One of the more comical slanders of the KMT is the constant pointing out of the way Chen Shui-bian sometimes refers to himself in the third person. Thus you see claims that this is "creepy" or "doesn't bode well". It also crops out in the mainstream media discourse, which the KMT excels at influencing. Even veteran Taiwan observer Lawrence Eyton feels compels to point out that Chen refers to himself in the third person, as does the Taipei Times. Why anyone would be bothered by the President's references to himself in the first and third person is a mystery to me.Of course, as maddog pointed out to me, when Ma Ying-jeou does it, it occasions no mention in any kind of press. For example, as he said the other day.
Think that's creepy? Bodes ill? Nah. But when you are committed to belittling President Chen, any old thing will do.While acknowledging that his recent indictment on corruption charges was a setback, Ma expressed confidence that the KMT would win in the race next year.
"The setbacks and humiliations I've faced in the last six months were more than what I've encountered in my entire life. But I am not afraid. Ma Ying-jeou will not be defeated," he added.
[Taiwan] [KMT] [DPP] [media] [Chen Shui-bian] [Ma Ying-jeou]
The pot and the kettle
ReplyDeleteDeep Blue: "Your man always does this."
Deep Green: "Oh yeah? Well, your guy does it, too."
Must every personal invective be answered with counter charges? Is that the only way to deal with this? Couldn't one just respond, "That's petty. Get over it."?
And while we're on the topic:
"Bob Dole says..." Remember that? Megalomania is creepy.
Anon, you're misreading this. The issue isn't the petty KMT attacks on Chen, that's pro forma for them. The issue is the slanted media discourse that is the result of thoughtless absorption of KMT hogwash.
ReplyDeleteProbably I wasn't clear.
Michael
Did Chen sometimes or always refer to himself in 3rd person. If it just one or two cases, that's okay. I guess I will pay attention or go check out his old speech to see how often he refered himself as a 3rd person.
ReplyDeleteHowever, yea Anon is right, I think if someone uses all the time, it is creepy.
Oh please. Grow up. It's normal for leaders to refer to themselves in the third person in various ways. "this office" "the President" "this administration" etc.
ReplyDeleteMichael
Oh really? The whole point of Bush beating Bob Dole is that he can't even speak properly hence make him felt closer than Bob Dole to the voters.
ReplyDeleteAlso, if you are calling youself by name instead of title, it is creepy. Did Bob Dole ever use "this senator"? No, he always uses Bob Dole. Same thing for Chen, he always call himself by his nickname AhBen? It is not hard to use "I."
Also, I don't think slanted media is thoughtless. It serves a purpose. Just go watch FOX news or listen to conservative talk shows, I bet a lot of its biases are intentional; hardly thoughtless.
Ma Ying-jeou also did it when he announced running for president right after being indicted (*laugh*, I still think running for president right after being indicted is way too funny).
ReplyDeleteNot that they are model citizens, but NBA players do it all the time.
It's very common in Taiwan. As in I think culturally this is a way of formal speech.
ReplyDeleteMy parents do it to. I thought it was strange, but my parents that it's perfectly normal. So I am assuming it as a Taiwanese culture thing.
If this is Taiwanese culture, the KMT are probably doing this because they want to belittle Taiwanese culture. And show how wonderful and "educated" their own race is. They have a superiority complex issue that they need to sort out.
If this is Taiwanese culture, the KMT are probably doing this because they want to belittle Taiwanese culture. And show how wonderful and "educated" their own race is. They have a superiority complex issue that they need to sort out.
ReplyDeleteThis just sounds like the Republicans propagada in the US by calling democrates "the elitist." The funny thing is that it is probably true. If you look at current post-doctoral population of China born and Taiwan born Ph.D.s in science in the US, and compare it to 10-15 years ago, you will realize what I mean. Or just look at the Applied Chemistry department Chair's CV that Michael is teaching at, it is not cool to alter the order of name or dropping out two co-arthor names in his 2 publications in what...Tetrahedron Letter (If you are a chemist, you will know what I mean; Tetrahedron Letter...).
This is practise stems from Japanese culture. And is incorporated into Taiwan during the Japanese rule.
ReplyDeleteSince the Chinese have tried very hard to eradicate all Japanese linkages in Taiwan, this is probably another reason why they are anti this way of speaking.They dislike all things Japanese, I suppose.
But the Chinese do have a superiority complex issue. They think they are better than Taiwanese people. This mentality stems from the fact that they WERE the "ruling class" with all the priviledges and benfits whilst we were the "second class citizens".
Thank you Riko, please show me which Japanese prime minister uses 3rd person or any reference of 3rd person usage in Japanese culture. When I go to talks given by Japanese scientists, the most common usage to describe he/she or his/her works are: "We, I, our works, and my lab, etc." However, they do all speak in English, so they may have change how they speak due to different language is used.
ReplyDelete