Dictionary Racism Against Arabs
Thanks to Eman for writing about this important issue.
Merriam-Webster’s Unabridged Collegiate Thesaurus has enlisted in the 3rd Edition an entry that reads:
Entry Word: arab
Function: noun1:
Synonyms VAGABOND, clochard, drifter, floater, hobo, roadster, street arab, tramp, vag, vagrant
2:
Synonyms PEDDLER, duffer, hawker, higgler, huckster, monger, mongerer, outcrier, packman, vendorSource: Unabridged Merriam-webster (Subscription needed)
When contacted about this, the Merriam Webster Dictionary staff argued that the most commonly-used sense of "Arab" has no true lexical synonyms. And that there are senses of "Arab" that have been used historically and are less than flattering.
Assistant Professor of Translation, Mr. Ahmad Al-Laithy (PhD), a member of WATA (World Arab Translators’ Association), wrote Webster Staff explaining that the “historically usage” argument seems to be applied to no other race but Arabs, which means Webster is using double standards and that’s not acceptable. Supporting his point of view, he gave an example of the word “jew”, which is commonly used as a verb in American English meaning: to bargain down the price. Even though this word is common the Webster dictionaries never includes it most probably because it’s an offensive usage.
Professors of Linguistics from USA and Europe also pointed out the discrepancy between the treatment of Arab and other people.
Israeli Racism Freedom Of Racism?! My Little Story With Racism Israeli Racism Anti-Arab Violence in Sydney, AustraliaSource : http://www.babnet.net/cadredetail-3013.asp
Un tunisien dépose plainte contre le dictionnaire Webster
08/09/2005
Suite à la campagne lancée il y a quelques jours par le NCA (Conseil national des Américains arabes), les synonymes injurieux que l'on trouvait au terme "Arabe" ont été retirés du site internet "Thesaurus.com" le 22 août 2005. Le combat continue pour retirer les termes injurieux des éditions du dictionnaire américain Webster (édition papier) qui donne comme synonymes d'Arabe : vagabond et mendiant.
A cet effet, le Conseil national des Américains arabes (NCA) a lancé un appel à participer à la campagne pour amener Webster à retirer ces définitions injurieuses de son dictionnaire.
En Tunisie l’hebdomadaire « Akhbar Aljomhoria » rapporte qu’un certain Mr Hammadi Chamli va déposer plainte à l'encontre du dictionnaire en question pour obtenir une réparation du préjudice subi suite à la publication de la définition d’arabe sur le webster.
M Chamli va mobiliser une armada d’avocats pour sa cause qu’il disputera devant les tribunaux de Tunis, Lahaye et aux Etats-unis d’Amérique rapporte le même hebdomadaire.
Meriem M (www.babnet.net)
AAAAAAARRRGHH!!! What is wrong with these people? They're worse than those kids at my school who tease me about plotting jihad. As in the bad sense of the word.
Posted by: ishraq93 at March 26, 2007 11:25 AM