[y33t]

In Chinese there's a common word that sounds like a particularly offensive racial slur to the untrained American ear. I've seen Chinese speakers called out for this in person, but everything got straightened out pretty quickly. This was pre-social media, but it's not hard to imagine a social media uproar over it these days.

[renewiltord]

Enjoy the uproar then https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-china-54107329.amp

This prof lost a gig

[bear141]

To me it feels like society is finally moving on from this insane over emphasis on finding things to be offended by and identity culture bs. I’m really hoping it peaked in the lockdown when people really had nothing better to do.

[0_____0]

那个 (nèige)[1]

It does stick out of Mandarin speech to the US English speaker, but it's typically pretty obvious from context that it's not related to the slur. It's never been worth more than a giggle when growing up, I'm spending like 100x more time on thinking about it right now than I have cumulatively in my life, despite having grown up around Chinese people.

[1]: https://resources.allsetlearning.com/chinese/grammar/The_fil...

[WhitneyLand]

It is quite striking and bizarre the first time you’re in an extended conversation, and hear it over and over.

Surprised someone was called out though as all the social cues around should be enough to sense no ill intent.