"Arab phone"

[TheReasoner]

I've seen the term used here, but only here. And primarily by AV. Googling it didn't help. So... What does the term really mean, what is it's origin and why should it not be seen as racial slur?

 

[AV1611VET]

I've seen the term used here, but only here.

Keep looking.

And primarily by AV.

Yup.

Googling it didn't help.

Did you try asking this AV what it meant?

So... What does the term really mean, what is it's origin...

From Wikipedia:

In the game variously known as Chinese whispers, telephone, grapevine, broken telephone, whisper down the lane, gossip, secret message, Le téléphone arabe (French for "Arab phone"), Stille Post (German for "Silent Post"), Gioco del Telefono (Italian for "Telephone Game"), Telefono senza fili (Italian for "Cordless Phone"), Telefone sem fio (Portuguese for "Cordless Phone"), Głuchy telefon (Polish for "deaf telephone"), Telefonul fără fir (Romanian for "Cordless Phone"), Испорченный телефон (Russian for "damaged telephone") and pass the message, the first player whispers a phrase or sentence to the next player. Each player successively whispers what that player believes he or she heard to the next. The last player announces the statement to the entire group. Errors typically accumulate in the retellings, so the statement announced by the last player differs significantly, and often amusingly, from the one uttered by the first. Some players also deliberately alter what is being said in order to guarantee a changed message by the end of it. The game is often played by children as a party game or in the playground. It is often invoked as a metaphor for cumulative error, especially the inaccuracies as rumours or gossip spread, or, more generally, for the unreliability of human recollection.

SOURCE

... and why should it not be seen as racial slur?

Because not everyone is so quick to play the racial slur card.

 

[TheReasoner]

Keep looking.

Yup.

Did you try asking this AV what it meant?

From Wikipedia:
SOURCE

Because not everyone is so quick to play the racial slur card.

The FRENCH term AV? You could easily have said one of the plethora of English terms for this, but instead you choose to directly translate a french term, completely neglecting cultural connotations? You're not French. Use English.

parbleu, ne peut pas vous coller à votre propre langue?

 

[AV1611VET]

The FRENCH term AV?

My friend, you didn't even know what it was; even going so far as to asking why it should not be seen as a racial slur.

Now you're going to suggest which synonym I use?

 

[AV1611VET]

[ deleted ]

 

[TheReasoner]

My friend, you didn't even know what it was; even going so far as to asking why it should not be seen as a racial slur.

Now you're going to suggest which synonym I use?

I "suggest" that a direct translation of a term you already have plenty for in the english language may be misconstrued as racial slur in this case.

 

[TheReasoner]

By the way, Norwegian, aren't you the one who started a thread where a host of Americans, including one standing in front of the American flag was called the b-word?

haha, oh that. Ah. Why is it those words are so offensive to Americans?

Sure, I linked to a comic. I don't see why a quote like that - which I did not write - should be offensive AV. It fits the characters in the comic, so what's the problem? Do you think a worker who resorts to robbery is likely to use civil language in a heated situation? I don't.
What IS your problem with that though? You call each other so much crap I can't keep track of it all. Often without swearing, but with far far worse meanings. And you choose to feel offended by me for linking to a comic wherein a character is sufficiently believable to use language common to his social standing. And you know.. I did not say that word. I sure can, if it actually fits. But I tend to avoid the use of such words unless they technically fit OR I write a story or rpg wherein I need to stay in character. And I see no problem in that at all.

Look, to me those words aren't offensive in that context. At all. In my culture they are not that offensive. I apologize for how it was interpreted, I never meant anything bad by it. But I do wonder why you take offense at it. It's only a word.

Why do you take such offense at it though AV? And why is it so terrible to use the American flag in this comic strip to illustrate that the person in front of it was a governmental person? I mean, you call one another - and in particular those in government - so many terrible things it is unbelievable. So why is this so terrible? Why are you so touchy? Do you worship the US flag?

 

[Nathan Poe]

Kind of funny how AV would use such a term with negative connotations, considering that "Arab Phone" is more or less the way he got his precious Bible.

Oh well, he wouldn't be a fundie without major blind spots.

 

[AV1611VET]

I "suggest" that a direct translation of a term you already have plenty for in the english language may be misconstrued as racial slur in this case.

By whom? you?

Mind if I have some French fries without worrying about being accused of racial slurring?

And to make a point that's none of your business, do you even know why, of all those terms, I picked "Arab phone"?

 

[TheReasoner]

By whom? you?

Mind if I have some French fries without worrying about being accused of racial slurring?

And to make a point that's none of your business, do you even know why, of all those terms, I picked "Arab phone"?

I haven't accused you. I am saying it could be taken that way. Probably will, by some.
You know... To some it might be pretty much like using "the b-word". Or "the n-word".

No, I do not know why you chose that direct translation of a french term. Why?

 

[AV1611VET]

Sure, I linked to a comic.

No, you didn't.

