Thread: ลูกครึ่ง (half a child) versus the english term half-breed

Now I just recently had a rash of shit come my way so I thought I'd consult you expertz on here.

It was about my use of the term 'half-breed' when I was writing about visa extensions for supporting half/thai-half/foreign kidz here. I mean people came outta the wood work! Well, really just two did, but they were very vocal. So much so that the entire thread was pulled!

I thought that was strange because the topic of the thread was about ED Visas and the changes which have come down the pike concerning studyin' thai on them. In fact I only used half-breed in reference to other types of extensions of stay you can get here. Be that as it may.

Here's the question, if you have mixed thai/foreign kids would you take offense to them being called a half-breed?

If you would take offense, please elucidate and tell me how in any way shape or form that term is any different from them being called by the thai term ลูกครึ่ง (child/half) by thaiz?

Now before you guys get your pantiez in a twist, remember, way back when, as in when we bailed outta vietnam (and thailand) the GI's stationed and here on R&R left a more than a few half/thai-half/foreign kidz with their momz to fend for themselves.

The term ลูกครึ่ง at that time was totally derogatory and meant more along the lines that they weren't "real 100% thai", they were "just half thai". To some extent it still means that, because as a rule, thaiz don't give two shits what a kidz mixed with as long as half is thai.. It's the thai part that carries weight here NOT the foreign part..

It's only in recent times (the last 15 yearz or so) where all the superstars in the country started being 50/50 thai-foreign and when being a ลูกครึ่ง started to carry some weight in a positive light.

Anyway, I thought here was as good a place to ask seeing as you are a call 'em as you see 'em bunch. Plus I know more than a few of you have kidz with your thai significant other..

Here're dictionary listings which show half-breed as ลูกคึ่ง (not that you particularly care);
th.w.3dictionary
sanook dictionary
longdo dictionary
online english-thai dictionary
thai-2-english dictionary

And for your listening pleasure here's Cher's video of the song "Half Breed" too;

The world is one big melting pot

What of the child that is mixed with a variety of distinct European cultures?

That's half-caste and in England is also deeply offensive, only used by the type of people who still refer to black people as "coloureds".

Originally Posted by thaimeme

What of the child that is mixed with a variety of distinct European cultures?

I believe the appropriate term is "child', that's also the appropriate term to use in all the cases above.

What's in a name?

What colour has to do with anything is beyond me.

All are human and don't need to be identified.

^Except humans have a need to identify, often derogatorily, any other human who looks different than they look.

Just call them ฝรั่งน้อย instead of their name and all pronouns. It's what the Thais will do, including their teachers.

Bit like applications for jobs,bank accounts etc, why do they need to know the colour or creed.?

Originally Posted by Horatio Hornblower

Bit like applications for jobs,bank accounts etc, why do they need to know the colour or creed.?

Black girls: Big boobs and blow job lips, often poor.

What other sort of secretary does one require?

Originally Posted by Horatio Hornblower

Bit like applications for jobs,bank accounts etc, why do they need to know the colour or creed.?

I thought in Thailand all job applications had to have a photo attached.

I know that in English schools they try at all cost to avoid labeling kids according to their colour, but when they must they go with "of mixed racial origins".

Why not go out onto the street Tod and find out personally what a parents reaction will be to you calling there child a half breed.

If you could get someone to report back here with the video of you being ragdolled around in your Kizz t shirt, that would be nice.

Best answer posted by "Dillinger"
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Sorry wrong website.

I often hear ลูกครึ่ง used but it never seems to be in a derogatory manner. It's often followed up with the question, ครึ่งอะไร? (Half what?/ What [are the] halves?/ What [is the other] half?)

I think the problem that some westerners have with the term is that they can only equate it to a term in English that is derogatory or has some negative baggage (half-caste/ half-breed, for example). If ลูกครึ่ง is thought of as neutral or translated into a neutral term, westerners might be less offended. And if they left their western baggage at the airport, they might not be offended by it at all. I'm certainly not. But I would not particularly like somebody using half-caste or half-breed in English. It's best to use or think up a different term, IMO.

I got a say Sher was looken trim then. Funny I recall that from the Sonny and Sher Show. Had to be early 1970s.
Never thought of my son as an half breed. Spoiled and lazy do come to mind though.
He has gone through the I know it all stage. I told him to take notes for the book. Surly he will have forgotten all he thought he knew then.
Good luck raising children of any creed, cast,breed.

Thought I would wake him up by taking him to Laos. Didnt quite have the affect on him as I had hoped.Turns out he fit right in.

i was wondering if toddaniels supported the Washington Red Skins.

Originally Posted by billy the kid

i was wondering if toddaniels supported the Washington Red Skins.

Surely you mean Skinz?

I thought your article was pulled for your irritating, arrogant and illiterate habit of pluralizing words with a "z" instead of the correct "s".

Rightly so too - I'll cancel my email to Stick.

Luk Krung is perfectly acceptable to Thais and Farangs.

Originally Posted by Dillinger

Why not go out onto the street Tod and find out personally what a parents reaction will be to you calling there child a half breed.

If you could get someone to report back here with the video of you being ragdolled around in your Kizz t shirt, that would be nice.

Apparently I need to spread the love before I can green you.

Personally, strictly personally, I would react very badly to someone using the term "half-breed" in relation to one of my children.

Very badly indeed.