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2003.05.23

It's Friday - now isn't that a sweet thought! Today's WordMaster is one of those words you probably should have used on many occasions, but never knew was necessary. You'll understand what we mean when you read on.

Enjoy!

Today's LessonCATEGORY: Japanese English
BIRACIAL / BICULTURAL   ハーフ

Explanation

  • A person born of parents of different races (for example, a white American man and an African-American woman) is biracial

    A person born of parents from different cultures is bicultural.

    We can also use the words biracial and bicultural to talk about the parents and family.

    To give more detail about someone, we sometimes say, for example, "He is half American and half Japanese."

    Be careful [1] !
    We do NOT use the word "half" like the Japanese ハーフ to mean biracial or bicultural.

    Be Careful [2] ! 
    When either word can be used, bicultural is often preferred, because race can be a sensitive topic. In fact, to ask someone DIRECTLY if they are ハーフ, it's better not to use the terms biracial or bicultural at all. Instead, ask something like, Are both your parents Japanese?
  • 人種が違う両親(例えば白人のアメリカ人男性とアフリカ系アメリカ人の女性)から生まれた子供のことを biracial  といいます。 

    異なる文化を持つ両親から生まれた子供のことを bicultural  といいます。

    両親とその家族のことも biracial  または bicultural  と呼びます。

    もっと詳しく説明したいときは、例えば He is half American and half Japanese. (彼はアメリカ人と日本人のハーフです) という言い方をします。

    注意1:
    biracial や bicultural の人のことを、日本語の「ハーフ」のように half とは呼びません。

    注意2:
    biracial と bicultural のどちらの言葉も使える場合は、bicultural を使った方がいいでしょう。 race (人種)に関する話題は避けたほうが無難だからです。 本人に向かって直接 biracial や bicultural という言葉を使って聞かないようにした方がいいでしょう。 Are both your parents Japanese? (ご両親は二人とも日本人ですか) などと聞きましょう。

examples

  1. Biracial children often face special challenges in school.
  2. Children raised in bicultural families often become bilingual naturally.
  3. a: Are both your parents Japanese?
    b: No. My father's French.

Have the weekend of your dreams!!