Why ALIEN??
May 7th 2007, 7:54 pm
#1
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Thread Starter
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 114
Why ALIEN??
Might be a basic question...
Why does American Immigration call foreign people ALIEN? Whats wrong with the word "foreign?" I mean as far as i know the definition of an "Alien" is a being from outta space. I know that some Americans have this thing in their head that their country is the only one that exist in the world, but im still waiting for my rocket to leave Pluto on my move to the land of opportunity..... or better still, to be called a fellow human being!
Why does American Immigration call foreign people ALIEN? Whats wrong with the word "foreign?" I mean as far as i know the definition of an "Alien" is a being from outta space. I know that some Americans have this thing in their head that their country is the only one that exist in the world, but im still waiting for my rocket to leave Pluto on my move to the land of opportunity..... or better still, to be called a fellow human being!
May 7th 2007, 8:06 pm
#2
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Joined: Apr 2003
Location: Phoenix, Arizona
Posts: 58,679
Re: Why ALIEN??
Might be a basic question...
Why does American Immigration call foreign people ALIEN? Whats wrong with the word "foreign?" I mean as far as i know the definition of an "Alien" is a being from outta space. I know that some Americans have this thing in their head that their country is the only one that exist in the world, but im still waiting for my rocket to leave Pluto on my move to the land of opportunity..... or better still, to be called a fellow human being!
Why does American Immigration call foreign people ALIEN? Whats wrong with the word "foreign?" I mean as far as i know the definition of an "Alien" is a being from outta space. I know that some Americans have this thing in their head that their country is the only one that exist in the world, but im still waiting for my rocket to leave Pluto on my move to the land of opportunity..... or better still, to be called a fellow human being!
That's my theory!
Rene
May 7th 2007, 8:28 pm
#3
Arrogant ****
Joined: Jan 2004
Location: Plano, TX
Posts: 4,323
Re: Why ALIEN??
Might be a basic question...
Why does American Immigration call foreign people ALIEN? Whats wrong with the word "foreign?" I mean as far as i know the definition of an "Alien" is a being from outta space. I know that some Americans have this thing in their head that their country is the only one that exist in the world, but im still waiting for my rocket to leave Pluto on my move to the land of opportunity..... or better still, to be called a fellow human being!
Why does American Immigration call foreign people ALIEN? Whats wrong with the word "foreign?" I mean as far as i know the definition of an "Alien" is a being from outta space. I know that some Americans have this thing in their head that their country is the only one that exist in the world, but im still waiting for my rocket to leave Pluto on my move to the land of opportunity..... or better still, to be called a fellow human being!
Nanu-Nanu
May 7th 2007, 8:38 pm
#4
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Oct 2003
Location: Avon Lake, OH
Posts: 5,270
Re: Why ALIEN??
Actually, by definition alien means relating to another person, place or thing. Or owing allegiance to another country or government. Or a person of another race or nation. Or a foreign born resident who has not been naturalized. Or unfamiliar. I think you are looking for extraterrestrial.
May 7th 2007, 10:44 pm
#6
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Posts: n/a
Re: Why ALIEN??
A foreigner lives abroad - if he/she is here, that is just a temporary
visit (think E.T. phone home)
An alien lives among us (think Alf http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ALF_(TV_series)
)
visit (think E.T. phone home)
An alien lives among us (think Alf http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ALF_(TV_series)
)
May 7th 2007, 11:34 pm
#7
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Posts: n/a
Re: Why ALIEN??
On May 7, 10:54 pm, Neelam <[email protected]> wrote:
> Might be a basic question...
>
> Why does American Immigration call foreign people ALIEN? Whats wrong
> with the word "foreign?" I mean as far as i know the definition of an
> "Alien" is a being from outta space. I know that some Americans have
> this thing in their head that their country is the only one that exist
> in the world, but im still waiting for my rocket to leave Pluto on my
> move to the land of opportunity..... or better still, to be called a
> fellow human being!
