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It is generally not appropriate to refer to the cultural or
ethnic background of a person unless there is a valid reason
for so doing.
Another characteristic of discriminatory language is the
tendency to describe the majority group, its actions and its
members in positive terms, whereas minority groups, their
actions and their members are portrayed overwhelmingly in
negative terms. For example, a similar characteristic can
be given different connotations depending on the national,
ethnic or cultural group it is being attributed to, eg, 'reserved
English', 'inscrutable Orientals'.
Stereotyping
A stereotype is a generalised and relatively fixed image
of a person or persons belonging to a particular group. For
example stereotypes based upon supposed national, cultural
or racial traits include 'the whingeing poms', 'the passionate
french', 'black people are natural athletes'. Even seemingly
positive stereotypes are discriminatory because they take
away from a recognition of diversity and a person's individuality.
Members of racial and ethnic minorities are far more likely
to be described in stereotypical terms than members of the
majority group. Women from minority groups are labelled with
stereotypes that are both sexist and racist.
Racist and ethnic stereotypes are offensive and should be
avoided.
Invisibility
Members of the majority group are portrayed as individuals:
members of the minority groups are often described only in
terms of group characteristics.
The diversity of ethnic and racial minorities is often unacknowledged
and unrecognised. While individual members of the majority
group are described in terms of their occupational status,
educational background, political sympathies, age and sex,
such a diversity is seldom reflected in the language used
about members of minority groups. For example, reference to
European migrants is usually quite detailed, in contrast with
the descriptions of Asian peoples in Australia. The term 'Asian'
is often used to cover such different groups as the Chinese,
the Vietnamese and the Cambodians.
International students are often referred to as Asian
students. This usage makes students from countries outside
of Asia invisible. It also presumes there is a group characteristic
of "Asian", and hides the diversity of groups as the Japanese,
the Chinese, the Koreans etc.
Derogatory Labelling and Racial Slurs
Verbal conflict and aggression between the majority and minority
groups has given rise to a whole range of racial and ethnic
slurs whose main function is to set the targeted group apart
from others by stressing their eccentricity, exoticism, or
undesirability. These include derogatory terms and nicknames,
for example, 'wog' as well as terms that are not overtly derogatory,
such as 'New Australian', but which are used to delineate
people as 'other'. Such terms should be avoided. The terms
"illegal migrant/entrant", and "queue jumper", to describe
people seeking protection due to a well-founded fear of persecution
is also derogatory. Asylum seekers is the preferred term.
Use of the term 'Australian"
The term 'Australian' should not be used in any way to exclude
Indigenous or immigrant minorities or groups. 'Australian'
should be used to refer to any member of Australia's population,
irrespective of the person's ethnic or cultural background
or birth.
If it is important to specify the descent or ethnicity of
a person or a group, or to distinguish between people born
in Australia or elsewhere, the following strategies are recommended:
- Use a qualifier in conjunction with the noun 'Australian',
eg a 'Vietnamese-born Australian', an 'Arabic-speaking Australian',
'Dutch Australians'.
- Use phrases such as 'Australian of… descent' or 'Australians
of… background or origin can also be used, eg, 'Australians
of Irish background', 'Australians of Chilean descent'.
It should be noted that some Australians prefer not to be
identified through origin or descent. This preference should
be respected.
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