February 28, 2007
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Aliens
A state legislator in Florida wants to ban the term “illegal alien” from state official documents. Sen Frederica Wilson say that the term “alien” is offensive. She finds it especially offensive when it is applied to children. Here is the link: Link I think we should go with the term “temporary visitors visiting without permission from another country.” It is sort of long but it is catchy.
Is the term alien offensive when applied to illegal immigrants?
Comments (114)
No.
No habla.
If it is, they should probably do something stupid like GET LEGAL!!! I don’t care if they are offended…break the law, that’s just tough titties!
they sneak into our country illegally and complain about being offended? Wow.
no
thats what they are illegal just like I’m fat not nice but it’s true
No.Not really.
I don’t find it offensive, but I’m not illegal either! Alien is a word with multiple meanings like bat, story, bark, line, paint, etc. It is just a strange aspect of the English language.
Main Entry: 1alien
Pronunciation: <TT>’A-lE-&n, ‘Al-y&n
Function: adjective
Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin alienus, from alius
1 a : belonging or relating to another person, place, or thing : STRANGE b : relating, belonging, or owing allegiance to another country or government : FOREIGN c : EXOTIC 1
2 : differing in nature or character typically to the point of incompatibility
Just because she is ignorant and chooses to get a mental image in her head of outer space aliens does not make the word offensive in the way that it is being used. The term that is currently used correctly describes the situation. So, no it is not offensive in my opinion.
no, it’s not.
Momentkeeper has all the definitions!
sounds like it’s just another “politically correct” phrase trying to come out…
*HUGS*
No
if using the word “alien” to discribe a foreigner then why is it never used to discribe a legal alien??
maybe because it just sounds fucked up?? hmmmm
i don’t know, but i’m not really concerned about offending people who break my country’s laws. are we going to say that it’s offensive to label those who commit serious crimes as ‘felons’?
You’ve got to be kidding! Do they even care what the hell they get called?! Nobody is that sensitive!
Its the friggin’ definition. Here we go again, giving rights to non-citizens…. there will be none left for us. I’m going to illegally move to Mexico.
No.
Does anyone actually take offense at these terms? I sometimes get the feeling we’re defending the feelings of people who couldn’t care less…
They don’t even understand what illegal alien means.
I don’t think so… Maybe illegal immigrants… PC has gone too far!
bah, I have to side with Momentkeeper on this one.
Every blind squirrel finds a nut once in a while
Argh! Well it’s not offensive to me, but then I’m not ILLEGAL. And who cares what the illegal aliens think? If they don’t like it well then, go back to where you won’t be considered aliens. Easy solution right??
NO!!!!
it’s accurate, in the archaic usage.
but as people use it today, yeah the connotation is not so good.
I always thought it was strange to refer to immigrants as aliens.
“if using the word “alien” to discribe a foreigner then why is it never used to discribe a legal alien??
maybe because it just sounds fucked up?? hmmmm”
Posted 2/28/2007 1:19 PM by kellychicky
Generally because legal aliens eventually cease to be aliens and become “naturalized citizens.” (Is “sounds fucked up” the technical etymological term?
)
Hah–I’ve got it. The PC term for illegal alien should be “nontraditional proto-citizen.” *snicker*
No.
I wouldn’t mind it.
everything is offensive to someone…but we can’t get rid of the whole language…people are too sensitive.
I think the term is a little outdated, but offensive? Come on.
I say no but if someone wants to find something offensive then they will. Plus, why do we care if we are offending illegal immigrants? They are not even supposed to be here in the first place.
I don’t know what to say! I’m speechless.
Fortunately, I jotted down a few notes just in case.
Uh-hmm. Let’s see. I’d just like to say thank you to my mother, my husband, our daughter, and my 1st grade teacher, Mrs. Horne. And, of course, Dan, without whom none of this would have been possible. But, more than even Dan, I’d like to thank my fellows subscribers. You, who never seem to hit the top 50, if it can happen to me, it can happen to you! Don’t stop trying. Don’t give up on your dreams. Keep checking your subscriptions and one day—one day you will be able to proclaim, “I was first!”
Thank you. Thank you very much!
ugh. i’m sure little non english speaking mexican children everywhere are feeling violated by the term alien.
and i am sure that the terminology of the word “illegal alien” is just what every law maker should be wasting their time getting changed.