>
> --
> Posted viahttp://britishexpats.com
Well, I had the same thought some time ago. I first thought US have
all the right to do so, at least for the less fortunate ppl, at which
when you think of their way of living, you might think they are
'aliens' But I don't think this is the intention. I think the word
itself in the language would refer to someone/something different. I
mean, probably the stereotype about the word that an alien is someone
from space is not the right definition for the word. I think vice
versa: that the word 'alien' basically refer to someone/something
strange, different, or not native; and then it was the logical word to
describe ppl from UFOs, then they use it also for the new comers. Got
the idea?
> Might be a basic question...
>
> Why does American Immigration call foreign people ALIEN? Whats wrong
> with the word "foreign?" I mean as far as i know the definition of an
> "Alien" is a being from outta space. I know that some Americans have
> this thing in their head that their country is the only one that exist
> in the world, but im still waiting for my rocket to leave Pluto on my
> move to the land of opportunity..... or better still, to be called a
> fellow human being!
>
> --
> Posted viahttp://britishexpats.com
Well, I had the same thought some time ago. I first thought US have
all the right to do so, at least for the less fortunate ppl, at which
when you think of their way of living, you might think they are
'aliens'
But I don't think this is the intention. I think the worditself in the language would refer to someone/something different. I
mean, probably the stereotype about the word that an alien is someone
from space is not the right definition for the word. I think vice
versa: that the word 'alien' basically refer to someone/something
strange, different, or not native; and then it was the logical word to
describe ppl from UFOs, then they use it also for the new comers. Got
the idea?
May 7th 2007, 11:44 pm
#8
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Why ALIEN??
On May 7, 12:54 pm, Neelam <[email protected]> wrote:
> Might be a basic question...
>
> Why does American Immigration call foreign people ALIEN? Whats wrong
> with the word "foreign?"
Nothing wrong with "foreign", but what's wrong with "alien"?
> I mean as far as i know the definition of an
> "Alien" is a being from outta space.
It's always a good idea to check your own understanding of a word
before criticizing other people's use of it, especially if they use a
different version of the language.
I heard once that "alien" was used in Federal law to mean someone from
outside the USA to avoid confusion because some states already had
laws in place which used "foreign" to refer to someone from outside
the state. I've never checked up if this is true.
> Might be a basic question...
>
> Why does American Immigration call foreign people ALIEN? Whats wrong
> with the word "foreign?"
Nothing wrong with "foreign", but what's wrong with "alien"?
> I mean as far as i know the definition of an
> "Alien" is a being from outta space.
It's always a good idea to check your own understanding of a word
before criticizing other people's use of it, especially if they use a
different version of the language.
I heard once that "alien" was used in Federal law to mean someone from
outside the USA to avoid confusion because some states already had
laws in place which used "foreign" to refer to someone from outside
the state. I've never checked up if this is true.
May 8th 2007, 1:07 am
#9
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Jul 2004
Location: Nw Mi
Posts: 1,081
Re: Why ALIEN??
"Coss, its no fun being an illegal alien"!
May 8th 2007, 2:35 am
#10
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Why ALIEN??
"Neelam" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected] m...
|
| Might be a basic question...
|
| Why does American Immigration call foreign people ALIEN? Whats wrong
| with the word "foreign?" I mean as far as i know the definition of an
| "Alien" is a being from outta space. I know that some Americans have
| this thing in their head that their country is the only one that exist
| in the world, but im still waiting for my rocket to leave Pluto on my
| move to the land of opportunity..... or better still, to be called a
| fellow human being!
|
| --
|
You need to broaden your scope of definitions. Just because you have a
narrow understudying of the word doesn't mean yours is the only definition
that is acceptable.
news:[email protected] m...
|
| Might be a basic question...
|
| Why does American Immigration call foreign people ALIEN? Whats wrong
| with the word "foreign?" I mean as far as i know the definition of an
| "Alien" is a being from outta space. I know that some Americans have
| this thing in their head that their country is the only one that exist
| in the world, but im still waiting for my rocket to leave Pluto on my
| move to the land of opportunity..... or better still, to be called a
| fellow human being!
|
| --
|
You need to broaden your scope of definitions. Just because you have a
narrow understudying of the word doesn't mean yours is the only definition
that is acceptable.
