一番いい表現なんですかね??
ネイティブの人がforeignerでいいって言うんだから、いいんだろうとは思うのですが……。

あと、もう一つ。
~すべきでない、ってI should not でいいんですか?
今のところそう言ってるけど、自信ないです…。
Jan 10th 2009 19:08 April

I would never say "alien" doesn't seem polite to me.

If you just say "foreigner" it sounds negative but it would also depend on how you used it.

"foreign people" sounds better.
Jan 10th 2009 19:18 EroOyaji

  • I've just got an advice that about one word.
  • I've just got some advice that about a word.
Comment  

  • But one of my friends told that I should use foreigner.
  • But one of my friends told me that I should use foreigner.
Comment  
I think the word foreigner is fine to use. It's the tone of voice and context that might be an insult. As with most names, it's the way it's used that might cause a problem. A foreigner is someone from a different country. When I eventually go to Japan, I will be gaijin, a foreigner. There are names that are meant to be hurtfull but I don't believe foreigner is one of them. I've read that gaijin is considerd politically incorrect but the word itself simply means foreigner. I think people are too sensitive these days.
Jan 10th 2009 19:25 Vang

haha! I think foreigner is fine. Just use it politely...
don't say "F#$#% you foreigner!" (^o^)
and you should be ok!

This is what I think of when you say alien
ahhaha
Jan 10th 2009 20:02 Dave

"alien" has negative connotations.

You should use foreigner almost every time.

alien refers to outer space creatures.

頑張ります。
Jan 10th 2009 20:16 摩周山

I agree with what a lot of the others have said. Neither "alien" or "foreign" are "bad" words, but "alien" tends to be used in negative circumstances, so I would avoid saying that. If you are talking politely, "foreigner" should be fine. If you are worried, I agree with April's suggestion to say "foreign people."
Jan 10th 2009 23:57 Mizuho

Dear April-san
Thank you for your comment. I got it! Thanks.

Dear Ero Oyaji-san
Thank you for your correcting and long comment. It's really helpful.& I think so, too.

Vang-san
You're sooooo funny! :)
Thank you for the picture, comment and good trigger(=topic)!!!
I also thought alien means that(picture you attached) till I've started current job!!
hahaha

Hi Dave-san
Thank you for your comment.
Yeah I've known that. So I'm wondering till now. But I got it! Thank you.

摩周山さん
おお!総まとめ、ありがとうございます!:) 了解です!
And I couldn't find the word means "総まとめ or まとめ"...

Thank you guys!
I'm going to use "foreign people" or "foreigner (with politeness)" from now!!
and will use alien only for aliens!!!! haha
Mizuho
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