**note the sarcasm**
No, it’s not offensive to me at all. Aliens was the term used to describe foreingers long before it came to mean ‘little green men from outer space”.
that is ridiculous.
No, that’s simply what they are.
That’s the most ridiculous thing… change it just because it sounds weird?
Alien just means foreign.
-Josh
Yeah, let’s use one of these more accurate terms for someone who violated federal law by entering the country without documentation: FELON or CRIMINAL.
How the hell is it offensive? say it like it IS~!!!!! Here’s the definition for ALIEN:
a·li·en (l-n, lyn)
adj.
1. Owing political allegiance to another country or government; foreign: alien residents.
2. Belonging to, characteristic of, or constituting another and very different place, society, or person; strange. See Synonyms at foreign.
3. Dissimilar, inconsistent, or opposed, as in nature: emotions alien to her temperament.
n.
1. An unnaturalized foreign resident of a country. Also called noncitizen.
2. A person from another and very different family, people, or place.
3. A person who is not included in a group; an outsider.
4. A creature from outer space: a story about an invasion of aliens.
5. Ecology An organism, especially a plant or animal, that occurs in or is naturalized in a region to which it is not native.
tr.v. a·li·ened, a·li·en·ing, a·li·ens Law
To transfer (property) to another; alienate.
That is not an offensive term. I’m only offended that she considers it so. If I went to a foreign country, I would expect to be called an alien. Is the word “foreigner” offensive to her?
why are we concerned about the feelings of criminals?
JK. I don’t think the majority of illegal immigrants care if they’re being called aliens.
There are not only illegal aliens.. I am a legal alien.. I never think of it as offensive, it just is. I think the term that should be more offensive is illegal.. to the American people that is.
Na, I don’t go with the whole politically correct thing.
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!
Being an alien makes me special…
omg, it’s like “the artist formerly known as prince”
Oh please, accuracy if it offends you, means that you deserve to be offended.”Illegal alien” is the correct term.
Oh, Sen Frederica Wilson is just sucking up to the demographic of pro-aliens
How about “undocumented wetback”?
No. I don’t think so.
it is. i always thought so too. why not just say illegal immigrants?? its not that hard is it?
Truth is truth. If you don’t like it, that’s your problem.
If it offensive to who?
me? no not really
Them? maybe
No.
not really
How about deporting them, so we no longer have to worry about what to call them?
No
Only if they don’t burst out of someone’s chest.
alien: a resident born in or belonging to another country who has not acquired citizenship by naturalization (distinguished from citizen). -from Random House Unabridged Dictionary
No – I don’t think it is offense. It appears to be a proper use of the term.
so ummm… why not call them illegal immigrants?
How about “undocumented wetback”?
Posted 2/28/2007 2:35 PM by dingus6
LMFAO!
Haha, I don’t find it offensive, but then again, I’m not an alien.
Also good point by lightningrichy.
No, they are aliens.
Alien is defined as –noun
<TABLE class=luna-Ent>
<TBODY>
<TR>
<TD class=dn vAlign=top>1.
<TD vAlign=top>a resident born in or belonging to another country who has not acquired citizenship by naturalization (distinguished from citizen).
<TABLE class=luna-Ent>
<TBODY>
<TR>
<TD class=dn vAlign=top>2.
<TD vAlign=top>a foreigner.
(www.dictionary.com)
I think the real question here is, is the term “alien” offensive to the Martians? I mean, they are just out there minding their own business and not even tresspassing or anything, just living the Martian life. Who are we to judge who is an alien?
No, that’s ridiculous. You’re illegal aliens, deal with it. Don’t complain when you’re not even supposed to be in our country in the first place.
I always thought it was a bit harsh. When people hear alien they think of strange, mysterious creatures from far off worlds that are nothing like us. We’re all humans here, and comparing some of us to strange, mysterious creatures from far off worlds that are nothing like us…
…. there could be a better term for it, yes.
“i don’t know, but i’m not really concerned about offending people who break my country’s laws. are we going to say that it’s offensive to label those who commit serious crimes as ‘felons’?”
No, because “felon” does not have a second definition that when being used on humans can be found offensive.
Also, there may be an entirely separate definiton for alien that is more… well… politically correct, but the way people use it these days is, in many ways, meant to be harsh.