May 8th 2007, 2:38 am
#11
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Why ALIEN??
"Hunter" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:rlR%[email protected]. net...
|
|
| "Neelam" <[email protected]> wrote in message
| news:[email protected] m...
||
|| Might be a basic question...
||
|| Why does American Immigration call foreign people ALIEN? Whats wrong
|| with the word "foreign?" I mean as far as i know the definition of an
|| "Alien" is a being from outta space. I know that some Americans have
|| this thing in their head that their country is the only one that exist
|| in the world, but im still waiting for my rocket to leave Pluto on my
|| move to the land of opportunity..... or better still, to be called a
|| fellow human being!
||
|| --
||
|
| You need to broaden your scope of definitions. Just because you have a
| narrow understudying of the word doesn't mean yours is the only definition
| that is acceptable.
...***understanding***
news:rlR%[email protected]. net...
|
|
| "Neelam" <[email protected]> wrote in message
| news:[email protected] m...
||
|| Might be a basic question...
||
|| Why does American Immigration call foreign people ALIEN? Whats wrong
|| with the word "foreign?" I mean as far as i know the definition of an
|| "Alien" is a being from outta space. I know that some Americans have
|| this thing in their head that their country is the only one that exist
|| in the world, but im still waiting for my rocket to leave Pluto on my
|| move to the land of opportunity..... or better still, to be called a
|| fellow human being!
||
|| --
||
|
| You need to broaden your scope of definitions. Just because you have a
| narrow understudying of the word doesn't mean yours is the only definition
| that is acceptable.
...***understanding***
May 8th 2007, 2:59 am
#12
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Why ALIEN??
Neelam wrote on 05/07/07 12:54:
> Might be a basic question...
>
> Why does American Immigration call foreign people ALIEN? Whats wrong
> with the word "foreign?" I mean as far as i know the definition of an
> "Alien" is a being from outta space.
No, it is not. That's only the understanding of popular culture, due to movies
called "Alien 1-4"...
>From Merriam-Webster (http://www.m-w.com/dictionary/alien):
1 a : belonging or relating to another person, place, or thing : STRANGE b :
relating, belonging, or owing allegiance to another country or government :
FOREIGN c : EXOTIC 1
2 : differing in nature or character typically to the point of incompatibility
--
I am not a lawyer.
For reliable advice, consult a competent immigration attorney.
> Might be a basic question...
>
> Why does American Immigration call foreign people ALIEN? Whats wrong
> with the word "foreign?" I mean as far as i know the definition of an
> "Alien" is a being from outta space.
No, it is not. That's only the understanding of popular culture, due to movies
called "Alien 1-4"...
>From Merriam-Webster (http://www.m-w.com/dictionary/alien):
1 a : belonging or relating to another person, place, or thing : STRANGE b :
relating, belonging, or owing allegiance to another country or government :
FOREIGN c : EXOTIC 1
2 : differing in nature or character typically to the point of incompatibility
--
I am not a lawyer.
For reliable advice, consult a competent immigration attorney.
May 8th 2007, 9:55 pm
#13
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Why ALIEN??
Alien is used because the word sounds undesirable. It makes you seem
strange, unwanted.
strange, unwanted.
May 9th 2007, 12:29 am
#15
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Why ALIEN??
On May 8, 2:55 pm, [email protected] wrote:
> Alien is used because the word sounds undesirable. It makes you seem
> strange, unwanted.
Don't be silly. It's used because it's an appropriate word for the
situation.
> Alien is used because the word sounds undesirable. It makes you seem
> strange, unwanted.
Don't be silly. It's used because it's an appropriate word for the
situation.