﻿ [LETTER] - Taipei Times
Wed, Apr 29, 2009 - Page 8　News List


‘Aborigines’ with no capital

On your article “Aborigines struggle to find work” (April 25, page 2), it is important to note that when we use the term “Aborigine” with a capital A we actually refer to the first people of Australia. To discuss the first people of Taiwan the correct usage would either be “indigenous people” or “aborigine” without a capital letter.

The same applies for other indigenous groups. With Native Americans, “Native” with a capital N refers to the first people. However, the term “native Americans” without a capital refers to anyone born in the US.



Editor’s note: The term “Aborigine” is capitalized in this newspaper consistent with other ethnic groups (Hoklo, Hakka and Mainlanders); the term is preferred over “indigenous” to avoid confusion with the enduring debate between Han groups over ethnic and political legitimacy.

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