You brought the comic to us and put it right up in an OP for everyone to see.

 

[plindboe]

The FRENCH term AV? You could easily have said one of the plethora of English terms for this, but instead you choose to directly translate a french term, completely neglecting cultural connotations? You're not French. Use English.

Some people seem to deliberately confuse people when they write on internet forums. I'm not sure why, but perhaps it makes them feel superior when other people don't get them; or perhaps it's easier to "win" debates when your debate opponents have no idea what you're saying.

Peter

 

[TheReasoner]

No, you didn't.

You brought the comic to us and put it right up in an OP for everyone to see.

And what's your problem with that?

I don't get it. You Americans are fine with violence, fine with references to war, segregation, strife and worse. Yet once someone uses a word you find "profane" you instantly have a problem. It's just a word. For pity's sake, why are you people so fine with so much junk, yet take such offense at a small list of words? Isn't it worse to endorse violence, death and racism than merely using one of those words? But still... You censor the words on your small list, labelling those places where they are used with warning labels - yet happily cheer on war support, death penalty support, closed borders, unfair treatment of large groups of people, promote national supremacy and an elitism which is quite frankly not sane. All without any warning labels. You don't see a warning label on the Glenn Beck shows "Warning! Untrue message with strong fascist elements follows this warning message". But an artist who uses just one of your words must label his product "explicit". What's more explicit here AV? A word such as the one you pointed to, or a strong support for going into another country and killing people?

And that's okay to you Americans. Promoting such killing is fine, often even "American" in all caps according to many conservatives. But show a comic wherein the artist uses "the b-word" where it actually fits the situation and the characters... Ooooooh... Problem!
Don't you even see the hypocrisy here? Come on! Anyone?

 

[AV1611VET]

Are you up-to-date on this Arab phone business; or do you need further clarification of anything?

If no further clarification is needed, is it okay with you if I continue to use it?

 

[TheReasoner]

Are you up-to-date on this Arab phone business; or do you need further clarification of anything?

If no further clarification is needed, is it okay with you if I continue to use it?

You have not said why you started using it, AV. As you have not really displayed admirable character traits I am inclined to think it may indeed be racially motivated. Is it? That, or as pblindpoe said.

What you say is up to you. We have freedom of expression you know. Well, unless one uses one of the words you guys don't like for some random reason.

 

[Jazer]

Chinese whispers, telephone, grapevine, broken telephone, whisper down the lane, gossip, secret message, Le téléphone arabe (French for "Arab phone"),

We use to call this Round Robin and it has been around a lot longer then the telephone. People often do not repeat what they hear but paraphrase and say something different. The whole idea was so you do not know who the first person (ring leader) was. So you could not trace the message to them. This actually goes back to the French in the 17th Century.

 

[AV1611VET]

You have not said why you started using it, AV.

I use it because people act like they're repeating something I said, but changing one or two or more words, so as to slant the point in their favor; then they think they're pwning me with their reply.

The reason I use 'Arab phone' -- and not 'Chinese whispers' or whatever, is because telling someone to 'hang up the Chinese whispers' doesn't make sense.

I'm fond of using people texting replies while they're driving as a metaphor for their style, which is: quick answers, excessive yak, say nothing, and oftentimes don't even address the question.

Then, I'm supposed to pay heed to junk like Plindboe wrote?

Some people seem to deliberately confuse people when they write on internet forums.

No wonder you're 'confused' -- you're answering too quickly.

 

[AV1611VET]

We use to call this Round Robin and it has been around a lot longer then the telephone. People often do not repeat what they hear but paraphrase and say something different. The whole idea was so you do not know who the first person (ring leader) was. So you could not trace the message to them. This actually goes back to the French in the 17th Century.

Either way, it's a game, isn't it?

And some people play it to perfection.

 

[Jazer]

You Americans are fine with violence

I am not fine with violence. I see no reason to blow the arms and the legs off of Iraq Children. I see no reason to burn up billions and trillions of dollars worth of ammo when that money could feed the hungry.

This is why Christians look forward to the 1000 year reign of Christ when they will beat their swords into plowshears.

You don't see a warning label on the Glenn Beck shows "Warning! Untrue message with strong fascist elements follows this warning message".

Fascism is not a problem or an issue in America. It is against the law in France, Italy and nations like that. They associate it with the Nazi movement. You do remember the Nazi they were the ones that were droping bombs on you during WW2. American were the ones that were helping you to fight the Nazi and the Fasists. Or you might be speaking German right now.

 

[Jazer]

Either way, it's a game, isn't it?

And some people play it to perfection.

It started out political. Here in American it is a game for children & parties. Although it has been used in Psychology, but I am not sure what they use it for. It is actually a lot more interesting when you can hear what people are saying. Then you see how much the message changes as it goes from person to person.

This is a big issue in Religion. People take the teaching of Calvan or Ussher and as it goes from person to person the teaching really changes. It's best to go back to the origional to see what was really said.