“everything is offensive to someone…but we can’t get rid of the whole language…people are too sensitive. “
No need for deleting an entire language. Substituting “alien” with “immigrant” is as simple as 123, so why do people find it so difficult to do that? It’s really not benefiting us to use “alien,” unless it is by insulting others, making us look superior. So, really. Why not just use “immigrant?” It’s not that hard.
Not at all.
Only if they don’t burst out of someone’s chest.
Posted 2/28/2007 2:53 PM by Drakonskyr
*LMAO*
how can that possibly be offensive?!? its what they are. i would say they can look it up in the dictionary, but then again they are here illegally and therefore do not know how to read or speak english.
Every blind squirrel finds a nut once in a while
Posted 2/28/2007 1:25 PM by This_Is_Important
I have LOTS of nuts! LOL. In the words of Melvin Udall… “Sell crazy somewhere else! We’re all stocked up here!”
immigrant. A person who enters a country of which he is not native to settle. Technically because they are illegal, they are not supposed to settle.. That is the point in calling them illegal..
maybe, it depends
yeah, good one
if they’d stop coming here illegally, they wouldn’t have to worry about being ”offended” by the term.
No. And it’s moronic that they think so.
No. It justly describes them.
What is truly PC here? Would it feel better to them to be called “illegals”? “Furiners”? “Outsiders”? “Illegal immigrants?” Immigrants is usually a term used for those that come to our country with the intention of becoming American Citizens. Let’s not bend over backwards to come up with a feel-good catch phrase that ends up being too much of a mouthful. Two words should be enough.
Don’t complain when you’re not even supposed to be in our country in the first place.
Posted 2/28/2007 3:05 PM by gutterflower3355
Seriously.
no. but im annoyed at people who care so much about the whole thing. move to canada if you want to be in an all white neighborhood
The Bible refers to foregn people as aliens.
“if using the word “alien” to discribe a foreigner then why is it never used to discribe a legal alien??
maybe because it just sounds fucked up?? hmmmm”
Posted 2/28/2007 1:19 PM by kellychicky
It is used, my Dad’s one. You just don’t hear it much because no one worries about the legal ones.
“No habla”, haha. I always thought it was pretty fun to say that my parents were aliens.
no, that is what they are. Illegal aliens.
[Hah--I've got it. The PC term for illegal alien should be "nontraditional proto-citizen." *snicker*
Posted 2/28/2007 1:27 PM by ChrisRusso]
BWAHAHAHHAHA
Is the term alien offensive?
Yes it is but no.
illegal immigrants are aliens.
its a fact yes. is it mean? yes. however its a fact of what the word means.
is it wrong for us to make that word mean? no. thats the point of it all.
people today dont like illegals.
today they are growing more and more on peoples shit list.
im happy the blacks and the wraith are now being less profiled and hated.
Mexicans and Iraqians are now the new niggers…….
I love how people on here say
“No Habla” like they think they can speak spanish. If you want to say I dont speak english, its No Hablo Inglesia
i think, either that or english is just ingles
ALIEN MEANS BELONGING TO A FOREIGN STATE OR COUNTRY!
PC is bullshit. I am NOT PC. I just love baby polar bears.
That’s ridiculous. Of course it’s not offensive.
If we’re worried about offending people who enter our country illegally…we’ve got bigger problems.
I hardly see how it is an offensive term whatsoever! It doesn’t correlate to anything meaning anything insulting! Just means a visitor, be it extra terrestrial or terrestrial!
-David
I find law-breaking offensive. They do have a point about children who are stigmatized even though have no choice in the matter.
ha ha, thats dumb. they are “illegal aliens”, if they are offended they should get a greencard. Does political correctness have no bounds? its like how we call fat people obese- but obese just means fat. and i know because im both.. lol
they’re illegal, why the hell should we care?
aliens are the little green guys with big heads that come on flying saucers.
i think the other term for that is “exraterrestrial”
I don’t think it’s offensive at all. I just think people are trying to find something trivial to argue about in order to take the focus off the real issue – what exactly are we going to do about illegal immigrants?
Maybe a little bit, I don’t know.
Ask them, not us. They’re the ones being offended.
Why couldn’t you just say illegal immigrants? Not hard.
No, that’s the term, if someone is offended by it, they should make up a new word for “person that doesn’t belong here.”
The term “alien” offensive? NO.
Spitting out “anchor babies” like a PEZ dispenser offesive? YEEEEESSSSS!!!!!!
The key word is ILLEGAL!
no
Grief! One of the responses has totally frustrated me. They are not immigrants. Immigrants implies that they have a right to be here and are moving in. Illegal aliens defines it very well. Leave it alone. Come through the borders with the correct papers in hand and we welcome you with open arms. I have a friend who had to go through all the paperwork. I have another who is trying to get it all done. It is a long process, but one well worth going through all the proper channels.
wtf! They’re bloody criminals. Let’s call them that!
Political correctness is just our term for Orwell’s “newspeak.”
Think about it. Le’ts prevent a negative evolution of our language!
Gaaah… idiots. This world is full of ‘em.
wow….there are some pretty mean comments here.
> Only if you happen to be an illegal immigrant/alien…. But then, PC-ness has never been my strong point….
Peace
Does it matter? They shouldn’t be here anyway, so why do we care if they get offended?
Why are we the only nation on this Earth who even discusses this shit? How is it sir, that you alone can raise my blood pressure? Let’s not hurt the illegals by calling them names which have a negative connotation? Are you shitting me? How about not having illegals? That would solve this whole mess in one fell swoop! Grrrrr.
I find the term illegal alien horribly offensive. Human beings are neither inherently illegal nor aliens. “Illegal” suggests crime, and while there are immigration laws that disallow freedom, when I think of illegal, I tend to think of a government that does not provide medical care and access to its people. Unlike some of my friends, I harbor no resentment toward people from another country that manage to get free medical care here. Human beings deserve having their needs met. It isn’t that “they” shouldn’t get benefits that we don’t – it is that we are all entitled.
The connotation is not so good? I’d contend the denotation isn’t so good either. But that’s because they’re “illegal.”
We don’t call legal aliens “legal aliens,” we just call them citizens. It’d be unnecessary to say all that. However, “illegal aliens” is a fitting name. They are illegal because what they are doing is against the law; they are aliens because this is not their home. Why can’t we call a spade a spade, so to speak?
PC ftl.
And I wouldn’t recommend moving illegally to Mexico. Even moving their legally, you become a 2nd class citizen. Anyone else catch El Rushbo on that? Good times.
Hell NO! Buddy, You know somethin’s wrong when a country has no pride in its borders. Throughout history of ALL countries any invasion of any sort over a international boundary was considered an act of war. What does OUR government do? Make it as easy as possible for illiegal immigrants and make it as hard as possible for LEGAL immigrants…Doesn’t this picture just look wrong? Some people’s minds are just totally messed UP. Alien or any other derogatory name fits illiegal immigrants. Dadgumit, they came here illegaly, so they have NO rights. Quit giving them rights. Jeez, we have some of the SMARTEST people in our government…an ape could think better than the poor excuse for politicians we have now><.
I totally agree with Momentkeeper. Quite frankly, I’m offended when illegals get services at ER’s (that taxpayers wind up paying for), insist on Spanish speaking teachers in our public schools for their children, get in state tuition, get to vote on elections for a country that is not their own.
If they want to have a legitmate gripe – they should have applied for citizenship the right way (just like thousands do every year) and come into the country legally – by waiting their turn. But since they are illegal, they should just shut up.
And – to use the term “undocumented” – like some bureaucrat lost the paperwork on them – is misleading and equally infuriating.
Oh gosh that’s just utterly ridiculous!
I think its a bunch of crap!!! I like the term “Faux Americans”. Anyone for helping me stock the Rio Grande with piranhas?
“temporary visitors visiting without permission from another country”
That’s a mouthful. I think the lady is afraid of big words.
Visitors visiting = redundant
Visiting withough permission = oxymoronic (at least I think so…)
Sounds like how you’d explain “illegal alien” to a kindergardner, not an official term.
I’m sorry..I thought you said that’s what she said. Misread it.
Let’s go with
Undocumented immigrants…that would make her happy.
no, it doesnt matter
They are illegal, breaking the law, here without permission. They call us “gringos” and they expect a nicer name? Other than what they are? NO!
BIG FAT NO. haha.. not like anyone should really care…